Kate McCallum

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and TAL have announced Kate McCallum of Multiforte Financial Services as the winner of the 2014 AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award (the Award).

AFA CEO, Brad Fox, said Ms McCallum is passionate about the advice profession and the value of quality financial advice and is an outstanding role model for fellow female advisers.

“Kate was an exemplary candidate for the Award, and we are proud to have her as the winner for 2014,” he said. “The Award seeks to focus attention on financial advice as an excellent career pathway for women as well as to close the advice gap that exists between the willingness of Australian women to seek financial advice compared to that of men. Developing financial literacy with female clients and the confidence to make informed decisions that comes from that knowledge, is an important criteria for the Award.”

Mr Fox said the finalists, semi-finalists and nominees for the Award are all to be congratulated for their continued commitment to bringing great advice to more Australians. “These women will continue to help raise the profile of financial advisers and the great difference they make to the lives of their clients and their communities. The AFA, together with TAL, is delighted to be able to recognise them for this.”

Brett Clark, TAL Deputy Group CEO, said Ms McCallum was an outstanding candidate and deserving Award winner.

“We are proud to encourage and inspire women in the industry to be the best they can be,” he said. “All of the Award candidates are making meaningful contributions to their profession and their passion and dedication is profoundly impacting their communities and their clients. Kate typifies the best qualities of the advice community and her support and leadership for both her clients and her peers demonstrate how much she puts back into the profession.”

Commenting on her involvement in the Award process, Ms McCallum said, “The Award for me celebrates remarkable advice – the type of advice that is absolutely about the client and ultimately changes their life. It also offers the chance to tell the story of the ‘good guys and gals’ in advice.

“I’ve found the experience energising and also challenging. Challenging because you have to put yourself out there. It’s led me to reflect on what I have achieved and the areas where I am still striving. I’m very aware that excellence is a journey.”
The other finalists were:

• Adrienne Rush, Bendigo Financial Planning
• Dominique Bergel-Grant, Leapfrog Financial
• Sarah Riegelhuth, Wealth Enhancers

Ms McCallum will receive a full scholarship from Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) (valued at $12,000) to complete either a Postgraduate Certificate in Management or an Executive Education Leadership Development Program.

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Brett Clark

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and TAL have announced the semi-finalists in the 2014 AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award (the Award).

The Award, developed in 2011 as a joint initiative by the AFA and TAL and supported by the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM), recognises and showcases the talents and contributions of women in financial advice to their clients, community and their profession.

AFA CEO, Brad Fox, said the Award is a reflection of the AFA’s quest to continue to create and encourage positive change in financial advice, with more women being encouraged to enter the advice profession thus giving Australians more choice in who they seek advice from.

“The achievements of the women nominated, and the semi-finalists especially, really show that our profession can earn the recognition and respect of the public,” he said. “By taking part in the Award process, these women are showing how they are changing their clients’ lives. The more we can continue to showcase the value of their advice, the sooner more Australians will understand what financial advice is, what the process involves and how valuable it is to their own position. This is particularly relevant to Australian women where the levels of superannuation, insurance and financial stability are well below those of men.”

TAL Life CEO, Brett Clark said the calibre of applicants was exceptionally high, and the job of shortlisting the semi-finalists was a challenging one for the judges.

“TAL is proud to have jointly initiated this award with the AFA because it provides an opportunity for female advisers to not only be recognised but to showcase their skills and talent in the advice profession and with their own communities. At TAL we understand the benefits that diversity brings to all businesses and professions. The quality of the nominations this year again is really impressive and a great indication of the calibre of women seeking to make a difference in financial services.”

The semi-finalists will be invited to participate in a custom-designed, two-day Leadership Master Class facilitated by MGSM as part of the 2014 Award Program. Then on 15 September, six finalists for the Award will be declared, followed by the announcement of the overall 2014 winner at the AFA National Adviser Conference in Cairns from 12-14 October. The winner will receive a full MGSM scholarship (valued at $12,000) to complete either a Postgraduate Certificate in Management or an Executive Education Leadership Development Program.

The Award semi-finalists are:

• Adrienne Rush, Bendigo Financial Planning
• Dominique Bergel-Grant, Leapfrog Financial
• Kate McCallum, Multiforte Financial Services
• Julia Schortinghuis, Lighthouse Capital
• Katherine Hann, Alan Donald Financial Services
• Nadia Cassidy, Mercer Financial Advice
• Naomi Rosenthal, Tudor Investassure Pty Ltd
• Sarah Riegelhuth, Wealth Enhancers
• Shu-Yi Schulstad, InsureWealth Financial Services

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