Advisory Committee
Assoc. Prof. Catarina Ang
Dr. Catarina Ang is a leading specialist in women’s health, with a distinguished reputation in advanced gynaecological surgery, fertility medicine, and health system innovation. She currently serves as Head of Gynaecology Unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, where she pioneered robotic surgery for gynaecological procedures – becoming the first female surgeon in Australia to do so.
Catarina’s clinical expertise has been honed through prestigious international fellowships, including at the University of Oxford and CHU Clermont-Ferrand in France. She holds a portfolio of postgraduate qualifications spanning reproductive medicine, epidemiology, surgical education, and a Senior Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School.
In private practice, she is the founder and principal of MIGYNAE, a specialised clinic in minimally invasive gynaecology and endometriosis care, and a fertility specialist at Genea Fertility. Her combined leadership in surgical innovation, healthcare delivery, and patient-centred care provides the Vuvale Capital advisory committee with deep sectoral insight as the firm identifies opportunities across the healthcare sector.
David Brennan
David Brennan is a senior executive in the investment management industry and a highly regarded non-executive director with deep expertise across financial services, healthcare, and not-for-profit sectors throughout the APAC region. With a career spanning over two decades, he brings to Vuvale Capital a rare combination of strategic capital markets insight, stakeholder engagement expertise, and a passion for purpose-driven investment.
David began his career as a graduate at Macquarie Bank, before going on to hold senior leadership positions at leading institutions including Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, U Ethical Investors and AustralianSuper, where he served as Principal – Business Development. His contribution to Vuvale Capital strengthens the firm’s strategic positioning across investment origination, stakeholder engagement, and values-aligned growth.
Jure Brkan
Jure Brkan is a recognised leader in digital business transformation and customer experience innovation in the Australian market. As the Founder and Managing Director of Innovior, he has led the firm’s work in guiding major corporations through complex transformation programs, harnessing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics to drive operational and customer-centric outcomes.
Under Jure’s leadership, Innovior quickly established itself as a premier consultancy in digital and data-driven transformation, culminating in its acquisition by Probe CX (a KKR-backed company) in 2022. Post-acquisition, Jure has remained at the helm to continue shaping the strategic growth and innovation agenda across the group.
As a member of the Vuvale Capital advisory committee, Jure brings deep expertise in digital operating models, innovation strategy, and scalable technology deployment. His ability to translate customer insight into business performance aligns with Vuvale Capital’s commitment to investing in future-focused businesses with strong market potential.
David Hartley
David Hartley is a veteran of the Australian financial services sector, with over 40 years of experience spanning retail and commercial banking, financial planning, and integrated wealth advisory. As the Founder and Director of Hartley Financial, he has built a national firm delivering holistic financial services, including tax, accounting, investment, lending, and strategic planning.
David previously co-founded Prestige Mortgages and served as Managing Director of Mortgage Wisdom, where he led a national network of brokers. His enduring commitment to client-focused financial solutions and innovation in wealth management has positioned him as a trusted advisor to professionals, families, and business owners alike.
As a member of the Vuvale Capital advisory committee, David provides grounded expertise in financial product structuring, distribution strategy, and personal wealth dynamics—bringing a retail lens to complement the firm’s institutional investment focus.
Kirstin Schneider
Kirstin Schneider is a highly respected expert in valuation, business transformation, and capital readiness. With over 20 years of experience working across private equity, high-growth SMEs, and large corporates, she brings strategic clarity and executional depth to complex investment and operating environments.
As Founder and Managing Partner of Hyfen Consulting, Schneider leads engagements with purpose-driven organisations to accelerate enterprise value creation through organisational design, operating model transformation, and strategic capital planning. Her advisory work has supported landmark transformation programs at Orica, Australia Post, Coles, Wesfarmers, and AGL.
Schneider also serves as Deputy Chair of the Yarra Energy Foundation, reflecting her commitment to sustainable and impact-oriented growth. At Vuvale Capital, she contributes critical expertise in business model valuation, post-investment transformation, and long-term value creation strategies—making her an essential voice in due diligence and portfolio development.
