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.

Steven

Software Engineer

Steven is the Software Engineer at the company, bringing extensive experience in full-stack development and cloud-based solutions. He plays a pivotal role in delivering scalable, efficient systems that meet the evolving needs of the business.
With expertise in API development, database management, and modern frameworks. Steven ensures that all technical implementations align with business objectives, driving operational success and innovation.