Aranka Nolan has been named winner of the Marketing and Communications category of Money Management/Super Review’s Woman in Financial Services awards for her work in developing and promoting the Association of Financial Advisers’ (AFA’s) Female Excellence for Advice Award.
Despite facing some initial and continuing resistance, Nolan’s strong resolve was that the AFA Female Excellence for Advice Award would inspire female advisers to make a difference in their practices as well as in their communities.
The female advice award was the newest addition to AFA’s award categories, so it was critical to establish it as a credible and valuable accolade.
Nolan was a driving force behind the award who acted as a judge for two years.
She was involved in the launch event – which invited advisers, media and key speakers to inspire entrants – and in the introduction of profiling videos to the finalists.
Nolan decided the award needed to be unique and arranged that the trophies would be hand-made using different Australian timbers every year.
Along with a personalised engraving of the winner’s name, a mirror is embedded in the trophy to represent the self-reflection that the winner has had to go through to tell her story.
Arranging a photo and film shoot for finalists on judging day – including a stylist, make-up artists and a voice coach – also helped to make the awards a unique experience.
“She was unwavering as to the need for this award to be different, designed for women in advice, and in particular for the values of women, the way they approach their clients, their communities and the services they provide,” Nolan’s nomination letter read.
Pro-bono work was a key ingredient in the judging process for the AFA’s award, and all nominations had to provide evidence of the difference they were making to their practices.
Their practices needed to reach women, both clients and those working in the business.
The AFA’s engagement process involved a contact program that provided support and assistance within the guidelines of the award.
The AFA also presented a media kit to each nominee at every step of the selection process so that they could build their profiles in their communities. The award was also open to advisers outside of the AFA.
Nolan has maintained a clear vision regarding the marketing of the AFA award to the industry and how to gain it increasing attention in order to support change for the future for women in the industry – and ultimately consumers.
Click here to find out more about the winners in the Women in Financial Services Awards.
