Advocating to the peak
Story Wealth Management’s chief executive, Anne Graham’s active involvement in industry bodies, not to mention reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro for the Future2 Foundation, gave her that extra lift for the judges to award her this year’s Industry Advocacy award.
Over the past year, the financial planner’s involvement has been focused on the Financial Planning Association’s (FPA’s) foundation Future2 while also running her business.
The judges said Graham had been an exceptional contributor to the Future2 Foundation, the FPA, and helped further the education standards of the financial advice industry with her involvement with the Deakin University financial planning course.
“Her active involvement in industry bodies is aimed at positive change and she has clearly carried out these responsibilities with an optimistic and supportive attitude,” the judges said.
“Her application demonstrates a strong commitment to improve the financial planning profession as well as the ability to encourage and empower others. Anne has strong respect from industry peers, clearly leads by example and is an outstanding role model for the industry.”
Graham told Money Management that her biggest achievement had been climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“It wasn’t just the act of doing that climb; it was what led up to it – all the fundraising and the fantastic responses we got from people who donated money, and other planners that got involved. After doing it, we got a lot of support,” Graham said.
Graham and the three other planners raised a total of $39,500.
“My work philosophy is to do the best you can, have a positive outlook, be open and generous with your time and expertise whether it is in business or other groups, and give back,” she said.
“I’m a very positive person, I assume the best in people, so I don’t come at situations with a sceptical outlook as I have a positive and open mind. Be a giver, not a taker and you often get more back than you give anyway.”
Finalist, Karen Volpato was praised for her commitment to the corporate regulator’s fee disclosure guide, RG97, over the past three years as she “played a pivotal role in driving industry negotiations”.
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