Avant Growth Academy

Annabel Herron

Risk Adviser, Avant

Annabel has been a risk adviser at Avant’s Brisbane office for over 10 years. She assists doctors and practices by providing risk assessments, risk education, risk management and prevention strategies.

Annabel has worked in Healthcare for over 35 years. Her experience includes general nursing, nurse education and operating theatre nursing in both public and private adult and paediatric facilities. She has also worked in education and management roles within commercial healthcare medical device companies.

Marianna Kelly

Risk Adviser & Quality Assurance Manager, Avant
Mast Risk Mgt, RN, Grad Dip Disp Mgt, Dip Prac Mgt, Accredited Mediator

Marianna assists members through the provision of medico-legal advice, risk assessments and the development and implementation of risk management strategies. Marianna’s qualifications include Masters in Risk Management (Monash) and her experience includes general and midwifery nursing, managing large medical practices, consulting to medical practices including general practice, varying medical specialties, universities, developing dispute systems, mediation services and lecturing in practice management.

Angela Mason

Risk Adviser, Avant

Angela is a Risk Adviser with Avant, she has extensive experience managing practices of various disciplines and sizes. A past State and National AAPM President, Fellow, Life Member & Certified Practice Manager. Angela has experience as a Board Member and expert committee member for multiple bodies in healthcare.

Angela has experience as an accreditation surveyor and as an assessor and trainer for University of New England Partnerships, she is a Registered Nurse with a Post Grad Certificate in Nursing Management, a Diploma in Practice Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Angela has a history of commitment to ensuring health care is delivered safely with quality outcomes in a financially viable environment that is a desirable place in which to work.

Michael Mobberley

Senior Associate, Avant Law

Michael is a Senior Associate in Avant Law's Estate Planning & Probate team, based in Sydney. He is an Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates and holds a Masters in Commercial, Corporate and Taxation Law.

He regularly advises on succession law matters, helping both individuals and businesses safeguard their future through the use of Wills, Powers of Attorney and shareholder/unitholder agreements.

Michael has a breadth of experience in assisting individuals in deceased estate matters including applying for probate, contesting and defending Wills and handling complex assets such as SMSFs, trusts and business interests. 

Ben Ryan

Senior Associate, Avant Law

Ben is a Senior Associate in the commercial and corporate law practice at Avant Law, based in Brisbane. Ben has been working with health practitioners and medical practices since 2013.

Working primarily on commercial structuring, dispute resolution and intellectual property matters to help clients achieve strategic and commercially sensible results. He pursued a career in law to provide reliable and honest support to those in need of legal assistance and enjoys working with clients to develop solutions-oriented legal strategy and advice. Ben is a trusted adviser to the industry and regularly presents on commercial issues faced in private practice.

David Williams

General Manager New Ventures, Avant Practice Solutions

David is a Neurologist, and founder of Avant Practice Solutions practice services division. An Avant member since 1995 he developed his interest in medical practice management while establishing his own, multi-site specialist practice in Melbourne.

With a knack for solving problems for doctors in private practice, David has spearheaded the Avant Practice Solutions business, taking Virtual Reception Services, VoiceBox Intelligent Transcription, the Billings+ Platform and offsite Practice Management to doctors' practices throughout Australia. He continues to practice as a neurologist and contribute academically as Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Monash University.

Pierre Citta

Business Development Manager, Doctors’ Health Fund

With over two years of industry experience, Pierre Citta (Business Development Manager) exemplifies the dedication and passion Doctors' Health Fund has for supporting the healthcare landscape.  

Through personable networking skills, he is able to provide you with enhanced access to quality health insurance policies explicitly tailored for doctors, their families and community.  Pierre's commitment, dedication and consideration of private healthcare intricacies enables quality assistance to our members, providing peace of mind.  Our members feel they are covered and are able to focus what they do best, caring for others.

Chris Smeed

CEO and Co-Founder, Cubiko
Founder and Director, Halo Connect

Chris Smeed is a dynamic leader in the healthcare industry, known for his innovative vision and commitment to improving practice life. He is the CEO and co-founder of Cubiko, a Brisbane-based software startup that provides an innovative platform for Practices to gain valuable insights into their business and operations. With his extensive experience in practice management and support roles, Chris has been passionate about harnessing the power of practice data for the last seven years.

In 2022, Chris founded Halo Connect, a healthcare technology company that aims to solve the interoperability crisis. His deep commitment to improving healthcare has driven his entrepreneurial pursuits and he strives to make a positive impact on the industry.

