The CFA Mentoring Program matches early to mid-career consumer advocates with highly experienced professionals who mentor them throughout the program. Participants also undertake governance training and attend a series of peer workshops. Participants develop clarity on their professional goals, improve their effectiveness as consumer advocates and learn about the consumer representative opportunities available to them.
The CFA Consumer Advocate Mentoring Program commenced for the first time in January 2021, learn more about the program and current mentees.
Andy is the Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation at CHOICE, joining as a Senior Mobilisation Campaigner in 2019. Andy previously worked as a Campaigner and Mobilisation Campaigner with Greenpeace Australia Pacific working across a range of sustainability campaigns. Andy is a passionate advocate for consumer rights, sustainability and ethical business practices.
Kristal is a policy and research specialist who has focused on a range of consumer issues across the not for profit and government. Kristal has examined issues across energy, sustainability and housing sectors. Kristal began her consumer advocacy career at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre as part of their Energy and Water Advocacy team.
Kristal has a Bachelor of Science, Honours (Parasitology) and Master of Integrated Water Management. She is currently studying an MBA
Lody Stewart lives in Sydney, NSW. She is a financial counsellor working with vulnerable clients at the Financial Rights Legal Centre and as a financial counselling subject matter expert with Financial Counselling Australia, the peak national body for financial counsellors. Lody came to financial counselling after working in the investment, insurance and financial services sector for more than 25 years. She has been practicing as a financial counsellor since 2017 and is passionate about making the voices of financial counselling clients heard to ensure gaps in consumer protections are closed, or improved where they are weak. Lody is grateful to be participating in the 2023 CFA Mentorship Program and developing her skills, confidence and effectiveness working as a consumer advocate.
Martina is a proud Bunuba woman from the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley Region. She is currently working and living in Townsville, North Queensland on Wulgurukaba and Bindal land.
Martina has been a financial counsellor for 10 years, working with vulnerable and at risk clients. She is passionate about empowering her clients and supporting them through the toughest times of their lives.
This mentorship program has given Martina a lot more confidence in supporting her clients further, advocating for change on a systemic and policy level and given her lots of new goals and aspirations she would like to accomplish in the future.
Shane Foyster is currently a Solicitor with North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). He has worked in community and public services for 15 years, including at Community Legal Centres, in the Housing and Homelessness Sector and investigating breaches of consumer protection laws for Consumer Affairs Victoria. Shane wants to contribute to community solutions that solve complex problems in our society such as poverty, homelessness and lack of services to regional and remote areas in Australia.
Rosie is Deputy Director at Super Consumers Australia. She helps manage SCA’s operations and leads a team of researchers who conduct economic analysis and consumer research to inform superannuation policy debates and demystify super for consumers.
Rosie is committed to making sure the superannuation and financial services systems work for consumers. She is fascinated by the intersection of the complex financial system and the day-to-day lives of every Australian. Prior to Super Consumers, Rosie worked at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as Senior Manager in ASIC’s superannuation team and as adviser to the ASIC Chair. She started her career as a private practice superannuation lawyer.
Rosie graduated first in the Masters of Law and Finance at the University of Oxford, and has degrees in law and economics from the University of Sydney. Her Masters dissertation on ‘product regulation’ in financial services was awarded the Banking and Financial Services Law Association Research Prize.
If you have any questions or inquiries about the mentoring program please email us at mentoring@consumersfederation.org.au.