The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has launched a program aimed at supporting mid-career female financial risk advisers. 

The inaugural ReCALIbrate program will provide $2000 grants to five candidates to attend the November 20-22 Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress in Adelaide. 

CALI says it is important for the peak body to play a role in fostering the next generation of female financial risk advisers to ensure a pipeline of talent and leadership while also addressing the decreasing number of financial advisers in Australia. 

“Men outnumber women at industry conferences for many reasons, including juggling family and carer responsibilities with day-to-day work. We want to do more to create opportunities for women in our industry,” CALI CEO Christine Cupitt said. 

“CALI is passionate about finding ways to make life insurance more inclusive so that our industry reflects the community we serve.” 

FAAA CEO Sarah Abood has welcomed the CALI initiative. 

“We applaud CALI’s ReCALIbrate initiative and have a shared desire to encourage engagement among female financial risk advisers and foster the next generation of female talent,” Ms Abood said. 

“We look forward to welcoming the ReCALIbrate recipients to the FAAA Congress in November.” 

As part of the program’s long term focus, each ReCALIbrate recipient will be paired with a senior female life insurance industry leader and have the opportunity to have two in-person or virtual meetings. 

“The purpose of these meetings will be to provide a forum for mentorship, learning, support and advice,” CALI says.