Assoc. Prof. Catarina Ang
Dr. Catarina Ang is a leading specialist in women’s health, with a distinguished reputation in advanced gynaecological surgery, fertility medicine, and health system innovation. She currently serves as Head of Gynaecology Unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, where she pioneered robotic surgery for gynaecological procedures – becoming the first female surgeon in Australia to do so.
Catarina’s clinical expertise has been honed through prestigious international fellowships, including at the University of Oxford and CHU Clermont-Ferrand in France. She holds a portfolio of postgraduate qualifications spanning reproductive medicine, epidemiology, surgical education, and a Senior Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School.
In private practice, she is the founder and principal of MIGYNAE, a specialised clinic in minimally invasive gynaecology and endometriosis care, and a fertility specialist at Genea Fertility. Her combined leadership in surgical innovation, healthcare delivery, and patient-centred care provides the Vuvale Capital advisory committee with deep sectoral insight as the firm identifies opportunities across the healthcare sector.
David Brennan
David Brennan is a senior executive in the investment management industry and a highly regarded non-executive director with deep expertise across financial services, healthcare, and not-for-profit sectors throughout the APAC region. With a career spanning over two decades, he brings to Vuvale Capital a rare combination of strategic capital markets insight, stakeholder engagement expertise, and a passion for purpose-driven investment.
David began his career as a graduate at Macquarie Bank, before going on to hold senior leadership positions at leading institutions including Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, U Ethical Investors and AustralianSuper, where he served as Principal – Business Development. His contribution to Vuvale Capital strengthens the firm’s strategic positioning across investment origination, stakeholder engagement, and values-aligned growth.
Jure Brkan
Jure Brkan is a recognised leader in digital business transformation and customer experience innovation in the Australian market. As the Founder and Managing Director of Innovior, he has led the firm’s work in guiding major corporations through complex transformation programs, harnessing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics to drive operational and customer-centric outcomes.
Under Jure’s leadership, Innovior quickly established itself as a premier consultancy in digital and data-driven transformation, culminating in its acquisition by Probe CX (a KKR-backed company) in 2022. Post-acquisition, Jure has remained at the helm to continue shaping the strategic growth and innovation agenda across the group.
As a member of the Vuvale Capital advisory committee, Jure brings deep expertise in digital operating models, innovation strategy, and scalable technology deployment. His ability to translate customer insight into business performance aligns with Vuvale Capital’s commitment to investing in future-focused businesses with strong market potential.
David Hartley
David Hartley is a veteran of the Australian financial services sector, with over 40 years of experience spanning retail and commercial banking, financial planning, and integrated wealth advisory. As the Founder and Director of Hartley Financial, he has built a national firm delivering holistic financial services, including tax, accounting, investment, lending, and strategic planning.
David previously co-founded Prestige Mortgages and served as Managing Director of Mortgage Wisdom, where he led a national network of brokers. His enduring commitment to client-focused financial solutions and innovation in wealth management has positioned him as a trusted advisor to professionals, families, and business owners alike.
As a member of the Vuvale Capital advisory committee, David provides grounded expertise in financial product structuring, distribution strategy, and personal wealth dynamics—bringing a retail lens to complement the firm’s institutional investment focus.
Kirstin Schneider
Kirstin Schneider is a highly respected expert in valuation, business transformation, and capital readiness. With over 20 years of experience working across private equity, high-growth SMEs, and large corporates, she brings strategic clarity and executional depth to complex investment and operating environments.
As Founder and Managing Partner of Hyfen Consulting, Schneider leads engagements with purpose-driven organisations to accelerate enterprise value creation through organisational design, operating model transformation, and strategic capital planning. Her advisory work has supported landmark transformation programs at Orica, Australia Post, Coles, Wesfarmers, and AGL.
Schneider also serves as Deputy Chair of the Yarra Energy Foundation, reflecting her commitment to sustainable and impact-oriented growth. At Vuvale Capital, she contributes critical expertise in business model valuation, post-investment transformation, and long-term value creation strategies—making her an essential voice in due diligence and portfolio development.