AFIA Board

Mario joined Pepper Money in 2011 and has held various roles including Managing Director, Australian Mortgages and Personal Loans, Director of Sales and Distribution, Australian Mortgages and Personal Loans. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Pepper Money Limited in 2017 and is responsible for the strategy and oversight of Pepper Money businesses across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 18 years of extensive experience across banking and finance, Mario has held senior positions in an ADI environment as well as in the non-bank sector. Mario is a known champion of mortgage broker education and growing the specialist lending category.

Diane joined AFIA as CEO in November 2019. She has over 25 years’ experience in financial services and public policy, including representing the Australian financial services industry in international forums; and she is the current Chair of the Finance Industry Council for Australia.

Prior to joining AFIA, Diane held various senior executive roles at the Australian Banking Association where she led the industry through the Financial Services Royal Commission and was the architect of the Banking Reform Program announced in 2016. She has also worked in the Federal Government, AUSTRAC, ASIC, and FINSIA. Diane is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Harvard Kennedy School, and Macquarie University.

Katherine is the CEO and Chairperson of Brighte Capital. Brighte is one of Australia’s fastest growing Fintech companies. Katherine has 20 years’ experience in finance, previously holding senior positions at Macquarie Bank in equipment and asset finance and, early in her career, as an economist for the Australian Government at the Treasury and Department of Finance. Katherine has been recognised by the industry for her leadership, receiving multiple awards including Outstanding Fintech Leader of the Year.

Cameron is the CEO of OnDeck Australia. OnDeck Australia, established in 2015, provides unsecured small business loans using their unique credit score - the “Koala Score”. Prior to launching OnDeck in Australia, he was the founding CEO of GraysOnline, one of Australia’s largest eCommerce groups, growing the company to over $500 million in online sales. Before this, Cameron worked as an engineer and production manager at Eveready Australia.

Jon is a finance company executive with more than 30 years’ experience in Australia and New Zealand in asset and vehicle finance markets. In 1998 he established and grew Mercedes Benz Finance NZ for six years, before transferring to Daimler Finance Australia where he led the Sales and Marketing team. Jon joined Macquarie Leasing in 2006, where he led various sales channels, before becoming the Managing Director in 2014. In 2019 Jon joined Allied Credit as the Chief Executive Officer, leading the company into a growth phase. Jon has sat as a director on the AFIA board for several years, including two years as Chairman.

Reggie is CEO and Managing Director of ORIX Australia Corporation Limited (ORIX). ORIX is a major commercial finance and leasing provider in Australia and New Zealand and is an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality from 2020 to 2022 by the Australian Federal Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency and recognised as one of The Australian Financial Review’s Most Innovative Companies for 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Reggie started his career in Silicon Valley working in financial services and technology firms in both start-ups and established organisations. At ORIX, he has transformed the business by introducing new technology-centric solutions and reimagining “old proven” concepts with a current perspective to assist customers in today’s complex and continually changing environment. Just as we’ve seen other industries embrace and grow from new technologies, Reggie is future-focused and excited to lead the ORIX team in the changing landscape of the automotive and finance industry.

James is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Financial Group, a listed Australian non-bank lender. Liberty offers a wide range of home, car, personal and business loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance products across Australia and New Zealand. James has been part of the Liberty Group for over 20 years and is responsible for Liberty’s vision, direction and strategic execution. James has a wealth of experience spanning global institutional and retail finance and brings invaluable insights into the changing landscape of financial services industry. James is passionate about agility, free thinking, diverse cultures and contributing to better communities.

Ian became the CEO of Vestone Capital in October 2023, after previously serving as the CFO of Vestone for 3 years. He has nearly 35 years of experience in the financial services sector, with a wide-ranging expertise that includes Asset Finance, Premium Funding, Securitisation, Superannuation, Asset Management, and Financial Planning. His passion lies in building successful businesses and leading teams to success through clarity, empowerment, and support.

Prior to joining Vestone Capital, Ian was the CFO/COO of an insurance premium funding business, Macquarie Pacific Funding/IQumulate, for 6 years. During his tenure, he led the business in separating from Macquarie and oversaw the securitisation of its loan book in 2020.

Before this, Ian spent 18 years in various roles at MLC Ltd, primarily as the Head of Finance of business units in areas such as Asset Management and Financial Planning. He also played a key role in setting up two joint ventures – the medical finance business, Medfin, and a corporate superannuation provider, Plum Financial Services.

Ian’s wealth of experience in the financial sector, combined with his dedication to building successful businesses and leading teams, has positioned him as a trusted CEO and a valuable contributor to the finance industry.

Liesl has over 25 years of experience, dominated by her senior roles in financial services. In London she worked both in-house and private practise for major UK banks. After returning to New Zealand and working in legal practice, she joined Fisher & Paykel Finance taking on the role of General Counsel and Company Secretary. She then expanded on her leadership, strategy and governance skills with executive roles in start-up companies.

Liesl joined New Zealand’s Avanti Finance in 2019, rising quickly to Chief Risk Officer. She played a pivotal role in unlocking growth opportunities for the group, and in March 2023 transitioned within the group to Australia to take on the role of CEO of Branded Financial Services. Liesl’s career has been defined by building and leading commercially focused teams. She has successfully expanded her remit from legal to enterprise and credit risk, people and strategy, operational leadership and corporate governance. At Branded Financial she continues to drive innovation, customer-centric solutions, and sustainable business growth.

Claire is the General Manager of BOQFinance.  With over 45 years of history, BOQFinance is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Queensland Limited specialising in the provision of asset and structured finance solutions to over 80,000 customers across Australia. Claire has over 20 years’ experience in finance, previously holding senior leader positions at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank. Claire is passionate about innovation, governance, customer service, and the positive impact access to finance can have on community wellbeing.