Prior to his ventures, Chris served as the Director of Finance and Business Development at Inala Primary Care (IPC), a prominent not-for-profit healthcare organisation. During his tenure, he pushed the boundaries of quality services available to underserved communities. Chris was also a former co-surveyor for AGPAL and held director positions in several companies in both the not-for-profit and commercial startup space.

With a clear vision for the future of healthcare, Chris is dedicated to making a positive impact on the industry through his innovative ventures. His entrepreneurial pursuits are fuelled by his passion for improving healthcare and creating a healthier practice life for all.

Jarrod Bramble

Managing Partner, Cutcher & Neale
BCom, FCA, CTA, Dip FS(FP), SSA

Jarrod is dedicated to building strong partnerships with his clients. He takes the time to understand their unique goals and motivations so he can provide them with personalised wealth management advice. This commitment to innovation earned him the Innovative Partner of the Year award in 2019. He even developed the "At Risk, At Wealth" concept to offer clients effective strategies for building and protecting their wealth.

Jarrod's passion for helping medical professionals extends beyond wealth management. He has developed programs like WealthStart and Australian Medical Benchmarks specifically to address the financial needs of doctors throughout their careers, from the early stages of practice to retirement planning. His expertise allows him to guide clients through every step of their financial journey.

Jarrod is a recognised leader in the field, sharing his knowledge as a sought-after speaker at industry events for organisations like the AMA (NSW) and as a contributor to publications like NSW Doctor.

Stuart Chan

Partner, Cutcher & Neale
BCom, CA, G Dip FP, Dip FMB Management, MFAA Accredited Member

Working closely with his clients to better understand their personal and financial circumstances, Stuart's aim is to help clients achieve their goals. Drawing on years of experience, Stuart enjoys explaining and implementing wealth creation strategies such as effective tax structuring and debt reduction whilst not losing sight of the important objective of protecting those hard-earned assets.

Stuart takes a holistic approach with his clients, allowing him to consider many aspects of clients' finances including their practice/business arrangements, investment strategies and retirement planning (including superannuation) and family considerations.

Stuart has been with Cutcher & Neale since 2009 and is a Partner of our Specialist Medical Services division, providing specialised accounting and financial services to both medical and dental professionals, in addition to providing specialist advisory services to private clients and businesses.

He is a regular presenter of training programs for professional organisations including the AMA (NSW), the AAPM and many other associations and medical colleges.

Steven Macarounas

Program Director, Avant Growth Academy

Steven has been advising doctors for over 37 years and is a pioneer of medico-specialist business, financial and lifestyle education.

He founded The Private Practice platform in 2008 working with a long list of medical colleges, societies and associations to deliver comprehensive training to thousands of Australian doctors on the business of medicine, as well as financial and lifestyle planning.

Having recently completed the sale of The Private Practice to a major financial institution, Steven continues to deliver on his passion for helping doctors build business and financial lives that inform and optimise their quality of life – most notably through co-founding the South African Health Business Academy in 2023 and, in collaboration with Avant, to develop the Avant Growth Academy and deliver the inaugural program of courses and retreats in August 2024.

Monique is a Specialist Medical Senior Adviser responsible for delivering wealth management solutions to Perpetual Wealth Management’s medical clients in Queensland.

Drawing on over a decade of experience, Monique has built an extensive knowledge base and skill set across self-managed superannuation funds, retirement planning, insurance, investment, estate planning, and aged care advice. Her previous experience includes roles at AMP Financial planning and Avant Mutual’s Doctors Wealth Management division.

Monique’s core focus is developing long-term wealth creation and protection strategies that align with her clients long-term personal, financial and business goals. She understands that doctors lead busy lives and aims to make complex financial situations simple.

Monique has a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), Bachelor of Economics (International Trade & Finance), Master of Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Phill is the Partner for Perpetual Wealth Management’s National Medical Segment.

He is responsible for the development, oversight and implementation of the national advice strategy and capability for medical specialists.

Phill has specialised in providing financial advice to healthcare professionals since 1989, with the first 18 years of his career being in the UK, before emigrating to Australia with his family in 2008.

Phill’s expertise extends across a broad range of financial matters including superannuation (including SMSFs), investment strategies, personal and business risk management, as well as debt management. As a regular presenter at Business and Financial Lifestyle courses for Medical Specialists across the country, he takes his role as a financial mentor, coach and educator very seriously and his relationships with his clients are collaborative ones, characterised by the aim of helping his clients achieve their desired lifestyle.

Andrew is a Specialist Medical Senior Adviser, commencing his financial services career in 2003. He is responsible for delivering wealth management solutions to Perpetual Wealth Management’s medical clients in South Australia and Tasmania.

