Senior Fellows at FINSIA represent the pinnacle of achievement. Through years of dedication, innovation, and leadership, they have not only advanced their respective fields but have also played pivotal roles in shaping the financial services sector.
FINSIA CEO and Managing Director Yasser El-Ansary F FIN welcomed the new Senior Fellows and noted their professionalism and leadership in ensuring the best outcomes for their businesses and outstanding contributions to the community.
“I’m thrilled to recognize our new Senior Fellows, as it provides a wonderful opportunity for FINSIA to highlight their significant contributions to financial services and the community over the years,” he said.
“Senior Fellows have continued to uphold and raise the standards as well as shape the future of the industry. Each Senior Fellow brings a wealth of experience that enriches our community. From their significant contributions to the industry to mentoring the next generation of finance professionals, their impact extends far beyond their immediate roles.”
Those on this year’s list come from a diverse range of roles within financial services including law, banking, regulation, capital markets, healthcare, M&A and government relations.
The criteria for senior fellows is for senior members of the industry who have not only made significant achievements in their career but who will uphold and raise the standards as well as shape the future of the industry.
FINSIA’s Senior Fellow community includes senior leaders from financial services including former APRA Chair Wayne Byres, CBA Chief Executive Matt Comyn, NAB Chair Phil Chronican, business leader David Gonski AC and former NAB chief executive Don Argus AC amongst others.
“The leadership in executive and non-executive roles highlights the important way FINSIA contributes to Australian society as a whole,” Mr El–Anssary said.
“As we continue to promote excellence and innovation, their leadership will remain a cornerstone of our success. Join us in celebrating their achievements and shaping a brighter future together."
This year’s new senior fellows are:
Sandra (Sam) Andersen has more than 18 years’ experience in the finance sector and 10 years’ experience as an executive in the technology and health services industries. Sam is currently the Chair of Audit and Risk Management Committee of Victoria Police, Vic Roads along with Secure Electronic Registries Victoria. She is also a chair of the Beyond Bank Australia Limited and Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation.
She previously held senior executive positions at the ANZ Bank, Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank. She has also been CFO and COO at several ASX-listed IT companies leading transformation initiatives, as well as managing director of a listed allied health services company.
Expertise: Corporate Finance, Technology and Governance
David has extensive experience across a range of senior leadership roles in consumer & business banking, corporate & institutional banking and risk management. As the current chief executive at business consulting firm Bellingham Wallace, he supports the growth and success of New Zealand businesses through world-class advisory and accounting services.
Across his career, David has held senior leadership roles in business banking, corporate and institutional banking, risk management and retail banking in New Zealand and the UK and supported many customers through exceptional challenges. These include the aftermath of the 1987 share market crash, the dotcom crash of the early 1990s, the 2007 global financial crisis and, most recently, the impact of COVID.
Expertise: Banking, Risk Management and Business Advisory
Pauline Blight-Johnston is the current CEO and managing director of lenders mortgage insurance provider Helia. Pauline has over 30 years’ experience in wealth management, financial services and insurance in Australia, New Zealand and globally.
Prior to joining Helia, Pauline held senior leadership and strategic roles in Challenger, AMP and RGA Reinsurance Company. She has also served as Chief Financial Officer and Appointed Actuary of Asteron Life, and consulted to the insurance and wealth management industry at KPMG and Tillinghast-Towers Perrin.
An active industry participant, Pauline has served on the boards of the Institute of Actuaries, the Financial Services Council, the Australian Institute of Insurance and Finance, and has been a member of and chaired numerous committees of these bodies.
Expertise: Wealth Management and Insurance
Robyn Clubb AM
Robyn has over twenty years of senior executive experience within the financial services industry, including roles with Citibank and AMP. She is also an experienced non-executive director within the agribusiness, energy and government sectors.
Currently a non-executive director at Australia Post, she also chairs the Audit Risk and Compliance Committee of Elders Limited.
Robyn is also Chair of the RAS Foundation, the charitable arm of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and continues to maintain a strong interest and involvement in rural and regional issues.
Expertise: Governance and Banking
As the current chairman at one of Asia-Pacific's leading real asset managers ESR Group, Mark has had a career spanning in-depth experience across real assets, equity capital market, debt capital markets, M&A, corporate advisory & financing disciplines.
