Our People
The team behind the mission
The Bren Foundation is led by a small, dedicated team united by a single purpose — ensuring every dollar we give reaches the people who need it most.
Founder
Shelly-Ann Bren-Ashcroft
As daughter to billionaire businessman and property developer Donald Bren, Shelly-Ann migrated to Australia in 1970, but spent an average of eight months per year in California. She returned to California permanently in 1979 with her husband Michael and newborn son Lucas. Early in her career, Shelly-Ann was an equity analyst and money manager for First Commerce Corporation and headed investment activities at Arvest Bank Group. She was also a broker for EF Hutton. In 1965, she was gifted seven billion dollars by her father Donald, and grandfather Milton, which she rapidly grew with investments in shopping centres and malls. In 1988, Shelly-Ann founded The Bren Foundation Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that finances charities to offer free housing to Australia's homeless. "I just loved Australia and was sorry I couldn't stay. My son was born there, and I regret for him all the travelling. Instability. It was a clear choice to help those in need in such a kind, giving nation." After her untimely death in 2024, her son Lucas Bren, partial heir to her estate, took reign of the organisation.
President — Chair
Lucas Bren-Ashcroft
Lucas is the current President of the Bren Foundation Australia and is adamant that there is no excuse for homelessness in Australia. "Our government has no excuse to ignore this crisis. Particularly now! We are a wealthy country and the less fortunate must be supported. I hear people say, 'they can get a job' — try and find a job without clean clothes, a computer to write a resume much less a printer to print one, a place to stay, so little sleep. Hunger, no place to shower or wash and press clothes. Even if you could pull it off for the first day of work, try maintaining it till payday and beyond." After the sad news of his mother's death, Lucas quietly invested 80% of his inheritance back to the foundation. A holder of an MBA in marketing and business management, Lucas spends his days screening for charities worthy of donation. Living mostly a quiet life, Lucas resides between his home in Melbourne and his new home in Canberra, and travels frequently to California to visit family.
Vice President
Celia Bren-Ashcroft
Celia leads the foundation's charity vetting and partnership programs, working closely with homeless service providers across Australia to identify where funding will have the greatest impact. Her background in social policy and community development shapes the foundation's evidence-based approach to giving. Celia is the eldest daughter of Shelly-Ann and sister to Lucas. She is passionate about helping people to help themselves. She lives with her husband and daughter in Melbourne, but travels frequently to establish close ties with private donors.
Head of Legal
Mariah Bourke
Mariah leads all legal and compliance matters for the foundation, ensuring every grant and partnership agreement meets the highest standards of governance. With over 15 years of experience in not-for-profit law, she is the foundation's trusted guide through the complex regulatory landscape of Australian philanthropy.
Driven by purpose, accountable to the mission
The Bren Foundation operates with a lean structure by design. We believe that keeping our team small and our overhead low means more money reaches the charities and communities that need it. Every decision we make is guided by one question: does this help end homelessness in Australia?