Spotlight on investment advice as leader nabs top gong at awards

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist

5 June 2026

LGT Wealth Management Australia COO, Michelle Inns’ determination to champion workplace gender equality and financial self-sufficiency for women through the delivery of more tailored advice received significant recognition at last night’s Women Empowering Wealth Awards 2026 held in Sydney, taking home the coveted Woman of the Year award.

There were 48 individual recipients acknowledged across 24 categories covering many areas of the wealth management industry, including financial planning, superannuation and investment, with Inns also nabbing the win in the Industry Executive of the Year category earlier in the night.

In her acceptance speech, Inns noted the opportunities that are expected to emerge in the coming years as the control of wealth in the country tips towards women more than men.

“I’m very passionate about this industry and I think it’s so important that people get really good advice – there’s so much more need out there,” she said.

“We’re seeing some really interesting changes in the dynamics with technology and AI. It will change the face of advice going forward.

“We need to represent the women that we’re advising over the next few years [as they gain more control over the country’s wealth] and that is a challenge I’m really excited for.”

The award recipients celebrated last night were selected after a rigorous process of qualitative analysis by the 2026 judging panel: Alexis George, former CEO of AMP; Anne-Marie Esler, co-Founder of Padua Solutions; Jaime Johns, Non-Executive Chair at arcpoint OCIO; Judith Fox, Non-Executive Director at the Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association (SIAA); Julia Newbould, CEO of the Stella Network; Keely O’Brien, General Manager of Communications at the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI); Linda Elkins, Non-Executive Director at AMP; Maria Lykouras, CEO of the SIAA; and Marianne Perkovic, Director at Insignia Financial.

The Financial Newswire team also thanked Industry Partner, Padua Solutions, and Industry Supporters, Canaccord Genuity and SQM Research, for their ongoing support of the event.

The awards also honoured the following finalists, highly commended and winners at last night’s gala:

Financial Planner of the Year – NSW, ACT
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Amie Baker, Financial planner, Rekab Advice
• Rosie Copp, Senior Financial Adviser & Aged Care Specialist, Coastal Advisory Australia
• Kristy Coulin, Senior Financial Adviser, Coastal Advisory Australia
• Melody Edwards, Senior Financial Adviser – Aged Care Specialist, Evalesco Financial Services
• Michelle Flanagan, Principal Wealth Adviser and Head of Advice Delivery, The Wealth Designers
• Marilyn Lin, Financial Planner, Bridges Financial Services
• Elysse Lorenti, Senior Financial Adviser, Perpetual Private
• Porsha Papas, Financial Planner, Morgans Financial
• Robyn Patch, Director & Financial Planner, WCA Wealth Management
• Melissa Rethati, Adviser, Altus Financial
• WINNER: Shayne Sommer, Private Wealth Adviser, Shadforth Financial Group
• Tess Uncle, Financial Adviser, Wybenga Financial

Financial Planner of the Year – VIC
• Nicola Beswick, Managing Principal and Founder, White Rabbit Advisory
• WINNER: Leanne Bielik, Financial Planner, 2020 Wealth
• Susan Cooper, Principal and Financial Planner, AgeWise Financial Planning
• Ying He, Private Wealth Adviser, Shadforth Financial Group
• Michelle Heffernan, Senior Financial Adviser, Apt Wealth Partners
• Emily Lanciana, Senior Financial Adviser, Apt Wealth Partners
• Sarah Leslie, Principal Financial Adviser, Story Wealth/Ageing With Grace Advisory
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Simone Murray, Senior Private Client Adviser, Rasiah Private Wealth Management
• Mina Nguyen, Financial Planner & Managing Director, Essense Wealth
• Tao Qu, Private Client Adviser, UniSuper Advice
• Elisa Simpson, Senior Financial Advisor & Partner, Partners Wealth Group

