6 minute read
State finalists
2022
The Young Credit Professional of the Year Award (YCPA) program is the largest and most prestigious Young Credit Award program in Australia and provides a great opportunity for young Credit Professionals to gain recognition both for themselves and their employer.
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AICM is proud of our YCP award that started in our Western Australian division 32 years ago and was adopted at a national level in 1997. The award and its recipients are held in the highest regard by all credit professionals and can be found in influential senior positions within the industry.
By entering the YCPA program and discussing their career achievements and ambitions participants gain both valuable insight to the potential for
their future advancement and support from other young Credit Professionals and experienced Credit Practitioners.
Thanks again to our event sponsors Credit Clear and CreditorWatch.
Congratulations to the state winners, who will now participate in the national YCPA judging in November.
Each of the divisional winners receives: $1000 to spend on AICM professional development to use within 12 months.
The national winner will be announced during the National Conference in Brisbane and will receive the above, plus $1000 cash and $2000 in AICM professional development.
Let’s meet our division winners...
QUEENSLAND Lachlan Poulus MICM
Senior Risk and Compliance Analyst PRA Group
SUMMARY:
The judges had an extremely difficult decision selecting a 2022 winner from such a strong group of candidates. Never has QLD received so many applications and was a challenge selecting these top 6 finalists.
Lachlan was an engaging candidate and an extremely passionate credit professional. His knowledge was evident in his confidence and strong ability to speak to the questions without pause for thought or delay. One of the key points when selecting a winner for the judges was how they will contribute to driving industry change, challenge the norms and impart knowledge through ongoing mentorship.
Lachlan demonstrated his problem-solving abilities and held clear views on how improvements within his business and the industry as a whole can be implemented. He is already working with industry bodies to voice his views.
The judges were impressed with Lachlan’s customer-centric approach, and how he prides himself on such a high quality of work and values his customers. The judges are confident that Lachlan will do well at the Nationals in October and will be a great role model for future young professionals.
3 FACTS/ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. Lachlan is proud to be the key person implementing a GRC system and PRA Group
Australia at 23 years old. 2. Lachlan led a regulatory change project for modern slavery, design and distribution obligations, breach reporting and dispute resolution requirements. 3. Lachlan is a starting player for the Division 1 Bethel City football club.
STATE FINALISTS
SOUTH AUSSTRALIA Clare Venema MICM CCE
Credit Management Officer People’s Choice Credit Union
SUMMARY:
Clare presented well, showed great confidence in her answers and impressed the judges with her achievements thus far. Not only does she have a broad understanding of issues in her current and past roles but was able to identify a multitude of real-life examples to address the questions by the judges.
One of the key points when selecting a winner for the judges was how they will contribute to driving industry change, challenge the norms and impart knowledge through ongoing mentorship. Clare is clearly passionate about the credit industry and her role in it.
She demonstrated her ongoing involvement in the industry and has a desire to contribute to the growth of the AICM into the future and engage young people in credit. Clare is a worthy representative of the division for the National YCP.
3 FACTS/ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. Clare is proud of gaining the achievement of CCE 2. Clare is currently serving as Vice President, minute taker and Councilor of Media for the SA
Division Council. 3. In Clare’s spare time she enjoys going to the gym and enjoys indulging in true crime podcasts.
Young Credit Professional of the Year
VICTORIA/TASMANIA Maddison Basso MICM
Underwriting Team Lead Moula
SUMMARY:
Maddi was enthusiastic and loved the opportunity to be in front of the judges. Her passion for credit and responsible lending to help businesses thrive is clearly evident, and her hunger to learn from credit professionals around her early on in her career has served her well in her various roles and recent promotion after just 12 months of employment.
One of the key points when selecting a winner for the judges was how they will contribute to driving industry change, challenge the norms and impart knowledge through ongoing mentorship. Maddi demonstrated foresight and a healthy curiosity about how the credit industry is changing.
She has first-hand experience of the role of AI, introducing us to ‘Hector’, an AI driven analytical tool that reduced the time it would have traditionally taken to analyze data on a file from 1 hour to 1 minute. Yet acknowledging that such technology wouldn’t ultimately replace humans, just free them from the more mundane tasks so they could make better use of their time.
She demonstrated a clear understanding of credit risk and data science, knowing how to assess and interpret financial data whilst taking into consideration the impact of the external environment and balancing small business hardship. Maddi’s genuine communication style and interest in upskilling her team were demonstrated in her interview and proved she is a great role model for young professionals.
3 FACTS/ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. Maddi was recently promoted to Credit Team Leader. 2. She won the CEO’s Choice Top Performer Award in August 2020. 3. Maddi is currently studying for a Diploma of Business.
STATE FINALISTS
NEW SOUTH WALES James Mason
Financial Analyst WISR
SUMMARY:
All judges were unanimous in the decision of selecting James as the 2022 NSW winner. James responded to the judge’s questions phenomenally well and came across as very professional and polished.
James was the stand-out candidate and appreciated the opportunity to be in front of the judges. James displayed a passion for credit, AI and automation and acknowledged how these tools can be leveraged to improve business outcomes.
His manager, Joanne Edwards explained that James’ eagerness to learn, develop his skills, and continue his training has encouraged his upwards movement within the company. He is also incredibly dedicated to his personal development and studies.
James holds strengths in stakeholder relationship management and acts as the central point of data, supplying business performance data to the operational functions and business executives, including Wisr’s Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer. He is an integral part of his team and organisation and contributes to Wisr’s continuous growth trajectory.
3 FACTS/ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. James spent 6 months early in his career becoming a master of Power BI, before the business ended up changing to Tableau (which meant he got to start the learning process all over again)! 2. James is currently participating in the CFA program, patiently awaiting the results of his
Level 1 exam. 3. In James’s spare time he plays AFL for Sydney Uni, however he has managed to tear his
ACL, so now has taken up the role of assistant coach.
