MenuThe Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) has welcomed Felicity Cooper, Deborah Kent CFP® and Sheila Gutierrez-Cabacungan CFP® as new Board members. All three positions are for a term of three years and will start at the Annual General Meeting on 20 November 2023.
The three appointments follow the expiry of the terms for Board members Kearsten James CFP®, Julie Matheson CFP® and Julian Place CFP® in November 2023.
FAAA Chair David Sharpe CFP® 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.
“I would like to sincerely thank the three departing directors.
“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.
“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.
“Kearsten and Julian have also contributed enormously to the development of the hugely successful Masterclass series.
“On a personal note, it has been delight to have worked with Julie, Kearsten and Julian on the Board and their insight will be missed.”
More on the newly elected Board members:
Felicity Cooper has been the director and authorised representative of her self-licenced AFSL for over six years on the Gold Coast. With over 20 years of experience in the finance sector, Felicity is the recipient of the AFA Adviser of the Year in 2022 and a previous winner of the FPA Financial Planner AFP of the Year in 2018 as well as other numerous awards. Felicity has been involved in her local chapter for many events and recently presented at the 2023 FAAA Roadshow around the country. Felicity is passionate about financial literacy and representing advisers. Felicity holds a Master of Financial Planning and a Bachelor of Business.
Deborah Kent CFP® is the co-founder of Integra Financial Services, a boutique financial advice business located in Parramatta, Sydney. She has been a financial adviser for over 30 years and some of her many achievements include an FAAA Distinguished Service Award in 2004, AFA President, AFA NSW Director, AFA National Treasurer, Director of the AFA Foundation, President of the Western Sydney Business connection and FASEA Board Director. Deborah is passionate about helping Australians get great financial planning advice and learn about money so they can make the most of their lives and live the way they want without fear or uncertainty. She is equally, if not more, passionate about helping women succeed as advisers.
Sheila Gutierrez-Cabacungan CFP® is the Principle Financial Planner and owner of Wealth Forum, a small self-licensed practice in Sydney’s West. She is the Chair of the new Sydney Metro Community as well as having been a member of the Sydney Chapter since 2010, a Western Sydney Ambassador and a Women in Financial Planning Champion. Sheila is passionate about financial literacy and engaging with students and academics to advocate for careers in financial advice. In addition to being a CERTIFED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Sheila is also a SMSF Specialist Adviser® and holds a Bachelor of Economics.
