NSW Emerging Leaders Forum 2024 

David has more than 20 years’ experience in Australia, New York and the Middle East. David has a strong knowledge of the financial services sector, having worked with a broad cross section of the industry, including banks, brokers, exchanges, fintechs, leasing companies, payment providers, private equity and non-bank financiers.  

He is also a recognised regulatory expert, having advised a range of local and international banks.  

David has previously served as a member of the Consumer Finance Advisory Group and as Chair of the Institutional Markets Council. 

Vanessa Stoykov is the founder and global CEO of evolution media group, an international award-winning content company, established in 1999 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia. She has dedicated almost a quarter of a century to honing the craft of storytelling around money to connect people to their financial potential.  

She has published two books, created and sold the largest video education portal for financial advisers in Australia, and made multiple award-winning TV productions with high profile celebrities who trust her with their money story.  

Originally a financial journalist, Vanessa has deep relationships with the financial services industry, and is one of the founders of The Fund Executives Association, https://www.feal.asn.au dedicated to the professional development of executives in the superannuation/ pension fund industry.  

She has collaborated with multiple global brands to create stories about money that empower people to take an active interest in their own financial strategy. She is a regular commenter in the media including the ABC, network TV and mainstream daily press, and her level-headed conversations around money reached 21 million people during COVID lockdown. Vanessa is also a member of Chief Executive Women 

The Australian born daughter of a Serbian father and Australian mother, Vanessa grew up in the NSW town of Gunnedah, where  her father worked in the coal mines as a machinist. She was raised to believe that she could do anything. It is this upbringing that has inspired her to share what and who she knows through storytelling, to democratise learning about money - so everyone has access to common language information to make the best decisions for their life.  

She is married to her creative husband Woody and has three sons. 

Alyse was the Director of Metaverse at KPMG Futures, where they use game changing technologies to build new business models for the firm. She helps clients implement metaverse and web3 solutions to improve customer engagement, generate new revenue streams, and enhance workforce training. 

Alyse has over 10 years experience in emerging technology, including AI and blockchain, as a software engineer, consultant and startup founder.

She's the founding member of FutrDAO, an investment DAO that supports radical impact web3 projects, primarily in climate and healthy longevity. She's also the Co-founder of Transhuman Coin, a DeFi project that funds Transhuman projects which use science and technology to overcome limitations of human biology

With qualifications in accounting, business law and software engineering, Alyse specialises in bringing her technology background, corporate experience, and startup thinking to deliver solutions that have a strong focus on commercial outcomes. 

I am a big believer in listening - to the market, to customers, and to our people. In this way, I have helped some of the world’s largest financial institutions, and emerging disruptors, to navigate complex economic challenges. As a CEO, NED, Certified Chair and Board Advisor, my value lies in guiding businesses though periods of change and ambiguity to achieve sustained competitive advantage, while ensuring the numbers are delivered on, year on year. 

For more than two decades in global business, I have managed, maintained and accelerated performance by a focus on identifying and converting opportunity. Drawing on a deep understanding of political, economic and cultural landscapes, from ANZ and APAC to EMEA and beyond, I steer the businesses and their people who are facing into the headlights of change and execute solutions at the cutting edge of both technology and customer experience. Disruption, for me, is not an excuse to retreat or divert, it’s a reason to innovate.

I have been told the key to my success is an ability to stay calm amid chaos, to act decisively, play the long game and make rational decisions. Combined with my dedication to creating diverse, sustainable businesses, and forging productive partnerships with boards, government representatives, major clients and other stakeholders across different cultures and disciplines, I bring digital knowledge and an innovative mindset to every challenge.

Rod has worked in financial services and been a FINSIA member for 41 years, primarily with the Westpac Banking Group of companies. 

For the last 21 years of his executive career, he has been a CFO or COO in various roles domestically and globally with the last eight years in Institutional Banking. Prior to that, his extensive experience has been in Retail and Business Banking at Westpac and St George Bank. While CFO at Westpac International, Rod had responsibility for teams in eight countries. 

He is known for his integrity and strong business standards, has experience in leading large teams and building culture. And has significant experience in financial management and strategy. 

Rod has 15 years experience as a director, beginning with RAMS Financial Group and then extending to Westpac and St George subsidiaries. 

He remains Chair of Westpac Europe Ltd, and has expanded his director and advisor roles into other industries over the last three years. FINSIA member since 18 September 1980. 

Sally-Anne an energetic and determined leader with ten years’ experience across a myriad of roles within the retail banking, with the last five years being in mortgages.

She has led a significant amount of change for our organisation from BAU pricing, process, policy, and continuous improvement through to fundamental shifts in our lending operating model, with the customer at the centre. 

Sally-Anne is now the CEO of the St George Foundation, which is one of 5 Westpac foundations, the St. George Foundation provides grants to Australian charities to help create brighter futures for children and young people in need in our local communities.

Sally-Anne is on a mission to build sustainability in the Foundations Funding model and ultimately maximise social impact through the Foundation.

Bhanu Singh is the CEO and Director of DFA Australia Limited as well as the Head of Asia-Pacific Portfolio Management. Bhanu manages Dimensional’s business interests in Australia and oversees all portfolios managed out of the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, Bhanu is a member of Dimensional’s Investment Research Committee, which reviews potential investment strategy enhancements. He works closely with Dimensional’s research team to develop and implement solutions that are designed to help clients achieve their goals.

Bhanu has close to 20 years of industry experience. He started working for Dimensional in 2003 as a Trading Assistant, then became Head of Asia-Pacific Portfolio Management in 2015 before being named CEO in 2023.

Bhanu holds a BA in business economics with honours from UCLA and an MBA in analytical finance with honours from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

As the Chief Operating Officer, Kim oversees all operations and technology at Wilson Asset Management (International) Pty Limited.

Kim has over 25 years of experience in a diverse range of sectors including Financial Services, Superannuation, Information Technology, Health, Travel and Government. Before joining Wilson Asset Management, Kim was the Chief Operating Officer at Australian Ethical. She managed all aspects of the organisational strategy focused on operations and technology. Additionally, Kim managed security, product and program management, data management, and contact center operations.

Kim holds a degree in Engineering, PRINCE2 qualification, Diploma in Project Management and completed the General Manager Program (in Strategy). She has recently been appointed to SydWest Multicultural Services’ Board of Directors.

Starting as a graduate at a global recruitment firm, I've built eight years of recruitment experience across Investment Management and Superannuation.

I pride myself on going above and above for my clients and candidates, bringing to them market insights, and opportunities with reputable firms. As a passionate sports fan, I also went to the United States on a football (soccer) scholarship before returning to Australia.

Karin Setchell is the General Manager – Product and Investing Solutions at CommSec, where she leads the team responsible for the profitability, growth, and management of CommSec’s product offering, including Australian and International Equities, CommSec Pocket, Cash, Investment Lending and Derivatives.

During her 20+ year career, Karin has held a number of positions across the Commonwealth Bank’s wealth division, KPMG, ASIC and Andersen across Risk, Strategy, Delivery, Enforcement, Audit and Product. She is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion having sat on and participated across a number of Diversity & Inclusion Committees as well as Graduate / Intern Programs within the Bank.

Karin holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and is a qualified CPA.