Financial Planner of the Year – QLD
• Kerrie Bampton, Senior Financial Adviser, JEM Wealth
• Catherine Belford, Financial Adviser, Joyful Money
• WINNER: Patricia Garcia, Director & Financial Adviser, Your Vision Financial Solutions
• Jennifer Goldsworthy, Director & Financial Planner, Goldsworthy Private Wealth
• Gayle McKew, Strategic Financial Planner, Prosperity Planning
• Natalie Moorfoot, Private Client Adviser, Morgans Financial
• Amanda Ragkousis, Senior Financial Adviser, Viridian Advisory
• Bec Scarrabelotti, Managing Director & Financial Adviser, Brisbane Independent Financial Advisory
• Erin Truscott, Senior Financial Adviser, Direct Wealth
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Shannon Victor, Financial Adviser, Oxlade Financial

Financial Planner of the Year – WA, NT
• Cara Graham, Principal Wealth Adviser, The Wealth Designers
• Karen Haarhoff, Private Wealth Adviser, Boutique Advisers Private Wealth
• Alicia Langton, Financial Planner, Hostplus
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Diem Ly, Private Wealth Adviser, Shadforth Financial Group
• Nada Maticevic, Private Wealth Adviser, Integro Private Wealth
• Katrina Ryan, Private Wealth Adviser, Euroz Hartleys
• Mu Chen Sun, Financial Adviser, UniSuper
• WINNER: Lauren Walker, Senior Financial Adviser, Canaccord Genuity
• Stefani Wijaya, Private Client Adviser, UniSuper Advice

Financial Planner of the Year – SA, TAS
• Danielle Farrell, Financial Adviser & Director, Elle Financial
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Yee-Wah Hooi-Duran, Financial Planner, Bridges Financial Services
• Danielle Jones, Partner, William Buck
• Emma Leith, Financial Planner, GDA Financial Services
• Tracey Mckenzie, Director, First Advice Solutions
• WINNER: Peta Nunn, Director, Senior Financial Adviser, CFP, Perks Private Wealth
• Kristelle Robinson, Financial Adviser & Director, Elle Financial

Financial Planner of the Year – Overall
• WINNER: Shayne Sommer, Private Wealth Adviser, Shadforth Financial Group
• Patricia Garcia, Director & Financial Adviser, Your Vision Financial Solutions
• Leanne Bielik, Financial Planner, 2020 Wealth
• Lauren Walker, Senior Financial Adviser, Canaccord Genuity
• Peta Nunn, Director, Senior Financial Adviser, CFP, Perks Private Wealth

Financial Planning Rising Star of the Year
• Shreya Chindarkar, Financial Adviser, Link Wealth Advice
• Bianca Ehmann, Financial Adviser, Morgans Financial
• Hannah Elliott, Provisional Financial Adviser, Marin Wealth
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jeevan Kaur, Private Wealth Adviser, Boutique Advisers Private Wealth
• Jennifer Laing, Financial Planner, Modern You Financial Planners
• Meiyin Li, Private Wealth Adviser, Shadforth Financial Group
• Tess McIntosh, Wealth Adviser, Hewison Private Wealth
• WINNER: Emma McKenzie, Financial Adviser, Rise Financial
• Tiana O’Dea, Financial Advisor, Trend Advisory
• Angela Quintel, Provisional Financial Adviser, Everest Wealth
• Jasmyn Stekovic, Financial Adviser, Evalesco Financial Services
• Meaghan Wylie, Financial Adviser, Perpetual Private

Investment Professional of the Year
• Sarah Gonzales, Chief Investment Officer, Apt Wealth Partners
• Shani Jayamanne, Director, Investment Specialist, Morningstar
• Kirsten Lee, Head of Credit Research, Australian Ethical Investment
• Jessica Lin, Head of Capital Markets & Fixed Income, LGT Wealth Management
• Deana Mitchell, Portfolio Manager, Australian Ethical
• Amy Pham, Fund Manager, Pengana, Capital Group
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lillian Poon, Senior Portfolio Manager, State Street Investment Management
• Tamara Radice, Director, Investment Specialist and Team Lead, NAB Private Wealth
• WINNER: Natalie Tam, Portfolio Manager, Systematic, Australian Ethical
• Fabiana Vivo, Senior Product Manager, Global X ETFs

