Dr. Catherine Ball, a renowned scientific futurist, seamlessly connects cutting-edge technology with our shared human experience. With a global perspective and a passion for positive impact, she empowers audiences to embrace AI, robotics, and innovation. Dr. Ball’s dynamic presentation will inspire action, leaving you ready to shape a better world—one where technology serves us all.

Not only will her presentation inspire and invigorate you, Dr Ball will give you actionable ways you can leverage technology and innovate within your business to free up your time for the things that matter most.

With two decades of experience as a media strategist, communications adviser and journalist, Ruth specialises in providing strategic digital and content services for the clients using the principles of newsworthy and engaging content to tell compelling stories.

Ruth will provide you with strategies to supercharge your marketing and lead generation efforts, using generative AI technology and automation so that you can spend more time getting in front of your clients.

Milo Wilkinson is more than a Behavioural Scientist, she is a decipherer of human patterns, a master of leadership under pressure, and a trailblazer in the world of behavioural prediction

Esteemed Behaviour Scientist, Milo Wilkinson, renowned for her acumen in human behaviour and leadership in high-pressure environments. Milo will explore the untapped potential of our minds and the science behind peak mental performance. Her interactive session reveals the subconscious influences on our decision-making, offering strategies for enhanced mental agility to bolster personal and professional resilience. This thought-provoking presentation will empower you with practical insights to harness the full capacity of your mental prowess.

Anja is an experienced leader in financial services with over 20 years’ experience in the sector, and has a proven track record of leading successful businesses within the third-party channel including aggregator businesses and mortgage distribution for major financial services firms.

Prior to joining the MFAA Anja was CEO of PLAN Australia and she has a proven track record of leading successful businesses within the third-party channel. She was CFO of NAB’s Personal Banking division for several years and has also held leadership roles at Loan Market Group, Advantedge Financial Services and Challenger Limited.

Anja thrives in complex and uncertain environments and through her vast experience in financial services, she has an exceptionally strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian mortgage and finance broking industry.

Senior broker, Sadish Visvalingam is the founder of Premier Financial Advocates, an award-winning boutique finance firm specialising in professional finance solutions and strategies. Sadish is using cutting-edge tools and technology to power his business and improve processes.

Chris is a prominent finance broking futurist. A vision to help people bridge the gap between one generation to the next. Since starting in the mortgage broking world in 2012, Chris has worked in prominent finance firms. Having dedicated 3 years within National Australia Bank, learning from the best of the best, Chris has consolidated his learning and founded Borg Financial a growing brokerage. Borg Financial whilst still in its infancy stems to lead with a technological advantage, working with Specialist Finance Group’s main platform, exceeding industry standards. Chris has a collaborative mind set and expertise, partnering with the best in technology and finance.

Having started her career as a broker working with her father, Renee has incredibly valuable insights of being both a mortgage broker and a business owner.

She is extremely passionate about the finance industry and the role we play as a community, working together in helping consumers make informed choices about their finances, and hopefully improving their financial wellbeing.

Having joined NextGen in early 2021 as Head of Broker Partnerships, Renee has a wealth of experience in the industry, a deep understanding of the needs of the broker channel, and a strong focus on optimising innovation and opportunity.

Bret entered the world of Banking and Finance in 2008, and spent the best part of a decade working for the major banks and financial institutions.

Bret is driven by an inherent belief that the finance industry is tackling advice from the wrong perspective. The industry's primary responsibility needs to be more finance. It needs to educate and give cutomers the tools to manage and pay off their debt as quickly and effectively as possible.

So rather than complain about the state of the union, Bret set out to create a new approach to broking and finance - and fintcap was born.

Isabella is proud to be one of the few female brokers writing solely commercial lending transactions in Australia, specialising in the construction/development finance space. In her 4 years writing loans, she has settled over $700M in transactions and have been awarded several industry accolades. In 2022 she was awarded the incredible honour of being named the MPA’s Top Commercial Broker for 2022, being the first woman to win the award and quite possibly the youngest as well. In 2023 Isabella was announced as the FAST Aggregation Broker of the Year and was so proud to win the Commercial Finance Broker of the Year award at the Women in Finance Awards. Just recently in June 2023, she won both the Commercial and Equipment Finance Broker and Young Professional Awards at the MFAA State Excellence Awards. As a young woman in the commercial broking space, she is hoping to help pave the way for more women to work in this space. Her ethos for work is centred around prioritising relationships over transactions, which she believes is pivotal in succeeding in commercial lending. Fostering lasting connections allows her to build trust beyond just the settlement of deals. Amidst challenges of rising inflation and interest rates, she has focused on relationship-building, aiming to be a trusted extension of my clients’ businesses. Isabella’s career journey so far underscores the value of patience, perseverance, and meaningful client relationships. She is dedicated not only to professional success but also to advocating diversity and empowering women in an industry where the representation is limited.

Jean-Pierre (JP) is a distinguished co-founder of the SLA Group of companies, with over two decades of expertise in lending and banking. His journey is defined by spearheading intricate commercial transactions within the organisation. JP’s extensive portfolio covers a wide range of lending transactions, including substantial commercial investment loans, leverage deals, structured equipment finance, and construction loans, some exceeding $750 million.

Before co-founding Simplicity and MKP, JP led the commercial division at a prominent Australian brokerage house. During his tenure, he oversaw settlements totalling over $2 billion, leading his team to secure 15 prestigious state and national awards. Notably, he was named National Commercial Broker of the Year by ANZ in 2014 and Westpac in 2015. He also earned numerous accolades from renowned aggregators.

In 2023, JP added to his impressive list of accolades, winning the Australian Broker of the Year and Commercial Broker of the Year awards at the Australian Mortgage Awards, as well as the Commercial Broker of the Year award at the Australian Broking Awards. He was also recognised as a Top Broker Commercial by MPA Magazine and earned a spot on the Global 100 list of Most Influential People in Broking.

Stephen has over 25 years of experience in financial services leadership roles with International Netherlands Group (ING), MLC, National Australia Bank (NAB), and was the co-founder of ubank.

Stephen is the Chief Commercial Officer at Sherlok, where he focuses on third-party engagements and directs the company’s commercial strategy.

With over 20 years of seasoned experience, Kerry has transformed his passions for finance, property and travel into a thriving business. His exceptional level of commitment, care, and determination have paved the way to assist clients in reaching their property development goals, build their investment portfolios, SMSF investing, commercial and private funding. Kerry’s commitment to raising awareness around mental health and suicide, and breaking down the barriers around the stigmas that still exist in our industry has led to industry award recognition - a testament to his dedication and the success of MTA.

Denise is a post-graduate qualified in social science and human services management, working hands-on with the her team to consistently achieve high standards of professionalism.

Her commitment to encouraging collaboration across the different businesses is driven by a “lead by example” approach, providing leadership and support as required to the team.

Denise started her professional career in Mackay as a Youth Worker, then moved into Child Protection and Juvenile Justice, leading various teams as well as managing, before starting a family and becoming self-employed as a Mortgage Choice franchisee.

After 12 years in the local trade industry as a business development officer, Ben joined the Mortgage Choice team in 2006. Combining forces with his brother, Peter Phillips and wife, Denise Phillips who established the office in Mackay in 2000.

Ben’s passion for the industry is undeniable. Ben offers a personalized service to the Mackay and Whitsunday region, investing in saving his clients time by completing the research to find the best solutions for them.