Membership Directory - Individual
Lucas Santon
Marketplace Operation Analyst at Funding Circle
About
Bio: Luke Santon is an Operations Analyst within the Marketplace Team at Funding Circle. In his role, Luke directly supports the sale of business loans for SME’s (Small and Medium Sized businesses) by engaging with different lenders across the market. Luke also sits as Co-Lead for Funding Circle's LGBTQIA+ diversity and equity group ‘Circle of Pride’.
Luke has only been with Funding Circle less than a year, but has been blown away by how open and supportive they are of all staff members and how inclusion is really embedded in its culture. Since joining Circle of Pride, Luke has made it his mission to perpetuate this by supporting the planning and delivery of various in house events, focussing on the education around many LGBTQIA+ topics. Luke also endeavours to be as visible as possible and active in his efforts to continue to create a positive working environment. Luke notes: “When I first started at Funding Circle, there were a few people who showed me how safe it was to bring your authentic self to work, I would take so much pride in knowing that I’m now that person for someone else”
Luke also volunteers his time to work closely with the Steering Committee at InterInvest. InterInvest is made up of LGBT+ people and allies that work in the investment industry, who care about the LGBT+ experience in investment. Their network of investment peers also forms part of the LGBT+ workstream of the Diversity Project. Luke provides admin and organisational support to the team to support the various events and initiatives they host, focussed on championing for LGBTQIA+ staff members within the Financial and Investment sectors.
From a personal perspective, growing up in rural Australia, Luke was often witness to negativity around anything considered LGBTQIA+ and has worked quite hard to get to a place where he can be his authentic self. Luke wants other people who may find themselves in similar situations to know that there is a positive and welcoming community out there where they don't need to hide.
Luke strives to be a role model to others in all aspects of his life because as he states:
"If I had had positive influences growing up, seeing them be unapologetically true to themselves would have meant so much to me when I was younger."
Luke has only been with Funding Circle less than a year, but has been blown away by how open and supportive they are of all staff members and how inclusion is really embedded in its culture. Since joining Circle of Pride, Luke has made it his mission to perpetuate this by supporting the planning and delivery of various in house events, focussing on the education around many LGBTQIA+ topics. Luke also endeavours to be as visible as possible and active in his efforts to continue to create a positive working environment. Luke notes: “When I first started at Funding Circle, there were a few people who showed me how safe it was to bring your authentic self to work, I would take so much pride in knowing that I’m now that person for someone else”
Luke also volunteers his time to work closely with the Steering Committee at InterInvest. InterInvest is made up of LGBT+ people and allies that work in the investment industry, who care about the LGBT+ experience in investment. Their network of investment peers also forms part of the LGBT+ workstream of the Diversity Project. Luke provides admin and organisational support to the team to support the various events and initiatives they host, focussed on championing for LGBTQIA+ staff members within the Financial and Investment sectors.
From a personal perspective, growing up in rural Australia, Luke was often witness to negativity around anything considered LGBTQIA+ and has worked quite hard to get to a place where he can be his authentic self. Luke wants other people who may find themselves in similar situations to know that there is a positive and welcoming community out there where they don't need to hide.
Luke strives to be a role model to others in all aspects of his life because as he states:
"If I had had positive influences growing up, seeing them be unapologetically true to themselves would have meant so much to me when I was younger."
Project 1000, 30 Under 30 2024