Finalists for Women in Finance Awards announced

The flagship Women in Finance Awards, 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 two awards: Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year and Principal of the Year, while the company is a finalist for Women’s Community Program of the Year.

Also up for three awards is Katrina Rowlands, principal of Mortgage Success. She 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.

Other finalists for the Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year accolade are: 

• Deslie Taylor from Mortgage Choice Ormeau;
• 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);
• Sarah Wells, director of Sarah Wells - Bespoke Banking & Finance Solutions; and
• Tamara Virgo, director of TV Financial Services and Financial Planning Pty Ltd.

As well as Ms Cannon and Ms Rowlands, six other women from the industry have also made the cut for Principal of the Year. They are:

• Tracy Kearey, Home Loan Connexion;
• Joanna James, Mortgage Ezy Pty Ltd;
• Danielle Ridley, Mortgage Finesse;
• 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 Brabazon from St George Bank and Carmella Galasso from ANZ Banking Group making it as finalists.

Online lender Prospa received nods in three categories — Alison Binskin, head of operations, made the cut for Fintech Leader of the Year, Lauren Davidson received recognition for Human Relations Professional of the Year and Anna Fitzgerald for Public Relations/Communications Professional 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.

From a company perspective, Connective, Astute Ability Group, N1 Holdings and Westpac are all up for Employer of the Year.

“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, 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.”

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.