Winners of the 2021 Women in Finance Awards unveiled

Following the live-stream broadcast in 2020 to adhere to COVID-19-related restrictions, Mortgage Business was pleased to celebrate the achievements of the leading women in the finance industry at an in-person awards luncheon at The Star in Sydney on Friday (10 December).

Hosted by Momentum Media, this national awards program presents an opportunity to recognise the successes of these women, and help propel their careers and attract more clients.

Run in partnership with principal partner Intuit QuickBooks, a total of 254 finalists competed across 28 submission-based categories.

There was also considerable anticipation and enthusiasm around who would emerge as the recipient of the prestigious Women in Finance Excellence Award 2021, the highest-scoring winner from the individual award categories.

Australian journalist, author, television presenter, and Member of the Order of Australia Jessica Rowe hosted the glamorous and moving luncheon awards, which acknowledged and appreciated the diversity, strength, dedication, and innovation female leaders bring to the financial services sector.

The keynote speech was delivered by senator Jane Hume, the new Minister for Women’s Economic Security and the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services, and the Digital Economy.

She congratulated the finalists and praised the financial services sector for the progress it has made in bridging the gender gap but underscored the need to do more.

“When I think back to what the financial services sector looked like when I first started my first job out of university, it really is quite extraordinary just how far we’ve come,” she said.

“And while progress is encouraging, we cannot rest on our laurels. There is still so much more to be done.

“The government can pull levers to alleviate some of the challenges, but continuing to improve women’s economic security is complex, and it requires changing gender norms around pay and care, around career opportunities and around leadership…

“We all have a responsibility, governments and workplaces alike, to bring about a more gender balanced world, with women in leadership positions across all companies, industries, and sectors.”

There were 29 winners this year, including players from the mortgage broking and lending space.

The stellar achievements of women in other finance sectors such as accounting, tax, law, financial advice, superannuation, and SMSF, were also recognised through the course of the afternoon.

Annie Kane, editor of mortgages at Momentum Media, commented: “Since its inception in 2017, the whole concept of the Women in Finance Awards has been to champion and profile the amazing women working in financial services – an industry that has been, and remains, typically male-dominated. 

“This year, the feeling of support and joy in the room was truly extraordinary. From the keynote speeches and acceptance speeches, it was evident that the Australian financial services industry is more than ready to see more women take centre stage.  

“This was also demonstrated in the fact that we had a record number of people nominate their friends, colleagues and peers for a Women in Finance Award 2021. It shows a groundswell in the movement to create more female role models in this space. 

“Congratulations to all of the winners of the fifth annual Women in Finance Awards who are helping more Australians than ever to manage their financial situations, improve their financial literacy and grow their businesses.”

Here are the winners of the Women in Finance Awards 2021:

Women in Finance Excellence Award and Accounting Consultant of the Year

Miriam Holme  

FAB Tax Accountants

Accountant of the Year

Natalie Lennon

Two Sides

Auditor of the Year

Katrina Fletcher

Elite Super

Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year

Paula Nassif

King and Wood Mallesons

Bookkeeper of the Year

Tamara-Lee Beveridge

BizCore 360

Business Development Professional of the Year

Heather Gallagher

outsource Financial

Chief Executive of the Year

Susan Mitchell

Mortgage Choice

Director of the Year

Angela Manning

Goldman Sachs & JBWere Superannuation Fund

Entrepreneur of the Year        

Debra Taylor

OpenSparkz

Executive/Personal Assistant of the Year

Rivka Louwen

Finsure Finance & Insurance

Financial Adviser of the Year 

Shannon Smit

SMART Business Solutions Financial Planning

Fintech Leader of the Year

Carolyn Breeze

GoCardless

Innovator of the Year

Kathy Taylor-Hofmann  

GBST

Marketing Professional of the Year

Lisa Jackson

Loan Market Group

Mentor of the Year

Casty Nyaga

Choice Accounting and Taxation Services

Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year

Louisa Sandhera

Zippy Financial

Office Administrator of the Year          

Yasmin Weston

Capital Partners Consulting

Principal of the Year

Katie Bryan    

Propeller Advisory

Regional Professional of the Year

Nicole Hurkens

Tradie CFO

Small Business Adviser of the Year

Kyelie Baxter 

IQ Accountants

SMSF Adviser of the Year

Megan Kelly  

businessDEPOT

Thought Leader of the Year    

Robyn Jacobson

The Tax Institute

Group awards

Employer of the Year

Liberty Financial 

Employer of the Year (SME)

Futurity Investment Group

Training and Development Program of the Year

Power Tynan

Wellness Program/Initiative of the Year

Ladies Finance Club

Women’s Community Program of the Year

HiCom Accounting

Young Leader of the Year

Evelyn Clark

Everlend

Mortgage Business and Momentum Media would like to thank all of its partners for their invaluable support, including principal partner Intuit QuickBooks, platinum partner ANZ, gold partners Act2 Solutions, Australian Finance Group (AFG), the  Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA), NextGen.Net, Mortgage Ezy, outsource Financial, Mortgage Choice, and Sparrow Loans, event partner Wealth Inspired, philanthropic partner So They Can, and charity partner Breast Cancer Network Australia.

To view the full Women in Finance Awards’ winners list and for more information about the awards, click here.

[Related: Finalists revealed for Women in Finance Awards 2021]