Welcome to the
Career connect employer registry.

My name is Dana and I’m based in Auckland, working in the insurance industry with experience in broker support and client care. I’m someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with people, understanding their stories, and helping them feel supported – whether that’s through problem-solving, guidance, or simply being someone they can rely on.

I’m passionate about building meaningful relationships and creating positive experiences for the people I work with. I love roles where I can make a difference day-to-day and communicate openly.

As I grow in my career, I’m driven by new challenges, new opportunities, and the chance to learn from the people around me. I’m excited about continuing to develop in the insurance world and shaping a career that feels both purposeful and rewarding.

Hello, I am Tessa.

I am Christchurch with an extensive background in general insurance claims.

I am currently working as an investigator, pending the completion of my Certificate of Financial Advice (Life, Disability and Health strand).

My soft skills are polished, I am professional and personable. I am looking to transfer the hard skills and recent learnings into a new challenge for myself.

I am passionate about working with people from all walks of life, to find the best solutions for them.

Longevity (In employment) and development opportunities in the future are as important to me as strong positive and productive workplace culture.

Hi, I’m Michelle Andrews, based in Birkenhead, Auckland. I am passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and have over 20 years’ experience in sales and business management roles.

I began my sales career at a young age before taking the opportunity to travel the world, working in a variety of roles, including as a project manager. I returned home to complete my postgraduate diploma in business administration and worked my way into more senior positions. After an unexpected loss that left me as an only parent, I pivoted into the education sector, where I continued to grow my sales career while balancing the needs of my family.

In the education sector, I’ve helped grow the bottom line for several organisations selling products and services to schools, including websites, PLD initiatives and EOTC programmes. Throughout my career, I’ve built a reputation for understanding client needs, building strong relationships and delivering solutions.

My motivation to work in insurance comes from a very personal experience that has shaped my life. Many years ago, when I was pregnant with my now 18-year-old son, my partner - my son’s father - suddenly passed away. In an instant I became an only parent navigating shock, grief, and financial survival. I’ve learnt the hard way, the impossibly hard way, what it means to face a life-shattering event and financial uncertainty at the same time… and all because we didn’t have the right protection in place. This experience shaped everything for me and it’s why I’m committed to helping others with their insurance needs, because I know just how much it matters when life doesn’t go to plan.

I’m highly organised, honest, loyal and motivated. I pride myself on being someone people can rely on and thrive in roles requiring strong communication, empathy and professionalism.

My goal is to combine my commercial experience, people skills and financial services training to add value to an insurance team that prioritises doing what’s right for clients. I’m committed to providing outstanding customer service, supporting good advice and helping people protect what matters most.

In my free time, I like to go tramping, ski, walk on the beach with my dogs and go on caravan road trips.

Kia ora,

My name is Milly Elworthy, I am 24 and currently residing in Dunedin.

Career connect has been an incredible experience, and one I am very grateful to have been a part of. It has reinforced my interest in financial services, and I am genuinely looking forward to beginning my career in the insurance advising sector.

I am currently working at Cutlers Property Management, where I have been employed for almost three years. My role as an Administrator includes, being responsible for running reception, creating marketing content, invoicing body corporate owners, and organising and inputting invoices for payment. Through this role, I have developed strong communication skills when dealing with colleagues, clients, and members of the public, as well as strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

I am passionate about helping people and providing clear, thoughtful guidance, particularly within the financial industry. I am motivated by the opportunity to support clients in making informed decisions and to help people feel more confident and secure about their futures. I am reliable, motivated, and eager to continue developing my skills within the financial services sector, where I can contribute positively while continuing to learn and grow professionally. In the current economic climate, I believe it is especially important for people to feel financially secure and confident in their financial knowledge. I genuinely look forward to being able to share this knowledge with others and support them in feeling more at ease about their finances. Having a clear understanding of money and the ways one can ensure their financial stability can bring real comfort and hope, no matter a person’s situation or what circumstance may come their way.

Thank you very much for your time.

Ngā mihi mahana,

Milly

My name is Sarae Jones, and I am an aspiring financial adviser based in Christchurch, recently completing the Fidelity Life Career connect programme and achieving my New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5). With a foundation in both insurance administration and client-focused support, I am now seeking placement within a forward-thinking insurance business where I can continue developing into a confident, technically strong adviser.

Over the past year I have worked as an Adviser Support / Personal Assistant at a Christchurch based Insurance Broker, where I developed a deep understanding of day-to-day advice processes, CRM workflows, quoting systems, compliance requirements, and client service standards. This experience has shaped my commitment to delivering advice that is accurate, ethical, and genuinely centred on client wellbeing.

I am particularly passionate about:

• Helping clients feel informed and supported, especially those navigating insurance for the first time.
• Bringing clarity to complex information, ensuring clients understand the “why” behind every recommendation.
• Building efficient, well-structured systems, using technology to reduce admin load so advisers can focus on relationships, not paperwork.

I value environments that encourage learning, transparency, and continuous improvement. My long-term goal is to build a career where clients feel safe, understood, and confident in their financial decisions – and to be part of a firm that shares this philosophy.

I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to a team that invests in developing new advisers and upholds the highest standards of professional conduct and client care.

