Memories@Merici with Anna Pino

Class of 1980

Anna is Chief Executive Officer and owner of Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre (Lighthouse), an Innovation Consultancy in Canberra.

Anna graduated from Catholic Girls High (now Merici College) in 1980 and has since studied at the Australian National University, University of Canberra, and Harvard.  

Anna has had a very varied career which started as a Research Assistant, while completing her psychology studies for the World Health Organisation’s School of Social Psychology at the ANU.  During this time she also spent two years working with homeless youth.    
Although Anna comes from a family of business owners, after graduating she took a very different path and became a Graduate Recruit in the Federal Public Service.  She worked in a variety of senior positions for 8 years and then won a scholarship to study towards her Masters of Commerce.  After completing this course of study, Anna left the public service and worked in a range of senior positions in advertising, investment management and allied health.  While none of these roles are directly related to her studies, Anna says that the learning how to think broadly about issues has lead her down this not terribly traditionally, but incredibly exciting career path.

Anna has been CEO of Lighthouse since 2008 and acquired the business with a partner in 2014.  Lighthouse works with current and intending entrepreneurs to help them start, shape or grow their businesses.  Since its inception, Lighthouse has worked with over 6,000 entrepreneurs.   
Anna’s real passion is working with the younger entrepreneurs, many of who are still at school and university.  

Share your stories and memories by emailing [email protected]

return to top