Navigating the Funding Landscape with We Are Emersyn & Westpac

Behind every ambitious female founder is a vision that deserves to be funded. But navigating the world of capital, from bank loans to grants and investment, can feel overwhelming. 

We Are Emersyn and Westpac, invites you to an exclusive morning dedicated to connection, clarity and capital. Join us as we pull back the curtain on Westpac’s $1 billion fund for female founders and explore the clear pathways to funding your business growth.

We'll explore how Westpac is actively working to enhance financial inclusion and equality through this major initiative and discuss alternative funding options. 

This is your opportunity to connect with like-minded founders and get your questions answered in a supportive, collaborative space.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Get the inside track on Westpac’s major commitment to female founders. We’ll break down what this funding pool is and how it’s designed to remove barriers for women in business.

• Learn directly from Westpac's State Manager WA, SME and Small Business about their simplified lending process for start-ups and scale-ups, and get unfiltered advice on how to prepare your business for success.

• A panel discussion on funding options including grants and angel investment.

• Connect & collaborate: Enjoy morning tea while building your network with a vibrant community of founders and the Westpac team, who are all passionate about championing female entrepreneurs.

Come for the insights, stay for the connection. Let's unlock the next chapter of growth, together.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, 2nd July 2025

• Time: 9:30 AM arrival for coffee & connecting | 10:00 AM official start – 12:00 PM

• Location: Westpac, Level 4, Tower Two Brookfield Place, 123 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Tickets are complimentary, but registration is essential as spaces are limited.

Pauline Gazzard | State Manager WA, SME and Small Business | Westpac

Pauline has 35 years experience in Finance and Business spanning the UK, Ireland and Australia. She enjoyed a varied career in Banking specialising in Retail, Business Banking, Credit and Operations.  Pauline then moved to the private sector undertaking the role of an Operations Director for a Maintenance and Contracting Group, followed by a General Manager role in a Hotel. 

Pauline moved to Perth in 2013, and returned to a banking role joining Westpac in 2017.  Her current position is State Manager, SME and Small Business in WA. 

Pauline has a BA Hons Degree in Management and Business Studies, and Banking Certificate, Institute of Bankers in Ireland.  In recent times she has completed additional Leadership Training through Australian Graduate School of Management, graduated from CEDA Copland Leadership Program in 2019, Company’s Directors Course through Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2024, and most recently WeQual Rising Leaders Program.

In 2024 Pauline was a finalist in the Australian Women in Banking and Finance Award in the SME and Business Banking category. 

Pauline is an active mentor, and member of Mentor Walks Perth.

She is incredibly passionate about WA, and considers herself very privileged to live and work in the wonderful City of Perth.  She is a Director on the Board of Committee for Perth, an independent, not-for-profit organisation that advocates and celebrates Perth as a global region of choice to live, work, invest, study and visit. 

Dani Riebe | Associate Director | Entrepreneurs in Residence 

From nonprofit management to international film programming, Dani's background spans innovation, investment, female leadership, and government. The former General Manager of VentureX, established to support and invest in women-led ventures, Dani played key roles in the local Angel Investor community, as Perth Angels' Business Manager and Head of Operations at South West Angels. A member of Epic Angels and AIMI, Dani serves as a Judge at the WAAITA INCITE Awards and mentors with ScaleUP WA, Curtin Ignition, and We Are Emersyn.

Huyen Truong | National Manager of Transactional Banking | Westpac

As the National Manager of Transaction Banking, Huyen oversees a team of specialists responsible for advising businesses on digital banking platforms and payment facilities.

With over 20 years of banking experience, Huyen brings deep expertise in delivering end-to-end transactional banking services that drive operational efficiency and support client’s growth ambitions.