Women in Finance finalists revealed

The flagship event, presented by Momentum Media together with principal partner NAB, aims to highlight the outstanding work of women within financial services and put them on a national stage to support the continuing growth and development of women in the financial arena.

The finalists for all 28 awards, which recognise individual and group performance, have now been released.

Nicole Cannon of Pink Finance is up for three awards: Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year, Principal of the Year and Women’s Community Program of the Year. Also up for three awards is Katrina Rowlands who is up for Regional Leader of the Year, as well as going up against Ms Cannon for Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year and Principal of the Year.

Prospa received nods in three categories, with Lauren Davidson receiving recognition for Human Relations Professional of the Year, Anna Fitzgerald for Public Relations/Communications Professional of the Year and a company nomination for Fintech Leader of the Year.

Several luminaries of the mortgage industry have made the final cut for Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year. The women that have been selected as finalists for the accolade are:

• Deslie Taylor from Mortgage Choice Ormeau;
• Nicole Cannon, broker and director of Pink Finance;
• Sarah Farrugia, director of SAF Finance;
• Natasha Choi, investment lending manager at the Australian Lending & Investment Centre;
• Mardee Blackwood, broker at 1st Street Financial;
• Candyce Johnson, senior mortgage broker at Aussie
• Ruth O'Brien, finance specialist and broker at Investor Loans Network;
• Joanne Attard, principal adviser at Jo Attard & Co;
• Liz Henderson, mortgage broker at Loan Market (Globert Financial Services Pty Ltd);
• Katrina Rowlands, principal of Mortgage Success;
• Sarah Wells, director of Sarah Wells - Tailored Banking & Finance Solutions; and
• Tamara Virgo, director of TV Financial Services & Planning Pty Ltd.

Eight women have also been named as Principal of the Year finalists:

• Tracy Kearey, Home Loan Connexion;
• Joanna James, Mortgage Ezy;
• Danielle Ridley, Mortgage Finesse;
• Katrina Rowlands, Mortgage Success;
• Nicole Cannon, Pink Finance;
• Katie Bryan, Propeller Advisory;
• Kylie Platt, The Local Loan Company; and
• Effie Nicol, Yellow Brick Road.

Anja Pannek, CEO of PLAN Australia, Tanya Sale, CEO of Outsource Financial Services and Patti Eyers of First Mortgage Services & First Title are all up for Chief Executive Officer of the Year, along with Marie Mortimer from loans.com.au (also up for Young Leader of the Year).

Mentors from the broking industry are also being represented, with Summa Campbell-Greene from Aussie, Nichol Cullen from Smartmove, Geraldine Brabazo from St George Bank and Carmella Galasso from ANZ Banking Group making it as finalists.

Connective, Astute Ability group, N1 Holdings and Westpac are up for Employer of the Year, while Prospa and DirectMoney are in the running for Fintech Leader of the Year.

Leah Renwick, national business development and conference manager at the FBAA is a finalist for the Association Leader of the Year and Karen Francis from Advantedge Financial Service, Dianne Robinson from Pepper Money, Tamara Rozova from Virgin Money Australia and Briony Miglis from AFG are finalists for Business Development Professional of the Year along with BDMs from Bank of Queensland, Macquarie, and St. George.

“This awards event is an Australian-first program that truly pulls together all areas of financial services under one umbrella to celebrate success and excellence,” said Momentum Media’s head of events, Jim Hall.

“We are set for a superb awards presentation. The judges have a tough job on their hands this year and there will no doubt be much excitement to hear their verdicts.

“The winners will not only represent inspirational high achievers from the financial sector, but also recognise the rising stars of tomorrow,” he added.

Winners will be announced at a five-star gala event at The Star Event Centre in Sydney on 21 September 2017.

The full list of finalists is available on the Women in Finance Awards website.