DIRECTOR + FINANCIAL PLANNER

Bernard has a Degree in Financial Management and Economics from Curtin University and has also completed the Diploma of Financial Planning (DFP) through Deakin University. Following the completion of the DFP programme, Bernard qualified as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and is authorised to use this designation. Bernard has been in the Financial Planning Industry since 1994 and specialises in providing investment and retirement planning advice to affluent and complex needs clients. Bernard is a current Director and the immediate past Chairman of the Practice Development Group (PDG) Board for Godfrey Pembroke. Bernard is also a Non-Executive Director of the Godfrey Pembroke Group Ltd financial services board.

In addition to Bernard’s professional role, he enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle including camping, windsurfing, golf and swimming. Bernard has completed numerous Rottnest Channel Swim crossings, including a solo crossing in 2015 which still ranks as one of his greatest physical achievements. Since 2015, the Rottnest Channel Swim has become a great platform for charitable fundraising and the “Light the House” team has raised considerable funds over the years for organisations including Ronald McDonald House and The Breast Cancer Research Centre

DIRECTOR + FINANCIAL PLANNER

Julia holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Murdoch University and has completed the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning and Certified Financial Planners qualifications. She has been specialising in the finance industry since 1994 working across investment banking, stockbroking and financial planning. In 1998, Julia was promoted to a Vice President Role with Merrill Lynch, a US based Investment Bank. In 2007, following the arrival of her children, she chose to transition across to the Financial Planning profession.

In 2013, she attended the Executive Leadership Course at Stanford University in the Graduate School of Business and in 2015, the Macquarie Graduate School of Business Leadership program. Julia was the State Chair of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Inspire Community of Practice from 2015 – 2020 and sat on the Godfrey Pembroke Advisory Board from 2014 - 2019. Julia currently sits on the Aquinas College Foundation Council, Chairs the Investment Committee and has recently joined the Presbyterian Ladies College Foundation Investment Committee. She has just been appointed as the Inaugural Chair for the Curtin University Financial Planning Discipline Advisory Panel.

In 2015/2016, 2017/2018 and 2022, Julia was awarded the Godfrey Pembroke Adviser of the Year. in 2017 she was a finalist in the Telstra Business Women of the Year awards and was recognised in the top 50 most influential advisers by Financial Standard in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

She is a regular contributor at conferences and peer panels and offers her time and energy to mentoring many individuals within the network. As a regular contributor to talkback radio and print media, this work enables her to continually work towards her goal of raising financial literacy in the broader community. Julia is the host of The Good Money Habits Podcast which aims to facilitate access to reliable and trustworthy information for the everyday Australian.

Julia is actively involved in a range of charitable causes including the Rottnest Channel Swim. Team ‘Light the House’ endured the 19.7km trek twice from Cottesloe to Rottnest raising money for their nominated charities. Her charity of choice is the The Breast Cancer Research Centre .

DIRECTOR + FINANCIAL PLANNER + PRACTICE MANAGER

Since commencing with Lighthouse in 2006, Donelle has tried her hand at several roles in the business. Through ongoing education and experience, she has developed extensive skills in financial strategy, client engagement and business management, resulting in her current roles as a Financial Planner and Practice Manager within the company.

In 2016, Donelle obtained her Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, electing to further continue her education by completing her Masters in Financial Planning in 2018, and finalising all education requirements in 2020 with an additional Ethics course and the industry FASEA exam.

Her hard work and contribution to both the business and licensee was recognised by her peers in 2018 when she was the recipient of 2017/2018 Godfrey Pembroke Team Member award, as well as being nominated for the Godfrey Pembroke New Achiever Award in the same year and Godfrey Pembroke Adviser of the Year Nominee in 2022.

She believes that a relationship between a client and adviser should be collaborative and transparent to assist in developing trust whilst working towards their ultimate goals. She is passionate about educating people on their financial situation and encouraging them to engage with their finances as part of their overall wellbeing. This continues to be a driving force for working in a complex and ever-changing work environment.

Whilst the financial planning industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, she is actively involved in developing and integrating new processes into the practice to continue adapting as necessary. She hopes that by making such changes, she can assist to create efficiencies that will ultimately ensure personal advice remains affordable to the broader community in the future.

