FPA names first 2022 winner of Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award


The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced Melbourne-based Senior Advice Compliance Analyst Danica Lozada of Industry Fund Services, as the first 2022 winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award. 

Named after the late ‘First Lady of Financial Planning’, the award recognises the highest performing student in the CFP® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice.

Ms Lozada said the CFP® Certification Program was challenging, but the course materials were well designed to connect with her practical experience. 

“The feeling of getting that CFP® designation is so special because I had put so much work into the course, but to get the award was really the icing on the cake,” Ms Lozada said.

Ms Lozada completed a Bachelor of Business and started studying for the CFP® Certification Program when she was working as a financial planner in 2018. After a career break overseas, she resumed the program in 2020 while working as a senior advice compliance analyst.

“I really appreciated the practical aspects of the CFP® Certification Program because those real-life experiences are so helpful, whether you are providing advice or doing the work that I do now in reviewing advice,” Ms Lozada said. 

“Completing full certification opens up a range of career opportunities including a possible return to providing client advice and removing financial stress from peoples’ lives, which was a key motivation to become a financial planner,” she said.  

“Having lived in multiple countries, a certification that is recognised worldwide is really important to me.

“The CFP designation is also prestigious within the profession so achieving it sets me apart from others in my field.”

Research by CoreData for the FPA found 9 in 10 consumers say they trust a CFP professional to deliver reliable and valuable advice when compared to other professionals.

FPA CEO, Sarah Abood, congratulated Mrs Lozada on her win: “I would like to congratulate Danica on her achievement and to formally recognise her ongoing commitment to Gwen Fletcher’s legacy of advancing the financial planning profession through education and higher professional standards. 

“The FPA is pleased to hear positive feedback around the CFP® Certification Program, particularly around the practical application. The program equips financial planners with the skills to deliver the highest quality of advice to Australian consumers,” concludes Ms Abood. 

The CFP® designation is the only financial planning designation recognised globally, with over 203,000 CFP professionals worldwide – an increase of 5.5% over last year. It is a symbol of excellence for financial planners who are actively committed through higher education and accountability to adhering to world-class professional and ethical standards. The CFP® designation offers financial planning professionals a way to differentiate themselves in the profession. 

For more information and to apply for the CFP® Certification Program, visit fpa.com.au/cfp