Ginger Mahoney is a 20-year-old university student and part-time paralegal at a criminal law firm. She is studying a double degree in Commerce and Law at Macquarie University and is passionate about women supporting women in business globally, which led to her becoming an Opportunity International Australia Ambassador.

“I was first introduced to Opportunity when I was 15 years old through my aunt who worked for a major corporate sponsor of Opportunity at the time,” said Ginger. 

“I felt inspired by Opportunity’s mission to empower people, especially women living in poverty, to transform their lives, their children’s futures, and their communities by providing financial solutions and training.”

^{Ginger Mahoney}

At the time, the Philippines was one of the countries Opportunity worked in, and Ginger felt a special connection, as her mother’s family is from the Philippines. 

“I felt the need to help, so I approached my school principal with a PowerPoint presentation and one of Opportunity’s promotional videos requesting that my class organise fundraisers for Opportunity,” said Ginger.

“During the remainder of my high school days, I raised money for Opportunity through sausage sizzles, bake sales and mufti day fundraisers.”

“Supporting Opportunity International is incredibly important to me as I grew up with a single mother who was an entrepreneur and owned multiple small businesses,” added Ginger. 

“She showed me the importance of women having their own career and success to be able to support themselves and their families. That is why Opportunity resonates with me as it enables me to support women in developing countries to start their own business and work their way out of poverty. 

Female empowerment is something that I am incredibly passionate about and has led me to supporting Opportunity for the last five years.”

At university, Ginger is a member of the Women Entering Business society, and in 2023 she was elected President. The society has 30 executive team members, and over 1,500 members. 

“A goal that I set for my 2023 presidency was to advocate and fundraise for Opportunity through my society,” said Ginger. 

“No other society at Macquarie University is currently affiliated with a non-profit organisation, and I believed that Opportunity’s mission aligned perfectly with Women Entering Business’ mission. It is great to give back to the community through our society and have a philanthropic aspect.”

In March 2023, Ginger was part of the organising committee, for Trivia for Transformation, a wonderful fundraising event held at Macquarie Bank, which raised over $200,000 for Opportunity.

^{Ginger Mahoney helped organised the very successful Trivia for Transformation event at Macquarie Group.}

^{Opportunity Ambassadors Carol Ip and Ginger helped organise the Trivia for Transformation event.}

Ginger also organised a fundraising event at Macquarie University in May through the Women Entering Business society, which was a fundraising, personal branding and LinkedIn workshop with Carlii Lyon. Ginger is on the forefront of spreading the name of Opportunity and gaining support from a whole new generation of people. 

^{Ginger Mahoney (far right) organised a personal brand workshop with Carlii Lyon (far left) to raise money for Opportunity at Macquarie University.}

Learn more about being an Opportunity Ambassador and becoming a champion for women and girls globally like Ginger.