The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and TAL have announced the semi-finalists in the 2016 AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award (the Award).
Developed in 2011 as a joint initiative by the AFA and TAL, the Award recognises and showcases the talents and contributions of women in financial advice to their clients, community and profession. The Award criteria includes assessment of the candidates’ contributions to financial literacy in the community and/or campaigns targeted specifically at helping female clients take control of their financial lives.
AFA CEO, Brad Fox, said the Award is a reflection of the AFA’s commitment to continue to generate and encourage positive change in the financial advice sector, with women constantly being encouraged to enter the advice profession.
“The AFA is immensely proud of this Award, the calibre of entrants it attracts, and ultimately the finalists and in particular the winner. Our profession is going through significant change, and to see more women advisers coming through providing great advice to Australians is very important from a diversity perspective.”
General Manager of Retail Distribution at TAL, Niall McConville said the calibre and standard of applicants this year is exceptionally high and a demonstration of the ever increasing professionalism of the industry.
“It is encouraging to see the number of women prepared to be viewed as practitioner leaders, this is something that has been missing in the industry. It is great for the profession but more importantly, it will hopefully encourage more women to come into the industry as both advisers and clients,” Mr McConville said.
This year’s Award prize has increased to a $15,000 TAL education package which the winner can customise for their education interests, aspirations and requirements.
This year’s judging panel consists of Brad Fox (CEO AFA), Niall McConville (GM, Retail Distribution TAL), Sue Viskovic (Managing Director, Elixir Consulting), Eleanor Dartnall (Principal Dartnall Advisers, Finalist FEIA 2013, AFA Adviser of the Year 2014) and Dianne Charman (Director Jade Financial, 2012 & 2013 FEIA Finalist, AFA Queensland State Director).
The finalists for the AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award will be announced late August 2016, with the winner announced at the AFA National Adviser Conference in Canberra from 5-7 October.
The Award semi-finalists are:
| Amanda Cassar | Director & Financial Adviser, Wealth Planning Partners |
| Cathy Lowder | Principal & Financial Adviser, Fryer Financial Services |
| Fran Hughes | Senior Wealth Advisor, Insight Financial Partners |
| Karen Vickers | CEO & Wealth Advisor, ARC Wealth Pty Ltd |
| Lea Schodel | Financial Adviser, MHP Private Wealth |
| Nicole Heales | Financial Adviser & Mortgage Broker, Nicole Heales Financial |
| Patricia Peters | Director & Certified Financial Planner, Peters McKeown |
| Peita Diamantidis | Co-Founder & Financial Adviser, Caboodle Financial Services |
| Susan Rallings | Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management |
| Tracy Dyer | Senior Financial Adviser, Anne Street Partners |
| Tracey Edwards | Director & Senior Adviser, First Advice Solutions |
