As another International Women’s Day rolls around, it’s timely to celebrate the progress made towards gender equality and reflect on further changes that need to happen. In this article we speak with our senior female leaders to hear their thoughts on building a successful career in the industry and what changes they hope for future women.
Background
This year marks 115 years of International Women’s Day, and while there is still work to be done in championing women, certainly significant progress has been made since its inception in 1911. This year’s theme is ‘Give to Gain’, which emphasises the power of reciprocity and support.
It’s widely recognised how underrepresented females are within the finance and banking sector, even though the proportion of women in the workforce almost reached parity with men, according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). Figures compiled by WGEA show women comprising 47.2% of the Australian workforce and men are only slightly higher at 52.8%.
The number of women in senior roles within ASX-listed companies is also underrepresented. In fact, the 2025 Senior Executive Census compiled by Chief Executive Women and released in September last year shows there are only 27 women CEOs in ASX 300 companies, up only two from 2024. It also shows 80 per cent of CEO pipeline roles are held by men, and a quarter of companies went backwards in senior women’s representation.
These are unwelcome figures, although progress has been made in closing the gender pay-gap with calculations compiled by the Financy Women’s Index for the June Quarter last year revealing the pay-gap had fallen to a record low of 11.5 per cent. That’s something worth celebrating.
While additional work needs to be done to improve the overall number of women in leadership and senior roles within the finance sector, there are two women in senior roles at FIIG that we caught up with to discuss how they’ve achieved success within the industry.
Following FIIG’s acquisition in 2025 by AUSIEX, FIIG’s Head of Marketing, Sarah Lepelaar was appointed to Head of Marketing at AUSIEX- a significant promotion encompassing both brands. The acquisition also meant Kerensa Argyriou, as General Manager of Finance at AUSIEX, also became responsible for the financial stewardship of FIIG- no light undertaking.
Both women discuss how they’ve carved out a successful role in financial markets and what further progress needs to be made to improve gender equality.
The building blocks
Both women are from very different faculties (accounting and marketing), and their broad-based skills could see them work in any industry, however both mention it was their interest and fascination with financial markets that saw them attracted to the industry.
This also shows a finance discipline isn’t necessary to find opportunities within the industry, but rather a skillset that is transferrable. Noting a paper released from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) last January aptly titled “Where have all of the Economic Students Gone?”, reveals a drop in female students (as well as overall student numbers) studying Economics in university. Which may attribute to a drop in females seeking roles within financial markets.
As Kerensa points out it’s important to ‘back yourself early’, “rather than trying to tick every qualification or tick every box before putting your hand up for the opportunities”. She makes the point that confidence compounds just like capital does.
Another key to success irrespective of the role according to Sarah is “gaining a broad understanding of how businesses work and how your role contributes to business”. She adds, “don’t stop growing and learning”.
Supporting women
Further improvements to gender inequality in the finance sector won’t be made by women alone, in fact it’s men that will play a pivotal role in making these changes (noting males mostly hold the decision-making roles).
It’s also telling that both women note the support from male leaders that encouraged them to move into roles when they doubted themselves. As Sarah recalls, “my last four leaders, who were all men, have had a key role to empowering me”. Kerensa echoes this, saying it was the belief in her capability and potential from leaders that gave her the confidence to step-up.
In an effort to attract and retain female employees, companies need to continue to introduce initiatives that support the flexibility that is needed to juggle work and personal commitments. Noting WGEA data shows 71.8% of women identify as a primary carer, compared to only 28% of men.
Both women note the initiatives FIIG and AUSIEX have undertaken to support the balancing-act that pre-dominantly sits with women. Kerensa believes the flexible work practices and performance frameworks support everyone in the business, which is also what Sarah mentions as a key point to working at FIIG/AUSIEX. “The company supports hybrid working but also celebrating women too”, she adds.
Both Sarah and Kerensa agree they’d like to see further (and fast) progress on genuine gender balance across financial services. While also pointing out the need to improve the underrepresented numbers discussed earlier in this piece, of women in executive leadership roles (and board roles also).
Give to gain
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Give to gain’ had both Kerensa and Sarah reflecting on the role leadership plays in achieving better gender equality. Sarah recalls a quote from Simon Sinek, author and inspirational speaker, who said “Leadership is not about being in charge, but about taking care of those in your charge and creating conditions for people to do their best work”. While Kerensa poignantly adds that “leadership carries responsibility”.
Both Sarah and Kerensa lead and manage larger teams within FIIG/AUSIEX, conscious of upskilling and inspiring those who work under them. Sarah reflects on the best career advice she has been given and hopes to instil it within her team, “celebrate the wins” she shares. She’s referring to promoting the wins and successes personally to track personal progress.
While Kerensa lives by the adage “find something you genuinely enjoy doing”. She explains “when you enjoy the work itself, success tends to follow”. She ends with “push yourself to improve”. Which could very well be the theme for next year’s International Women’s Day.