WiBF 2024 National Industry Awards: A Celebratory Luncheon of Excellence

The Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF) 2024 National Industry Awards made history on Thursday, 5th September, as a record-breaking 750 guests gathered to celebrate the achievements of outstanding professionals in the banking and finance industry. Held at the esteemed Grand Ballroom at Sydney’s International Convention Centre (ICC) in Darling Harbour, the event also received over 300 nominations, making it one of the most significant occasions in the WiBF’s history.

The celebrations began at 11:30 am, allowing attendees a full hour of networking before the official ceremony commenced at 12:30 pm. This year’s awards were once again emceed by the fabulous Sheila Vijeyarasa, whose charisma and energy set a lively tone for the day.

“It feels like yesterday I was hosting my first WiBF Awards back in 2022, we had a little over 300 guests in the Ivy Ballroom then. Here we are now, on our third awards lunch and we are now bigger and better then ever before. We have more than doubled in size with over 750 guests here today.”

Guests were warmly welcomed by WiBF President, Sangeeta Venkatesan.

“Your attendance today is a testament to your support, your engagement, your contribution and your drive to diversity and inclusion initiatives and supporting women in your organisation and across the industry. Diversity and inclusion is more then who you hire, it’s how you work. It comes as no surprise that strong D&I initiatives directly impact the future and the culture of an organisation. At WiBF we have been very busy, welcoming a number of new members and university partners. We’ve gone International, having recently hosted our first event in New Zealand a couple of weeks ago and it was well received. We have partnered with WiBF UK to host a few webinars in the past, which have had a global audience.”

WiBF Independent Chair, and recently received Order of Australia, Diana D’Ambra AM.
“I feel very privileged to be here today to celebrate not just the nominees in the room but everyone that participates, supports and contributes to our banking and finance community in so many diverse and very necessary ways.”

Followed by a greeting from the event’s main sponsor, Victoria Hickey, Chief Financial Officer for Business Banking at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

“I’m a true believer in equality for all. I know that all of you in this room spend time to support, develop, grow and give opportunities to women. I thank you for all of that effort because it is making a difference, and we are changing the landscape. CBA has been involved with WiBF since 2009 and we love this initiative to be part of this organisation. It’s amazing to see we have 300 nominations put forward today over 16 categories.”

The event was live-streamed allowing our members across Australia and around the globe to join the celebrations, thanks to LinkedIn. A VIP section, co-sponsored by Aware Super and Protiviti, provided an exclusive experience for select guests, while Think Productive offered a headshot photographer, allowing attendees to update their professional images.

Celebrating excellence across 16 award categories, with two new awards introduced this year, the ceremony recognised remarkable individuals and teams for their contributions to the industry.

“We recognise the important role WiBF plays in celebrating the achievements of women in our industry, showcasing outstanding role models and demonstrating diverse pathways for success. We are deeply honoured to have this opportunity to support and uplift women for the remarkable contribution they make to our industry,” said Stephen O’Flynn, Partner and Chair of SW Accountants & Advisors, Chair of Financial Services Industry Group.

Congratulations to all the winners of the WiBF 2024 National Industry Awards:

• Alana Mackay and Jessica Magro, on behalf of MobTech Program, Westpac Group – WiBF Inclusive Workplace Award of the Year – Sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Amanda Lee, SW Accountants & Advisors – WiBF Award for Achievement in Professional Services – Sponsored by Financial Education Professionals
• Benjamin Duff, Macquarie Bank – WiBF Mentor of the Year – Sponsored by Westpac Group
• Brooke Pettit, on behalf of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank – WiBF ESG and Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Sponsored by ANZ
• Carolyn O’Reilly, Perpetual Limited – WiBF Award for Achievement in Private Wealth and Superannuation – Sponsored by Thomas Frost Executive
• Donald Daniel, National Australia Bank – WiBF Inclusive Leader Award – Sponsored by Deutsche Bank
• Elizabeth Rudall, ANZ – WiBF Award for Achievement in Corporate Affairs – Sponsored by Westpac Group
• Jessica Clarke, EY – WiBF Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Macquarie Group Limited
• Karen Hartley, BOQ Group – WiBF Award for Achievement in Retail Banking – Sponsored by EY
• Kathleen Yeung, Qualitas Group – WiBF Award for Achievement in Assets and Fund Management – Sponsored by SW Accountants & Advisors
• Lavanya Murali, HSBC Bank Australia Limited – WiBF Award for Achievement in Operations, Technology, or Customer Support – Sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Lucia La Bella, National Australia Bank – WiBF Award for Achievement in SME & Business Banking – Sponsored by Turks
• Olivia del Piano, Deutsche Bank – WiBF Award for Achievement in Institutional, Corporate, and Investment Banking – Sponsored by HSBC Bank Australia Limited
• Qing Liu, Moody’s Corporation – WiBF Award for Achievement in Regulation & Compliance – Sponsored by Credit Corp Group
• Rouzz Lichaa, HSBC Bank Australia Limited – WiBF Award for Achievement in an EA/PA Role – Sponsored by Toyota Finance Australia
• Vanessa Rowe, Commonwealth Bank of Australia – WiBF Award for Product or Technical Innovator – Sponsored by Ansarada

“Being nominated as finalist, knowing the calibre of the other nominees is truly amazing. Thank you WiBF for putting on this amazing event, thank you to my colleagues and teammates for your unwavering support and hard work. Together we can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lay ahead,” said Qing Liu, Moody’s Corporation – WiBF Award for Achievement in Regulation & Compliance.

A special thank you to our headline sponsor, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and to all of our sponsors, including Ansarada, ANZ, Aware Super, Credit Corp Group, Deutsche Bank, EY, Financial Education Professionals, HSBC, KangaNews, LinkedIn, Macquarie Group, Protiviti, SW Accountants & Advisors, Think Productive, Thomas Frost Executive, Toyota Finance, Turks, and Westpac Group, for making this event possible.

“This process has been so positive, it’s been a great opportunity to sit back reflect on where I’ve been, what I’ve done and where I am going, along the great women and men around me,” said Elizabeth Rudall, ANZ – WiBF Award for Achievement in Corporate Affairs.

Thank you also to our incredible judges, Andrew Rooke, Calum Davis, Cathryn Lyall, Danielle Dobson, Dr Juliet Bourke, Fiona Trigona, Jessica Dwyer, Juliana Nguyễn, Melanie Willis, Peter Cook, Ricky Nowak, Sally Loane, Sophie Ray, Teresa Curman, Trent Alston, Troy Roderick, Vincent Chin, Will Liang.

“This has got to be the most pivotal thing I’ve achieved in my career. Thank you for my team for nominating me. For me, diversity is just a fact, it’s the inclusion aspect that is a choice. I am always advocating that choice. I have had some amazing female mentors in the past, and they really showed me a different way of thinking. Creating an inclusive environment, where everyone feels valued and connected,” said Donald Daniel, National Australia Bank – WiBF Inclusive Leader Award.

Looking ahead to next year, we invite you to join us for the WiBF 2025 National Industry Awards, marking our 25th anniversary. In a departure from our traditional luncheon format, the 2025 celebration will be a glamorous dinner gala, held once again at the stunning ICC in Sydney. It promises to be a memorable evening as we celebrate a quarter-century of excellence in banking and finance.

A huge thank you once again to everyone who attended the WiBF 2024 National Industry Awards and for making the day so special, we look forward to celebrating with you all again next year!