Passion is the key ingredient
Lana Clark from Elixir Consulting was the Mentor of the Year at the 2016 Women in Financial Services Awards, Hope William-Smith writes.
For Elixir Consulting business coach Lana Clark, passion has been the key to success. Nominated for her dedication to increasing the financial wellness of women and work mentoring fellow advisers, Elixir Consulting managing director, Sue Viscovic, said Clark provided strong support to her colleagues and clients, and continually went above and beyond her role.
"Lana is always a supportive ear who is generous with her time and sage counsel, particularly for other women in our profession," she said.
As the previous winner in this category at last year's Women in Financial Services Awards, Viscovic said that Clark should be highly praised for her significant contributions to her own workplace and the wider industry, as well as her intuitive and personal approach to work.
"She has a knack for particularly helping women to work through their own inhibitions and fears to share their light and improve their own careers," Viscovic said.
"She also goes well above and beyond that call of duty to mentor those wanting to service their clients well."
Clark said her success lay in her professional and personal aim to see women happy and successful, as well as her belief in the nature of women as dynamic industry leaders.
"Women have a fantastic ability to almost immediately relate to people on all levels and so the more we mentor, the more we share the message that women are capable of greatness in finance careers," she said.
"We still have a long way to go to even up the seats at the boardroom table; workplace diversity leads to greater levels of creativity and leads us to better outcomes."
Clark has extended her mentorship skills to outside workplace requirements and hours, having worked on a pro bono basis with women facing financial constraints. As a result, Clark believes her understanding of various challenges, ability to connect personally with clients, and strong belief in women's issues has seen her snag this year's award.
ANZ senior risk business development manager, Karyn Hilton, was also praised by the judges for her high ethical standards, and efficient and practical work ethic.
MENTOR OF THE YEAR WINNER
WINNER
Lana Clark
Business coach
Elixir Consulting
FINALIST
Karyn Hilton
Senior Business development manager
ANZ Wealth
AUTHOR
Hope William-Smith
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