Your Dream Team

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Your Team

With the right motivation and great financial advice anyone can achieve their dreams.

And that is why our team of financial advisers are YOUR biggest allies in your journey to financial freedom.

WHAT MAKES US AWESOME

AWARD-WINNING TEAM

MOTIVATED & GENUINE

FUN & INSPIRING

PROFESSIONAL

SAM ROBINSON

Pursue Wealth Director & Financial Adviser

Describe your perfect day off?

I would definitely start my perfect day with an early morning walk to my favourite café in South Melbourne for breaky, then with a takeaway coffee in hand head to the markets to get some fresh fruit, veggies and a bunch of beautiful flowers. I would then go home and make a nice light lunch followed by a bike ride along the beach before some music and reading in the afternoon. All topped off with some drinks with friends in the arvo, listening to live music and watching the sun go down as we share some tapas- PERFECT!

What's your next adventure?

Whether a safari in Africa, cooking spaghetti in Italy, chasing waterfalls throughout Asia or learning to samba in Brazil I am in my absolute element when I get to try something new. For something closer to home I am excited to get to the Kimberley’s to check out the breathtaking adventures right here in Aus.

What dreams have you achieved?

I am a big goal setter. At all times I am working on a handful of big dreams and a scattering of smaller milestone goals to keep myself motivated and accountable. Some of the biggest would have to be creating Pursue Wealth with the love of my life, Josh, and designing it so we get to work with awesome people every day (definitely no accident); being able to travel through parts of Europe, Asia and the US; and next on my list is a large scale renovation on our beautiful Victorian Terrace in South Melbourne to make this our family home. Any tips are welcome!!

JOSH WINGROVE

Pursue Wealth Director & Financial Adviser

If you had $100 cash in your pocket, what would you do with it?

Firstly, I would like to point out this would be rare as I use EFTPOS for everything, but if I did have 100 big ones I would spend it on going to see the Crows play at the MCG with a few beers and a pie.

What’s your morning routine like?

I am very much a morning person, every morning I get up at 6am and either go for a run or go to the gym, followed by an egg and avocado on toast, ready for the day ahead!

What’s the number one thing on your bucket list you’d like to tick off this year?

Every year I write out New Year’s goals and categorise them based on personal, business, education and family. This year, my main goal is to break a Guinness world record- don’t ask in what, as it sounds ridiculous!

What was your first job?

When I was young I loved a good family trip to Macca’s (didn’t happen often but when it did I was in heaven), this being the case my first job was a CHEF at Macca’s- well it was more like a cook but I was a great cook.

ADAM MUFTAR

Senior Tax Adviser

What was your favourite holiday?

In 2014 I was lucky enough to spend 4 weeks exploring the USA and Mexico. The highlight of my holiday was doing one of the best road trips in the world, driving the iconic Pacific Coast Highway San Francisco to LA. It was the perfect way to take in the best of what this beautiful part of the US has to offer. Now with the addition of 2 active little boys to the family my most exciting holiday is visiting a Queensland theme park!

What do you do for fun?

After clocking off from work I like to get outside as much as I can. I enjoy the great outdoors including camping and cycling but my real passion is motorsport and trail bike riding.

BRAD ATKINSON

Strategic Associate

Where would we find you on the weekend?

Friday night would be spent at the ‘G watching a game of Aussie Rules, hopefully cheering home the mighty Adelaide Crows! Saturday morning you’ll catch me out running with mates or sharing a coffee at any one of South Melbourne’s great cafes. The rest of the weekend will be occupied with family and friends exploring Victoria’s brilliant coastline, mountain ranges, or wine regions.

Top of your bucket list?

I enjoy keeping fit and active and the next item on my bucket list is to get a start and finish the New York marathon. I love the feeling you get when out for a long run, in your groove and it’s almost easier to keep running rather than stop. The “runners high” is real!

What's your favourite cuisine?

Melbourne’s food scene is so vast, and it’s easy to find a great Italian pasta dish all over the city. I appreciate a good ravioli and a glass of red in winter. There isn’t a cuisine that I don’t like to try. Molto bene!

JULIA ARMSTRONG

Strategic Associate

What is your favourite holiday destination?

I have been to China twice and still can’t get enough, I love the culture, the food and the scenery is spectacular. Honestly, I love all international travel and would be grateful wherever I end up.

What’s at the top of your bucket list?

I would say travelling to Antarctica and doing an African safari would both be at the top of my bucket list.

Is there a TV show you’re loving at the moment?

My fiancé and I are rewatching all the Harry Potter movies at the moment and loving it, we often rewatch our favourite TV shows and movies.

What do you do for fun?

I am a true homebody, spending time with my cat Toto and my fiancé Addy. Lots of family time is a must.

BRIAN MENDOZA

Implementation Guru

Where would we find you on a typical weekend?

Coffee shop! I love cafe hopping, especially those that are close to nature and I’m glad that there are a lot of those here in our location. Coffee is something that keeps me sane and, nature calms my mind and soul, so putting them together refreshes my whole being.

If you're on a road trip, what would be on your playlist?

Listening and singing along to Linkin Park, Coldplay, 3 Doors Down, My Chemical Romance, and more Alternative, Emo, and Punk Rock bands till we arrive at our destination. Yeah!!

