Meet our team
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Director
Senior Accountant
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Duane founded Aspire alongside Paul Vergona in 2018 with the vision to create a business focused on building a sustainable financial future for our clients.
Using his varied experience, he focuses on finding solutions for even the most challenging financial problems by applying out-of-the-box thinking and seeking positive outcomes despite any roadblocks.
Duane is a Finance Broker, Licensed Estate Agent and Accountant with years of experience selling property on the Peninsula and working as a senior manager at ANZ and CBA. As an avid property investor, he focuses on helping his clients build their futures through property investment and long-term strategy.
As a Mornington Peninsula local, he knows the unique challenges that affect businesses in our community and is highly attuned to the unique nature of running a successful business in one of Victoria's most idyllic locations.
Director
Senior Mortgage Broker & Accountant
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Corporate Compliance & Operations
Candyce is the backbone of the Aspire team, with her problem-solving and processing skills being second to none. Her ability to liaise and communicate with all stakeholders makes her an extremely valuable asset to our business and clients.
With an impressive real estate career spanning more than a decade, she has a unique understanding of the property buying process and the ability to tackle any issues head-on confidently.
From leading teams and supporting small businesses, Candyce has achieved knowledge and the ability to help clients that is truly unparalleled in the industry. She is the embodiment of our client-first mentality and a leader in our company culture.
Accounting
Department Manager
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Commercial Mortgage & Finance Broker
Justine is the Finance Department Manager and guides the team to provide the best possible results for our clients. Her unlimited energy and enthusiasm for any situation in which she is involved, and her unrelenting focus, ensure our clients never miss an opportunity for a positive outcome.
Justine's extensive management experience, and history as a business owner, means that she has the most thorough understanding of our clients' needs as business owners and investors. Able to put herself in the shoes of the people she works with like no other, she provides unparalleled care and compassion for our clients and their needs.
Her ability to negotiate and solve problems is beyond exceptional. With her tenacious nature, she keeps going until our clients get the desired results. Her most significant strength is building strong relationships, which enables us to have close ties with lenders and referral partners, leading to significant benefits for our clients.
Finance
Department Manager
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As a client and irreplaceable member of the team Anna has a deep understanding of the value an accounting and finance firm can add to their clients’ business and overall financial position.
Her drive and focus to ensure that our clients receive the finest service possible, this includes making sure that access to the team is seamless.
Her experience in the legal field helps her understand deeply how our clients can benefit from effective and consistent advice and she carries that approach with everyone she works with.
As an avid property investor she is 100% focused on helping clients achieve their financial goals and she applies that understanding and knowledge to all of her work at Aspire.
Executive Assistant
to Paul Vergona
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Lauren's focus and drive toward achieving positive outcomes for our clients is truly a thing to behold. Unrelenting and direct, she can overcome any hurdles in any process. Her genuine care and appreciation for our clients' success create an environment that puts your needs first and ensures that every option is explored to its full extent.
Lauren is a qualified financial planner and real estate agent with extensive experience dealing with clients and situations at all ends of the financial spectrum. As a vital part of the mortgage team, Lauren's role is to support management in delivering outcomes for our clients and ensuring communication and a streamlined process are at the forefront of our interactions.
If Lauren is on the case, you can rest assured that your work receives the most incredible attention to detail and tenacity possible. Her focus on ensuring clients receive the best quality outcomes stems from her extensive knowledge and experience and her immense compassion for the people and families she works with.
Executive Assistant
to Duane Pedron
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Kellie is our newest member of the team, her role is accounting and bookkeeping assistant, here at Aspire Strategies.
Kellie’s role includes supporting clients with their bookkeeping needs and preparing individual tax returns, ensuring that our clients are never missing an opportunity for a great result.
Kellie’s experience as a small business owner for the last 5 years lends itself to a thorough understanding of our clients' needs. Kellie has worked across a variety of industries which has given her a wealth of knowledge, therefor gives her the ability to support our clients throughout their business journey.
Her attention to detail is second to none and her ability to liaise and communicate with all stakeholders makes her an extremely valuable asset to our business and clients.
Accounting &
Bookkeeping Assistant
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Sarah Pedron is an Application Specialist on the mortgage team, known for her warm and kind demeanour. She works closely with clients to ensure their loan applications are completed accurately and in a timely manner, while also making sure they feel comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. Sarah’s ability to connect with clients helps create a supportive environment, ensuring they are aware of their progress and receive clear communication. In addition to working directly with clients, Sarah provides essential support to the overall operations of the mortgage team, helping maintain efficiency and coordination.
Application
Specialist
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Leanne Day is a valued member of our team, serving as an Accounting Administrator and Income Tax Preparer. She brings a positive, upbeat attitude to her work, supporting the team with various accounting tasks and income tax preparation. With a strong background in business and financial administration, Leanne is known for her warm, approachable nature and her ability to connect with clients and colleagues alike. Always enthusiastic and eager to help, she tackles every task with energy and a genuine commitment to providing excellent service to our clients.