FinTech Australia strengthens Board with new board appointments
Chair of FinTech Australia, Sarah Gorman and CEO of FinTech Australia, Rehan D’Almeida
FinTech Australia has announced several new board members following its Annual General Meeting. The new appointments are part of FA’s agenda as the industry embarks on its next wave of evolution and growth.
Jodi Ross, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Tiimely
Jodie Imam, Co-founder and CEO at Tractor Ventures
Jodi Ross, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Tiimely, is a recognised leader driving consumer empowerment through regulatory and technology innovation. She brings more than 20 years' experience in lending, competition, regulatory frameworks, compliance, law and risk management, including senior roles spanning the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Commonwealth Treasury. Jodi's expertise in AI-driven lending technologies along with the Consumer Data Right regime boosts the Association's regulatory and lending expertise.
Jodie Imam, Co-founder and CEO at Tractor Ventures, was appointed by the Board in a casual vacancy. Jodie brings more than 20 years’ experience in entrepreneurship, venture capital and alternative revenue based financing models for tech-enabled companies including roles with Tractor, the fastest growing fintech and the 11th fastest growing startup in the Australian Financial Review’s Fast 100 list in 2023. She has also held roles at SBE Australia, Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship, Startmate and Innovation Bay. Jodie is also an active mentor across various programs and accelerators, and in addition is non-executive director at Private Media.
Chair of FinTech Australia Sarah Gorman said: “Australia’s fintech ecosystem has never been stronger and that’s evident in the strong field of candidates, all women, that nominated in 2024. I want to commend all the excellent candidates that put themselves forward for the role, who regardless of the result we will aim to involve more deeply in the organisation's operations in the future.”
“Both Jodi and Jodie bring a wealth of experience and differentiated expertise to the Board, as we grow the value we deliver to our members. Whether that’s supporting our members to help unlock funding;supporting our members on their own growth journey, or how we grow our policy impact against a complex and evolving regulatory environment.”
CEO of FinTech Australia, Rehan D’Almeida added: “FinTech Australia’s board is a brains trust for our association. Not only do they manage our governance, but they proactively ensure that we maintain our positions as the most trusted and independent voice of the fintech industry. I look forward to working with both Jodie and Jodi in helping the organisation better represent its members and address some of the key challenges facing the fintech sector.”
The appointments come after a year of successes for Fintech Australia (across policy advocacy, events and key initiatives), including creating access for fintechs to work with banks through the Banking Reverse Pitch and with Government by opening up the tender participation with the NSW Treasury. FinTech Australia also concluded the year with the success of its flagship conference, well attended by political leaders, and supporting international missions to Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Ross and Imam join existing board members:
Sarah Gorman, Head of Growth & Marketing at DAS, Chair of FinTech Australia
Brian Collins, General Partner and Co-Founder of Triple Bubble, Deputy Chair of Fintech Australia
Christian Westerlind Wigstrom, Founder and CEO of Monoova, Treasurer of FinTech Australia who has been reappointed for a second term
Vinnie D'Alessandro, Founder at Raishio
Dominic Pym, Co-Founder of Up, Euphemia
Michael Saadat, International Head of Public Policy at Block; along with non-executive directors
Harry Godber, Head of Policy and Strategy, Tech Council Australia
Cathryn Lyall, Partner, Seed Space VC and Director at Swyftx.
FinTech Australia’s board members are selected from the ecosystem to help govern the peak body’s decision making and ensure it represents the best interests of the fintech industry. Board members are elected through a nomination and voting process by members. Casual members and non-executive board positions can be appointed directly by the board.
About FinTech Australia
FinTech Australia is the not-for-profit peak industry body for the Australian fintech sector, representing over 400 fintech companies and startups across the nation. Fintech Australia’s vision is to make Australia the leading market for fintech Innovation and Investment by working with both sides of government, industry and the Australian FinTech community to create a supportive environment and partner ecosystem in Australia and abroad.
