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 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 providing financial advice services to clients since 2006.

With a young family plus kelpie cross, Sandra a 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.

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, as well as a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

During 2001-2004, Sandra also worked in London in the United Kingdom for such firms as Ernst & Young and General Insurance Companies in London such as Allianz, AVIVA and AXA. Sandra’s work in the UK was mainly in Compliance and Financial Reporting.

Prior to joining Halstead Financial Services, Sandra worked at ANZ where she was involved with International Financial Reporting Standards implementation in the bank and then management reporting for ANZ Financial Planning.

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.