Superannuation Professional of the Year
• Lynn Baker, National Manager, Acquisition Enablement, Aware Super
• WINNER: Liz McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer, MLC Expand (of Insignia Financial)
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Keri Pratt, Chief Investment Strategy Officer, State Super (SAS Trustee Corporation)
• Julie Slapp, Director, Growth & Customer Solutions, AMP Super & Investments, AMP

Life Insurance Professional of the Year
• WINNER: Dolores Bartolomeu, Head of Life, CCI and Health Claims, Allianz Insurance
• Alexis Denby, General Manager – Consumer & Growth, TAL
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Amy McDonald, Head of Pricing and Portfolio Management, TAL
• Lanh Nguyen, Divisional CFO, Life and Investments, Challenger
• Danielle Waugh, Partnerships Education Manager, TAL

Industry Rising Star of the Year
• Narmatha Asogan, Provisional Adviser/Associate Adviser, Moiler Wealth
• Susan Cheng, Wealth Adviser, Canaccord Genuity
• WINNER: Lauren Coppel, Senior Partnership Integration Leader, TAL
• Natalie Kolenda, Invesment Associate, Aura Group
• Jay Lee, Senior Investment Analyst, MLC Asset Management
• Jieun Lee, Valuation Actuary, SCOR Global Life Australia
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Holly Lewis, Senior Case Manager Level 1, Allianz Insurance
• Ella O’Brien, Service Optimisation Business Partner, Novigi
• Dhruti Shinde, Associate Project Manager, Novigi
• Karen Truong, Senior Risk Associate, Hewison Private Wealth
• Sabrina Zeng, Corporate Development Manager Aura Ventures, Aura Group

Risk Adviser of the Year
• Azaria Bell, Financial Adviser – Risk Specialist, Steadfast Life
• WINNER: Jade Burford, Financial Adviser/Partner, MBS Insurance
• Kathleen Dean, Financial Adviser, Skye Wealth
• Trish Gregory, Financial Adviser, Hayes & Co Insurance
• Natalie Lackner, Specialist Insurance Adviser, Founder of Parachute Cover, Parachute Cover
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Alex Thomaschuetz, Head of Risk, Altus Financial

Investment Adviser of the Year
• Jenny Abood, Senior Investment Advisor, Morgans Financial
• Emma Brickacek, Director, Wealth Management, Canaccord Genuity
• Melissa Davidowitz, Wealth Adviser, Canaccord Genuity
• Laura Gooch, Investment Adviser, Morgans Financial
• Georgie Hennekens, Private Client Advisor, Morgans Financial
• Alexandra Kalceff, Head of Investment Capability, Canaccord Genuity
• WINNER: Victoria Lindores, Senior Adviser & Partner, Koda Capital
• Faye Longmuir, Associate Director, Wealth Management, Canaccord Genuity
• Jacqui Mengler-Mohr, Senior Director, Wealth Management, Canaccord Genuity
• Naika Palma, Institutional Adviser, Euroz Hartleys
• Steph Patrick, Senior Adviser, Koda Capital
• Isabella Sepede, Senior Adviser, Koda Capital
• Hilary Troy, Senior Adviser, Canaccord Genuity
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Philippa Weekley, Director, Equities, Canaccord Genuity

Paraplanner of the Year
• Michelle Alban, Senior Associate Adviser, Hewison Private Wealth
• Soraya Bacic, Head of Paraplanning, Adviser fp
• Laura Barichello, Graduate – Wealth Management, Burrell Stockbroking & Wealth Management
• Leilani Brown, Senior Paraplanner, Paraplanner Pro
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Katie Hargrave, Associate, Koda Capital
• Vandu Kembhavi, Associate Adviser/Paraplanner, Insight Advisory Group
• Michelle Peters, Senior Associate, Technical Services, Coastal Advisory Australia
• Yashera Raddalgoda, Senior Associate Adviser, Hewison Private Wealth
• WINNER: Yasmine Turner, Paraplanning & Compliance Manager, Essense Wealth
• Sharyn Weger, Senior Associate, Technical Services, Coastal Advisory Australia

