Ms. Louise Petschler brings deep expertise in public policy, governance, financial services and community‑sector leadership to HADIA Foundation. Her career spans senior roles across government, consumer advocacy, and national industry bodies, giving her a rare breadth of experience that strengthens HADIA’s strategic direction and organisational capacity.
Louise previously served as CEO of the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA), the national body representing Australia’s customer‑owned banks, mutual banks and credit unions—organisations collectively managing more than $90 billion in assets. During her leadership, she oversaw major public policy engagements, industry reforms, and national advocacy initiatives.
Before joining COBA, Louise worked in senior roles focused on public affairs, consumer protection, and financial-services policy, including at CHOICE, Australia’s leading consumer rights organisation. She also held senior public policy positions at Cuscal and in government‑related advisory functions, giving her substantial experience navigating complex regulatory environments.
Since 2015, Louise has been a senior executive at the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), first as General Manager of Advocacy and now as General Manager, Education and Policy Leadership. In these roles, she leads national governance policy, regulatory affairs, media strategy, and major reform initiatives, including work on board diversity, First Nations governance, and not‑for‑profit governance standards.
Louise is also a long‑standing Director of HADIA Foundation, supporting its governance, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Her background in regulation, banking, consumer advocacy, and national policy gives HADIA a strong foundation in ethical practice, transparent operations, and community‑centred strategy—vital strengths for a charity operating across complex environments like Afghanistan.
She holds graduate‑level qualifications, including studies at UNSW, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and the Harvard Business School’s Senior Executive Leadership Program.
Louise’s strategic insight, governance expertise, and commitment to community service make her an invaluable contributor to HADIA Foundation’s mission to deliver practical, impactful support to vulnerable communities.
