Your Key to
Better Charity
Communications

Ronan

Co-Founder

Ronan has been in the fundraising industry for 15 years and has been working in donor acquisition management for the last 10 years, acquiring in excess of 150,000 new donors from different clients. Ronan started his career in fundraising with Cornucopia and within 7 years had worked his way into managing a large Brisbane Team.
From here, he moved on to start his own franchise under the Aida Group, Rush Marketing, which ran for over 5 years on an independent contracting model, before transitioning his teams onto the employment model with the launch of Surge Direct in early 2017. Ronan has unrivalled experience on the field, and he teaches from this experience.

Ross

Co-Founder

Ross started his career in professional practice at one of the Big Four Accounting Firms. Since then, he has started and developed various businesses across many fields. Most recently creating a startup that became one of the Top 5 Providers in the Australian NDIS space.
His ability to build and nurture innovative teams and systems makes him an asset. Ross has a passion for driving efficiency through innovation. He looks forward to transferring some of the lessons from his previous business to build a strong results focused team.

Stef

Co-Founder

Operations Manager, Excel extraordinaire, and self-proclaimed crazy cat lady! Stef’s got it all. With 10 years of industry experience, Stef has been an integral part of Surge’s growth alongside Ronan, building the company from the ground up. She thrives in her role, managing and working across multiple departments, creating innovative systems to meet the ever-developing needs of our growing business.
Stef is a problem-solving enthusiast who loves a challenge. She’s always seeking opportunities to enhance her own skills and empower her team. One of the things she loves most about this industry is its ability to nurture and develop individuals, regardless of their background or education. It’s a “what you put in, is what you get out” kind of gig!

Sahil

Chief Technology Officer

Sahil is a highly accomplished technology leader with extensive experience in spearheading strategic Risk Management, planning, and implementation with several years of extensive experience in the management of web and mobile apps.
A proven record of delivering innovative solutions through technical and leadership expertise coupled with strong business acumen and a commitment to innovation that exceeds expectations. Skilled at leading cross-functional teams in the design, development, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Web-based and Mobile application-based solutions.

Chris

General Manager

Chris is a highly accomplished commercial and fundraising leader with over eight years of diverse experience in both charity and agency environments. He has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and achieving significant results.
As the Manager of Third-Party Fundraising Channels at World Vision Australia, Chris successfully championed a remarkable 700% increase in yearly supporter acquisitions over three financial years. Prior to his role at World Vision, Chris served as the Head of Client Services at IVE Group | Pareto, where he led a team in delivering impactful fundraising campaigns for many of Australia’s leading charities.
Chris offers a well-rounded perspective and a robust understanding of multi-channel marketing strategies, effectively supporting the entire donor lifecycle— from acquisition to loyalty and retention.

Markus

Head of Contact Centre Operations

Originally from Chilly Sweden, our Call Centre Manager, Markus followed his heart (and the sunshine) across the world, before finally deciding to settle down and make the sunshine state of Brisbane his home. This is where he was first introduced to the industry. What started as a temporary gig in fundraising, turned into a lifelong passion, and Markus has been raising money for charities on both the charity side and agency side ever since.
During the week, you’ll find Markus getting excited over data – he firmly believes that analysing data holds the key to unlocking all the answers and insights – and managing our energetic calling team in our Brisbane Call Centre, but when the weekend rolls around, he’s all about embracing nature and animals. Camping in areas with no cell phone reception is his idea of a perfect getaway!

Eliza

Head of Client Services

Eliza is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in both agency and charity fundraising roles. With an impressive track record, she has honed her skills in developing innovative fundraising strategies and delivering exceptional client service. Her expertise lies in leading and nurturing high-performing client services teams, where she fosters a culture of collaboration and excellence.