Christine Swanson, a finalist in the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Female Excellence in Advice Award 2012, says one of the best results of the awards will be sending a message to female advisers that “there are no barriers”.
Usually shy of self-promotion, Swanson says the award has “a lot to do with empowering women, and it does show women that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to”.
“The only barrier is your own mindset,” she says.
“So it’s recognition, and empowering women to go out there and achieve, and be more business-minded.
“These are the first major awards that I’ve agreed to take part in. Normally, when there’s any kind of award process, three’s a lot that goes into a nomination. I was very fortunate that I was nominated by somebody, and somebody did all of the legwork for me.”
Swanson says the awards are “an opportunity to really for females in financial advice to be recognised more”.
“I think if you speak to any female adviser, they will always say that they want to make their clients happy, and they enjoy dealing with their clients because they can empathise a lot more than men normally can,” she says.
A hat for every occasion
“And they put on more of a counselling hat sometimes than a financial planning hat. A lot of their clients become friends, and you form very good, close relationships with clients, so you really do take it personally.”
Swanson (right) says the awards “give women a voice to be able to empower [other] women to achieve goals and to achieve things within the community, giving women the opportunity to get good advice and to improve their financial position, and to know that they do have options”.
“In a lot of industries, more women are coming up through the ranks, but you have to prove yourself,” she says.
“So these awards really speak for women financial advisers and promote the excellent job they’re actually doing out in the community.”
Swanson thinks the field of six finalists is of high quality, and each has the clear potential to be named winner on October 31.
“At the beginning of the day, I felt a little bit humbled, being included in such an elite group of women, but an hour later you realise you’re just the same as every other one of those other women,” she says.
“So it is lovely, and we’ll form friendships here that will probably last a lifetime.”
Swanson, whose practice, Prominent Financial Planning, is based in Adelaide, has been an adviser for 25 years.
“I really enjoy it,” she says.
“Somebody coming in with a blank canvas, who does not understand anything to do with finance or planning or super or investments or anything, and being able to educate them and show them their options, implement something, work with them over the years and see how their situation changes and their education improves – what could be more fun?”
Hi ..I have known Christine for a life time she is my little Sister and a inspiration to many people across the board , Ladies and men alike as well as myself , When things get tough she has a nack of toughen up and inspirering everyone around her , As for a number of years Christines organised The Glitz & Hammer Ball to raise money for Cancer as well as her normal busy day to day bussiness and her own life was put on hold as all her spare time was also taken up , So good luck Sis you deserve it .
I’ve known Christine professionally for a number of years and am delighted to see her on this page. The interview actually shows the person she really is and nobody I can think of would make a better candidate for this award. Go Christine!