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The inaugural Women in Finance Awards was held last night, with several leading brokers and members of the mortgage industry recognised for their outstanding work.
The flagship Women in Finance Awards, presented by Momentum Media together with principal partner NAB, saw more than 800 people gather at The Star in Sydney to celebrate the exceptional work of women within financial services.
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Hosted by author, comedian and radio and TV personality Wendy Harmer, the event covered 28 individual and group performance awards, which showcased the women making a difference in accounting, banking, insurance, financial advice, funds management, mortgage broking and superannuation.
Taking home the coveted title of Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year was Deslie Taylor from Mortgage Choice Ormeau.
Ms Taylor was recognised for her individualised customer service, diversified approach to fulfilling her customer’s financial requirements and sterling business strategy.
Tracy Kearey, broker and director of the Home Loan Connexion, went home with the trophy for Principal of the Year.
The judges said that Ms Kearey was a “great role model for women in finance” and an “extremely strong all-round candidate”.
Ms Kearey was also praised by the judges for being “a passionate expert focused on the success of her business, fused with an undeniable commitment to enabling women to flourish”.
The award for Mentor of the Year went to Carmella Galasso of the ANZ Banking Group.
Speaking of Ms Galasso, the judges said that her “real dedication to inspiring the next generation of female leaders” was to be rewarded, as was her ability to focus on the desires and ambitions of her mentees, which they said was “true mentoring”.
Commercial finance broker and vice president of the Commercial Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA), Kathryn Bordonaro, won the award for Association Leader of the Year.
The judges particularly commended Ms Bordonaro for her “personal effort in shaping consumer credit law for small businesses”.
Broker and director of Rise High Financial Solutions Marissa Schulze was awarded the Young Leader of the Year award, with judges saying she was a "worthy winner" and praising her work improving financial literacy through her volunteer work and Rise High Rookies initiative.
Speaking after the event, Momentum Media’s head of events, Jim Hall, said: “Many congratulations to all of the winners of the first ever Women in Finance Awards!
“It was an amazing night, and we’re proud to elevate the achievements of these inspirational women, who are not only role models for women in the financial services industry, but for the industry as a whole.
“By rewarding their hard work and dedication, and recognising the companies who have made diversity their mission, we hope to highlight the inspirational high achievers from the financial sector and recognise the rising stars of tomorrow.”
Women in Finance Awards - 2017 Winners
Accountant of the Year
Jo Heighway
Deloitte
Association Leader of the Year
Kathryn Bordonaro
Commercial Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia
Bookkeeper of the Year
Diane Lucas
Direct Management
Business Development Professional of the Year
Trish Wilson
AsteronLife
Chief Executive Officer of the Year
Jan Edwards
BDCU Alliance Bank
Chief Financial Officer of the Year
Anna Harper
SocietyOne
Director of the Year
Nicky Lonergan
SV Partners
Executive Assistant/Personal Assistant of the Year
Maria Skotidas
Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting
Financial Planner/Adviser of the Year
Elle Ross
Equitem
Fintech Leader of the Year
Lisa Schutz
Verifier
Human Relations Professional of the Year
Sarah Black
SocietyOne
Innovator of the Year
Jo Heighway
Deloitte
Investment Manager of the Year
Catherine Allfrey
WaveStone Capital
Legal Counsel of the Year
Ailsa Bailey
National Australia Bank
Marketing Professional of the Year
Deirdre Boyle
AIA Australia
Mentor of the Year
Carmella Galasso
ANZ Banking Group
Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year
Deslie Taylor
Mortgage Choice
Office Administrator of the Year
Rachael Keuning
Walsh Accountants
Principal of the Year
Tracy Kearey
Home Loan Connexion
Public Relations/Communications Professional of the Year
Bessie Hassan
finder.com.au
Regional Leader of the Year
Jan Edwards
BDCU Alliance Bank
Risk Adviser of the Year
Liz Trotter
Triple A Financial Services
SMSF Adviser of the Year
Jemma Sanderson
Cooper Partners Financial Services
Thought Leader of the Year
Alexis Cheang
Mercer
Young Leader of the Year
Marissa Schulze
Rise High Financial Solutions
Women in Finance Excellence Award
Jo Heighway
Deloitte
COMPANY AWARDS
Employer of the Year
Westpac Banking Corporation
Recruiter of the Year
Profusion Group
Women's Community Program of the Year
Women with Cents
[Related: Women in Finance Awards sells out]
