Our team
The Capricornian is led by an experienced team of professionals; responsible for the organisation’s governance, strategic direction
and successful operation.
Board of Directors
The Capricornian’s Board is elected by our members, and consists of directors with extensive experience and areas of profession.
John Francis Siganto
Chairman
L.L.B, Grad Dip Fin Plan
Experience
Capricornian Director since 22 January 2008. Appointed Chair 14 December 2023.
Solicitor.
Responsibilities
Ex-officio Member of the Risk Committee; Ex-officio Member of the Audit Committee; Ex-officio Member of the Governance and Remuneration Committee.
Peter Graham Olrich
Director – Independent
Dip FS, Dip FS CUD, FAICD, FAMI
Experience
Capricornian Director since 23 December 2016.
Chair of Regional Australia Bank – November 2014 to current. Director of Regional Australia Bank – July 2011 to current. Director and (Chair of Risk) Summerland Credit Union – February 2010 to November 2020. Management Consultant – OLR Management Services – March 2009 to June 2019. Former CEO of Credit Union Australia – December 1994 to October 2008.
Responsibilities
Chair of the Risk Committee; Member of the Governance & Remuneration Committee.
Janette Linda Davis
Director – Independent
B.Bus (Accounting) (CQU); Certified Internal Auditor (IIA)
Experience
Capricornian Director since 28 February 2017.
B.Bus (Accounting) (CQU), GAICD, Council Member CQUniversity Council (7 years).
Responsibilities
Chair of the Governance & Remuneration Committee; Member of the Audit Committee.
Ian Mill
Director – Independent
Dip H.A.
Experience
Capricornian Director 2005 – 2016. Reappointed as Director 24 August 2020.
Chief Executive Officer Beef Australia, commencing February 2019. Chief Executive Officer Mercy Health and Aged Care CQ Ltd 1997 – 2017.
Responsibilities
Member of the Risk Committee; Member of the Governance & Remuneration Committee.
Narelle Lisa Pearse
Director – Independent
BComm, MComm, EMBA, Grad Dip Psychology, Grad Cert Economic Development, FCA, GAICD.
Experience
Associate Director of The Capricornian since 28 September 2020. Capricornian Director since 25 October 2021.
Vice President – Student & Corporate Services and CFO of CQUniversity (8 years). Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. Former Council Member CQUniversity (5 years).
Responsibilities
Chair of the Audit Committee; Member of the Risk Committee.
Bronwyn Davies
Director – Independent
Grad Cert Technology (Business Systems), GAICD, CIA, CPA, B.Ec.
Experience
Capricornian Director since December 2023.
Non-Executive Director TAFE Qld, Non-Executive Director Aviation Australia. Non-Executive Director MOVE Bank (2012-2023) and Board Chair (2019-2022). Non-Executive Director Institute of Internal Auditors (2018-2021). Independent member of Audit and Risk Committees of Federal Government agencies.
Chief Auditor of Airservices Australia. Previously General Manager Audit within rail organisations, and Head of Audit, Risk & Compliance of mutual owned banks.
Responsibilities
Member of the Audit Committee; Member of the Risk Committee.
Leadership Team
Get to know The Capricornian’s Leadership Team.
Dale Grounds
Chief Executive Officer
Bachelor of Arts (Economics) UQ, Graduate Diploma of Management CQU, Graduate Diploma of Financial Administration CQU, Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
Dale commenced in the role of CEO on 10 October 2016. Prior to The Capricornian, Dale had 3 years as General Manager of Family First Credit Union, covering a broad area of Country NSW. With over 30 years in total in Financial Services, in both urban and regional locations, Dale has undertaken a range of senior management and executive roles focusing on effective leadership, people, customers, operations, marketing, business analysis/project management and organisational change and improvement
Michelle Alexander
Chief Financial Officer
B.Bus (Accounting), CPA
Following the commencement of a Bachelor of Business at Central Queensland University in 1998, Michelle began working with The Capricornian in 2001. Michelle completed the remainder of her degree whilst working at The Capricornian.
Having worked in roles as Assistant Accountant, Financial Accountant and Finance Manager, Michelle was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2018.
Michelle worked previously as a Trainee Accountant with Arthur Birkbeck and Associates.
Tristan Kipling
Chief Risk Officer
Certificate IV in Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking), Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management.
Tristan commenced employment with The Capricornian in January 2002. In his time with The Capricornian Tristan has worked in roles as Loans Administration Officer, Branch Support Officer and Acting Branch Manager – Emerald.
In November 2013 Tristan was appointed as Head of The Capricornian’s Risk and Compliance Function.
Amanda Latimer
Executive Assistant
Amanda commenced in the role of Executive Assistant with The Capricornian on 9 February 2015. Prior to starting with The Capricornian, Amanda worked in the legal industry as a Legal Assistant.
Amanda provides assistance to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while managing support to the Board of Directors and greater Leadership Team.
Amanda is integral to the organisation, covering an extensive range of internal, external and compliance related responsibilities.
Justin Stewart
Head of Retail Banking & Third Party
Certificate IV Training & Assessment, Diploma of Retail Banking, Certificate IV Broker & Banking studies, Certificate IV Finance & Mortgage Broking
Justin started his banking career straight out of graduating high school at Emmaus College in 2007.
Justin started with the Rock Building Society and stayed with the Rock who later become MyState Bank for 13 years.
Justin has moved his way through various roles within the finance industry as Teller, Relief Team Leader, Retail Banking Trainer, Operations Officer, Retention Officer, Home Finance Manager, Bank Manager, Portfolio Manager-Personal Lending and now Manager, Sales and Operations with The Capricornian.
You can connect with Justin on LinkedIn.
Ashlee Cagney
Marketing & Community Engagement Manager
Bachelor of Professional Communication, CQUniversity Rockhampton (CQUni) & University of Windsor, Canada.
Ashlee started with the organisation in November 2019. During that time the Marketing and Community Engagement team has experienced a whirlwind of strategic direction; managing the effects of COVID on the industry and the corresponding impacts on communication channels for members. In addition to updating various member engagement and financial platforms.
Ashlee has worked throughout Central Queensland after graduating from Emmaus College. Ashlee was the Relay for Life Coordinator with Cancer Council QLD, working closely with volunteer committees to bring the Relay for Life event to Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald, Winton and Biloela communities.
Prior to joining us at The Capricornian Ashlee was the Marketing Manager at Stockland Rockhampton.
You can connect with Ashlee on LinkedIn.
Nicole Constable
Human Resources Manager
Cert IV in Human Resources, Cert IV in Financial Services, Cert III in Financial Services
Nicole started her career with The Capricornian in March 2002. In her time with the credit union Nicole has worked as a Loans Administration Officer, Business Development Officer and Payroll Officer over the span of 12 years. From there Nicole was appointed as the Human Resources Manager, and has remained in this Leadership Manager position for over eight years.
Why Choose The Capricornian?
Here for Good
Helped locals achieve their dreams for over 60 years.
It’s all about you
Helping you achieve your dreams, big and small.
Community Minded
We give back to the community. We live, work and play locally.
