About Us

The International Centre for Financial Services sits within the Adelaide Business School, reporting through the Dean of Business to the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics.

The Centre is overseen by an Advisory Board comprised of external members and governed by a Management Committee comprised of internal staff.

  • Advisory board

    The role of the Advisory Board is to advise the International Centre for Financial Services (ICFS) on its activities, particularly the development of new activities, assist in fund raising and support for research projects, provide a communication channel between the ICFS and the financial services industry and enhance the scope and quality of the Centre's activities. 

    George Boubouras – Managing Director and Head of Research, Investments &
    Advisory, K2 Asset Management

    George Boubouras has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry as a Portfolio Manager, Chief Investment Officer, and Managing Director at various global and domestic firms. George has managed investments across multiple asset classes (including fixed income, equities, property, PE/VC, alternatives), investment teams, and financial services companies. He currently serves as a Director and Investment Adviser at Salter Brothers Asset Management, as a Director at Caledonia Pacific Capital Partners, and sits on the Investment Committee at Paua Wealth Management. Previously George held various senior roles with Contango Asset Management, UBS, Equity Trustees, HSBC Asset Management, and Macquarie Group. He has also previously served as a Director for the Blues Foundation at The Carlton Football Club and a Director at Women in Banking and Finance.

    Peter Burgess – Chief Executive Officer, SMSF Association

    Peter Burgess is the Chief Executive Officer of the SMSF Association. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Peter held the position of Deputy CEO / Director of Policy & Education with the Association and is a previous Association Board member. With over 30 years of industry experience Peter is recognised as an authority in SMSF matters and Government policy design. He is a widely published author and media commentator on SMSFs and is regularly sought for comment on the latest policy and sector developments. Through his contribution to the development of SMSF education standards, his Government advocacy work and his commitment to professionalism and thought leadership, Peter has dedicated much of his career to improving SMSF advice competency standards and the vibrancy and credibility of the SMSF sector. Peter holds an MBA from the University of Adelaide, a degree in economics, and postgraduate qualifications in finance.

    Shannon Leake – Managing Partner, Institutional Distribution Partners

    Shannon is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Institutional Distribution Partners, an organisation that provides funds management distribution services in Australia and New Zealand. Shannon has a diverse and multidisciplinary background, with qualifications in law, communication, human resource management, and applied finance. She is also a graduate and a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Governance Institute of Australia, respectively. Shannon offers strategic advice, governance oversight, and stakeholder engagement to the organisations she partners with, which in the past have included: The Principals Funds Management; Wantirna Community Bank; and The Australian Advisory Board on Technology & Healthcare Competitiveness Councils.

    David Leon – Founding Partner, Stellan Capital

    David Leon is a Certified Portfolio Manager and private wealth advisor specializing in ultra-high-net-worth families and not-for-profit institutions for Stellan Capital, a national private wealth management firm. He has extensive experience from various executive positions, including at Morgan Stanley as Executive Director and Goldman Sachs JBWere as Director. David has been recognized among the top 10 financial advisors in Australia by Barron's and is a frequent speaker at both domestic and international conferences. He has previously served in other leadership positions, including as Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce, a Director of the Adelaide Symphony, a Director of the Adelaide Symphony Foundation, and a member of the Adelaide Crows Mentors Program. David is an alumnus of Northwestern University and has completed the Certified Portfolio Management Program at Columbia University. 

    Natalie Luzecki – Director, Vue Wealth

    Natalie Luzecki has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Natalie specialises in analysing international and domestic markets to provide creative and practical financial solutions for her clients, who range from individuals and families to institutions with complex requirements. She has previously held roles with the Australian Central Credit Union, Police Credit Union, AMP Horizons, Hillross, Westpac, and Harvest Wealth. Natalie holds a Degree in Economics, is fully accredited as a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund advisor, and holds postgraduate qualifications in Global Wealth Management and Financial Planning.

    Con Michalakis – Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Hostplus

    Con Michalakis assumed the Deputy Chief Investment Officer role at Hostplus in April 2022, following the merger with Statewide Super, where he was Chief Investment Officer. Con leads portfolio construction in public and private markets for Hostplus – one of Australia’s largest industry superannuation funds, with total assets under management of $100 billion. Con has worked for asset managers in New York, Sydney and London and was the first investment practice leader for Watson Wyatt in Australia. Con has a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of Adelaide and a M.Sc. from the University of London.

    Jason Russo – Portfolio Consultant, Context Capital

    Jason is a Portfolio Consultant at Context Capital, and has more than 20 years of experience in multi-asset portfolio construction spanning over Australia and the UK and across private business, public corporations and government organisations. He currently serves as a non-executive Director and Chair of the Investment Committee at Cancer Council SA. Previously, Jason was the Head of Investment and Research at Perks Private Wealth. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance) from University of Western Sydney, is a Certified Investment Management Analyst, and holds a post-graduate diploma in Applied Investment and Finance from Kaplan.

  • Management committee

    The Management Committee is responsible for the overall academic and business strategic direction of the ICFS. It is comprised of:

  • Our researchers