The ESSSuper Don Kofoed Memorial Young Super Scholarship

The scholarship was designed to commemorate Don Kofoed – a former CEO of ESSSuper.
 
During Don’s tenure at ESSSuper, he made a substantial impact in developing the fund and achieved an enormous amount of progressive reform across the business.  This is even more remarkable considering Don was undergoing chemotherapy over that period.
 
Don was CEO of ESSSuper until February 2009 when he left to focus on his health, but he unfortunately passed away in early April 2010 after a courageous two year fight against cancer.   
 
Don was committed to the professional development of all employees and had a specific interest in ensuring that young talent was provided with the support and opportunities to reach their potential.
 
He was a mentor to a number of young professionals and his commitment and work has helped build high calibre employees within the organisations in which he worked.
 
ESSSuper was pleased to partner with the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA) in the development and promotion of the scholarship.
 
The inaugural 2011 Don Kofoed Memorial Young Super Scholarship attracted over fifty applicants – and after two rounds of judging by a panel of six industry representatives three finalists was selected.

• Mr Brendan Laffey of QSuper
• Mr Brendan Tse of BT Financial Group
• Mr Blair McPherson of VicSuper

Judging for the Scholarship was completed during August, with the winner, Mr McPherson being announced on Monday 29 August.
 
As the winner of the scholarship, Mr McPherson received professional development opportunities valued at approximately $10,000 to further his learning in the super industry.
 
At the presentation event, Mr Mark Puli (CEO - Acting) spoke to the formation of the scholarship and introduced Mrs Emma Kofoed who presented Mr McPherson with the award.

 
(L - R) Pauline Vamos (ASFA), Brendan Laffey, Mark Puli, Blair McPherson, Brendan Tse and Emma Kofoed

Go to our ‘In the media’ page for further details on the presentation.

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