Industry Professional of the Year
• Erin Egan, Head of Hypercare, Padua Solutions
• WINNER: Sarah Gillard, Business Improvement Product & Process Lead, BT Investment Product Solutions, BT Financial Group
• Jamie Kemp, Associate Director – Support Services, Burrell Stockbroking & Wealth Management
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Carlie Newbold, General Manager, Human Resources, Novigi
• Aleah Nguyen, Client Services Manager, Essense Wealth
• Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon, Financial Educator, Columnist, Commentator, Author, Podcast and Presenter, Nicole’s Smart Money
• Ynes Perrin, Practice Manager, Wealth Connexion
• Ivana Sanzari, Regional Manager – SA, VIC & WA, Coastal Advisory Australia
• Merit Siimson, Associate, Wealth Management (Administration Assistant), CG Wealth
• Harriet Young, Dealers Assistant, Burrell Stockbroking & Wealth Management

Industry Executive of the Year
• Kristen Bell, President, Focus Partners Australia
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Karyn Ferguson, CFO, Morgans Financial Limited
• Torty Howard, Chief Operating Officer/Partner, Escala
• Joanne Huynh, Head of Client Services, Capitalwise
• WINNER: Michelle Inns, Chief Operating Officer, LGT Wealth Management
• Sarah Little, Chief Operating Officer, Count
• Nicole Mahan, General Manager Operations, Adviser and Client Services, MLC Expand
• Nicole Munday, Chief Operating Officer, Coastal Advisory Australia
• Anita Owen, Executive General Manager, Professional Services, Novigi
• Tara Ross, Chief Operations Officer, Centaur Financial Services
• Irene Setiokusumo, Global Head of Operations, Aura Group
• Jane Tandy, Founder and Managing Director, Leeuwin Wealth

Marketing/Communications Professional of the Year
• Kate Buhagiar, Marketing Manager, Evalesco Financial Services
• Rebecca Chivers, Head of Corporate Affairs, Insignia Financial
• Courtenay Dawson, Marketing Manager, B2C, Global X ETFs
• WINNER: Kelly Fisk, Iress Chief Corporate Affairs & Marketing Officer, Iress
• Christine Fortescue, Change Director (BT Transformation), BT Financial Group
• Maria Karandasios, National Marketing & Communications Lead, Canaccord Genuity
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Belinda Le, Marketing Manager, Perpetual Private
• Sarah Megginson, Personal Finance Expert + Media Spokesperson, Finder
• Arianne Miller, Head of Marketing, LGT Wealth Management
• Helen Milne, Head of Platform Delivery, BT Financial Group
• Rachel Richardson, Head of Marketing, MUFG Retirement Solutions
• Lel Smits, Managing Director, The Stock Network

BDM of the Year
• Kristina Benkotic, Head of Strategic Growth & Partnerships, Activam Group
• Megan Bonke, Investment Specialist – Multi-Asset Investments, MLC Asset Management
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dani Dy, Distribution Manager, Centuria
• Rachel Elfverson, New Business Manager, North
• Veri Gravina, State Lead – WA, Zurich
• Renee Manzi, Business Development Manager – QLD, TAL
• WINNER: Lauren Matthews, Senior Retirement Income Specialist, AllianzRetire+
• Joanne Monteleone, Business Development Manager – BT Platforms Distribution, BT Financial Group
• Kristina Scheiber, Business Development Manager – VIC, TAL
• Susie Smith, Business Development Manager, MLC