The trip you want to take, but haven't yet?

A trip to Japan! I am a huge fan of Anime and Manga that’s why I would love to go to Japan where it all started and where Anime characters have many statues!

If you were given a change to make a wish come true, what would be your wish and why?

If it is a material thing, definitely a billion dollars, but if it is something immaterial, then hugging my brother (who is in heaven now) once again will do and I will even trade the billion dollars for it to happen.

THARIQ JABBAR

Strategic Analyst

Favorite achievement in life so far?

For my final report for my degree my teammates and I chose to see how activities help autistic kids. So, we created games and various activities designed specifically for autistic kids and gifted it to them at the end of the semester. It was truly an unforgettable moment seeing how happy they were.

Top of your bucket list?

There is so much I want to do! The first would be sky diving, the adrenaline from jumping out of a plane thousands of feet up in the air is something I really need to feel. The one just after would be to get my piloting license, so hoping to tick both off in one go if the opportunity arises.

What was your first job?

My first job was at Kmart, I was a retailer doing various jobs like stocking, handling the cash registers and customer support.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I am a huge Marvel fan and like the ability to dabble with time, so would love to have the superpower like Dr. Strange, after all he was the only one who knew what was going to happen the entire time!

CHRISTAL JOY DELA PENA

Financial Advice Support

What does happiness mean to me?

Happiness is spending time with my family or with a bunch of my crazy good friends. It could be on a trip to somewhere or just with catch up with a coffee.

If you're on a road trip, what would be on your playlist?

I can listen to The Beatles, Alicia keys, Dua Lipa & Norah Jones all day!

If you could be great at any sport, what sport would you choose?

Figure skating. I find beauty and thrill in this sport. I just love the grace, poise and precision of their movements and how the glide and spin in the air.

What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Say good morning to my dog. Her name is Princess and she is my happy pill.

What TV shows do you love to binge-watch?

In my free time I love to watch Suits, Will & Grace, Masterchef, The Little Paris Kitchen by Rachel Khoo and E! News.

SHIELA MATIAS

Mortgage Advice Support

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

This is a hard one but I would probably say it’s my heart pendant necklace. I have a habit of touching it when I’m thinking, talking, or when I’m not doing anything! Without it – I would feel very incomplete!

What do you like to do in your free time?

An ideal day for me is to stay at home, curled up in my cosy couch, and watch Netflix. I love to watch sci-fi and fictional stories, but it could be anything, from Disney to Hell’s Kitchen series. When not watching, I like to eat out and travel to places to try their food. I love eating more than anything!

What do you hate the most?

I am not a fan of horror movies. At all. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against those who love horror shows. I tried conquering it once, and it kept me up all night for a week – never doing that again! I also have Thalassophobia, so not a big fan of swimming on beaches either. (I love beaches though! Well, minus the swimming part)

What’s the 1st country you have visited?

Australia. I was in Sydney for 3 months and I immediately fell in love. At that very moment, I knew it wouldn’t be the last.

What does everyone say about you?

She never stops working.

Friends and colleagues would tell me this almost every day! I take my job seriously and really like to excel in what I do. I’m the kind that likes being busy and loses track of time when in the zone working. I’m also a very curious cat – eager to learn and know everything!

RECOGNITION

2020

Women in Finance Awards – Director of the Year (Winner) – Sam Robinson

Women in Finance Awards – Thought Leader of the Year (Finalist) – Sam Robinson

Worldwide Finance Awards – Mortgage Broker of the Year (Winner) – Pursue Property

FSPower50 – The Most Influential Financial Adviser in Australia (Finalist) – Sam Robinson

FSPower50 – The Most Influential Financial Adviser in Australia (Finalist) – Josh Wingrove

2019

Telstra Women in Business Emerging Leader (Finalist) – Sam Robinson

Australian Small Business Champions Award Business Growth (Finalist) – Pursue Wealth

Australian Small Business Champions Award Financial Services (Finalist) – Pursue Wealth

APAC Australian Enterprise Awards Leading Specialists in Investment & Portfolio Planning – Victoria (Winner) – Pursue Property

2018

Young Leaders in Finance Awards- Thought leader of the Year (Winner)- Sam Robinson

Young Leaders in Finance Awards- Principal of the Year (Winner)- Sam Robinson

2017

Australian Small Business Champions Award (Finalist) – Pursue Wealth

AIM Leader Manager Award (Nominee)- Josh Wingrove

Consultum Rising Star (Finalist) – Josh Wingrove

FSPower50- The Most Influential Financial Adviser in Australia (Top 50 in Australia)- Sam Robinson

2016

Consultum Rising Star (Winner) – Sam Robinson

AIM Leadership Excellence (Finalist) – Sam Robinson

2015

Money Management Young Achiever of the Year (Finalist) – Sam Robinson

2014

AFA Rising Star (Finalist) – Sam Robinson

Money Management Rising Star (Finalist) – Sam Robinson

AFA Rising Star (Finalist) – Josh Wingrove

2013

AMP Adviser of the year (Winner) – Sam Robinson

AFA Female Excellence in Advice (Nominee) – Sam Robinson

AFA Rising Star (Finalist) – Josh Wingrove

2012

AFA Female Excellence in Advice (Nominee) – Sam Robinson

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