Industry leaders and rising stars named at MAX Awards

The annual Marketing, Advertising and Sales Excellence (MAX) Awards hosted by Rainmaker Group and Financial Standard were presented in Sydney last night, recognising organisations, teams and individuals across 20 different categories.

Leader of the Year in Marketing was awarded to Macquarie Asset Management's Victoria Gardiner.

Gardiner has been with Macquarie for more than four years and is currently regional wealth marketing lead for Australia and New Zealand.

Rising Star of the Year in marketing went to Codey Angeloski from Colonial First State (CFS).

Angeloski joined CFS in 2025 and is currently marketing manager - investments.

For those working in distribution, the leader of the year was taken out by Anthony Mardini from Dimensional Fund Advisors.

Mardini has been with Dimensional for more than 15 years, having joined in 2011, and is currently head of financial institutions group Australia and vice president.

Distribution Rising Star of the Year was awarded to Amber-Lee Kristensen from Janus Henderson.

Kristensen joined Janus Henderson in 2019 and is currently associate director, intermediary client group and was also recently appointed as a director to the Janus Henderson Foundation board.

Leader of the Year in communications was awarded to Insignia Financial head of corporate affairs Rebecca Chivers.

Rising Star of the Year - Media was awarded to Ptarmigan Media account executive Arya Mishra.

Leader of the Year - Agency was won by Fundamental Media senior account manager Jack O'Shaughnessy.

"With trillions of dollars pouring into retail investments and superannuation, investors and retirees need investment managers of the highest calibre to safeguard and grow their wealth. Our research shows these awards bring together an outstanding lineup of funds that investors can back with confidence."