She steps into role following Wendy Robertson's retirement
Laura Downer (pictured) has been appointed as the new state manager – business development for South Australia and the Northern Territory at the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), with the role taking effect from July 1.
Downer succeeds Wendy Robertson, who is retiring after more than two decades with the organisation.
With over 15 years of industry experience, Downer has held roles as a broker, lender business development manager (BDM), and aggregator BDM. Her previous positions include tenures at AMP Bank, ME Bank, and PLAN Australia.
“I love this industry and am here to focus on what matters – you. I want to help you adapt, grow and stay informed as our industry evolves, while continuing to uphold the standards and community spirit we share. I’m energised by the opportunity to work alongside MFAA members and contribute to the strength of our profession,” Downer said.
Throughout her career, she has coached and mentored brokers through regulatory shifts and market challenges, while advocating for stronger support structures across the industry.
MFAA executive for member experience and partnerships Melanie Kafka noted that Downer would play an active role in supporting members through industry changes.
“You’ll be seeing Laura at upcoming MFAA events, industry forums, and in direct engagement with members. She brings not only industry experience and knowledge to our SA/NT members, but also enthusiasm and a genuine passion for working with members and growing the MFAA community,” Kafka said.