My name is Vipul Jaiswal, and I am a customer-focused service and operations professional based in Auckland, New Zealand, with more than 10 years of experience across insurance, banking, retail and customer engagement. I specialise in helping people navigate complex processes with clarity, care, and practical guidance.

I am passionate about supporting customers through important decisions, especially in financial and insurance environments where trust and accuracy matter. What drives me is seeing a customer move from confusion to confidence – knowing that my ability to listen, assess their needs, and provide tailored solutions made the difference. This passion has shaped my approach across every role I’ve held.

My leadership experience includes managing teams, coaching staff, improving workflows, and delivering high-quality customer experiences under pressure. Whether resolving a complex issue, mentoring team members, or simplifying information for a client, I am known for being calm, reliable, and customer-obsessed.

My background spans roles in life insurance, home lending, customer service, and retail operations, giving me a well-rounded understanding of financial risk conversations, compliance, and customer behaviour. I hold a Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5), which strengthens my capability to support customers with informed and compliant guidance.

Today, I am focused on opportunities where I can bring my strengths – communication, empathy, and service excellence – to insurance and financial services organisations that value genuine customer care and continuous improvement. I thrive in environments where people come first and where every interaction is an opportunity to build trust.

I’m Philip Fong, an Auckland-based insurance professional with a strong interest in transitioning into a financial adviser role. My background spans health insurance sales, client advice, team support, and continuous improvement, and I’m motivated by helping people make informed financial decisions that support their long-term wellbeing.

I currently work as a Continuous Improvement & Change Specialist at Southern Cross Health Society, where I support teams to improve processes, manage change, and enhance customer outcomes. This role has strengthened my understanding of compliance, risk awareness, and the importance of clear, accurate communication, all of which I see as foundational to high-quality financial advice.

Earlier in my career, I worked extensively in phone-based health insurance sales, providing personalised, needs-based advice to customers. Through these roles, I developed strong skills in fact-finding, explaining complex products in plain language, and building trust with clients making important financial decisions. I consistently focused on ensuring recommendations were appropriate, well understood, and aligned with customer needs.

I later progressed into a Team Knowledge Specialist (2IC) role, where I supported consultants and leaders by providing coaching, real-time guidance, and quality feedback. This experience deepened my appreciation for ethical advice, consistent standards, and the responsibility advisers hold in shaping customer outcomes. I regularly handled complex queries and escalations, requiring careful judgement, empathy, and adherence to policy and regulatory expectations.

Alongside frontline experience, I’ve worked closely with operational, technical, and risk teams to support system enhancements and process improvements. I’ve been involved in testing changes, identifying risks, and contributing to initiatives, reinforcing my belief that good advice relies on clarity, transparency, and customer understanding.

Before entering insurance, I worked in health and disability services. Supported by my academic background in Health Sciences and Public Health, this has shaped my client-centred approach.

I’m known for being calm, ethical, and reliable, with a strong commitment to learning and professional development. I’ve been recognised through workplace Sales Awards and People’s Choice Awards, reflecting both performance and trust. I’m now seeking opportunities where I can develop my career as a financial adviser, contribute to strong advice cultures, and support clients to make confident, informed financial decisions.

My name is Lena Li, and I am based in Auckland and am currently self-employed, working as a Chief Consultant with a focus on helping people navigate important, often life-changing decisions. My career began in banking and financial services, where I built a strong foundation in financial understanding, risk awareness, compliance discipline, and a client-first mindset. These early experiences continue to guide how I think, communicate, and support people today.

Across my previous roles, I have been involved in strategic planning, policy interpretation, and service delivery within large, highly regulated environments. This has strengthened my ability to deliver personalised, compliant, and integrity-based advice – advice that is practical, empathetic, and grounded in real-world experience.

Most recently, I worked as a Recruitment Partner at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This role deepened my ability to assess complex systems, interpret risk, and support ethical, values-driven decisions in high-stakes situations. It also reaffirmed my commitment to resilience, professionalism, and doing what is right for people, especially during moments of uncertainty or change.

Since leaving MSD in December 2024, I have returned to the financial advice sector and joined the Career connect programme facilitated by Fidelity Life and Massey University. I am now nearing completion of the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5), specialising in Life, Health, and Disability insurance. This programme has reconnected me with the current financial environment and reinforced the conduct, care, and compliance expectations required of today’s advisers.

I believe my background in banking and mortgage lending, combined with my analytical mindset and people-focused approach, positions me well to deliver client-centred and tailored financial strategies. I am passionate about helping individuals make confident decisions that support their long-term wellbeing, and I see the Financial Adviser role as the ideal place to bring together my financial insight, coaching capability, resilience, and commitment to integrity.

In summary, I am a strategic and values-driven professional with a strong foundation in financial services, business partnership, and leadership coaching. I bring proven experience in relationship building, financial analysis, and compliance integrity, supported by an MBA and my ongoing Financial Adviser Level 5 qualification.

I am passionate about ethical financial advice, continuous learning, and contributing to a trusted, fair, and client-first financial market for all New Zealanders. I am excited about the opportunity to join an organisation that supports advisers in delivering meaningful, client-centred insurance solutions that truly make a difference.