Governance, Risk and Compliance Professional of the Year
• Donna Caird, Associate Director/Head of Compliance and Risk, Euroz Hartleys
• Lisa Chambers, Chief Risk and Legal Officer, Count
• WINNER: Cherie Feher, Head of Compliance and Strategic Projects, Escala
• Jo Fleming, General Manager Risk – Wrap and Super, Insignia Financial
• Wendy Leung, Head of Regulatory Compliance and Assurance, TAL
• Rushda Mertens, Strategic Programs Delivery Leader, AllianzRetire+
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Fiona Morris, Head of Legal Risk and Compliance, Koda Capital
• Melissa Nolan, Head of Compliance, Ord Minnett
• Linda Sandwell, Head of Compliance – JBWere, JBWere – NAB Private Wealth
• Justine Shephard, Head of Compliance, Audit and Risk, MiQ Private Wealth
• Kinnison Spies, Executive Manager, Advice Compliance, Shaw and Partners
• Sharon Suan, Chief Member Officer, Insignia Financial
• Joan Warren, Director, Compliance, Canaccord Genuity

Tech Innovator of the Year
• Andrea Boss, General Manager – Guidance and Advice, AMP
• Sarah Illarietti, Financial Services Adviser, PKF Perth
• Petra Koutsoumbas, Manager Technology – JBWere, JBWere – NAB Private Wealth
• Alyssa Li, Director, Head of Avaloq Australia, Avaloq
• Sharon MacMonagle, AI Strategy & Delivery Leader, AllianzRetire+
• WINNER: Kavita Mistry, Chief Technology Officer, AMP
• Gaby & Ali Rosenberg, Co-Founders, Blossom App
• Laura Rusu, CEO, LENSELL
• Ranmani Senaratne, Senior Manager – Tech Academy and Partnerships, TAL
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Alice Tang, Co-CEO, Amplify AI Group

Platforms Professional of the Year
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kathryn Cosentino, Head of Platform Product Management and Product Development, BT Financial Group
• Orla Cowan, General Manager Wrap and Master Trust Governance, MLC Expand
• WINNER: Annabelle Kline, Chief Product Officer, BT Financial Group
• Anita Mead, Head of Platforms – JBWere, JBWere – NAB Private Wealth

Mentor of the Year
• WINNER: Renae Anderson, Senior Manager, Advice Engagement & Alliances, UniSuper
• Leanne Bielik, Financial Planner, 2020 Wealth
• Belinda Good, General Manager, Boutique Advisers Private Wealth
• Michelle Heffernan, Senior Financial Adviser, Apt Wealth Partners
• Robyn Patch, Director, WCA Wealth Management
• Tara Ross, Chief Operations Officer, Centaur Financial Services
• Jane Tandy, Founder and Managing Director, Leeuwin Wealth
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dinda Timperon, Head of Cyber Security Engineering, Insignia Financial

Employer of the Year
• Apt Wealth Partners
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Boutique Advisers Private Wealth
• Centaur Financial Services
• Euroz Hartleys
• Evalesco Financial Services
• Everest Wealth
• JEM Wealth
• Leeuwin Wealth
• WINNER: Morgans Financial
• Msquared Capital

Graduate of the Year 2026
• Jessie-lee Curtis, Professional Year Candidate, BWC Wealth Partners
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Neve Gribble, Analyst Corporate Finance, Leeuwin Wealth
• Claire Heo, Financial Services Graduate, AMP
• Amy Johnston, Lawyer, State Super (SAS Trustee Corporation)
• Montana Ledgar, Associate, Centaur Financial Services
• Ruby McCormack, Associate Financial Adviser, Skye Wealth
• Ishwa Pandya, Client Services Manager, Mwealth
• Chelsea Quinn, Client Manager, Boutique Advisers Private Wealth
• Rachel Sculley, Implementation Manager, Everest Wealth
• WINNER: Claudia White, Provisional Adviser, Morgans Financial

Woman of the Year 2026
• Renae Anderson, UniSuper
• Dolores Bartolomeu, Allianz Australia Insurance
• Jade Burford, MBS Insurance
• Cherie Feher, Escala Partners
• Kelly Fisk, Iress
• Sarah Gillard, BT
• WINNER: Michelle Inns, LGT Wealth Management Australia
• Annabelle Kline, BT
• Victoria Lindores, Koda Capital
• Liz McCarthy, MLC Expand
• Kavita Mistry, AMP
• Shayne Sommer, Shadforth Financial Group
• Natalie Tam, Australian Ethical
• Yasmine Turner, Essense Wealth Solutions