WiBF’s 25th Anniversary Awards Gala

The ICC Grand Ballroom in Sydney came alive with celebration, pride and connection as Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF) marked a truly historic occasion, for it’s 25th Anniversary. Held on Thursday evening on September 18th, this milestone gala in collaboration with NAB as the main sponsor, was more than just an awards night. It was a celebration of a quarter-century of championing equity, diversity and inclusion in our industry, as well as a recognition of the remarkable leaders shaping its future.

As the 25th Anniversary Gala unfolded, reflections from leaders past and present highlighted WiBF’s journey and its powerful legacy. WiBF Board Chair Diana D’Ambra, AM echoed on the organisation’s growth over the past six years, stating “since becoming Board Chair six years ago, I’ve seen this network grow not just in size but in influence. Bold ideas have become great initiatives, quiet voices have become leaders and moments of connection have sparked lasting change. Tonight, we honour finalists who prove inclusive leadership is possible. Let’s keep lifting each other up and shaping a future where leadership shapes all of us.”

WiBF President Natalie Vanstone paid tribute to the founders, past leaders and visionaries who built the organisation, “I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible visionaries who laid the foundation of WiBF 25 years ago, you have created a legacy of leadership and inclusion that continues to shape the banking and finance industry.”

Honouring Excellence: The 2025 Award Winners
With a record number of nominations, the 2025 Awards recognised outstanding professionals and organisations across 17 categories, including the introduction of the Mental Health Champion Award.

The evening’s voices carried a shared message, that inclusion is not just aspirational, but essential to the future of banking and finance.

Congratulations to our WiBF 2025 National Industry Award Winners:

• WiBF Award for Achievement for Assets and Fund Management, proudly sponsored by SW Accountants & Advisors

Melissa Kingham, Haben Property Fund

• WiBF Award for Achievement for EA/PA role, proudly sponsored by Amazon Web Services

Ruby Del Rosario, National Australia Bank

• WiBF Award for Achievement for Operations, Technology or Customer Support, proudly sponsored by Aware Super

Janelle Wehsack, Bendigo Bank

• WiBF Award for Achievement in Corporate Affairs, proudly sponsored by Westpac Group

Katreena Tyson, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

• WiBF Award for Achievement in Institutional, Corporate and Investment Banking, proudly sponsored by HSBC

Chloé Argyle, Ethica Capital

• WiBF Award for Achievement in Private Wealth and Superannuation, proudly sponsored by Different Journeys

Deborah Harbrow, Lipman Burgon & Partners

• WiBF Award for Achievement in Professional Services, proudly sponsored by Financial Education Professionals

Melissa Haikal, Westpac Group

• WiBF Award for Achievement in Risk, Regulation & Compliance, proudly sponsored by Credit Corp Group

Susan Pearce, Aware Super

• WiBF Award for Achievement in Retail Banking, proudly sponsored by NAB

Sarah Willsallen, Westpac Group

• WiBF Award for Achievement in SME & Business Banking, proudly sponsored by Turks

Melanie Martin, Macquarie Group

• WiBF Inclusive Workplace of the Year, proudly sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Melissa Johnston and Anna Ottavio, on behalf of Westpac Group

• WiBF ESG and Sustainability Initiative of the Year, proudly sponsored by ANZ

Dianna Enlund, S&P Global Sustainable1

• WiBF Inclusive Leader Award, proudly sponsored by Deutsche Bank

Manjula Shaw, National Australia Bank

• WiBF Mental Health Champion Award (NEW 2025), proudly sponsored by Toyota Finance Australia

Amanda Lee, SW Accountants & Advisors

• WiBF Mentor of the Year, proudly sponsored by RBC

Jo Brennan, Aware Super

• WiBF Product or Technical Innovator Award, proudly sponsored by Ansarada

Vaishali Vijay, HSBC

• WiBF Rising Star Award proudly sponsored by Macquarie Group

Muskaan Chouhan, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Global Live Stream

Individuals from around the world joined the celebration live, thanks to LinkedIn who sponsored this wonderful opportunity! Each winner represents the best of our industry, demonstrating innovation, resilience, inclusion and leadership at every level.

