FinTech Australia unveils new Board Members during AGM

FinTech Australia has unveiled several fresh faces to its board during its annual general meeting. The industry body serves as a voice for over 420 fintech businesses nationwide, championing for an environment that promotes fintech innovation and investment both in Australia and abroad.

New appointments to the board include Sarah Gorman, the Head of Growth and Marketing at DAS, who assumes the role of Deputy Chair. Furthermore, Kellie Morton, Chief Legal Officer and director at Birchal; Vinnie D'Alessandro, Chief Product Officer at Change Financial, and Brian Collins, Principal at Audacity Ventures joins the diverse and dynamic team.

They join an existing cast of board members, including Simone Joyce, CEO and co-founder of Paypa Plane, who remains as Chair. Additionally, Christian Westerlind Wigstrom, co-founder and CEO of Monoova is the freshly appointed Treasurer. Other members are Dominic Pym, Co-founder of Up and Co-founder and Director of Euphemia; Michael Saadat, International Head of Public Policy at Block; Harry Godber, Head of Strategy and General Counsel at Flare; and Cathryn Lyall, Partner, Seed Space VC, and Co-founder Seed Money.

The shakeup continued with the announcement that Marie Mortimer and Oliver Kidd have concluded their tenure on the board. Board members are selected from the fintech ecosystem to guide the top body's decision making and ensure alignment with the industry's broader interests.

Simone Joyce will continue her tenure as Chair into 2024, with an aim of handing over this role following a transition process next year. "It's an honour to continue to serve as FinTech Australia's chair as the sector continues to mature, evolve and meet the challenges of funding uncertainty and broader global economic headwinds," says Joyce. She emphasised that the aim during this transition period is a seamless handover, equipping the new Chair to "hit the ground running".

Rehan D'Almeida, General Manager of FinTech Australia, thanked Mortimer and Kidd for their significant contributions to the board, saying, "Our board is incredibly hands-on, in some ways acting as an extension of our team. We're grateful for all of their work and their continued guidance on our operations. Australian fintechs are punching above their weight globally, and we aim to continue representing and showcasing the innovation in the industry."

Ultimately, the new line-up demonstrates FinTech Australia's commitment to representing a wide range of industry interests as it continues to support a prospering fintech community.