From equality to equity

Q. As one of the few female CEOs in the finance industry, what principles guide your leadership style?

My leadership is grounded in the company’s core values: empowerment, entrepreneurship, integrity, independence, and relationships.

As the CEO, you must live and breathe these values – because if you don’t, how can you expect your team to?

Noting their values’ resilience amid industry shifts, the beauty about the values we created at outsource is that they are timeless and transferable. With the industry’s tendency for rapid changes and higher standards of upholding social accountability, these values aren’t just ideals – they’re strategic assets.

When leaders embody their company values, you can really feel it in the team – they get this X factor – and it’s palpable!

Q. You founded outsource Financial in a space that was, and still is, largely male-dominated. What do you think has been the key to building a successful, inclusive culture that supports all voices?

Within any industry, there are individuals known for retreating to their “ivory tower” – I’m not one of them! People thrive when you’re present, genuinely listen and see them. In saying that, micromanagement has no place in a high-performing culture – so I empower my team by trusting their expertise and having an open-door policy for when they want guidance.

Relationships are the backbone of outsource’s success: connection matters – internally and externally. We listen to the needs, concerns, and aspirations of our team, our members, and our industry partners. That’s how inclusion becomes real.

Q. Leadership often requires bold decisions. How do you find the confidence to be bold?

From the day I started in this industry, it has been ever-changing and ever-consuming. Having the confidence to be bold comes from clarity of purpose. Being bold means sticking to your knitting – even when others don’t see the vision.

For example, I’ve resisted the pressure to build white label products: it could have been lucrative, but I wanted outsource to remain purely an aggregator, and not ‘dip the toes in’, as a funder. That decision faced scrutiny, but it did a lot to define who we are and what we’re about as a company – our members.

Q. Looking back, what leadership lesson would you share with women who are just starting out in finance and aspire to one day run their own business?

Own your voice early and unapologetically. But don’t just chase titles – create impact. The best leaders are defined by the problems they solve and the people they lift.

Build credibility through curiosity and consistency. Ask smart questions, seek mentors, and commit to growth.

And bet on yourself. Starting a business takes grit and resilience, but if you’ve exercised your leadership muscle early, you’ll have the strength to succeed.

Q. You’ve previously spoken about empowering your team. How do you actively create opportunities that promote inclusivity within your organisation?

Inclusivity at outsource Financial means understanding the difference between equality and equity and embracing both. Equality gives everyone the same resources, while equity recognises individual needs and provides what’s necessary for equal outcomes. As an example of equality, outsource introduced a single parental leave policy instead of separate maternity and paternity leave.

And as an example of equity, one senior team member felt anxious driving in peak hour, so we adjusted her hours to start and finish earlier. Some employers would do well to remember their employees are people, not positions – and inclusivity isn’t one-size-fits-all – it’s listening and creating solutions that help your people thrive.

Q. What steps can the industry and companies take to create a more inclusive environment where talent thrives regardless of gender?

Creating true inclusivity starts with action, not intention. We need to create workplaces where inclusion is embedded, not added on. That means transparent career pathways, flexible work models, and policies that support every stage of life
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Industry leaders should share best practices, invest in mentorship programs, and amplify diverse voices.

When companies actively listen and act on feedback, they build cultures where talent feels valued and supported. Inclusion isn’t just good ethics – it’s good business.

Q. Values-based leadership is something many women in finance emphasise. What core values do you think are essential to leading with integrity and impact in today’s environment?

Leading with integrity starts with living your values every day. Empowerment, entrepreneurship, integrity, independence, and relationships have always been at the heart of outsource Financial – and they remain timeless. So, as I mentioned before: don’t just chase titles – create impact.

The best leaders are defined by the problems they solve and the people they lift. But to add to that, there is true value in adaptability. The pace of change is relentless. Leaders must stay curious, embrace innovation, and lead with empathy. When you mix strong values with flexibility, you create impact that lasts.

Q. Finally, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave – not just as a CEO, but as a woman who’s helped shape the future of the finance industry?

As a CEO who has proudly represented the third-party sector on a global stage – including outsource Financial’s feature in the Commonwealth publication, ‘Commonwealth at 75’ – my perspective on legacy reflects both industry progress and personal purpose.

I want my legacy to reflect progress and how far this industry has come. Not long ago, we were seen as cowboys – today, we’re a profession grounded in ethics and trust, holding 77.6 per cent market share. Within my own backyard, outsource has consistently produced brokers who are ethically driven and
genuinely passionate about borrower outcomes.

If people say I created a culture where voices were heard, opportunities were equal, and bold ideas embraced, that’s success to me. I hope more people see leadership as owning your voice and lifting others as you rise. I want outsource to stand as proof that values-driven leadership works. If I’ve helped make finance more inclusive, human, and innovative, then I’ve done my job.