Blake Briggs is the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Council.

Blake became CEO of the Financial Services Council in January 2022 after joining the FSC as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in 2020, where he was responsible for policy and advocacy on behalf of FSC members.
Blake has extensive experience as an advocate for the financial services industry. Blake has previously worked for Westpac Group, as Head of Government Affairs for Wealth, and at the FSC as Senior Policy Manager for Superannuation. Blake has also worked as a policy adviser and industrial advocate for the Commonwealth Government and the NSW Business Chamber.

Blake is also a member of the Board of Advice for the University of Sydney Business School's Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies. Blake holds a Juris Doctor from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor in Commerce (liberal studies) from the University of Sydney.

Mariana Paul is an Investment Specialist for O'Connor based in Singapore. Mariana is also responsible for the sales and distribution efforts in SE Asia for O’Connor funds.

Prior to joining O'Connor in 2021, Mariana was the Head of Business Development where she was responsible for institutional sales and investor relations at Lighthouse Canton, an independent asset management firm. Previously, Mariana was a part of the Prime Brokerage Sales team at Credit Suisse in Hong Kong. Mariana started her career at KBC Alpha (subsequently known as PAAMCO Asia) in 2005 as a Research Analyst where she was responsible for manager due diligence for Asia-focused funds.

Mariana has over 15 years of investment industry experience and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from National University of Singapore and she is also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) holder.

Justine is a highly credentialed leader with over 20 years’ experience in financial services, working across technical services, product development, regulatory change, operations, and sales functions. Her career has spanned superannuation, retirement, wealth, insurance, and financial advice, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges Allianz Retire+ is committed to solving.

Justine began her career at AMP and BT before heading up the Professional Development business at Kaplan. Justine then joined AIA, creating and leading their Technical and Education Centre of Excellence, and was most recently Head of Technical Services, Research and Regulatory Change at MLC Life, delivering technical advice strategies, product and sales training, regulatory change and advocacy to improve partner and client experience, increase brand awareness and sales. Justine’s qualifications include M Comm. (Fin. Planning) and Dip. Supn Management.

Grant joined the Generation Life Executive Team in September 2017. With over 15 years of experience, Grant has held many senior positions across marketing, distribution and wealth management for Westpac and BT Financial Group. Grant’s qualifications include an Executive Masters of Business Administration with first class honours, a Diploma of Business Law and a Diploma of Financial Services. Prior to his corporate career, Grant was a multiple Olympic champion representing Australia in swimming, Australian swim team captain and has held numerous world records.

David is currently the Head of FTSE Russell’s Index Investments Group for Australia and New Zealand and primarily looks to catalyse asset management flows into sustainable finance options through indices. David sits on the APAC leadership team and has a deep understanding of the asset management industry having held critical and senior roles throughout the asset management value chain.

With over 15 years’ experience working in the Financial Services sector. David has previously worked with ETF issuers tasked with establishing the business onshore ensuring regulatory compliance and prior to that David worked with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) managing the cash equity trading platform as well as building out ASX’ Investment Products business.

Daniel has over 20 years of experience in financial services, particularly focusing on design, build and implementation of proprietary investment management and wealth administration platforms. He has built managed account platforms for alternative hedge fund firms, family offices, private wealth intermediaries and retail investors across all asset classes, trading styles and frequencies including global equity long/short, managed futures, option market making, FX and credit in the UK, Europe and Australia. Daniel is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Bill has accumulated over 30 years of experience in the capital markets and funds management industry. His experience has been broad and includes risk management, portfolio management, securities trading, derivatives, and foreign exchange markets. Bill has a Bachelor of Business, Master of Applied Finance and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Yvonne’s professional journey started with Microsoft in the 90s, travelling the world supporting education teams. She returned to Australia with a mission and a media profile as Ms Megabyte, demystifying tech across our most popular TV shows and magazines. This profile naturally led to speaking and then MC invitations. Yvonne is now an inspiring, positive and lively annual presence at many Australian and international events. She engages audiences from the first minute to the closing address, bringing insight and relevance to every session, activity and break.

Alicia joined the Future Fund in 2019 as the Head of Private Equity. She was appointed Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Private Markets in June 2022 where she held responsibility for managing the strategy for the Private Markets portfolio including Private Equity, Property, Credit, and Infrastructure and Timberland. In October 2023 Alicia’s role expanded to oversee all physical asset classes.

She has over 23 years' experience in the financial services sector including 17 years at MLC. She is also Chair of the Australian Investment Council Board and a Non-Executive Director on the Tilt Group Board.

Alicia holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney, is a CFA charter holder, and has completed the General Management Programme at INSEAD.

Cassandra is enthusiastic about financial services, with more than 20 years industry experience. Cassandra sees finance as a way to improve our communities, promoting financial wellness and stronger retirement outcomes.

Cassandra is vice president of T. Rowe Price Group Inc., and T. Rowe Price Australia Limited, a premier global investment management firm. Cassandra is a member of the firm’s Australian leadership team and heads the consultant function. Cassandra is co-chair WAVE APAC, the firms regional Diversity Equity Inclusion council, leading a culture of belonging for all associates.
Cassandra values giving back to the industry and currently serves as a board director of the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Society Sydney, who seek to raise the standards of ethics, integrity, and education. Cassandra is chair of the CFA Society Sydney Member Experience Portfolio. Cassandra is an executive founding member of the Bloomberg Women’s Buy Side Network for Australia and New Zealand aiming to inspire the next generation of investment leaders.

Cassandra is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a CFA charterholder, holds the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing and the recipient of a degree in economics from the University of Tasmania. Cassandra was named in the Top 100 Australian Professionals 2020 list for her contribution to financial services.

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