Guests were welcomed with warmth and energy by our MC for the evening, Sheila Vijeyarasa, who set the stage once again for a fourth consecutive year for an inspiring night of recognition and reflection. Sheila reflected, “We definitely don’t win awards alone, we win them with wonderful partners and family around us.”

Janelle Wehsack, honoured for her 2025 Achievement in Operations, Technology or Customer Support could not attend in person but delivered a powerful message through her colleague. Sam Miller, Head of Investor Relations and ESG who accepted on behalf of Janelle Wehsack. Reading from a speech prepared by Janelle, Sam reminded the audience that “structures and models do not deliver outcomes, people do. Every milestone, every breakthrough, every success I’ve been a part of has been because of collaboration, belief and the willingness of humans to show up for one another,” said Sam.

Her advice to the next generation was equally poignant, “bring yourself to work, not the version you think everyone expects, but the messy, learning, imperfect and growing you. When you lead with authenticity and heart, you create space for others to do the same.”

There was a shared spirit of generosity among the winners. Susan Pearce, WiBF’s 2025 Risk, Regulation & Compliance Winner turned to her peers in the room, saying, “I want to say to all the finalists here tonight, you are all shining and should all be up here with us.” She also sent a heartfelt message home, “to my family watching through the livestream, thank you for supporting me, giving me the strength to do what I do and being my biggest cheerleaders.”

For Muskaan Chouhan, WiBF’s 2025 Rising Star Award Winner, the recognition was deeply personal yet profoundly collective, “to be recognised so early in my career is more than just a personal milestone, it is 100% a testament to the effort everyone in this room has put in to make this industry more inclusive. This award is a reminder that no matter your age or experience, if you have passion, you have the ability to make an impact.”

A Powerful Evening of Leadership and Inspiration

The evening also featured an unforgettable CEO Power Panel, brilliantly by Louise Roberts, Journalist and TV Commentator. The panel discussion highlighted the importance of resilient leadership, bold decision-making and championing diversity in times of rapid change.
• Soraya Alali – ANZ CEO, Zip Co
• Thomas Beregi – CEO, Credit Corp Group
• Zoë Leonard – CEO, Turks

Guests were inspired by the voices of senior executives, CEOs, and leaders across the industry, powerful reminders that you can’t be what you can’t see. Here are just some of the inspiring words shared.

Antony Shaw, CEO of HSBC, captured this sentiment stating, “these awards highlight that diversity is a business imperative and inclusion is the tool that unlocks that potential. I have to acknowledge 25 years of excellence to WiBF and everyone for the work you are doing to celebrate the fine achievements of women in banking and finance.”

Blair Wark, CEO RBC shared with guests, “congratulations to all of the finalists and mentors in this room. RBC Capital Markets have been a very proud member of WiBF for coming up 12 years now and I have been fortunate to see the impact that has had on many of our staff. RBC has been actively involved in the WiBF Mentoring Program, which I have been proud to be a mentor for a number of years now.”

Thomas Beregi, CEO Credit Corp Group also shared some sincere words, “Credit Corp is really pleased to be associated with achievement in risk, regulation and compliance. As we know, we work in an industry that is always under scrutiny. But even more than that, I think this area is increasingly becoming a driver in business outcomes, a way of enhancing trust and differentiating ourselves. Congratulations to WiBF and all of our 2025 Finalists.”

Closing out the evening, the importance of inclusive leadership was front and centre. Presenting the WiBF Inclusive Leader Award, Deutsche Bank CEO, Glenn Morgan reflected on the long-standing partnership between Deutsche Bank and WiBF and the shared commitment to creating workplaces where diversity drives impact.

“Deutsche Bank has been a member for 18 of the 25 years of WiBF and they have had a profound impact on our organisation and the industry as a whole. We are really proud to sponsor the Inclusive Leader Award, which is an extension of what WiBF represents. Inclusive leaders understand the power of cognitive diversity, they harness it and in doing so, they make the workplace better for everyone.”

