Specialist Bankers for Female Founders
Dedicated support for women-led businesses ready to grow. Whether you’re entering new markets, exploring finance or planning your next stage, our Scale-Up Specialist Bankers are here to help.
Here to help more female-founded businesses on their scaling journey
Women lead 42.2% of sole trader businesses in Australia, yet only 7% of large companies are female-led. While women are starting businesses in record numbers, far fewer make the transition from small business to scale.
The Gender Index Australia found women-led businesses can face barriers to growth including access to capital, customers, networks and growth opportunities. To help address this, Westpac has established the Scale-Up Specialist Banker team to support women-led businesses through their next stage of growth, providing a dedicated point of contact for banking support, funding conversations and growth opportunities.
Westpac partners with The Gender Index
Westpac is proud to be a Foundational Partner of The Gender Index Australia, the country’s first national benchmark for women-led female entrepreneurship in Australia.
What a Scale-Up Specialist Banker can help with
Growth strategy and planning
Designed for women-led businesses, our Scale-Up Specialist Bankers can help you identify growth opportunities, navigate common scaling challenges and plan for the next stage of your business.
Thinking of hiring, expanding into new markets or preparing for your next phase of growth? Connect with the team today.
Funding and expansion support
Explore lending solutions, working capital, cash flow management and funding pathways aligned to your growth ambitions.
Your specialist can help you understand the finance options available as your business grows.
Access to networks, partners, and opportunities
Connect with Westpac's female founder ecosystem, including opportunities through initiatives, founder communities, events and growth programs.
Your specialist can connect you to relevant opportunities, events, programs and ecosystem partners that align to your stage of growth.
A dedicated, single point of contact in your state
Your specialist will take the time to understand your business, growth ambitions and local market.
As a single point of contact, they'll help connect you with the right banking solutions and opportunities across Westpac, while bringing local market knowledge and an understanding of the realities of scaling a business in your region.
Choose your state to meet your Scale-up Specialist Banker
Wherever you’re based, you can connect with a Scale-Up Specialist who understands your local market and can talk through your growth plans, banking needs and the support available.
Choose your state below to meet your local specialist and reach out directly via email. Tell us a little about your business, where you’re based and what you’re looking to achieve.
- New South Wales
- Australian Capital Territory
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
“Supporting female entrepreneurs to grow and succeed is my passion.”
Lily Liu, Scale-up Specialist, New South Wales
“I love working with business owners, making banking simpler and supporting them through every stage of their journey.”
Crystal Zhuang, Scale-up Specialist, Australian Capital Territory
“For over 25 years, I’ve been helping women-led businesses achieve their growth ambitions through tailored banking solutions, strategic guidance and access to valuable networks and opportunities.”
Kathy Benjamin, Scale-up Specialist, Victoria
“I’m passionate about helping Gold Coast businesses grow through trusted advice, tailored solutions, and long-term partnerships.”
Chami Khodaei, Scale-up Specialist, Queensland
“I work every day with small businesses and female founders to navigate growth opportunities, access funding, and build financially sustainable and successful enterprises.”
Ana-Miekke Rychlak, Scale-up Specialist, Western Australia
“As a Local Business Banker at Westpac, I am passionate about supporting local businesses, building strong relationships, and helping customers achieve their goals with confidence.”
Nikki Roberts, Scale-up Specialist, Northern Territory
“As a Business Banking Manager I enjoy building strong relationships with business owners, understanding their goals, and providing banking and lending solutions to help their businesses grow and succeed.”
Maryanne Vickery, Scale-up Specialist, South Australia
“For over 25 years, I’ve been helping women-led businesses achieve their growth ambitions through tailored banking solutions, strategic guidance and access to valuable networks and opportunities.”
Kathy Benjamin, Scale-up Specialist, Tasmania
Learn more about Westpac's commitment to female founders
Westpac has a long-standing commitment to supporting female founders. From starting and growing a business through to scaling nationally, we're helping more women access the networks, opportunities and financial support they need to succeed.
Learn about how Westpac is working to support female founders across Australia
Frequently asked questions
No. Scale-Up Specialists support both new-to-bank and existing customers with no existing Relationship Manager.
Businesses looking to grow, hire, expand, invest or prepare for their next stage of development.
There is no cost to speak with a Scale-Up Specialist.
The Scale-Up Specialist team is designed for women-led businesses that are looking to grow, expand, enter new markets or prepare for their next stage of growth.
A Scale-Up Specialist will contact you to discuss your business, growth plans and banking needs. They can then help connect you with relevant banking solutions, opportunities and support.
Tell us a little about your business, where you're based and what you're hoping to achieve. The more context you can provide about your growth plans, the better we can support you.
Things you should know
Credit criteria, fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Talk to your banker for more details.
Any tax information described is general in nature and it is not tax advice or a guide to tax laws. We recommend you seek independent, professional tax advice applicable to your personal circumstances.