Member-owned financial services specialist, Foresters Financial, has appointed Emma Sakellaris as Chief Executive Officer, as the company looks to further expand its reach and offering in the Australian market.
Ms Sakellaris joins Foresters from Rural Aid where she was Director of Philanthropy and Development. Prior to this she was Executive General Manager at Australian Unity Trustees, where she was responsible for establishing and launching its trustee company, with the goal of helping Australian families protect their assets, across multiple generations.
Ms Sakellaris commenced her financial services career at ANZ Wealth before moving to ANZ Trustees where she led the client management function. She helped lead the merger between ANZ Trustees and Equity Trustees, and subsequently joined Equity Trustees as general manager of estates and trusts. Emma is passionate about ensuring clients’ assets are protected and their final wishes honoured into the future.
Caroline Banhidy, chair of Foresters Financial, said Ms Sakellaris’ appointment to Foresters comes at a pivotal time for the company’s growth.
“Foresters has plans to launch a range of new products in 2022, as well as to expand its national footprint and quality of member and referral partner engagement.
“Emma’s expertise in the establishment and running of trustee companies, as well as her significant experience with management of client relationships, including multi-generational; charitable and estate law, and investment management make her a good fit for the team.
“This experience will help pave the way for Foresters as it enters its next stage of growth.
“In addition, her knowledge and passion for helping Australian families build and protect their finances aligns well with Foresters’ history and values of creating a better future for Australian communities,” Ms Banhidy said.
Ms Sakellaris has a Master of Commercial Law; a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Employment and Industrial Relations Law from Monash University. She is also in the final stages of completing a Master of Social Impact from Swinburne University of Technology.