Outside of the office, she likes to give back to the community and is actively involved with programs including the Cambodia Medical Team (a self-funded volunteer program assisting in logistics for a talented group of medical professionals), The Etch Collective (A women’s support group created by previous employee Chloe Leow), and various other initiatives including providing pro-bono advice to those who may not necessarily be able to afford it. She was also the WA State Chair of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Gen Next Committee, supporting those new to financial services and the advice profession.

She is an animal advocate and adores her two fur-babies. Aside from spending time with her spoilt pugs and wonderful partner James, she finds happiness in the simple things in life including time with family and friends, good food, great wine, travelling and the live music scene.

DIRECTOR + HEAD OF RESEARCH & INVESTMENTS

Michael joined Lighthouse Capital in October 2020 after moving himself and his young family back to Perth from Sydney. Michael who grew up in Perth started his career as a Financial Planner with National Australia Bank back in 2000 in Perth and eventual moved into NAB Private Wealth in 2005 in Sydney.

Michael has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry in asset allocation, portfolio construction and fundamental analysis within managed funds and listed equities. Most of his experiences were gained in Sydney where he held several senior positions in MLC, ThreeSixty Research and JBWere. In those roles, he contributed to asset allocation decisions, macro-economic analysis and investment research analysis for high net wealth businesses and clients. While he was in MLC, Michael was responsible for the origination and development of the ThreeSixty listed investments portfolio management service and ThreeSixty’s Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs), which was subsequently merged with the JBWere SMAs.

Michael has presented at industry conferences and webinars and has written on a variety of topical issues on various industry sectors and equity markets. Prior to returning to Perth, Michael’s most recent role was Portfolio Manager/Senior Equities Analyst for JBWere. Today, Michael chairs our Investment Committee and overseas the asset allocation, governance, and investment decision for the Lighthouse Capital portfolios. Michael’s invaluable investment market experience will help Lighthouse Capital clients to create and to protect their assets to achieving their life goals.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) degree from the University of Western Australia, Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning and has completed the Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment.

Michael is passionate in what he does and takes the responsibility in looking after client’s money very seriously. Outside work Michael’s next passion is his family – his two little monsters often keep Michael active, alert, and patient, which are key characteristics for all investment professionals. Ask him if he wants another child, he will often say he is too busy looking after our investment portfolios!

DIRECTOR (LIGHTHOUSE CAPITAL NORTH) + STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ADVISER

Michelle commenced as the Director and Financial Planner within a newly formed entity of the Lighthouse Capital brand called Lighthouse Capital North in March 2023. She joins the practice with over 20 years experience in Financial Planning.

She commenced her career in banking initially with NAB in Australia. In 1991 she left for England where she worked for Lloyds Bank of London for 3 years before returning from the UK in 1994. Michelle then returned to banking with Town and Country Bank as a branch manager until the birth of her first son in 1999. In 2000 she entered the world of Financial Planning as an Assistant to an adviser before progressing to an Authorised Representative in 2003.

Michelle holds a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (Grad. Dip. FP) and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning (Adv DFP). Michelle commenced study towards her Graduate Diploma in 2018 and was awarded with the National Dux award by Kaplan Professional in 2020. During her career she has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Inspire Community of Practice as State Co-Chair, an organisation tasked with encouraging and supporting Female advisers in the industry. Advice that ‘makes sense’ is at the centre of every piece she delivers and she is passionate about educating and empowering her clients to understand and take control of their financial future by giving them the confidence through collaboration with them.

Outside of the office Michelle enjoys bush walking in the hills with her precious fur baby and yoga. She is kept busy socializing with her family and friends and firmly believes that this is the cornerstone of an abundant life.

PARAPLANNER + CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER

Shannon joined Lighthouse Capital January 2018 after some experience with practices around Perth. Having graduated Curtin University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Human Resources and she often jokes “I fell into financial planning and never left!”.

She recently completed her Masters of Financial Planning via Kaplan in late 2020. Outside of the office Shannon enjoys spending her time around the North side beaches which she has called home for over a decade since moving to Perth from Scotland in 2010.

OFFICE MANAGER + ANNUAL REVIEW COORDINATOR

Di has worked in the Financial Planning Industry for over 23 years, 19 of those with Godfrey Pembroke businesses. She has been fortunate to work with numerous advisers across the network and watched the licensee grow and transform into the company it is today.

