CALI female adviser grant program returns for third year

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

9 September 2025

The grant program supporting women risk advisers run by the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI), reCALIbrate, has returned for a third time this year, offering five professionals the opportunity to attend the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress in Perth in November.

In addition to $2,000 each to help cover the costs of attending the congress event and access CALI’s women network for mentoring and support, the program has expanded its offering for the five recipients to include:

• 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; and
• A complimentary ticket to CALI’s annual conference in 2026.

“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,” CALI chief executive, Christine Cupitt, said.

“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.”

Several of last year’s reCALIbrate grant recipients credited the program with helping gain previously untapped opportunities to further their careers in risk advice.

“With ReCALIbrate, CALI made an investment in my development,” Co-Founder and Financial Risk Adviser AFP at Calibre Life, Nicole Bendeich, said.

“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.”

“ReCALIbrate gave me a reason to show up somewhere I probably wouldn’t have gone otherwise and I’m so glad I did,” Samantha Greene, Financial Adviser at Greene Financial, said.

“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.”

Sarah Abood, CEO of FAAA, encouraged eligible professionals to apply and get involved in the association’s upcoming event, with the theme ‘Ahead of the Curve’.

“I strongly encourage women in the risk advice profession to apply for a ReCALIbrate grant,” she said.

“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.”