FAAA welcomes new board appointments

The Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) has welcomed Felicity Cooper, Deborah Kent, and Sheila Gutierrez-Cabacungan to its board, with all three positions commencing from its AGM on 20 November.

The three appointees, who will each see through a three-year term, join the board following the term expirations of Kearsten James, Julie Matheson, and Julian Place in November.

Commenting on the changeover, FAAA chair David Sharpe said: “On behalf of the FAAA board, we are pleased to welcome Felicity, Deborah, and Sheila. Each bring important skills and experience which will add to the depth of knowledge on the FAAA board.”

Specifically, Ms Cooper has been the director and authorised representative of her Gold Coast-based self-licensed AFSL for more than six years and has been actively involved in her local FAAA chapter.

According to the FAAA, she joins the board with more than two decades of finance experience and brings with her a passion in both financial literacy and representing advisers. Ms Cooper holds a master of financial planning and a bachelor of business.

Meanwhile, Ms Kent is the co-founder of boutique advice business Integra Financial Services and has been a financial adviser for over 30 years.

During this time, some of her most notable achievements include serving as the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) president, director of the AFA Foundation, president of the Western Sydney Business Connection, and FASEA board director.

Ms Kent is also very passionate about helping women succeed as advisers, the FAAA noted.

Ms Gutierrez-Cabacungan has been the principal financial planner and owner of Sydney-based advice firm Wealth Forum for more than 14 years.

Further, she is chair of the new Sydney Metro Community and has been a member of the FAAA Sydney Chapter committee since 2010 before being appointed chair in 2022. Ms Gutierrez-Cabacungan is also both a Western Sydney ambassador and a women in financial planning champion.

In addition to being a certified financial planner, she is an SMSF specialist adviser and holds a bachelor of economics.

Speaking on the upcoming departure of Ms James, Ms Matheson, and Mr Place, Mr Sharpe thanked them for their respective board tenures.

“Julie has been on the board for over 10 years. During this time she has continued to be a staunch advocate for the CFP program and committed to promoting the highest professional standards in the profession,” he added.

“During Kearsten’s term, she has been instrumental in bringing the AFA and FPA communities together and worked tirelessly to ensure the highest quality of governance to the board and the organisation.

“Julian has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the FAAA board, always focusing on members as a priority and working towards the highest education standards.”

Mr Sharpe additionally acknowledged the contributions of both Ms James and Mr Place to the development of the FAAA’s Masterclass Series.

“On a personal note, it has been [a] delight to have worked with Julie, Kearsten, and Julian on the board and their insight will be missed.”