Professional Overview
Maria Lykouras is the Chief Executive Officer of JBWere Australia, appointed to this role in July 2022. With an extensive background exceeding 23 years in the financial services sector, Maria’s tenure in executive leadership further solidifies her reputation as a highly respected industry professional.
Career History and Experience
Maria’s journey before joining JBWere includes notable positions at major financial institutions:
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA): Over 10 years in leadership, culminating in her role as General Manager, CommPrivate Advice Business.
- Positions in strategic risk, compliance, and advisory roles at BT Financial Group, Count Financial, Australia Skandia, ipac, and Citibank.
Maria has been instrumental in delivering sustainable growth, ensuring strong risk and governance practices, and driving productivity improvements across wealth management divisions.
Leadership and Achievements
- First female Head of JBWere in the firm’s 182-year history.
- Acknowledged for her contributions towards financial empowerment for women, Maria actively promotes increased participation and wealth creation among women, as reflected in her leadership of JBWere’s initiatives like the "Growth of Women and Wealth" whitepaper.
- Finalist for the ‘WiBF (Women in Banking and Finance) Award for Achievement in Private Wealth’ in 2024, recognizing her leadership and influence in the industry.
- Featured prominently in high-profile engagements and discussions about wealth management and women’s financial empowerment, including the Forbes Australia Q&A and several high-visibility LinkedIn posts addressing themes such as wealth advice and legacy culture.
Recent Initiatives and Public Engagements
- Participated in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2024, reflecting her community engagement and charitable interests.
- Commended for leading initiatives and hosting events, such as the flagship screening event at the Dolce & Gabbana store in Melbourne for JBWere and NAB Private Wealth clients.
- Is an active voice on LinkedIn, sharing insights and company updates that underscore her commitment to client experience and business growth.
- Recently took on the role of Judging Panel and Advisory Committee member for the Financial Newswire/Emerge Foundation Women in Wealth Awards 2024, highlighting her influence and thought leadership in the industry.
Educational Background and Qualifications
The specific details of Maria’s educational background are not documented in the provided data. However, her career trajectory and leadership roles suggest a high level of expertise and capability in financial management and executive leadership.
Relevant Publications and Media Appearances
- Authored a whitepaper titled "The Growth of Women and Wealth", emphasizing her commitment to addressing the financial needs and growth opportunities for high-net-worth women.
- Featured in Kay & Burton discussing data and trends relating to high-net-worth women’s financial preferences.
- Appointed to share expert insights for the Economic Outlook on The Luxury Report’s YouTube channel.
Insights for Engagement
- Focus Areas: Wealth management, financial empowerment for women, risk governance, productivity in wealth advisory.
- Potential Interests: Collaborative efforts in financial services innovations, strategies for sustainable growth and longevity in wealth management, and initiatives aimed at further enhancing women’s financial roles.
- Opportunities for Collaboration: Given Maria’s leadership role and advocacy for women’s financial empowerment, strategic discussions around innovative products tailored for female clientele could be of interest. Engaging with her on topics like sustainable finance, philanthropic advisory, and private wealth management can align well with her professional insights and company objectives.
By understanding her comprehensive career background and current executive responsibilities, there is a considerable opportunity to align sales strategies with Maria Lykouras’s vision and leadership at JBWere.
