Executive Team

Funding is led by a high-performing team of lending, credit, sales, technology, marketing and funds management professionals who have come together to shepherd the company into its next phase of growth. Our strengths and complementary skill-sets have allowed us to differentiate ourselves in the industry, giving us the ability to scale expansion swiftly and dominate in the non-bank lending space.

Meet our leadership team

Portrait of Jack O'Reilly, CEO & Founder of Funding

Jack O’Reilly

Founder & CEO

With his innovation-first approach, entrepreneurial spirit and inspiring leadership style, Jack O’Reilly drives Funding’s vision to reshape financial services so more Australians can get ahead sooner. With over a decade of experience in lending and fixed-income investments, Jack was awarded Young Leaders in Finance, CEO of the Year in 2018. Admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia, Jack transitioned to entrepreneurship to create Funding in 2015, aiming to serve a need for lending that he felt was missing in the market. Under his leadership, Funding is known for quick settlements, transparent terms and a customer-centric approach. The Gold Coast has always been Jack’s home.

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn
Photo of Dani Davidson, Chief Performance Officer at Funding.

Dani Davidson

Chief Performance Officer

Dani leads business operations and strategy. Recognised in the Mortgage Professional Australia Elite Women list in 2022, Dani is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. After achieving her law degree and being admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland, Dani fulfilled her dream of becoming a lawyer, specialising in dispute resolution and litigation. Since joining Funding’s leadership team, Dani has dedicated her time to her passions: empowering people, promoting inclusive practices and driving Funding’s direction for accessible and innovative finance solutions. Dani lives on the Gold Coast.

Connect with Dani on LinkedIn
Photo of Daniel Szekely, External Director at Funding.

Daniel Szekely

External Director

Daniel joined the board of Funding after an equity investment from EVP. Prior to joining EVP, he spent five years as a corporate and commercial lawyer leading a specialist start-up-focused legal practice. Daniel combines deep commercial and transactional experience with a pragmatic start-up perspective, making him a sought-after board member, mentor and advisor, both within and external to the EVP portfolio.

paul headshot square 180x180

Paul Bywater

Head of Finance

At the helm of our Finance team, and with over 25 years experience in accounting, treasury, and senior financial management roles, Paul is responsible for leading the strategic and operational elements of Funding’s finances.

A qualified chartered accountant with significant engagement in the banking and finance sector, Paul has previously operated at a senior financial and executive level for several of New Zealand’s major corporates and SOE’s. Prior to this Paul worked for global accountancy firm KPMG in New Zealand and London, working within the audit, corporate finance and insolvency practices.

steve 180x180

Steven Brown

Chief Technology Officer

Steven is leads technology and innovation, ensuring Funding stays ahead of the curve as early adopters the fintech space. With a host of senior software and developer roles in various industries across large-scale global organisations, Steven has distinguished himself as a well-rounded and experienced IT professional. Steve is a strong advocate for DEI in STEM. Steve is based on the Gold Coast.

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn
new headshot chris

Chris Maamoun

Head of Sales - Broker

Chris leads Funding’s award-winning nationwide Business Development (BDM) team. Working closely with our network of brokers and aggregators, he is driven to build long-lasting client relationships, working to assist them in creating business solutions that meet their goals. Chris have over ten years of experience in strategic planning, managing, and growing accounts, generating new business and building client relationships. Originally from the UK, Chris now calls Brisbane home.

Photo of Kye Donnely

Kye Donnelly

Head of Development Finance

Kye leads construction financing, treasury management, and development projects at Funding. He has 6 years of financial services experience, and has risen through the ranks of Funding, since joining in 2020, to lead a high-performing credit and loans administration team. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Bond University and a Bachelor of Business & Economics from the University of Queensland. Kye is a born-and-bred Gold Coaster.

Connect with Kye on LinkedIn
michael darragh 2

Michael Darragh

Head of Marketing

Michael Darragh leads product, growth, content, and brand marketing. He has 20+ years of leadership experience in Australia, China, France, the UK and the United States. Prior to Funding, Michael directed global digital marketing at a Silicon Valley HR Tech firm. Before that, he was a marketing transformation consultant at General Mills. Previously, he enjoyed a multi-award-winning career at international agencies Ogilvy and McCann working with brands like American Express and MasterCard. His first job was at Rolling Stone in Sydney where he led the team that produced the masthead’s first website in 1999. Michael lives on the Gold Coast, where he was born.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn