WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards – Judges Panel

We are thrilled to introduce and extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 15 esteemed judges who have dedicated their valuable time and expertise to the WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards.

Alice Tang

Alice is a senior finance executive with 25 years of experience at Macquarie Group, MA Financial and Deloitte. She is now Co-CEO of Amplify AI Group, a Gen AI consulting firm, where she works with superannuation funds to uplift their AI capabilities. 

In her executive role, Alice was the COO of MA Asset Management, a global diversified asset manager. Managing a team of up to 55 across product, fund operations, fund accounting, client services, risk management and data, AI and technology, she partnered with the business to 3x their AUM to $10.3bn over 7 years. 

Prior to MA Asset Management, Alice was at the Macquarie Group for 16 years where she held leadership positions in investment, fund management and risk roles, based in Hong Kong and Sydney. Her notable career highlights include a global implementation of Salesforce for 1200 investment bankers and being part of a team which managed 9 shopping centres in China.

Alice was named the winner of the Women in Digital award for the 2025 Digital Transformation Leader of the Year and was highly commended as Financial Newswire’s Tech Innovator of the year in June 2026.

Andrew Rooke

Andrew is a former executive director from the banking, finance and technology industry who has led 100m+ companies and teams of 500+ personnel across the globe. His work has been featured on NBC, CBS, Fox News & USA Today.

Andrew has been educated at London Business School and MIT, and trained by world-leading authorities in their disciplines such as Sharon Pearson, Dr. Daniel P. Brown, Paul Chek & Dr. Daniel Amen.

Calum Davis

Calum is the Senior Global Alliances Manager at Amazon Web Services and WiBF’s Board Observer. He works with Asia based technology companies (such as Atlassian and Canva) expand internationally and deliver new products to market. Prior to Amazon he worked in Microsoft’s incubation organisation, building out new businesses in advertising, cloud infrastructure and mobile device management.

Calum has 15 years of experience in the tech sector leading teams to invent for tomorrow. He is passionate about how automation will affect the future of work (again).

Cathryn Lyall

Cathryn is a highly experienced senior executive, Board member and strategic adviser with over 35 years of experience across capital markets, finance, banking, government and fintech in Australia and the United Kingdom. She is a Partner at Seed Space Venture Capital, a NED for numerous Boards including Wisr (ASX: WZR) where she Chairs the People, Culture and Nominations Committee, the national industry body Fintech Australia, and several start-up and scale-up fintechs domestically and in the UK.

Cathryn’s extensive experience in the Australian and British Financial Services sectors includes an early career running derivatives broking and trading businesses at All-States Futures (one of 5 RBA Official Dealers),State Bank of NSW, and Colonial State Bank. and latterly roles at the Chicago Board of Trade, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Nasdaq, and the London Stock Exchange. Most notably, as Non-Executive Director Deutsche Bank UK Bank, sitting on the Bank’s Board Risk Committee, the Listed Derivatives Risk and Compliance Committee, and the Nomination Committee as Chair post the GFC at a particularly challenging time for global Banks.

She is a vocal advocate for diversity at all levels of Financial Services and has mentored numerous women in Capital Markets as well as emerging fintech entrepreneurs.

She is a capital markets and fintech specialist who has been named in the Financial News Top 100 Women, Innovate Finance Top 100 Women in Fintech and Top 35 Women in Fintech Investment, and is a mentor for Aspiring Rare Birds. She has twin 11 year olds, is a former slalom canoeist, and juggles work and life from Kiama, NSW.

Danielle Dobson

Danielle is a leadership consultant, speaker, author and former CPA with experience across finance, corporate leadership and global commercial roles in Australia, the UK, Europe and the US. She helps leaders understand the hidden patterns that shape performance, communication and decision-making, with a particular focus on women and leaders working in majority-male environments.

As the author of Breaking the Gender Code, Danielle is known for turning complex leadership and gender dynamics into practical strategies that build influence, confidence and stronger outcomes.

Now in her third year as a WiBF Awards judge, she brings a thoughtful, commercially grounded and deeply practical perspective to recognising leadership, impact and influence across the banking and finance sector.