Andrew specialises in providing advice to medical specialists, including superannuation strategies (including advice on defined benefit schemes), salary sacrifice, insurance and transition to retirement. He has a wealth of experience advising clients in the healthcare sector and understands the complex nature of the superannuation relationship between public and private practice, industry and government funds and the needs of his clients.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). Andrew is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with the Financial Advice Association Australia and is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board as a Tax (Financial) Adviser.

Rey is a Specialist Medical Senior Adviser responsible for delivering wealth management solutions to Perpetual Wealth Management’s medical clients in Victoria and Tasmania.

Rey’s career in financial services commenced in 2008 and he has extensive experience providing advice to medical and high net worth clients across wealth creation, asset structuring, investments and tax strategies.

Having held senior roles with two of Australia’s largest private banking advisory firms, with the specific responsibility of delivering investment solutions, Rey has an extensive background in managing the often complex needs of medical specialists.

Rey has a strong technical background and has presented product analysis and recommendations to board and executive levels and is passionate about the simplification of providing financial advice through the use of technology and forming long-lasting, trust-based relationships with his clients.

Rey holds a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, Masters Degree in Financial Planning and is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia.

Rob Khamas

Rob Khamas, CEO, REND Tech Associates

Rob Khamas is well-known in Australia as the CEO and founder of REND Tech Associates, a leading provider of Healthcare IT that today offers a nationwide solution to healthcare professionals, clinics, specialists and government organisations.

Rob has also contributed articles to a wide range of publications in a bid to inform healthcare professionals on the ways technology can benefit their businesses. Rob has over twelve years’ experience working within the IT sector, specifically within the healthcare industry.

Rob is an energetic and influential leader, with strong analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills. He has a track record of developing businesses and leading change, delivering year on year growth and strong financial performance.

Jason is an experienced business consultant and marketing manager with over 26 years of commercial and leadership experience across the Healthcare, FMCG, Education, and Professional Services industries world wide.

Mr Borody has presented at Australian and international events for the AMA, RACGP, AGPAL, Medtech, CPA Australia, Avant, The Private Practice, Banks and corporate groups. As a business leader, consultant, and educator with a specialisation in the Healthcare Industry and a proven track record of helping both small and large businesses, Jason often presents on how to scale practices, refine service quality, and optimise performance.

Belinda Hudson

Director, William Buck

Belinda has extensive knowledge in relation to the medical and allied health industries covering all areas of general and specialist practices. In addition, Belinda provides advice in tax planning, service trusts, income tax and wealth creation strategies for individual practitioners as well as their practices.  Belinda is a regular presenter for several medical associations and has authored relevant articles for various journals.

“I prefer a practical approach to problems to provide optimal outcomes”

A legal background has provided Ben with the skillset and knowledge to interpret complex tax issues and deliver quality advice. “I prefer a practical approach to problems to provide optimal outcomes,” said Ben.

Attention to detail and listening helps him relate to his clients and their individual situations. “Understanding my clients businesses and circumstances allows me to educate and advise them on making better business decisions,” he explains.

As a Principal in our Business Advisory division, Ben advises small to medium-sized businesses in various industries; however, he is particularly passionate about and experienced in the Health, Property and Child care industries. Ben is highly skilled at tax advice preparation, financial analysis, financial reporting, valuations and strategic advice.

With over 10 years of experience with medical clients, and six years in the property and development sector, delivering client advice in a holistic approach is of the utmost importance to Ben, and he has developed many strong client relationships based on this strategy. He also believes that anticipating his clients’ needs and being proactive is fundamental.

With over 15 years’ experience in the industry, Vanessa is known for her trusted expertise and attention to detail. Specialising in healthcare practitioners, family office, and property taxation, Vanessa is sought after for her technical acumen, and her ability to identify and solve problems before they occur.

“Exceeding client expectations is my top priority”

Among her clients and business partners, Julie has a reputation for quality work and reliability, developed through her strong organisational skills and emphasis on meeting client needs.

As a long-distance runner, Julie is goal-oriented and driven by results, attributes that carry over to her professional career. “My aim is to always exceed client expectations and deliver on promises,” says Julie. “It’s important to me to be known as a person who does what they say they’re going to do”.

As a Director in the Business Advisory division, Julie has specialised knowledge in relation to the Medical and Dental industries, as well as Family Succession and Asset Structuring and is a Divorce and Separation specialist. Julie assists clients in all areas of general and specialist practices, assisting them with their accounting, tax and business advisory requirements.

Having gained a wealth of knowledge and experience working for accounting firms in Brisbane, Sydney and New Zealand, Julie provides meaningful advice on general tax and strategic business planning including: establishment, structuring, asset protection, family wealth protection and growth strategies.