FAAA announces new board members
Natallia Smith and Pedro Marin Ramirez CFP® have been elected as directors to the FAAA board, alongside existing board member Deborah Kent CFP® who has been re-elected.
The three directors have been elected for a three-year term and will be formally appointed at the FAAA Annual General Meeting on 23 November.
Sheila Gutierrez-Cabacungan CFP® will stand down as director following the end of her three-year term.
FAAA Chair David Sharpe CFP® congratulated the incoming directors.
“As a member-led organisation, having a majority member-elected board helps us remain close to the advisers we are here to represent and the issues that are important to them. On behalf of the board, thank you to all those who took the time to vote and contribute to the process.
“The calibre of the candidates was extremely high and it was fantastic to see so many members keen to get involved in their association and play a role in its future.
“Natallia, Pedro and Deborah offer a diverse range of experience, skills and perspectives from across the financial advice community and will be strong representatives of our association and our profession.”
Sharpe also thanked Gutierrez-Cabacungan for her contribution as director over the past three years.
“Sheila has contributed enormously to the FAAA both as a board member and a volunteer. In particular, her hands-on involvement with our communities across the country has embodied the FAAA’s commitment to grassroots engagement. It has been a pleasure working alongside her.”
Natallia Smith is director and principal financial adviser of TruWealth Advice which specialises in helping women approaching retirement or navigating life changes. She started her career as a financial adviser in 2003 and founded TruWealth (formerly Assetplan Advisory) in 2010. She holds a master of business (banking and finance) from Monash University, advanced diploma in financial services (financial planning) and a bachelor degree in psychology.
Pedro Marin Ramirezis the founder of Marin Wealth, a self-licensed Brisbane practice he established in 2023, where he is also the responsible manager. The firm advises on retirement and superannuation strategy, investment and portfolio construction, personal insurance, cash flow and debt, and estate planning, and has a dedicated practice advising clients through separation and divorce. He has co-chaired the FAAA Brisbane Metro Community since 2023 and sits on ASIC’s Queensland Regional Liaison Committee, contributing a practitioner perspective on regulatory and policy matters. Marin Wealth has brought three Professional Year candidates into the profession in three years. A CFP® professional since 2018, Ramirez holds a Bachelor of International Business, majoring in finance, from Griffith University and a Graduate Diploma in Business (Professional Accounting) from QUT.
Deborah Kent is director and principal of Integra Financial Services which she established more than 30 years ago. She provides holistic, personal financial advice to clients through retirement planning, superannuation, wealth management and aged care. She was a founding member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). In 2004 Deborah was awarded the FPA Distinguished Service Award and in 2016 she was awarded Woman of the Year for her services to the profession.
They will join ongoing board members Michelle Veitch CFP® (who will become chair on 23 November), Glenn Calder CFP®, Diana D’Ambra AM, Jade Khao CFP®, Ben Marshan CFP® and Shaun McDonagh.
