Meet our WiBF 2026 Awards Finalists!

Congratulations to our WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards Finalists!

We are delighted to announce and celebrate the exceptional individuals and organisations named as finalists for the WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards.

These awards recognise the outstanding achievements, leadership and contributions of professionals across Australia’s banking and finance sector. This year’s finalists represent the incredible talent, dedication and impact that continues to shape our industry.

Congratulations to all finalists on this well-deserved recognition.

WiBF Award for Achievement in Assets and Fund Management

Sponsored by SW Accountants & Advisors

• Anita Young – Ark Capital Funds
• Haley Devine – MaxCap
• Kerry Gill – MLC Asset Management (of Insignia Financial)
• Megan Aubrey – Macquarie Group
• Yvonne Kola – Capspace

WiBF Award for Achievement for EA/PA Role

Sponsored by Amazon Web Services

• Brede Frei – MA Financial Group
• Jessica Vitacca – Insignia Financial
• Erin Stokes – Macquarie Bank
• Robyn Grobbelaar – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Shannon Kavanagh – HSBC Australia

WiBF Award for Achievement in Operations Technology or Customer Support

Sponsored by Aware Super

• Alison Taylor – Macquarie Group
• Pankti Desai – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Rachel Round – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Stephanie Heard – Westpac Group
• Yvonne Kola – Capspace

WiBF Award for Achievement in Corporate Affairs

Sponsored by Westpac Group

• Courtney Howe – Soul Patts
• Katie Bell – MA Money (MA Financial)
• Lauren Andrews – Bendigo Bank
• Sam Miller – Bendigo Bank
• Susan Fairley – AustralianSuper

WiBF Award for Achievement in Institutional, Corporate and Investment Banking

Sponsored by HSBC Bank Australia Limited

• Bianca Patterson – Westpac Group
• Jennifer Hellerud – RBC Capital Markets
• Joy Leet – National Australia Bank
• Susan Buckley – Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC)
• Marianne Birch – Macquarie Capital

WiBF Award for Achievement in Private Wealth and Superannuation

Sponsored by UniSuper

• Dianne Shepherd – Homesafe (Homesafe Solutions Pty Ltd)
• Louise Raybould – Macquarie Group
• Marisa Senese – Perpetual Wealth Management
• Nandita Alva – Lipman Burgon & Partners
• Sarah Ross – Macquarie Private Bank

WiBF Award for Achievement in Professional Services

Sponsored by Financial Education Professionals

• Ashleigh Pakis – Panache Financial
• Hannah Boland – Westpac Group
• Madeleine Burrill – Macquarie Group
• Melissa Haikal – Westpac Group
• Paula Nassif – Kardos Scanlan

WiBF Award for Achievement in Risk, Regulation and Compliance

Sponsored by Credit Corp Group

• Hayley Bransgrove – Bendigo Bank
• Helen Schuler – Macquarie Group
• Laura Toscano – SW Accountants & Advisors
• Tess Rix – Bendigo Bank
• Yu Tang – Commonwealth Bank of Australia

WiBF Award for Achievement in Retail Banking

Sponsored by National Australia Bank

• Kali Jurkschat – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Megan Linton – ANZ
• Sascha Thiel – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Sophie Tilden – BOQ Group
• Suzanne Wood – Westpac Group

WiBF Award for Achievement in SME and Business Banking

• Dolly Cutinho – National Australia Bank
• Emma Low – Westpac Group
• Jasmine Ashton – National Australia Bank
• Olivia Ellis – Macquarie Group
• Tess McCormack – Commonwealth Bank of Australia

WiBF Diversity and Inclusive Workplace of the Year

Sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia

• Future Fund Management Agency
• Grant Thornton Australia Limited
• Jarden Group
• Toyota Finance Australia
• Westpac Group

WiBF ESG and Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Sponsored by ANZ

• Amanda Barker – on behalf of Aware Super
• Cindy Arthur – on behalf of ANZ
• Michelle Choy – on behalf of Westpac Group
• Pauwla Rumli – on behalf of ING
• René Muller – on behalf of SW Accountants & Advisors

WiBF Inclusive Leader Award

Sponsored by Deutsche Bank

• Blair Wark – RBC Capital Markets
• Kylie Robb – MaxCap Group
• Phil Lyon – Future Fund Management Agency
• Rowan Avis – Westpac Group
• Tracey Chung – Jarden Group

WiBF Mental Health Champion Award

Sponsored by Toyota Finance Australia

• Alice Klontzaris – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Bronte Humphries – MLC Expand (of Insignia Financial)
• Melissa Garofano – National Australia Bank
• Pooja Kadian – Westpac Group

WiBF Mentor of the Year

Sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada

• Amy Land – Bendigo Bank
• Blair Wark – RBC Capital Markets
• Dolly Cutinho – National Australia Bank
• Luke Marriott – ANZ
• Rebecca Jones – Bloomberg

WiBF Product or Technical Innovator Award

Sponsored by Ansarada

• Elissa Montgomery – ANZ
• Ghi Paine – National Australia Bank
• Yuki Chen – Macquarie Group
• Linden Dawson – National Australia Bank
• Sharon Yardley – Brighten Home Loans

WiBF Rising Star Award

Sponsored by MUFG

• Bronte Mcalpine – Macquarie Bank
• Isabella Capp – RBC Capital Markets
• Julia Down – Jarden Group
• Yanni Gu – MA Financial Group
• Zara Baxby – Jarden Group

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our valued award sponsors for their continued support in recognising and celebrating excellence across the banking and finance industry.

We also thank our esteemed panel of judges for generously sharing their time, expertise and insights throughout the judging process. Their dedication ensures the WiBF National Industry Awards continue to celebrate the individuals and organisations driving meaningful change across our sector.

Congratulations once again to all our 2026 finalists. We look forward to celebrating your achievements and announcing this year’s winners at the WiBF National Industry Awards Luncheon on Thursday 17 September 2026 at the ICC Grand Ballroom, Sydney.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!