Collaboration over competition
Kharen Kaleda from Avant Garde Financial Services was the Financial Planner of the Year at the 2016 Women in Financial Services Awards, Oksana Patron writes.
A passion for and an ability to listen carefully to people and their needs has seen Kharen Kaleda earn the title of Financial Planner of the Year.
Kaleda, who became the sole owner of Avant Garde Business Services in late 2015 after serving as a partner and running the business as a partnership from 1997 and 2015, has since been continuously improving the business. She has worked hard to integrate its financial advice and accounting divisions and demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a strong commitment to her staff.
Kaleda has also always emphasised the importance of people, both the loyalty of her team and the long-standing relationships she managed to develop with her clients over the years.
Asked about her career achievements, she said: "I don't look at great achievements, I focus more on regular wins — helping a client meet their goals, improving our systems or receiving positive feedback."
Kaleda also believes collaboration is more powerful than competition and she is always willing to share ideas with her industry peers and further strengthening the financial planning profession as a whole.
"Collaboration has always been very important to me. You can learn so much from what other businesses are doing. If we share our best practices, it raises the level of professionalism across the industry," she said.
Additionally, according to the judges, Kaleda is a fantastic role model for other women in the financial advice industry — having the courage to take on new challenges and striving for both her own professional success, as well as being a passionate advocate for women in financial services.
Fellow finalist, Helga Baxter, who became managing director of Crosby Dalwood in September 2015, was commended for her leadership, under which the firm successfully integrated its accounting and financial planning arms into a single team with a shared vision.
Hear why Financial Planner of the Year, Kaleda shone. Short video below.
FINANCIAL PLANNER OF THE YEAR
WINNER
Kharen Kaleda
Director
Avant Garde Services
FINALISTS
Helga Baxter
Managing director
Crosby Dalwood
Jade Burford
Principal of risk management
Advocate Private Wealth
Nicole Heales
Owner
Nicole Heales Financial
Sukhi Kerr
Financial planner
ClearView Wealth Advice
Fiona Willard
Financial coach
Foundation Partners
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