The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has announced the 2025 round of its ReCALIbrate program, opening applications for $10,000 in grants aimed at women working in financial risk advice.
The initiative, now in its third year, will distribute five grants of $2,000 each to women advisers who write risk, enabling them to attend the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress in Perth from Nov. 18-20.
The grants are intended to help recipients cover a range of costs associated with attending the event, including travel, accommodation, childcare, and registration fees.
CALI has stated that the expansion of the program this year reflects a commitment to investing in the professional growth of women in the advice sector.
“Every grant has proven to be an investment in the future of advice, which makes this year even more exciting as we have broadened the value of the ReCALIbrate program to include more opportunities to connect and network,” said Christine Cupitt, CEO of CALI.
Alongside financial support, this year’s ReCALIbrate recipients will gain access to CALI’s women’s executive network for mentoring and professional development.
The program also offers a social media and press toolkit to help advisers build their professional profiles, priority recommendations for speaking roles at industry events, and a complimentary ticket to CALI’s 2026 annual conference.
An exclusive networking session with CALI leaders and previous ReCALIbrate recipients will be held in Perth, with all shortlisted candidates invited if they attend the Congress at their own expense.
Cupitt noted that CALI’s research highlights the importance of women having strong financial safety nets and that women advisers are well positioned to address knowledge gaps and foster diversity in the sector.
“Every step we take to amplify women advisers’ visibility, networks, and confidence builds stronger careers and a stronger future for the advice profession,” she said.
Sarah Abood, CEO of the FAAA, encouraged eligible advisers to apply for the grant.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to be supported to attend the FAAA Congress, which is all about growth, connection, and ideas. ReCALIbrate ensures women in risk advice are right there, engaging in what it means to be ahead of the curve,” she said.
Nicole Bendeich, a financial risk adviser at Calibre Life and a previous ReCALIbrate recipient, described how the program has influenced her career trajectory.
“With ReCALIbrate, CALI made an investment in my development. It has reminded me that the future of advice needs more diverse, real, and relatable voices. CALI’s program gently nudged me into opportunities I never thought I’d put my hand up for. It’s led to meaningful mentorships, new collaborations, and real momentum in areas I used to exclude myself from,” she said.
Samantha Greene, a financial adviser at Greene Financial, also received a grant last year. Reflecting on her experience, she said the ReCALIbrate program motivated her to attend an event she might have otherwise missed.
“Being surrounded by a group of passionate, like-minded advisers made the FAAA Congress feel instantly more accessible. I came away with a bigger perspective, fresh energy, and conversations I’m still thinking about,” she said.
Applications for the 2025 ReCALIbrate grants are open until Sept. 21. CALI encourages all eligible women advisers to submit applications through its website.
In 2024, the program awarded grants to:
“Each of these incredible women has a unique story to tell, and through their work, they provide essential peace of mind for people, especially other women, during life’s biggest challenges,” Cupitt said.
