KRED Enterprises marks CFO transition and next phase of finance leadership
KRED Enterprises is marking an important leadership transition, with long-serving Chief Financial Officer Jodie Pincini stepping back from the CFO role and moving into a new chapter of work within the organisation.
The transition will see Chandana Narayan and Rhonen Maher step into joint CFO roles, bringing together complementary strengths across KRED’s internal operations and external client services.
For KRED Enterprises CEO Damien Parriman, the transition reflects years of deliberate succession planning.
“This is something that has been in the pipeline for some time,” Damien said. “A key part of the transition has been making sure corporate knowledge is not lost when people move on. Succession planning is critical, not just for KRED, but for many organisations across the Kimberley.”
Jodie has played a central role in KRED’s finance function and its growth over many years. Her leadership has helped shape not only the systems and structures of the organisation, but also the culture of the finance team.
Reflecting on the transition, Jodie said stepping back from the CFO role was emotional, but necessary for the long-term strength of the organisation.
“The long-term success of KRED requires new people to step into these roles,” Jodie said. “I’ve seen what can happen when succession planning is not in place for important positions. It can have a huge impact on an organisation.”
For Jodie, the work has always been about more than technical finance. It has been about purpose, relationships, and building a team that understands the Kimberley context.
“In the Kimberley, it’s not just about having the technical skills,” she said. “It’s about fit, relationships, understanding the Indigenous space, and being able to work with flexibility.”
Chandana, who first came to Broome on a short placement before later returning from Sydney to join KRED, said the organisation offered something she had not experienced in corporate finance.
“The work here felt rewarding in a way that corporate Australia didn’t,” Chandana said. “There was a values match. You can see the effect of the work closely, and you’re working with community.”
As joint CFO, Chandana will have a strong focus on KRED Finance’s external client base, supporting PBCs, ACCOs and other organisations as they navigate increasingly complex financial environments.
“The landscape is changing,” Chandana said. “A lot of organisations are growing beyond single grants and are now managing multiple grants, economic development projects and ongoing income streams. Finance support needs to keep pace with that.”
Chandana also acknowledged the role Jodie has played as a mentor.
“Jodie is one of the best bosses I’ve ever had,” she said. “She has so much corporate knowledge, but also such a big heart. She listens, she cares deeply about staff and clients, and she has helped me shift from a corporate lens to a community lens.”
Rhonen, a Kimberley Aboriginal man born in Broome, will focus strongly on KRED’s internal operations and core business. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce and later returning to Broome, he joined KRED in 2020 and has since completed further professional studies with Jodie’s support.
He said the opportunity to step into CFO leadership had been years in the making.
“I started this journey a couple of years ago after finishing my CA,” Rhonen said. “It can feel daunting, but the foundations have been put in place. Jodie is still around KRED, and that helps.”
Rhonen said financial literacy and Aboriginal participation in finance remain important motivations for his work.
“Financial literacy informs almost every decision we make,” he said. “We need more Indigenous voices with financial knowledge working on the ground and being able to speak that language with community and members.”
Damien said Rhonen’s progression carries significance beyond the role itself.
“To see a Kimberley Aboriginal man work his way through the finance sector and earn a role like CFO is important,” Damien said. “It means something for him, for his family, for community, and for Aboriginal people seeing themselves in leadership roles in finance.”
The joint CFO model reflects the growth of KRED and the increasing scale of its work. Rhonen and Chandana will work closely together, with support from Jodie, Damien and the wider KRED team, to maintain continuity while bringing new energy and leadership to the role.
Rhonen said the shared model was a strength.
“Chandana has a brilliant mind and strong client relationship skills,” he said. “I’ll be focused more internally. We have different strengths, and we’re not afraid to have the conversations and work through things together.”
For Jodie, the next stage is about seeing both new CFOs build confidence in their own leadership.
“In 12 months’ time, I’d love them to be able to say, ‘I did it’,” she said. “I want them to have confidence that when something new comes up, they can work it out. I want the clients and the board to have that confidence in them too.”
As KRED continues to support its members, clients and communities across the Kimberley, the CFO transition marks both continuity and renewal: a planned handover, a continued strengthening of internal capability, and a clear investment in the next generation of finance leadership.
