Annie Kane is the managing editor of Momentum's mortgages titles: The Adviser and Mortgage Business.
As well as writing about the Australian broking industry, the mortgage market, financial regulation, fintechs and the wider lending landscape – Annie is also the host of the Elite Broker and In Focus podcasts and The Adviser Live webcasts.
Olga is a lawyer and business advisor with more than 20 years’ experience. Before joining Tax Assure, Olga was a litigation lawyer for 16 years, helping individuals and businesses from a diverse range of backgrounds and industries. During this time, Olga dealt with a variety of legal, tax and commercial issues, becoming a trusted advisor for many businesses.
As a specialist in resolving tax debt, Olga combines her legal experience with a deep knowledge of taxation. Olga’s expertise in stopping ATO legal action* comes from understanding not only the relevant legal frameworks, but the motivations and priorities of the ATO. Because of this, Olga is known for her exceptional negotiation skills.
Olga has a strong belief in personalised service with a holistic business view, and has long been driven to go the extra mile to help people achieve outcomes that can have a significant impact on their lives.
Together with her pragmatic and straightforward approach, Olga has been described by clients as “first class to deal with, knowledgeable, responsive, professional and transparent in all aspects.” After being named as a top 10 Finalist in 2022, Olga was awarded Principal of the Year at the 2023 Women in Finance Awards.
Michelle McPhee is the Assistant Governor (Business Services) at the Reserve Bank of Australia.
She is responsible for the Bank's provision of a range of services to the community, including banking services to the Australian Government and overseas central banks, payment and settlement services to participants in the Australian financial system, and the issue of Australian banknotes.
Prior to her current position, Michelle was the Head of Banking at the Reserve Bank of Australia, a role she has held for the last four years. She spent six years as the Head of Risk and Compliance and, prior to that, held a number of senior management positions at the Bank primarily in financial market operations.
Michelle was a Member of the Australian Payments Council. She has also been a director of Note Printing Australia and Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee.
Simone is a nationally recognised small business advisor, principal and thought leader. She was recognised as Regional/Suburban Firm of the Year in the 2024 Australian Accounting Awards, Regional Professional of the Year in the 2023 Women in Finance Awards, Public Accountant of the Year in the 2020 Australian Accounting Awards, and Accountant of the Year in the 2019 Women in Finance Awards. Simone has a strong belief in ethical business practices and the power of positive firm culture to lead growth.
Lel Smits is an award-winning entrepreneur, director, and finance journalist who has advised more than 500 ASX-listed companies. She’s been a Director of the Australian Shareholders’ Association since 2021, and was named Director of the Year by Women in Finance in both 2022 and 2024. As a broadcast finance journalist, Lel has produced and presented thousands of finance reports, including for the Australian Financial Review (AFR) while posted to Wall Street. She also founded The Stock Network, which makes stock news and financial literacy accessible to everyday Aussie investors.
Kate Reid is a visionary entrepreneur and the
mastermind behind Lune Croissanterie, founded in
Melbourne. Kate’s journey towards becoming a
renowned pastry chef and the founder of an
internationally acclaimed bakery has been anything but
linear.
After studying Aerospace Engineering at RMIT
University, Kate followed her lifelong passion for
Formula 1 racing, accepting a much coveted role as an
aerodynamicist for the Williams F1 team in the UK.
After three years she realised the reality that working
in the industry wasn’t living up to the dream and so she
returned to Melbourne with a new ambition; to pursue
a career in pastry.
After a brief spell as a stagiaire in one of Paris’ most illustrious bakeries, followed by countless
hours of research and development to perfect the croissant back home, Kate took a leap of faith
and opened Lune Croissanterie in 2012, a small bakery specialising in only Croissants.
Lune quickly captured the hearts and minds of locals and tourists alike, placing its firmly on the
map as a destination for foodies. With her exceptional attention to detail and dedication to quality,
Kate transformed the traditional croissant and the environment in which it is enjoyed, into a world
class experience like no other.
What sets Kate apart is her unwavering commitment to excellence. From sourcing the finest
ingredients to ensuring precision in every step of the baking process, she has created a business
synonymous with perfection and innovation, with brand equity that transcends the food and
beverage industry.
This relentless pursuit has garnered praise from celebrity chefs, food critics, and pastry
enthusiasts from around the world. In 2016 the New York Times claimed that Lune makes
croissants that ‘may be the finest you will find anywhere in the world’.
Under Kate’s exceptional leadership, Lune Croissanterie has grown from a single location in
Fitzroy, to an empire supporting over 200 staff in Melbourne and Brisbane. Lune will be landing in
Sydney in 2024.
This success has allowed her to not only share her delectable pastries with a broader audience but
her story of leadership and pursuit of excellence to inspire audiences across the country.
She likes to think of herself a Creative Engineer, which is true. However, she is also a visionary, an
entrepreneur, a business leader and an inspiration to anyone who has a dream and the tenacity to
achieve it, no matter what.
Kate is the author of ‘Lune: Croissants All Day, All Night’, published in 2022.
Kate was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business at RMIT in December 2023.
