ReCALIbrate 2023 recipients revealed

The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has announced the recipients of its inaugural ReCALIbrate program, which will provide $2,000 grants to five mid-career, female financial risk advisers to attend the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress in November.

This year’s recipients are Kirsten Genter of Zurich Assure, Asha Burrows of Platinum Partners, Azaria Bell of Skye Wealth, Trish Gregory of Fox and Hare Financial Advice, and Adele Martin of Adele Martin – Money Mentor.

First announcing the program in September, the body confirmed that each recipient will additionally be paired with a senior female life insurance industry leader and have the opportunity to have two in-person or virtual meetings.

Commenting on the launch of ReCALIbrate, CALI chief executive Christine Cupitt said the organisation is pleased to provide the grants to five “deserving and inspirational” women.

“We are confident that the ReCALIbrate recipients will find the FAAA Congress engaging and informative and will leverage their knowledge for the benefit of their clients and team members,” Ms Cupitt added.

“CALI is committed to supporting a vibrant and sustainable industry and address the decreasing number of financial advisers in Australia. ReCALIbrate aims to promote more diversity among financial advisers so that consumers receive appropriate advice that is relevant to them.

“Through research conducted by CALI on behalf of our members, it is clear that women have unique advice needs and having a financial adviser that understands their circumstances and needs is crucial to effective and impactful advice.”

CALI board member and managing director of ClearView Wealth Nadine Gooderick reiterated the importance of fostering the next generation of risk specialists as they continue to have an important role in the life insurance ecosystem.

“This will ensure that consumers understand their life insurance needs, secure adequate cover and, at claim time, get benefits paid. Women have historically been under-represented in our industry and at industry conferences more broadly, which are important events for education, network, and inspiration,” Ms Gooderick said.

Sarah Abood, chief executive of the FAAA, added: “With a shared desire to encourage engagement among female financial risk advisers and foster the next generation of female talent, we are pleased to support CALI’s ReCALIbrate program. We look forward to welcoming the ReCALIbrate recipients to the FAAA Congress in November.”

Ms Abood has also previously noted that she has seen figures that point to as few as 1,200 risk specialists in Australia.

“We really are concerned,” she said on behalf of FAAA in May.