Queensland Branch

functions@womeninfinance.com.au

Katherine Stirling
President

Katherine Stirling is Manager of Learning and Development at Q Invest. An experienced training professional, Katherine is passionate about helping people achieve their full potential professionally and personally. It was this passion that attracted Katherine to join the Women in Finance committee in 2006 with the aim of meeting other like-minded professionals and expanding her industry knowledge.

Working on the committee Katherine has contributed to the re-branding and marketing of Women in Finance, developing new events and sourcing event sponsorship. In her new role as President, Katherine is excited about the year ahead. She is looking forward to working on new events and ideas for members and of course learning new things and meeting new people.

Anne Williamson
Vice President

Anne Williamson has been a member of Women in Finance since 2006, however is very excited to join the committee this year. Anne has been working in the financial markets for over 20 years in trading and treasury roles that have included financial products, foreign exchange, energy, grain and now equities. She is looking forward to meeting many more of the membership of WIF in 2008 and facilitating networking opportunities throughout the group. Anne frequently presents or writes columns for other women's organisations and is motivated by assisting women, through education, to invest wisely. Anne is a Private Client Adviser at Ord Minnett Private Wealth.

Therese McKenzie-Young
Treasurer

Therese McKenzie-Young has been an enthusiastic member of WIF for more than eight years. Therese regularly attends functions, and was honoured to receive an invitation to join the committee this year.  Therese is passionate about developing interesting and entertaining networking functions, where open minded women can exchange ideas, draw on each other’s current experiences and mentor new entrants into the industry.

Therese brings great all round skills to the committee with 25 years experience in key management roles in practice development, compliance, training and development (financial planning, lending, management coaching, and sales), systems implementation, sales/distribution and project management. 

Jennifer Ladyman
Secretary

Jennifer Ladyman is the Advice Manager for Invest Blue, a financial planning firm with offices throughout Qld and NSW.  Jen has worked in financial services for over 4 years, after 6 years in the general insurance arena.  Jen joined the committee in 2009 in order to meet other women in the industry and to be involved in opportunities for networking and building relationships with other like-minded professionals.  She is looking forward to being part of a dedicated and enthusiastic committee and assisting in building the success of WIF in 2010.

Julianne De Groot
Event Coordinator

Julianne has over 8 years experience coordinating events within the finance industry. Julianne joined Women in Finance as a committee member in 2005 and took on the role of Events & Venue Coordinator in 2006. She enjoys the process of event coordination and in particular, through the great efforts of the WIF team, the production of successful networking and professional development events for women in the finance industry. Julianne is passionate about WIF and believes that it provides a great opportunity to meet and network with other professional women.

Teresa Grandison
Event Coordinator

Teresa is a Senior Financial Planner with Heritage Financial Planning.  She has 13 years experience within financial services organisations commencing her career in the industry in 1996. Over this time she has gained extensive professional experience in many facets of the industry including as a sole owner, consultant, shareholder and director of a mortgage broking firm.   Having identified that financial planning was her long-term passion she gained extensive experience from working with some of the best advisers in the business from firms such as Godfrey Pembroke and Centric Wealth. The focus of each role was the provision of quality strategic advice and investment management and developing a deep understanding of the needs of high net worth clients. 

She loves sharing her knowledge and learning from others through business and networking groups.  Like Women in Finance.  She is delighted to be joining the committee this year and looking forward to assist in the production of prosperous networking and professional development events for women in the industry.

Natalie Hoo
Website Coordinator

Natalie joined WIF and the Committee in 2007. She enjoys assisting with the coordination and distribution of the invitations and maintainance of the website, as well as being amatuer photographer at events. Natalie joined WIF to meet others in the industry and to be inspired and motivated by their achievements.

Feel free to send in your comments and suggestions on what you want to see included.

Naomi Smith
Professional Development Coordinator

Naomi Smith is the director of SHINE Human Capital – Workplace Employee Development Trainers.  With twenty years experience in the financial and business sector, Naomi Smith has fulfilled numerous corporate roles including business development, senior sales, team management and territory management positions, and worked with small to medium business owners as a consultant.  She has been actively involved in providing development for women in particular, and has held the additional roles of Women in Business Manager, and State Leader – Women’s Network, participating in numerous corporate and personal development programs.   Naomi enjoys connecting with like minded professional women and sees Women in Finance as an avenue to learn, grow and build personal & professional relationships.

Supporting Committee Members

Tracy Williams

Tracy is a Compliance and Risk Consultant with Financial Services Consulting and joined WIF and Committee in 2002.  Things that Tracy loves about WIF include the friendships that she has made through the association and networking with fellow people in the financial services sector.  Combined with hearing inspirational presentations and raising funds for various charities, Tracy enjoys her involvement with WIF.

Amanda Aycan

Amanda Aycan is the QLD Business Development Manager for Austral Mercantile, a national Receivables Management and Debt Collection business. Austral Mercantile is a wholly owned subsidiary of QBE. Amanda has worked in the Finance Industry specialising in Credit for over 3 years. Recently joining WIF as a committee member to meet like minded individuals within the Industry and increase her professional status. Amanda attended numerous WIF events prior to joining as a committee member and feels that she can benefit on a personal and professional level. With a background in Events Management and working for 5 star international organisations she will be an asset to the committee.

Kristen Higgins

With over 4 years experience in the financial services industry, Kristen is a new addition to the WIF committee in 2010.  After beginning her career with one of Australians largest fund managers, Kristen is now an Office and Events Manager for a financial planning firm Australian Financial Advisers.  She has a degree from the University of Queensland and is currently studying her Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). Using her skills and experience Kristen is now looking forward to forging a relationship with you, our members. With a strong Customer Service background and a vibrant personality, Kristen is looking forward to meeting WIF members and enjoying the networking opportunities we can share together.

Erin Stirling

More details coming soon...

Nicola Reeves

Nicola Reeves is new to the Brisbane professional network, after working for the last 12 years in the Financial Services industry in the UK. Starting off with a Life Assurance and Pension provider, she then spent 5 years at a national Mortgage Broking and Financial Advice firm working up from Administrator to Consultant and finally Office Manager. The last 5 years were spent working as a Private Banking Manager with Svenska Handelsbanken who are an old firm Swedish bank currently going through a massive expansion program in the UK. A Brisbane girl at heart though, moving home was always on the agenda. After twisting her English husband's 'rubber arm', they moved back in December 2009. Nicola joined Investec Bank at Riparian Plaza in February as a Private Client Manager in the Treasury team, specialising in cash products such as Term Deposits and also facilitating investment distribution. She is looking forward to meeting all the members of Women in Finance and expanding her network in the new business environment