JUDGES
The success and credibility of the Australian Financial Industry Awards are built upon the expertise, diligence, and integrity of our distinguished panel of judges. Each judge brings a wealth of knowledge and industry experience, ensuring that the awards reflect the highest standards of excellence and innovation within the financial, tax, superannuation, and advisory sectors. Our judges embody a commitment to professionalism and impartiality, carefully evaluating each nomination to recognise those who exemplify leadership, creativity, and significant contributions to the profession. We are honoured to introduce this esteemed group of professionals whose collective efforts uphold the values and aspirations of our industry.
Karen Goodfellow
Karen Goodfellow is a distinguished tax professional with nearly 25 years of experience, specialising in providing expert tax consulting services and training. She has authored extensive technical tax content and delivered numerous tax training sessions. Karen’s expertise encompasses a comprehensive understanding of Australia’s federal tax system, with a focus on areas such as CGT concessions, exemptions, and rollovers, business restructures, taxation of trusts and companies, and more. She is known for offering straightforward solutions to complex tax issues, making her a trusted advisor to business owners and tax agents alike.
Joshua Goldsmith
Joshua Goldsmith is a senior lawyer specialising in taxation and commercial advisory. Joshua’s experience is broad and diverse including advising family groups, small cap listed and private companies, and high net wealth individuals. Joshua was a finalist in Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 awards (for Taxation) in 2021 and a winner of the Australian Lawyer Rising Star award in 2022, acknowledging that he is a rising star in the tax and legal profession. He is a regular presenter and facilitator at tax related seminars and discussion groups, and has appeared on a number of tax related podcasts
Ray Trevisan
As the Director and Fund Manager of OTG Capital, Ray has established himself as a prominent figure in the world of finance, leading an Asset Backed Investment Trust for over four years with unparalleled success.
With an impressive investment track record encompassing bonds, commercial loan portfolios, and ventures into the realm of venture capital, Ray has solidified his position as a master in the art of financial strategy. As an Authorised Representative (AR:001250963) and Responsible Manager of Dirigere Advisory Pty Limited, holding an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL:524371), he is recognized for his unwavering commitment to excellence and compliance.
Ray’s educational accomplishments are equally impressive, holding a Master of Management from the prestigious University of Technology in Sydney. As a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and a respected NSW Justice of the Peace (JP), Ray embodies the values of integrity and leadership.
With over four decades of experience in diverse industries such as telecommunications, information technology, and software, Ray shifted his focus to financial planning, funds management, and compliance. His astute business acumen has made him a sought-after expert in the field, providing invaluable insights to clients and industry professionals alike.
Brendan Turner
Brenden Turner, Director of AuditSave, brings over 30 years of distinguished business experience across a range of key disciplines. Renowned for his expertise in relationship management, Brenden excels at cultivating strategic partnerships that drive sustainable growth and enhance client satisfaction. His deep acumen in business development and sales management, combined with his proficiency in sales training, has consistently delivered impressive results across multiple industries.
Brenden’s approach to sales and branding is informed by his comprehensive understanding of marketing and communication strategies, positioning organisations for success in highly competitive markets. A natural leader, he is dedicated to fostering collaborative, high-performing teams through effective team-building initiatives. His commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire and motivate others make him an invaluable asset to AuditSave and the broader business community.
Ritesh Srivastava
Ritesh is a technology entrepreneur and strategic advisor specialising in empowering property, finance, and wealth creation businesses through innovative digital solutions. With extensive experience consulting to CEOs and boards of listed companies and government bodies, Ritesh has consistently delivered transformative strategies that drive growth and technological advancement.
As an investor and architect of the Chameleon Platform, Ritesh has pioneered an accessible AI and digital infrastructure designed to simplify modern technology adoption for businesses of all sizes through a no-code dashboard interface. This platform offers ready-to-use subscription-based solutions tailored for the financial services industry, including bespoke modules for mid-to-large enterprises (wrapgpt.digitalchameleon.ai), brokers (broker.digitalchameleon.ai), advisers (adviser.digitalchameleon.ai), accountants (accountant.digitalchameleon.ai), and other professionals (chatlink.digitalchameleon.ai).
Beyond his work with the Chameleon Platform, Ritesh co-founded nestegg.loans, an innovative residential property lending solution in Australia that offers up to 100% LVR by leveraging crypto funds, and willeasy.au, an estate planning service that enables client self-evaluation and digital fact-finding, streamlining traditionally sensitive conversations.
Ritesh also leads CXO consulting engagements through epictenet.com, where he specialises in core banking solutions evaluation and implementation, AI-driven and digital solutions, and conducting due diligence for investments and acquisitions. His unique blend of technological expertise, strategic insight, and deep industry knowledge has established him as a trusted partner for driving digital transformation in complex, highly regulated sectors.
