Chris Downes has been CEO of DVA since 2005. He currently leads the company's Direct Mail operations, providing strategic direction and assisting clients with their donor development strategies. Since his return from Canada in his role of International CFO of DVA Navion, he has built a team of experts providing strategic advice, creative and copywriting, logistical planning for Direct Mail programs. In that short period of time, DVA has had an impact in the Direct Mail field with some exceptional results in acquisition, donor reactivation and renewal programs.

He is also actively involved with DVA's work with the AFL in establishing sustainable funding strategies with a number of the clubs during its work over the last 3 years. With 17 years of experience in the consulting field he has a diverse experience in providing direct mail, major gifts, capital campaigns, bequest programs throughout the not-for-profit sector working with welfare, healthcare, disability services and education. He is an owner and Director of DVA and is a member of the FIA and AICD.

As Partner in DVA Navion Australasia, Ed brings his ongoing significant North American experience to our clients in Australia and New Zealand. His experience of well over 25 years is now shared with DVA Navion's clients during his regular visits to Australia and New Zealand each year. His strategic thinking and ability to review progress and set future goals keeps campaigns seriously on track.

Ed has planned and managed major capital campaigns, directed feasibility studies and helped strengthen annual giving programs working with a number of clients around the world. He has extensive experience working with National and International clients including Salvation Army, American Association for the Blind.

In his career, he has directed campaigns with goals totalling more than $100 million. He is a frequent lecturer, with a background in capital campaigning, board development, direct mail, special events, planned giving, marketing and communications. He is an alumnus of Georgia State University.

Over the past twenty years, Michael has established himself as an international expert on fundraising. In New York in 1988, he was unanimously elected to be the founding Chair of the World Fundraising Council, representing over 30,000 fundraising professionals around the world. This international exposure has allowed him to work in most major markets throughout the world where organised fundraising exists. He is a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Advertising Institute of Australia with a Diploma of Marketing Studies from R.M.I.T. in Melbourne. With such a strong reputation, Michael is a much sought after speaker at major international fundraising conferences. He has given plenary sessions at NSFRE conferences in the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico, the Association of Healthcare Professionals in the U.S.A. and Canada, the ICFM conference in Birmingham, England, African Conferences, South East Asia workshops and on several occasions he was the featured speaker at the blockbuster Amsterdam International Fundraising Workshop and the Australian Fundraising Institute conferences. His book "Downes on Fundraising" sold out three print runs worldwide over ten years. It is now out of print and has become a collector's item in fundraising circles.

With 22 years experience in Fundraising and Marketing, Kimberly’s range of knowledge of fundraising and communication adds considerable leadership to any campaign. Kimberly’s first campaign was with the Boy Scouts in the USA where she raised $2 million for an outdoor education centre. Kimberly served as Executive Officer of the Downes Ryan Group in 1996/1997 which was an international group of fundraising consultancies which came together to share trends and best practices in fundraising. Former Vice-President of Client Services and Quality Control of DVA Navion Australasia, Kimberly was based in the Melbourne office but served clients in VIC, NSW and SA. She directed a consulting staff of 15 and was responsible for campaign targets, client relations and sales and marketing for the firm.

After 17 years of consulting some of her clients include: The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, The Clifford Craig Medical Research Institute, The Howard Florey Institute, Xavier College, Genazzano FCJ College, Damascus College, Dental Health Services of Victoria, Melbourne Business School, Melbourne Zoos, The University of Melbourne, The Salvation Army, The War Memorial, Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and Potomac Hospital in Maryland. Five years ago she entered the school sector working initially at Carey Baptist Grammar School as their Alumni Manager and then Genazzano FCJ College as Director of Development. She then was Manager of Major Gifts and Bequests at La Trobe University and was Deputy Director and Head of Philanthropy at the St Vincent’s Hospital Foundation in Melbourne. Her expertise includes major gifts, capital campaigns, annual campaigns, prospect research, Trusts and Foundations relationships and proposals, event management, donor protocols, donor recognition, donor segmentation, public relations, publications, marketing and alumni programs, staff recruitment, and volunteer and Board training and development. Kim rejoined DVA in January 2012.

Emmi is a strategic advisor on direct mail fundraising clients to DVA Navion in Australia and New Zealand.

Emmi manages a large number of national and international direct mail clients including World Vision, Greepeace amongst many others from planning through to implementation which involves mailing to donors throughout Africa, North America and Europe.

A regular visitor and contributor to the Australian business, Emmi has over 27 years experience in fundraising.

Richard is one of the Creative Directors of DMI and DVA Navion, He is responsible for developing creative strategies and appeal mailing concepts for a large range of local and international welfare organisations. He leads our team of in house and freelance copywriters and designers.

With a diploma in Journalism, Richard honed his writing and design skills as a newspaper reporter and layout artist. He provides strategic advice on creative presentation and leads a growing 'online' fundraising business which provides counsel and management of online campaigns and assessment of charitable internet sites for DVA Navion clients worldwide.

With over twenty five years' experience writing direct mail fundraising appeals for the whole spectrum of our Southern hemisphere clients, Denise's forte is writing emotive copy that tells life changing stories.

She is also a master hand at creating sincere and moving 'thank you' letters, which she believes are the crucial first step in acquiring repeat gifts.

Denise has been writing for a number of our Australian and New Zealand clients producing exceptional results in both renewal 'warm' and acquisition 'cold' campaigns.

Viv's relationship with Downes Murray and its predecessor companies goes back to 1978 when Terry Murray appointed her to a management position in one of his entrepreneurial businesses. Over the years she "osmosed a vast knowledge of direct response alongside her career in the printing industry and in banking management.

Her copywriting mentor was an American who was a doyenne of fundraising.

Since then Viv has honed her skills in the field of commercial direct response. Her experience and skill set bring s new edge and approach to copywriting for many clients and her work with the DVA Navion's client will be noticed.

Robyn is an experienced journalist and copywriter with a BA majoring in English, Journalism and Politics. Prior to working with DMI and DVA Navion she was editor for a National Magazine and layout sub-editor for Business Day, and also freelanced for various magazines overseas.

An experienced typographical proof-reader, Robyn has an eye for detail that ensures her work is always right on target. Robyn serves the Australian business in this capacity.