Applications open for CALI’s $2k grants for women in risk

The program aims to support female risk advisers, providing a $2,000 grant to five mid-career women to attend the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress, hosted in Brisbane from 27 to 29 November 2024.

In addition to this, each recipient will be paired with a life insurance industry leader, providing them ongoing mentorship, learning, support, and advice.

Speaking on the announcement, CALI chief executive Christine Cupitt said the grants offer women, who may otherwise be unable, the opportunity to attend the important industry event.

“Women in the industry have told me they often don’t have the time or money to invest in themselves,” Cupitt said.

“The ReCALIbrate grants give women the flexibility they need to pay for childcare and other costs associated with leaving their families for a few days. These are the things that can hold women back from participating in important industry discussions and education opportunities.

“Our hope at CALI is that we can play our part to support more women in giving people peace of mind when making important decisions about their life insurance needs.”

FAAA chief executive Sarah Abood encouraged female risk advisers to apply for the grant.

“Congress is an incredible opportunity for networking and personal development. This year’s congress has something for everyone – inspiring speakers, technical workshops and specialist sessions, all in a beautiful setting where you get face time with your peers,” Abood said.

One of last year’s recipients, a financial adviser at Fox and Hare, Trish Gregory, said that attending the FAAA Congress was a significant opportunity that she may have been otherwise unable to attend.

“There was this memorable moment at the FAAA Congress; I was standing around in a group of about eight women and realised that every single one of us was at the FAAA Congress because of a scholarship and a number of us wouldn’t have come otherwise,” Gregory said.

“The ReCALIbrate program makes a huge impact because women have less money available to them than men, due to the gender pay gap. So, this grant can go a lot further to really help women access opportunities to learn and connect and further their career.

“Having the opportunity to have time with an industry leader is not something that I would just stumble across. The conversations that I’ve had through the program have been invaluable. They’ve really helped to frame up some of the thoughts I’ve had around the way I work and my practice.”

Applications close 8 September 2024. Eligible applicants can apply via CALI’s website.