Alex Braun, Principal Adviser

Diploma of Financial Services (Distribution)

Alex joined the Life Insurance business in April 1983 as an Agent of National Mutual Life. Prior to joining National Mutual, Alex was involved in a successful family retail shoe business which he and his wife Susanne ran. When Alex joined National Mutual, Susanne continued to run the business until its closure in 1995. In 1992 Alex’s status changed from being a ‘Sole Agent’ for one company to becoming a ‘Multi Agent’ whereby he had access to the major Life Insurance Companies operating in Australia. Alex looks after a diverse client base mainly specialising in the Risk Insurance and Superannuation advice area for professionals and small businesses.

Alex is a trusted voice in the Financial Planning profession, recognised for his mentoring and for offering his expertise at professional forums, including a recent contribution to an Ensombl podcast, a platform supporting the Financial Planning profession.

Alex holds a Diploma of Financial Services and is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and a Life and multiple times ‘Top of the Table’ and ‘Court of the Table’ Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a US based and internationally renowned premier association for financial professionals. Since 1992, Alex has also been a Charter Member of Albert Park Rotary Club.

Alex is a very proud grandfather to seven grandchildren and enjoys spending his spare time with them whenever he can. “There is no such thing as too much time with my grandchildren!”

Alex can also be located on the Financial Adviser Exam List, which means that he has passed the FASEA Exam (Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority Exam).

Alex is an Authorised Representative (ASIC No. 262363) of Lifespan Financial Planning AFSL No. 229892.

David Braun, Associate Adviser

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology and Exercise Science)

As well as advising, David assists clients with their ongoing claim administration in relation to Income Protection or from time to time, sadly, Death and Trauma claims.

In 2011, David completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences, majoring in Psychology and Exercise Science at Deakin University whilst also working part-time in a business support role with a long established Toorak Medical Practice. This experience has built valuable communication skills with people of a wide range of backgrounds, as well as providing a greater understanding of the needs of Business Owners and Medical Professionals. As a complement to studying the Financial Planning Diploma, David has been working in the profession with qualified Advisers and assisting clients since early 2012.

David is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and has qualified as a Member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). ‘Founded in 1927, the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of more than 62,000 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 70 countries’.

David has been playing basketball since the age of nine, and once he was old enough, became a basketball coach. He still maintains all of his basketball trophies in the family home and is proud to have also been awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) in one of his last Grand Final matches (which they also won!). He likes the outdoors and has recently developed a passionate interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. These days David spends more time on the Jiu-Jitsu mat with his baby boy than actually doing Jiu-Jitsu and he aspires to bring the entire family even closer together via a shared passion of Jiu-Jitsu.

David can also be located on the Financial Adviser Exam List, which means that he has passed the FASEA Exam (Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority Exam).

David is an Authorised Representative (ASIC No. 461901) of Lifespan Financial Planning AFSL No. 229892.

Sandra Miller, Associate Adviser

Diploma of Financial Services (FP), Bachelor of Commerce, Chartered Accountant

Sandra has been involved in financial services since 1997 and has provided financial advice services to clients since 2006.

Having completed her Diploma of Financial Services, Sandra is now mainly involved in a risk insurance advisory role as well as day-to-day running of the business. Sandra obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree at Monash University in 1995 and she was first employed in the Finance Department of a subsidiary of General Motors Holden. Subsequently, Sandra worked with a number of Accountancy practices and then in August 2000, Sandra became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. Now known as Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ), Sandra is still a qualifying member.

During 2001-2004, Sandra toured Europe while working in London (United Kingdom) for General Insurance Companies such as Allianz, AVIVA and AXA and for investing and consulting firms as Ernst & Young. Sandra’s work in the UK was mainly in Compliance and Financial Reporting.

Having satisfied her travel bug, Sandra returned to Melbourne and continued her work with Ernst & Young. She then moved into project work at ANZ Bank where she was involved with the International Financial Reporting Standards implementation in the bank and then later Management Reporting for ANZ Financial Planning. Sandra moved into the family business in 2006.

With a young family plus kelpie cross, Sandra understands the juggle of family/household and operating a small business. When she is not working, she might be found taxiing her family around and occasionally enjoying time swimming and reading.

Sandra’s strong Audit and Management Reporting experience in tax, banking and corporate settings means that she can add a lot of value to our small business clients.

Furthermore, Sandra welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Financial Planning profession. She has shared her insights at various professional forums, most recently on an Ensombl podcast, a platform supporting her profession. Additionally, she has also mentored Melbourne University students in the Accounting, Commerce and Business disciplines.

Sandra can also be located on the Financial Adviser Exam List, which means that she has passed the FASEA Exam (Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority Exam).

Sandra is an Authorised Representative (ASIC No. 304934) of Lifespan Financial Planning AFSL No. 229892.

Susanne Braun, Practice Manager

Susanne has been the backbone of running the behind-the-scenes machinations of Halstead Financial Services. Supporting Alex’s activities since the time they married, she now manages the practice and our great team as well as doing the accounts, payroll and other administrative work.

Susanne is passionate about being such a supportive part of helping people protect their greatest asset, themselves. Susanne is also a very busy grandmother.