Fiona Pearman

Fiona is the Co-founder of Quantum Impact Group and co-author of Core Confidence. She is a highly regarded facilitator, coach and mentor with a focus on supporting leaders to create gender-inclusive workplaces where everyone thrives. Fiona’s passion is ensuring women have clear career pathways to senior roles, leading to better business and societal outcomes.
With experience in global organisations, Fiona supports individuals and organisations to shift the systemic and structural barriers that impede gender equity.

As a facilitator, strategist, mentor and coach Fiona has worked with a broad range of organisations including Optus, Zurich Insurance, Rest Superannuation, Toyota Australia, AIA Insurance, Women for Election, Macquarie University, Commonwealth Bank, CoreLogic, RSPCA, Krispy Kreme, Brookfield Properties, Landcom and several NSW Government Agencies.

Fiona Trigona

Fiona has been NBN Co Group Treasurer since March 2021 and is responsible for driving the strategic direction of funding, liquidity and interest rate risk management activities, growing NBN Co’s investor base and running a broad range of funding programs.

In her previous role, Fiona was Head of Funding and Balance Sheet for NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp), where she was responsible for the interest rate risk management and funding of the $120bn Balance Sheet.

Her career highlights include the issuance of NBN’s inaugural Green Bond issue. The A$800m transaction represents the largest AUD green bond offering by an Australian corporate on record. This was recently followed by NBN’s inaugural EUR1.35bn ($A2.1bn) Green bond in the European market which was the largest Green Bond issued in any currency by an Australian corporate issuer to date.

NBN Co. is now the largest corporate issuer in the Australian market and has issued nearly $17bn in multiple markets including Australia, US, Europe, Japan and non-Japan Asia.

Fiona holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, majoring in Pure Mathematics and Chemistry, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia (FINSIA). In addition to her accreditation with the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA), she was a member of the AFMA Market Governance Committee and AFMA Professionalism Committee and a former chair of the NSW Sustainability Bond Committee.

Her passion for the profession also extends to championing diversity and development and as well as being a regular panellist and speaker at events like the Women in Banking and Finance Conference, she is an experienced mentor and has participated in a number of internal and industry programs.

Peter Cook

Peter is the Chairman of AUDC Pty Ltd that issues the regulated Australian dollar backed stablecoin AUDD and an Executive Director of public listed Novatti Group Limited (ASX:NOV). Peter’s career has been largely based on founding and leading fast growth telecommunications and payments companies in Australia, Canada, Africa and Asia. Peter is a regular speaker and thought leader on entrepreneurship, innovation, digital transformation and payments.

Peter is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon; has completed a BSc (UNSW), a Grad Dip Computing (Canberra) and the Graduate Diploma in Securities course from the Securities Institute of Australia. Peter is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ricky Nowak

CSP, CAHRI

Ricky is a professional, well credentialled Executive Coach, Leadership Presenter, Trainer, Author, and Advisor who for over 25 years has worked with CEOs, C-Suite Executives, and leaders helping them achieve sustainable high-performance results for themselves, their teams and their clients.

Her reputation and integrity have delivered great results for long term clients include KPMG, Linfox, Avalon Airport, Blue Rock Law, Hansen Yuncken Constructions, DLA Piper, Salt Financial, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, WiBF, as well as Cordina Foods, Australian Automotive Research Centre, Vistage CEO’s, and Little Heroes Australia, RSM Australia.

Ricky’s focus is on building her client’s courage, conviction and care so they lead with authenticity and purpose.

Sally Loane

Sally is a Chair, Non-Executive Director, business leader and former journalist and broadcaster.
Chair of Destination NSW and Ignition Advice, she is also sits on the board of Chubb Insurance Australia and the Garvan Medical Research Foundation. She is a member of the Advisory Board of consulting firm Orizontas and a mentor with McCarthy Mentoring.

From 2014-2021 Sally was the CEO of the Financial Services Council, the peak industry organisation for financial services, members of which included global and domestic fund managers, retail superannuation funds, advice licensees and life insurers. Sally was the first female Director of Waratahs Rugby in its 135-year history (2010-2017), and is a former Director of Venues NSW, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and PanKind.

Sally’s passion is women’s financial independence and economic security, and to this end has utilised her experience in financial services policy development, mentoring (Minerva Network; Super Stars of STEM) and has advised government via corporate advisory boards.

