Speakers

Jeffrey Matsu is Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). With extensive experience in connecting policy with practice through evidence-based research, he works with partner governments, accountancy bodies and the public sector around the world to advance public finance and support better public services.

Previously, Jeff was responsible for market analysis and thought leadership at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and co-led the economy theme at the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE).

He was also a senior economist at Morgan Stanley and served on the research staff at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington DC.

Jeff holds degrees in economics from the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University.

Elaine is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Government Outcomes Lab. Her research seeks to understand the role of innovative financing in improving social outcomes. Her role also includes leading the evaluation of the Life Chances Fund.

Elaine focuses on applied microeconomic and policy research within the fields of health and social policy. Her key research interests include innovative financing mechanisms, impact investment and public-private / cross-sector partnerships.

Elaine recently completed a PhD in 2023 at the Centre for Health Economics at Monash University, Australia, on charitable giving and private investment in public goods. Part of her thesis was the winner of the 2021 International Health Economics Association Student Paper Prize. Alongside her PhD, Elaine worked as a Research Assistant at the College of Business and Economics at the Australian National University, focusing on innovative financing in social policy.

Prior to undertaking her PhD, Elaine was a Senior Economist and Manager at EY’s Economics, Regulation and Policy practice, where she was seconded internationally (China, New Zealand) and to various Australian government departments. Elaine has also held various roles in the Australian public health system including research and service development.

Matt is Director of the Early Intervention and Reform Team at the Department of Treasury and Finance. In this role, he has overseen the establishment and embedding of wellbeing impact analysis in budgets through the Victorian Government's Early Intervention and Investment Framework. He has extensive experience working on government budgets and previously served as the Director in the Office of the Secretary. He also has a Master of Economics from the University of Melbourne.