Welcoming Karen to our new Financial Capability Worker role.

We are thrilled to welcome Karen O’Connell to the team in our new Financial Capability Worker role. Karen brings a wealth of experience from various sectors, including the government, corporate and non-government sectors, in education and training, mediation and counselling, child wellbeing and protection, policy and research, and management.

Karen wanted to extend her learning and decided to retrain as a financial counsellor after reading a blurb by Scott Pape, author of Barefoot Investor, who did the same after being impacted by a natural disaster.

“In financial counselling, the focus is on social justice and working alongside vulnerable populations to empower them to increase their financial literacy and gain self-sufficiency,” Karen said.
“This aligns so well with the values that Head Start Homes embodies and promotes.
To listen to client's aspirations for themselves and their families, and to support them to realise their dreams - and perhaps change the whole direction of a life - is an absolute honour,” she said.

Karen’s diverse background and commitment to social justice make her an ideal fit for Head Start Homes, where she will play a pivotal role in our Enhanced Empowerment Services.

Our Enhanced Empowerment Services are a cornerstone of our mission to provide equitable access to home ownership. This initiative includes financial coaching, homebuyer education, and ongoing support from a network of organisations across the housing and homeownership ecosystem. Karen's role will be integral in empowering our clients to increase their financial literacy and gain self-sufficiency, aligning perfectly with the values that Head Start Homes embodies and promotes.

Stephen Woodlands, Founder and Managing Director of Head Start Homes, expressed his excitement about Karen joining the team.

“Karen's addition to our team marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to improve and expand our Empowerment Products and Services. Her expertise and passion will not only enhance our clients' financial capability and journey towards home ownership but also contribute to our broader goal of helping to end intergenerational poverty. We look forward to the innovative approaches and dedicated support Karen will bring to our clients and team. Welcome aboard, Karen!”