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Following the live-stream broadcast in 2020 to adhere to COVID-19-related restrictions, Mortgage Business was pleased to celebrate the achievements of the leading women in the finance industry at an in-person awards luncheon at The Star in Sydney on Friday (10 December).
Hosted by Momentum Media, this national awards program presents an opportunity to recognise the successes of these women, and help propel their careers and attract more clients.
Run in partnership with principal partner Intuit QuickBooks, a total of 254 finalists competed across 28 submission-based categories.
There was also considerable anticipation and enthusiasm around who would emerge as the recipient of the prestigious Women in Finance Excellence Award 2021, the highest-scoring winner from the individual award categories.
Australian journalist, author, television presenter, and Member of the Order of Australia Jessica Rowe hosted the glamorous and moving luncheon awards, which acknowledged and appreciated the diversity, strength, dedication, and innovation female leaders bring to the financial services sector.
The keynote speech was delivered by senator Jane Hume, the new Minister for Women’s Economic Security and the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services, and the Digital Economy.
She congratulated the finalists and praised the financial services sector for the progress it has made in bridging the gender gap but underscored the need to do more.
“When I think back to what the financial services sector looked like when I first started my first job out of university, it really is quite extraordinary just how far we’ve come,” she said.
“And while progress is encouraging, we cannot rest on our laurels. There is still so much more to be done.
“The government can pull levers to alleviate some of the challenges, but continuing to improve women’s economic security is complex, and it requires changing gender norms around pay and care, around career opportunities and around leadership…
“We all have a responsibility, governments and workplaces alike, to bring about a more gender balanced world, with women in leadership positions across all companies, industries, and sectors.”
There were 29 winners this year, including players from the mortgage broking and lending space.
The stellar achievements of women in other finance sectors such as accounting, tax, law, financial advice, superannuation, and SMSF, were also recognised through the course of the afternoon.
Annie Kane, editor of mortgages at Momentum Media, commented: “Since its inception in 2017, the whole concept of the Women in Finance Awards has been to champion and profile the amazing women working in financial services – an industry that has been, and remains, typically male-dominated.
“This year, the feeling of support and joy in the room was truly extraordinary. From the keynote speeches and acceptance speeches, it was evident that the Australian financial services industry is more than ready to see more women take centre stage.
“This was also demonstrated in the fact that we had a record number of people nominate their friends, colleagues and peers for a Women in Finance Award 2021. It shows a groundswell in the movement to create more female role models in this space.
“Congratulations to all of the winners of the fifth annual Women in Finance Awards who are helping more Australians than ever to manage their financial situations, improve their financial literacy and grow their businesses.”
Here are the winners of the Women in Finance Awards 2021:
Women in Finance Excellence Award and Accounting Consultant of the Year
Miriam Holme
FAB Tax Accountants
Accountant of the Year
Natalie Lennon
Two Sides
Auditor of the Year
Katrina Fletcher
Elite Super
Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year
Paula Nassif
King and Wood Mallesons
Bookkeeper of the Year
Tamara-Lee Beveridge
BizCore 360
Business Development Professional of the Year
Heather Gallagher
outsource Financial
Chief Executive of the Year
Susan Mitchell
Mortgage Choice
Director of the Year
Angela Manning
Goldman Sachs & JBWere Superannuation Fund
Entrepreneur of the Year
Debra Taylor
OpenSparkz
Executive/Personal Assistant of the Year
Rivka Louwen
Finsure Finance & Insurance
Financial Adviser of the Year
Shannon Smit
SMART Business Solutions Financial Planning
Fintech Leader of the Year
Carolyn Breeze
GoCardless
Innovator of the Year
Kathy Taylor-Hofmann
GBST
Marketing Professional of the Year
Lisa Jackson
Loan Market Group
Mentor of the Year
Casty Nyaga
Choice Accounting and Taxation Services
Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year
Louisa Sandhera
Zippy Financial
Office Administrator of the Year
Yasmin Weston
Capital Partners Consulting
Principal of the Year
Katie Bryan
Propeller Advisory
Regional Professional of the Year
Nicole Hurkens
Tradie CFO
Small Business Adviser of the Year
Kyelie Baxter
IQ Accountants
SMSF Adviser of the Year
Megan Kelly
businessDEPOT
Thought Leader of the Year
Robyn Jacobson
The Tax Institute
Group awards
Employer of the Year
Liberty Financial
Employer of the Year (SME)
Futurity Investment Group
Training and Development Program of the Year
Power Tynan
Wellness Program/Initiative of the Year
Ladies Finance Club
Women’s Community Program of the Year
HiCom Accounting
Young Leader of the Year
Evelyn Clark
Everlend
Mortgage Business and Momentum Media would like to thank all of its partners for their invaluable support, including principal partner Intuit QuickBooks, platinum partner ANZ, gold partners Act2 Solutions, Australian Finance Group (AFG), the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA), NextGen.Net, Mortgage Ezy, outsource Financial, Mortgage Choice, and Sparrow Loans, event partner Wealth Inspired, philanthropic partner So They Can, and charity partner Breast Cancer Network Australia.
To view the full Women in Finance Awards’ winners list and for more information about the awards, click here.
[Related: Finalists revealed for Women in Finance Awards 2021]
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