Dawn Thomas, Executive Relationship Manager, Wealthwise & Winner of the 2019 AFA Female Excellence in Advice (FEIA) Award reveals how valuable winning the FEIA scholarship has been in her research into the gap in women’s superannuation and why the magic in connecting with & helping people move forward led her to financial advice.
1.Why financial advice?
You connect with people intimately, find out what their dreams are and are trusted with knowing the insecurities that are holding them back. The magic is in helping them move forward. That gift of trust is a privilege to receive.
2. What are you most proud of?
Being able to strike a balance of being mentally and emotionally present in my home (my babies aged 6, 7 and almost 9) and work life, while making time to invest in maintaining my mental and physical well-being. Equally proud for being able to celebrate joy and indulging in the frivolous: like an impromptu home 5 minute photo shoot to pay homage to my dad’s former life as a musician in the 70s.
3.Who inspires you?
a: Kalamunda Hockey Club: They role model inclusion for people of all backgrounds, leadership, teamwork, community spirit and creating a safe space to talk about mental health.
B: Eleanor Dartnell: She embodies what all of us in the industry can accomplish if we fight for something worth fighting for. She is responsible for the Downsizers Contribution. For a superannuation nerd like me, that is the most epic, Rockstar move ever!
4. What advice would you give to your younger self?
Believe that the light inside of you deserves to shine bright
5. Your most recent ‘high-five’ moment?
Most recently, winning the FEIA for 2019. The whole process was a prolonged high five moment. Everyone involved made me feel that what I had achieved and will achieve was valued.
6. Favourite holiday destination?
I have had so many delectable food adventures. I feel emotion most deeply through my taste buds, even to the point the love for my husband is intensified when I am eating. Most recently, being in Barcelona for our 10 year wedding anniversary and discovering how sublime simple local tapas like anchovy stuffed olives, Jamon Iberico, paella with snails & rabbit, and black pudding is. You can rock anywhere and make delicious memories.
7. Your big hairy audacious goal for 2020?
Finally starting on my passion project of a research paper into women’s engagement with their superannuation funds. I believe that superannuation can be an indication of how we value people in their working life. We are leaving women behind. Grateful that I can start on this because of the FEIA Scholarship.