Scott Heathwood
Scott started his career in the investment banking environment in 1986, before entering the retail financial services sector, where he has worked for over 25 years. For most of the time since 1990, Scott has been Managing Director of an organisation dealing in financial services and direct property. He has experience in corporate finance, retail financial services, property development, managed investment schemes and all other aspects of the Wealth management system. Scott is a director of the Gallipoli Club and the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia.
MA, MBA, LLM | Director, Lifestyle Asset Management Pty Ltd | Director Lifestyle Property Wealth Pty Ltd and Lifestyle Tax & Accounting Pty Ltd | Director, Stonewall Capital Pty Ltd | Director, Wealthy & Wise Lifestyle Planning Pty Ltd | Director, Investment Property Warehouse Pty Ltd | Director, Gallipoli Memorial Club
Paul Mather
Paul has over 25 years’ experience dealing with Fringe Benefits Tax, Salary Packaging and Employment Taxes in Australia.
Paul is a current member of the ATO’s FBT Working Group and was a member of the former ATO National Tax Liaison Group (NTLG) Fringe Benefits Tax Subcommittee (from 2005 to 2013).
Prior to creating FBT Solutions in 2009, Paul worked in the Employment Taxes and Indirect Taxes teams for 10 years at EY. Paul has also previously worked in commercial roles in Australia and London, as well as at Chartered Accounting firms PKF and BDO in New Zealand.
George Haramis
George Haramis has been successfully involved in the financial services industry for 30 years in various executive roles with some of Australia’s leading domestic and international financial institutions.
George’s roles have included: being a founder of a listed advice business, working with a number of Australia’s largest superannuation funds in presenting fund management solutions, establishing both retail and wholesale distribution channels, working closely with the accounting profession by assisting accounting firms establish successful wealth & advice businesses, creating unique employee benefits programmes for employers and being responsible for two of the country’s largest institutionally owned Dealer Groups: Securitor and RetireInvest – which at the time managed in excess of $10B for over 80,000 clients.
George is now the Co-Founder of Fiduciary Financial Services Pty Ltd.
Phil Broderick
Phil is a principal of Sladen Legal and heads its superannuation team. He is member of a number of superannuation related committees. This includes being a member of The Tax Institute’s superannuation committee and the chair of the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia (IFPA) technical and policy committee.
He is also a member of number of the ATO’s superannuation liaison groups including the Superannuation Industry Relationship Network (SIRN) and the Superannuation Industry Stewardship Group (SISG). Phil is also heavily involved in liaising with Treasury and ATO in relation to the implementation of new super laws and administrative practices.
Phil’s areas of practice include superannuation, duties and state taxes, estate planning and succession, trusts, federal tax and business structuring.
Phil was listed in the 2020 to 2023 Best Lawyers Australia for superannuation law and was the winner of the SMSF Association’s SMSF Specialist Advisor (SSA) Top Achiever Award in 2019. His articles have featured in The Tax Institute’s Taxation in Australia Journal and CCH’s Super News. He has presented at seminars and conferences conducted by The Tax Institute, the SMSF Association, TEN The Education Network, Legalwise and various accounting bodies.
Terry Blenkinsop
Terry is a highly respected professional with over 35 years of experience in accounting, specialising in business services, tax consultancy and compliance, estate planning, and international business. Renowned for his dedication to developing and maintaining strong personal relationships, Terry is driven by a commitment to helping clients achieve their goals with expert, practical, and timely guidance.
His extensive work with HLB International sees him assisting clients in navigating complex international arrangements, fostering offshore opportunities, and supporting overseas businesses establishing operations in Western Australia. Terry’s client portfolio prominently features family businesses and the health sector, where he provides specialised advice on medical practice issues and GST matters for health professionals.
A seasoned public speaker, Terry regularly shares his insights and expertise at business and medical conferences. He currently serves as the State President and is a past National President of Taxpayers Australia Inc. Additionally, Terry holds the esteemed role of Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Development Committee for HLB International, demonstrating his influential position and commitment to excellence in the industry.
B.Bus, FCA, CTA, F Fin, CPA, AIMM, FTPA (TAX) Immediate Past Chairman of HLB International – Asia Pacific Region | Director of TAI Practitioners & Advisers Ltd | Chair of Ethics Committee, TAI Practitioners & Advisers Ltd | Director of Tax Australia Pty Ltd
Natasha Panagis
Natasha is a highly experienced wealth management specialist, brings her extensive expertise in superannuation, SMSFs, retirement planning, taxation, estate planning, insurance, social security, and aged care to this monthly wrap. Her ability to interpret and disseminate complex information in an understandable and practical manner has made her a sought-after commentator in the media. Actively involved in shaping Australia’s financial services industry, Natasha’s policy and advocacy positions influence government, regulators, and key stakeholders.