Now in its third year, the ReCALIbrate program run by the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI), will offer five women advisers who write risk with $2,000 each to attend the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress in Perth on 18-20 November. The money can be used to cover any costs that support them in attending the event, including flights, accommodation, childcare, and registration fees.

CALI CEO Christine Cupitt said the program had been expanded this year to reflect the level of investment needed in the industry.

“Every grant has proven to be an investment in the future of advice, which makes this year even more exciting as we have broadened the value of the ReCALIbrate program to include more opportunities to connect and network,” said Ms Cupitt.

“We know from our research that women need their own strong financial safety nets, and women advisers are uniquely placed to bridge that knowledge gap and build diversity in our industry. Every step we take to amplify women advisers’ visibility, networks and confidence builds stronger careers and a stronger future for the advice profession.”

In addition to funding and access to CALI’s women’s executive network for mentoring and support, this year’s ReCALIbrate winners will also receive:

• A social media and press toolkit to build their profile and visibility
• Access to an exclusive meet and greet with CALI and past ReCALIbrate winners in Perth (also offered to all shortlisted candidates who fund their own way to the Congress)
•  Priority recommendations for speaking opportunities at industry events
• A complimentary ticket to CALI’s annual conference in 2026

The theme of this year’s FAAA Congress is Ahead of the Curve.

“I strongly encourage women in the risk advice profession to apply for a ReCALIbrate grant. This is a fantastic opportunity to be supported to attend the FAAA Congress, which is all about growth, connection and ideas. ReCALIbrate ensures women in risk advice are right there, engaging in what it means to be ahead of the curve,” said Sarah Abood, CEO of FAAA.

Co-Founder and Financial Risk Adviser AFP at Calibre Life, Nicole Bendeich, was one of five recipients last year who attended the FAAA Congress in Brisbane. She credits the ReCALIbrate program for opportunities that have come her way since the grant.

“With ReCALIbrate, CALI made an investment in my development. It has reminded me that the future of advice needs more diverse, real, and relatable voices. CALI’s program gently nudged me into opportunities I never thought I’d put my hand up for. It’s led to meaningful mentorships, new collaborations, and real momentum in areas I used to exclude myself from,” said Ms Bendeich.

Samantha Greene, Financial Adviser at Greene Financial, was another recipient last year who would’ve been unlikely to attend without the program’s support.

“ReCALIbrate gave me a reason to show up somewhere I probably wouldn’t have gone otherwise and I’m so glad I did. Being surrounded by a group of passionate, like-minded advisers made the FAAA Congress feel instantly more accessible. I came away with a bigger perspective, fresh energy, and conversations I’m still thinking about,” said Ms Greene.

Applications are now open and will close on Sunday, 21 September 2025.

All eligible women are encouraged to apply directly via CALI’s website: www.cali.org.au/recalibrate-2025/

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Christine Cupitt

A football coach, accredited netball umpire and martial arts trainee are among the women in risk advice who’ve been crowned 2024 ReCALIbrate grant recipients.

The annual program run by the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) offers $2000 to five risk advisers to attend the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress.

This year’s ReCALIbrate recipients are:

• Nicole Bendeich, Calibre Life
• Janice Choo, Big Oak Financial Services
• Nikki Szprinc, DC Advice
• Rebecca Pritchard, Rising Tide Financial Services
• Samantha Greene, Greene Financial

“Each of these incredible women have a unique story to tell and through their work they provide essential peace of mind for people, especially other women, during life’s biggest challenges,” said CALI CEO Christine Cupitt.

Proud Wiradjuri woman and financial adviser Nicole Bendeich believes the grants will help inspire more women to prioritise and invest in their own growth and development.

“Balancing family life or a business can make it difficult for women to prioritise their own growth, yet it is essential, not only for us but also for our clients and the advice profession as a whole,” said Ms Bendeich.

The ReCALIbrate program helps foster diversity across the life insurance industry to ensure it is representative of the community it serves and that it provides opportunities for more women to participate.

“Women in risk advice are essential role models in our industry. They give customers the option to talk to someone who is like them and who understands their unique experiences,” said Ms Cupitt.

“Our research shows that women are more concerned than men about the cost of living and the impact on their financial safety net. That’s why it’s more important than ever that women get access to the right financial advice to help them make informed choices about their financial future.”

The ReCALIbrate grants will go towards any expenses that support recipients to attend the FAAA Congress in Brisbane later this year, which is the flagship event of the financial advice industry. The theme is “Power Up” and the event will offer advisers a platform to exchange ideas, insights and knowledge across three days.

“We once again applaud CALI’s ReCALIbrate initiative to foster the next generation of women in financial advice and to help address the decreasing number of financial advisers in Australia,” said FAAA CEO Sarah Abood.

“We look forward to welcoming the 2024 ReCALIbrate recipients to the FAAA Congress in November to learn, build lasting professional relationships and have a memorable experience.”

As part of the program, the five recipients will also be paired with senior women in the industry to provide a forum for mentorship, learning, support and career advice.

“Previous recipients have told us that the chance to meet with a senior leader in the industry is an invaluable part of the ReCALIbrate program. Recipients have kept in touch over many months and fostered a mutually beneficial professional relationship and connection,” said Ms Cupitt.

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