We're back Melbourne...and it's the biggest event yet!

What is Striver Brimstone?

‘Brimstone’ is Australia's largest event to explore career opportunities in the Financial Advice and Wealth Management industry for university students, graduates and career-changers. Started in 2023, this event series is hosted in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.

This event is proudly hosted by Striver, UniSuper and Deakin Downtown.

What should I expect?

Join business leaders, employers, and peers to find out why this is the best place for early-career professionals to start an exciting, rewarding, and dynamic career.

See 2024's event here: Brimstone Event Page

Date: Tuesday 8 April 2025

Time: 11:00 AM - 6:30PM Local Time

Location: Deakin Downtown

Address: Tower 2, level 12. 727 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3008

🔥 Key Information 🔥

General admission is for university students and graduates ONLY. (Please use your university email address to validate your ticket).
The ticket price includes lunch, afternoon tea, and networking drinks + access to all sessions.
The dress code for the event is business attire.

Are you a business or part of the industry and want to get involved? Contact Event Lead, Melanie, at mel@striver.careers

Want to make the most of the experience? Here is the Ultimate Guide for attendees.

📷 Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout this event. These will be used by Striver for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media or in any third party publication.

Time	Agenda
11:00 AM	Attendee arrival and registration. Lunch available upon arrival.
12:00 PM	Welcome Address from MC Neil Sparks - Head of Membership and Corporate Development - SMSFA
12:25 PM	Striver Greeting Alisdair Barr - Chief Executive Officer and Founder - Striver
12:30 PM	Welcome from Deakin University Marc Olynyk - Head of Financial planning program - Deakin University
12:40 PM	Opening Address Danielle Mair - Chief Member and Advice Officer - UniSuper
12:50 PM	Leadership Panel About: This discussion will examine the key components of financial advice in wealth management—advisers, products, and consumers—through insights from leading organisations. Panelists will explore the factors shaping financial advice and provide clarity for students, graduates, and career-changers eager to enter the field. Through their career experiences, they will share successes, challenges, and lessons to inspire and inform aspiring professionals. Attendees will gain an industry outlook and a deeper understanding of the diverse skills and opportunities within Financial Advice and Wealth Management. The conversation will also highlight the importance of confidence, adaptability, and professional networks—demonstrating how connections can spark careers in this dynamic industry. Speakers: Danielle Mair - Chief Member and Advice Officer - UniSuper Mike Klupacs - State Director - BT Matt Lawler - Chief Executive Officer - Akumin Lisa Sorgini - General Manager, Wealth Distribution - AMP MC: Neil Sparks - Head of Membership and Corporate Development - SMSFA
2:00 PM	Choose your breakout room
2:00 PM	Breakout: Financial Advice Fundamentals About: This discussion will explore the diverse roles of financial advisers, from holistic advisers to business owners and product-focused professionals. Panelists will share their career journeys, motivations, and insights into the skills and qualities essential for success in the field. Aspiring advisers will gain a high-level understanding of the profession and its impact on the financial well-being of Australians. The conversation will also highlight the importance of confidence, adaptability, and professional networks—demonstrating how connections can spark careers in this dynamic industry. Speakers: Chris Maceachern - Chief Executive Officer and Founder - Freedom Finance Skei Harper - Senior Financial Adviser - Zurich Assure Michelle Heffernan CFP - Senior Financial Adviser - APT Wealth Rebecca Pritchard - Senior Financial Planner - Rising Tide Financial Services Brett Saurine - National Manager, Comprehensive Advice - UniSuper
2:00 PM	Breakout: Investment Management About: This break-out panel features speakers from a breadth of backgrounds, who will be speaking to aspiring professionals about their respective role in the industry. Speakers will talk about fundamentals of their role, how their role contributes to the provision of financial advice and their career path that have led to their current role. Speakers will share their interpretation of the 2025 theme of ‘Connections spark careers’. The conversation will also emphasize confidence, adaptability, and professional networks—demonstrating how connections can spark careers in this dynamic industry. Speakers: Olivia Hawkes - Regional Manager - Fidelity International Lauren Matthews - BDM - Challenger Kevin Chamberlain - Regional Sales Manager - Vanguard
2:00 PM	Breakout rooms: Financial Technology (FinTech) About: This discussion will explore how technology is shaping financial advice and wealth management. Panelists will share insights from their roles, addressing whether technology will enhance or hinder Australians' access to advice over the next five years. Attendees will gain a high-level understanding of FinTech’s impact on the industry and the diverse career opportunities beyond financial advising. The conversation will also highlight the importance of confidence, adaptability, and professional networks—demonstrating how connections can spark careers in this evolving field. Speakers: Karolina Kuszyk - Business Development Manager (VIC) - HUB24 Peter Worn - Joint Managing Director - Finura Group Angus Woods - Chief Executive Officer - Adviser ratings Rubens Peculis - Chief Information Officer - Otivo
2:00 PM	Speed Networking Activity About: This is a rotational networking activity during the break out sessions. Each company has a 'station' with up to 2 representatives speaking to small groups of students. Every 10 minutes each station will rotate giving attendees in the room an opportunity to speak to someone new. Skye Wealth AMP BT UniSuper Intend Financial Deakin University
2:50 PM	Afternoon Tea
3:40 PM	Careers Panel About: This discussion will highlight the diverse roles within financial advice and wealth management, showcasing the variety of pathways that aspiring professionals can take to arrive in this industry.. Panelists will share their career journeys and current roles, illustrating the broad expertise across products and platforms that support financial advisers. Attendees will gain understanding into the skills and opportunities available in the industry through the panellists' insights. The conversation will also emphasise confidence, adaptability, and professional networks—demonstrating how connections can spark careers in this dynamic field. Speakers: Angela Norton - Head of Tax - UniSuper Tim Howard - Technical Consultant - BT Elizbeth Harrison - Senior Relationship Manager - Iress Nicholas Drohan - Head of Shadforth in Victoria - Shadforth Financial Group MC: Renae Anderson - Manager, Select Advice - UniSuper
4:30 PM	Closing Address Andrew Gregory - Head of Financial Advice and Education - UniSuper
5:00 PM	Networking Drinks and prize draw at 5:30PM.
6:30 PM	Event end.

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