She has had a long history of service to the community and charity sectors, currently as a Trustee of the ANZAC Memorial Building in NSW, Governor of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, Ambassador for Business Events Sydney, a member of Chief Executive Women, patron of Lou’s Place and member of the Nominations Committee for Sydney University Sport and Fitness Ltd. Sally chaired the Salvation Army’s Sydney East Doorknock Appeal (2008-2011) and was Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sydney (2015-2018).

Shane Brennan

Shane is a meditation and mindset coach who helps individuals and organisations explore mental performance. Shane was diagnosed with a degenerative autoimmune disease that medications couldn’t fix. Faced with a diminishing quality of life, he went searching for another way. Using meditation, breathwork, and neuroimmunology he reversed his symptoms and now lives completely medication-free. 

He now teaches others the same techniques through keynotes and workshops, giving people the tools to master their mind, manage stress, and perform at their best.

Sophie Ray

FAICD FGIA MRSN

Sophie is an experienced Chair, Non-Executive Director and former regulatory lawyer, leading companies in the private, public and social sectors. She is currently the Chair of Warrigal; Peak Care Equipment Pty Ltd; and the Shoalhaven Education Fund; and a Non-Executive Director of Legacy Club Services.

Previously, she was the first Independent Director and Chair of RSL NSW; Chair of NAWO (National Association of Women in Operations); Chair of ROCC for Women; and a Non-Executive Director of GO2 People (ASX:GO2), Big Fat Smile, and Settlement Services International (SSI).

Sophie’s executive career was as a Commercial and Regulatory lawyer at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Sydney and London. Sophie has lived and/or worked in the UK, China, France, Uganda and Sydney, and now lives on the NSW South Coast.

Sophie is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Governance Institute of Australia; and a member of the Royal Society of NSW.

Tim Hewson

Tim is a passionate mental health advocate, driven by a mission to create mentally healthier workplaces, communities, and humans. In 2021, he founded Mongrels Men, an award-winning mental health charity that equips men with the tools, support, and confidence to take control of their mental health and prevent suicide. With 27 years of leadership experience working for corporate giants like CBA, Rabobank and ING, Tim brings unparalleled expertise to his mission. He works tirelessly to inspire, empower, and educate leaders in fostering workplace cultures where employees feel connected, supported, and valued.

Tim is committed to breaking down the negative stigma surrounding mental health by giving it a face and a voice. His work encourages everyone to build a ‘brave space’—a place to connect, feel supported and have more meaningful conversations.

Tim is a keynote speaker, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Mental Health Response workshop facilitator.

Tim has received several awards for his work in mental health and has also been recognised in NSW Parliament.

Vincent Chin

Vincent was appointed to the position of Group Head of Treasury at Goodman Group in 2005. Goodman Treasury is made up of 5 treasury professionals in London, Brussels and in Sydney. It has a strong focus on Capital Management and Planning focusing on strategic management of debt, liquidity and financial markets risk. It manages exposures in EURO, GBP, USD, RMB, JPY HKD, NZD and BRL with a debt portfolio of over A$14.5bn. Goodman and its managed partnerships are active debt issuers in the Australian, New Zealand, US, Asian and Euromarkets tapping the US144a, private placements and using local and Euro MTN Programs.

Vincent has over 25 years’ experience in financial markets and treasury management spanning banking, property and construction.

He has a Master of Business (Accounting and Finance) and completed his Bachelor of Business from UTS in 1995. He is married with two children and interests include sport, travel and reading.

Will Liang

Will is a senior technology executive leading technology, data, and AI initiatives at some of Australia’s leading companies, including MA Financial Group, KPMG, and over a decade at Macquarie Group. He is currently the CEO of Amplify AI Group.

In addition to his executive commitments, Will serves as a Non-Executive Director for the RegTech Association and is a former member of the Forbes Technology Council. In his spare time, he is an AI educator who has delivered numerous highly rated masterclasses for the financial services industry and is also a sought after keynote speaker, most recently appearing at TEDxSydney.

Will is recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice in AI and was distinguished as the most influential Asian-Australian under 40 in the Corporate category. He was named a Global Top 100 Innovator in Data & Analytics and a Top 100 CIO in Asia in 2024.

We are thrilled that we will be celebrating the WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards together on September 17th, at the esteemed ICC’s Grand Ballroom in Sydney.

Want to meet the 2026 judges in person and celebrate with us?

Make sure to book your tickets today!