This sentiment carried throughout the evening, as winners repeatedly acknowledged the people and teams who made their success possible. Among them, Ruby Del Rosario, WiBF’s 2025 EA/PA Winner paid tribute to her family, her executives and her colleagues at NAB, sharing that “it’s always more than one person accomplishing what we have to accomplish.” She spoke movingly of the loved ones who have stood by her, “the family who have supported me for 20 years doing a job that I absolutely love.”

Gratitude to Our Sponsors and Partners
This year’s gala was brought to life through the generous support of our headline sponsor, NAB. Taking the stage, Cathryn Carver, Group Executive Corporate and Institutional at NAB, captured the spirit of the evening with her heartfelt words.

“It’s wonderful to be here at the 2025 WiBF National Industry Awards. This evening provides an opportunity to pause and celebrate excellence, momentum and impact across our sector. I’d like to thank WiBF for their unwavering vision and commitment to gender impact in our industry.”

Special thank you again to all and our incredible sponsors:

Your commitment to WiBF and to advancing equity in our industry ensures that moments like these continue to inspire and create lasting change.

A special thanks to all our sponsors who shared their insights on the night. We also extend our sincere thanks to our judges for their time, expertise and thoughtful consideration in helping make the 2025 Awards such a success.

Our heartfelt thank you to the volunteers who generously gave their time and support at the WiBF 2025 National Industry Awards, we couldn’t have done it without you!

A Night to Remember
The 25th Anniversary Gala was not only celebrated in the room, but it was also streamed worldwide, allowing families, colleagues, and supporters across the globe to be part of the milestone evening. As global live stream sponsor, LinkedIn played a pivotal role in making the event accessible far beyond the walls of the ICC Grand Ballroom.

Louis Turner, Director of LinkedIn Sales Solutions ANZ, shared, “We are incredibly grateful to stream this event to the world as the global live stream sponsor. To the husbands, wives, and children still watching, thank you. LinkedIn’s mission is to create economic opportunity for every member of the workforce and that mission is only possible when we champion inclusion and diversity.

“There are 16 million members in Australia on the LinkedIn platform, nine out of ten professionals are on LinkedIn. Seventy-two percent are Millennials or Gen Z and 25% are in decision-making positions. Importantly, 60% of those decision-makers are women. It is clear to see the impact that organisations like Women in Banking and Finance have had on the community,” Louis shared.

One of the most inspiring speeches to end, came from Vaishali Vijay, WiBF’s 2025 Winner for the Product or Technical Innovator Award, who reminded everyone of the power of courage and representation: “This recognition is not just about me, it’s about the incredible teams I’ve worked with who bring innovation and collaboration every single day. As a proud mother of my daughter, who is watching me on the livestream right now, she proudly told her classmates today, ‘My mum is a banker.’ I hope by sharing this moment, little girls with hopes and dreams can see what’s possible when you combine courage with curiosity.”

She closed with a message that resonated deeply with many in the audience, “if you can’t find a seat at the table, bring your own folding chair. That’s the spirit I carry, and that’s the message I want to pass on to every young girl who wonders if she belongs in banking, finance or technology. You do. Your voice matters. Your representation matters.”

From the moving acceptance speeches to the vibrant energy of the room, the WiBF 2025 National Industry Awards Gala reflected the strength of our community and the progress made over the past 25 years.

As we look to the future, WiBF remains dedicated to amplifying voices, building opportunities and continuing to transform the industry for the better, save the date and join us for our annual awards luncheon celebrations again next year, on Thursday 17th of September 2026.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this historic celebration. Together, we honour the past, celebrate the present and shape the future.

We owe so much to all the past Board members, Presidents, and CEOs whose vision, passion, and commitment helped shape WiBF into the organisation it is today. Their legacy allows us to continue lifting others and making a meaningful difference across the industry.