Having a global orientation and cross border viewpoint across Asia, Oceania, MENA, Africa and Europe for over 35 years, Mark was Global Head of Industries & Real Estate at Standard Chartered Bank. Prior to joining SCB, Mark was Asia Head of Real Estate Lodging & Leisure Investment Banking for UBS. He is also a member of the Business Development Committee which drives and coordinates all new business initiatives.
Expertise: Investment Management, Capital Markets and Banking
David is a seasoned executive with over 20 years’ experience in the investment banking and finance sector. He currently serves as Executive / General Manager, Technology, Information Security & Operations Risk and Group Insurance, Resilience Risk at National Australia Bank. He also previously held senior leadership role across major banks including ANZ, Westpac and Citi.
Specialising in technology risk, information security and identity & access management, David has helped organisations align demands and create strategic business goals along with implementing the principles and fundamentals of sound holistic risk management across organisations.
Expertise: Banking, Technology and Risk Management
Warren McLeland
Warren is a seasoned financial expert with over 40 years of experience in domestic and international financial services. Currently, Warren serves as the Chairman of a premier non-bank lender Resimac. With significant experience in financial services, along with wholesale and retail sectors at top business management and CEO levels, his previous roles include senior leadership roles in organisations such as Bain and Co and Chase Manhattan (now JP Morgan Chase).
In addition to his leadership roles, Warren is a sought-after adviser in funds management and business strategy, providing invaluable insights to companies across the Asia Pacific region. His expertise spans various aspects of finance, from risk management to investment strategy, allowing him to assist organisations in optimising their operational efficiency and achieving their strategic goals.
Expertise: Investment Management, Governance and Banking
A highly regarded and experienced executive, Theresa serves as the current Chief Financial Officer at leading mining solutions provider Emeco. Bringing a wealth of experience from across the resource and contracting services sectors, having previously held Chief Financial Officer positions at Adbri Ltd, Perenti, Thiess, MacMahon, and Barminco, as well as senior leadership roles across the energy and mining sectors.
Theresa has extensive experience, primarily in the resources and contracting services sector, and in the financial management of private equity and large listed & unlisted organisations. Her expertise spans a broad range of finance disciplines including financial control, investor relations, treasury, and mergers and acquisitions.
Expertise: Corporate Finance, M&A and Governance
Sonya Sawtell-Rickson
Sonya is the current Chief Investment Officer of HESTA overseeing the $76 billion investment program on behalf of HESTA’s 1 million plus members.
She has 20+ years’ experience in the investment management industry, including Investment Director at QIC, leading a global multi-asset team, managing diversified portfolios of $45 billion.
Sonya is also a Director of the Investor Group for Climate Change, a Member of the IFM Shareholder Advisory Board, and a Board Member of the Australian Advisory Board on Technology & Healthcare Competitiveness.
Expertise: Superannuation and Investment Management
Matt is a senior finance leader with over 15 years of practical management and finance experience. A chartered accountant, holding an MBA and Masters of Applied Finance, Matt is the current CFO at Royal Flying Doctor Service.
He has significant experience in leading multi-disciplined, professional teams to improve business performance and has demonstrated success in managing complex and diverse stakeholder communications and relationships through senior finance roles in publicly listed, private, mutual and not-for-profit organisations such as Credit Union Australia (now Great Southern Bank), Virgin Airlines Australia, Queensland Sugar Ltd, Bank of Queensland and Brisbane Catholic Education.
Expertise: Corporate Finance and Banking
Don’t miss out on Senior Fellow nominations
Take advantage of the opportunity to honor your colleagues by nominating them for FINSIA’s Senior Fellows award.
The deadline for submitting nominations for this prestigious recognition of outstanding contributions to financial services is the end of August.
To become a Senior Fellow, you will be required to show evidence that you have made a contribution at any point in your career that has made a significant impact on the financial services industry and/or demonstrate distinguished service and participation within FINSIA.
While any member at the level of Affiliate membership or higher can be put forward, the criteria for nominations should take into account a level of seniority in the profession. You must be supported by two Fellows or one Senior Fellow of FINSIA.
Only a limited number of nominations will be considered and approved each year by the FINSIA board, and they are assessed against other applications.