Outside of work, Di enjoys spending time with her friends and family (including her husband, daughter and two sons). She is passionate about AFL and a fanatical Fremantle Dockers Football Club member, which she has been a member of since 1997. Di is also a Life member of her local club, The Attadale Bombers, where she is still an active part of their Committee.

JUNIOR PARAPLANNER + ANNUAL REVIEW COORDINATOR

Jack completed his Bachelor of Commerce, Majoring in Finance & Financial Planning, at Curtin University in 2023. He commenced with Lighthouse Capital in May 2022 after previously being employed at one of the four majors and taking the leap from banking to Financial Planning. He is extremely passionate about the industry and the good it can do for individuals and their families and is thrilled with the opportunity to grow in the industry and within the Lighthouse team, receiving his first promotion in 2 months.

Outside of work Jack enjoys the outdoors, staying active and watching all sports. He enjoys spending his down time with his beautiful partner, Jess and their goofy German Shephard, Koda. He has a passion for travel, having previously lived and worked in Canada.

He is grateful for the opportunity to work with the outstanding team at Lighthouse, assisting their clients to meet their goals and objectives, whilst continuing to learn and develop his career.

He has also dedicated his time to providing workshops designed to increase financial literacy to higher education students across WA in conjunction with the Curtin Outreach program on behalf of the SAEF Advisory Panel, a fantastic initiative developed by the panel.

ASSOCIATE PARAPLANNER + ANNUAL REVIEW COORDINATOR

Kim has been in the banking and finance industry for a large part of her career and in various roles from Bank teller to Paraplanner. Kim joined Lighthouse Capital in March 2020 just two weeks before the COVID19 lockdown, however this did not stop her from forming strong connections with her new colleagues over many Zoom meetings.

Kim feels that joining Lighthouse has given her a new feeling of career fulfilment. Aside from work, Kim loves spending time with her family and travelling.

CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER

Chrissy joined Lighthouse in 2018 after immigrating from NZ to join her family, which includes two children and six grandchildren. Chrissy has an extensive background in administration as a Personal Assistant and Client Services Manager with 20 years’ experience in financial services.

Her passions in life include making wonderful memories for her grandchildren who she spends time with as often as she can. Christina admits to being a bit of an old soul and loves handcrafts and spending time in her garden. Coming from a proud rugby nation she is slowly coming to grips with AFL and ‘almost’ understands the game!

CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER

Melanie joined the Lighthouse team in 2022. She has been working in the Financial Planning Industry in 2016 after spending several years in banking.

Melanie particularly enjoys supporting and interacting with our clients whilst assisting them to meet their financial needs.

Outside of the office, she loves spending time with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and Grandson. When she isn’t spending time with her family, you will find her racing Jetboats around Perth with her brother and managing her youngest daughters AFL football team.

CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER

Maria Joined Lighthouse Capital in October 2023, bringing over 2 decades of experience in institutional and private banking. Her vast range of skills and knowledge made her an excellent fit for the team to deliver an exceptional client experience and professional demeanor as part of her new role.

Amongst her plethora of qualifications, she is also currently completing her RG146 (Financial Services) to further develop her skills and understanding of the Australian Financial Planning world.

Her energy and enthusiasm has already had a positive impact in the office and we are looking forward to watching her journey unfold.

Maria is fluent in Swedish and has volunteered her time across various community groups. Outside of work she also enjoys running, horse riding, singing and reading, and is an advocate for advancement of Women in work and sport.

ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT OFFICER

Having recently graduated high school, Alyssa completed work experience with Lighthouse Capital in 2023 and was quickly offered a casual position during her ‘gap year’ as she decides on the next stages of her education and career journey.

A talented musician, ex-footballer and decorated student, she enjoys spending her free time with family, friends and cute French Bulldog, Winston.

FINANCE MANAGER

Diane joined Lighthouse Capital in October 2003 after her previous employment with RAC for 19 years as Payroll and Superannuation Manager.

She feels ‘The Lighthouse Family’ is a very special team to be part of, and has enjoyed the flexibility of being able to work from home, even before Covid struck.

Having travelled overseas extensively with her husband of 45 years in their younger days, they are now content to enjoy local holidays. She has recently had her first GREAT grandson.