Quiet achiever wins policy gold
Fiona Galbraith from ASFA was the Industry Advocacy winner at the 2016 Women in Financial Services Awards, Hope William-Smith writes.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia's (ASFA's) Fiona Galbraith was rewarded for her leadership and tireless efforts in industry advocacy, and for contributing significantly in the policy space.
Judges said that Galbraith's technical expertise had been at the core of most of ASFA's recent submissions, where she is highly respected for her intellect and policy capability.
Termed a quiet achiever and an exemplary colleague, Galbraith said her current work over the past 12 months, including the response to the Productivity Commission's competition and efficiency review, had been her highlight.
Galbraith recently wrote the submission to the Senate Economics Committee References Committee Inquiry into the Security of Women in Retirement, which she said have required specific attention to detail that she believes are key to being a strong advocacy worker.
"Skills include the ability to be conceptual, analytical, attentive to detail, genuinely consultative, clear about precisely what outcome you are seeking," she said.
"Ultimately also resilient and tenacious — advocating for good public policy is often a long-term proposition."
Judges said that Galbraith deserved recognition and praise for her behind the work, including hours of legal analysis and policy research goes behind all advocacy work that often keeps Galbraith at her desk far beyond expected hours.
Galbraith was also praised for her constructive, diligent, and professional work ethic and ability to understand multiple points of view.
Being able to make a difference by advocating for good public policy outcomes is Galbraith's goals, who said the main challenges of her work lay in the complexity and interconnectedness of the superannuation system and the size and rate of proposed changes to it.
The judges also praised finalist, Deborah Kent, for her strong client focus, business strategy capabilities, attention to detail and motivation.
INDUSTRY ADVOCACY
WINNER
Fiona Galbraith
Director, policy
ASFA
FINALISTS
Deborah Kent
Director and owner
Integra Financial Services
Celine Kabashima
Portfolio manager
AMP Capital
Joanne Graves
National rehabilitation manager
AIA Australia
Bianca Richardson
Senior policy manager, advice
Financial Services Council
AUTHOR
Hope William-Smith
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