Photographic portrait of Malia Forner
Science, technology and innovation are the growth engines of the global economy. The right settings, incentives and support to drive these engines are key to achieving sustainable economic prosperity.

Malia Forner

EY Australia Government & Investment Incentives Partner, Oceania Fintech Leader and Entrepreneurship Program Leader

Trusted Government & Investment Incentives specialist. Board advisor. USA - NZ transplant in Australia since 2008. Dedicated to entrepreneurship, diversity, tech & innovation. Mum to two active sons.

Leveraging 20 years’ experience, Malia serves listed and private companies of all sizes to unlock opportunities and manage risk in tax incentives, business concessions and direct grant funding for investments, innovation and growth. She supports all stages of the incentives process from strategic incentive planning, eligibility analysis, application preparation, audits and reviews to compliance.

Malia’s clients value her commercially aware approach and ability to clarify complexity. She has a reputation for guiding diverse stakeholders to commercial, practical outcomes, throughout business life cycles. Her industry coverage includes technology, financial services, defence, manufacturing, energy and pharma.

Malia served as the EY Oceania Startup & Entrepreneurship Leader, facilitating collaborations between startups, multinational companies, investors, business incubators, industry bodies and Government trade & investment arms.

Malia received a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago. She is an admitted Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of NZ, a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & NZ and holds a CAANZ Public Practice Certificate. She is also a registered Australia Tax Practitioner Board R&D Tax Agent.

How Malia is building a better working world

"I’m passionate about working hand-in-hand with entrepreneurs and businesses to help drive economic sustainability and growth as they use science and technology to solve intractable problems and build companies to serve global markets. I am a dedicated advocate for entrepreneurs, STEM and all aspects of diversity through mentoring, teaming and advising businesses via the EY Ripples Corporate Responsibility program, global Women. Fast Forward initiative and more."

Malia leads many of EY Australia’s ecosystem relationships, including EY Oceania’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ cohorts and is the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Australia Southern Region Director. She also leads the EY FinTech Australia Census and is a not-for-profit Board Director and advisor.

Contact Malia