Meet Rajiv, our newest Board member

Head Start Homes is excited to welcome its newest board member, Rajiv Viswanathan.  

With more than 20 years experience in the public, private and community sectors, Rajiv brings with him an extraordinary wealth of knowledge, skills and contacts. 

For the past decade, Rajiv has worked with Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), a commercially focused statutory corporation supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve economic self-sufficiency through investment and lending activities, most recently as its Chief Executive Officer. 

He first worked as a corporate lawyer in London and Sydney, then held roles in business development and risk management for the Macquarie Group.   

 Rajiv is passionate about developing and applying commercial solutions to create social impact and believes his core set of skills will help Head Start Homes grow.  

 “For the past decade I’ve been living and breathing the process of taking different commercial models and learning how to apply them for social impact in a whole range of different settings,” he said.  

 “There’s lots of different ways we can support home ownership and I’m keen to be part of that innovation.” 

 Working with IBA means that Rajiv has seen first hand the impact that home ownership can have on someone’s life.  

“It’s not a desktop understanding - I have been with people in all parts of the country and I strongly believe in the benefits home ownership can bring.  

 “I’m hoping to open up new partnership opportunities in the Indigenous and non- indigenous context and harness many of my relationships for the benefits of HSH.” 

Rajiv is also passionate about helping migrants and asylum seekers and has a history of  pro bono policy and advocacy work with key community organisations. 

HSH Chair, Vanessa Chan, said Rajiv brought with him expert knowledge in the banking and finance sectors, and a depth of experience working with First Nations’ communities. 

Vanessa Chan, Chair

“Rajiv has an incredibly strong reputation and range of relationships across private, government and social enterprises, which we know he is keen to bring to the work of the board,” said Vanessa.  

 “He is an innovator who is future focused and his skills are wrapped up with a deep passion about social justice, which makes him a perfect fit for us.”  

Stephen Woodlands, HSH Founder and Managing Director, said he was thrilled by the appointment. 

Stephen Woodlands, Founder and Managing Director

“This year I’ve had the privilege of collaborating and innovating with Rajiv in his capacity as a valued volunteer. Rajiv has demonstrated a deep understanding of home finance, social impact and the ability to think outside the box as we continue to seek innovations that help bring about equal access to home ownership,” he said.   

“I look forward to continuing to work with Rajiv in his new role as HSH Director and know he will make an invaluable contribution as we strive for our vision of a safe and stable home for everyone with fair and practical pathways into home ownership.”