Fintech Australia has made significant changes to its leadership team, with Sarah Gorman stepping into the role of Chair, replacing Simone Joyce, who will transition to an Advisory role. Additionally, Rehan D’Almeida, the current general manager, has been promoted to CEO, while Brian Collins from Audacity Ventures will serve as the Deputy Chair.
Gorman brings a wealth of experience to her new position, having been a founding team member and investor at DAS (Digital Agriculture Services) in Melbourne. With expertise in growth and marketing, Gorman has played a pivotal role in scaling DAS since its establishment in 2017. She was previously Deputy Chair of Fintech Australia’s board and boasts over two decades of experience in advisory, entrepreneurship, and investment across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
Collins, on the other hand, is recognized for his contributions as a fintech founder, fund manager, and executive. His most recent role involved overseeing AWS’s fintech operations in the Oceania region before transitioning to lead Audacity Ventures. Through his new venture, Collins aims to support fintech founders and has partnered with Euphemia to develop one of the region’s first dedicated fintech funds.
In her statement, Gorman expressed her commitment to shaping Australia’s fintech industry and facilitating its growth and evolution. She emphasized the pivotal role of fintech organizations in driving the country’s digital economy and addressing global challenges such as climate change and inequality. Gorman also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology advancements like artificial intelligence to navigate evolving landscapes in data trust and privacy.
The leadership transition comes as Simone Joyce, the outgoing Chair and founder of Paypa Plane, concludes her successful tenure. Joyce’s move to New York signifies her focus on expanding her business globally, while still providing advisory support to Fintech Australia on key industry matters, particularly payment-related policies.
Rehan D’Almeida’s appointment as CEO reflects his contributions to Fintech Australia’s growth since assuming the role of General Manager in 2021. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its membership and corporate partnerships, delivered numerous submissions on fintech-related policies, and organized successful events like the Intersekt Fintech Festival and The Finnies.
Looking ahead, D’Almeida emphasized the ongoing challenges facing the fintech industry, including regulatory complexities and societal issues like climate change. However, he remains optimistic about the sector’s prospects and its ability to address these challenges while experiencing unprecedented growth and vibrancy.
