The Most Acclaimed Leaders Shaping Finance, 2026
Digital Edition 2026


Cover Story
Leah Marie Lombard
Leah Marie Lombard has built her career in the finance industry through a strong combination of legal knowledge, regulatory expertise, compliance experience, and operational understanding. She has worked across financial services environments supporting areas such as FATCA, CRS, regulatory governance, risk and controls, and financial crime prevention.
Jenna Anita Nicholas
Jenna Anita Nicholas has built a remarkable career in finance by combining investment expertise with a strong commitment to social impact and ethical leadership. Throughout her journey, she has shown that finance can be more than numbers and profits.


Tony Rutherford
Tony Rutherford has built his career on helping businesses grow stronger, smarter, and more resilient. As a commercial business consultant and co-owner of CopperFox in New Zealand, he brings more than 30 years of experience in finance, procurement, and business transformation. After spending two decades in the corporate world, rising to the level of CFO, he decided to take his knowledge into consulting.
Jesse Ocean
Once upon a time in the bustling city of Melbourne, Jesse Ocean embarked on a journey that would transform the marketing agency landscape. As the founder and CEO of Ooze Studios, Jesse’s story is one of innovation, growth, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Jesse, a digital pioneer with a decade-long background in finance and marketing, felt a calling to address the shortcomings he observed in traditional marketing campaigns. Too often, these campaigns lacked a revenue focus, prompting Jesse to envision a more efficient approach.


Fiona Holmstrom
Fiona Holmstrom is the Co-founder of STEM Punks Education, an organisation that has transformed how students experience learning in a technology-driven world. Her journey combines education, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration, all aimed at helping young people build the confidence and skills they need to thrive in future workplaces.