Meet the Wealth With Purpose team members.
Alex Cook – Founder & CEO
Alex Cook is the founder of Wealth with Purpose, an organisation that equips Christians to honour God with their finances, by teaching them sound financial planning skills based on the wisdom of the Bible. Alex is passionate about helping Christians ensure that their financial house is in order so that they can fulfil the purposes for which God has called them.
Prior to establishing Wealth with Purpose, Alex was a Financial Planner with his own Practice, Arcadian Private Wealth, which he established in 2005 and was located in Sydney, Australia. Alex sold Arcadian Private Wealth in February 2013 to establish the Wealth with Purpose Ministry. Alex has been providing financial advice to individuals and their families for over 15 years.
Alex spent four years as a Stockbroker, providing advice on the Australian Stock Market, working for Australia’s oldest stockbroking firm, Joseph Palmer & Sons, as well as for the American firm, Merrill Lynch.
Alex has also served on the 20-20 Committee of the Financial Planning Association of Australia with its primary aim of increasing the professionalism of Financial Planners within the industry.
He has a Commerce Degree from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Finance and Investment from FINSIA and a Graduate Diploma in Self Managed Superannuation Funds from Adelaide University.
Alex is regularly quoted in the media, including the Australian Financial Review and has also appeared as a guest expert on TV programs such as Sky Business – Your Money, Your Call.
Brett Barclay – Asia-Pacific Director
Since 1996, Brett has built a successful career in Human Resources as a senior learning and development consultant. After 7 years in IBM’s Learning function as a professional development leader, Brett started his own company and is sought after by leading Australian and multi-national companies for his expertise in learning strategy, employee and leadership development. Brett’s client’s include Macquarie Bank, BT Financial Group, Westpac, State Street, Endeavour Energy, Canon, 3M, IBM and others.
Brett has been teaching the Word of God since 2002 in churches, bible colleges, on video and radio – in Australia and overseas. He lectured on Christian Doctrine and New Testament at C3 College for 10 years. In 2010, he led the establishment of C3 College Online, and wrote the learning and course materials for its subjects on culture, leadership, faith, successful Christian living, and the New Testament. Currently, the college ministers to over 2,000 students worldwide.
Brett is married and has family and lives near Sydney, Australia.
Graham Cook
Seasoned Executive Director with a diverse portfolio of appointments; Chief Executive Officer instrumental in leading organisations to achieve long term success. CEO of E*Trade, IOOF, Chase AMP Bank, Le Fort Capital and American Express in Australia & Asia. Currently Chairman of ATP Innovations, a leading business incubator, Chairman of PhotoMerchant and Chairman of MoneyTribe. Successfully completed 9-year term as the Chairman of WSN Environmental Solutions.
Formerly, Chairman with The Executive Connection, where he partnered with 16 CEO’s from various industry backgrounds including the manufacturing, distribution, import, export & business services sectors. Have maintained a strong interest in and commitment to “e-commerce” as a means to achieve competitive advantage and to serve businesses and consumers and maintain an interest in the investment banking and venture capital industry through the Board of Advisors of Hawkesbridge.
Amy Cheung – Marketing Director
An experienced senior executive with extensive general management, strategic management, strategic marketing, digital marketing, change management, innovative product development & management and people leadership experience.
In addition to professional activities, Amy is passionate about volunteering her skills to various communities. She is leveraging her Medical Science training to contribute to St John Ambulance. She delights in mentoring and coaching MBA students from AGSM. She is involved with Church By the Bridge in Kirribilli as Parish Council Member to manage finance, property and risk management. She is also a popular piano teacher for the local students.
Amy holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Bachelor of Medical Science degree from The University of Sydney, and Change Management accreditation from Prosci United States.
David Halls – Communications Director
David is a communications specialist who has worked on and supported a variety of change, documentation and training projects over the last eighteen years. He has worked in the health, IT, telecommunications, government, defence and banking industries.
David’s major strength is in strategically planning a communication to an audience so that it meets a specific purpose. This involves understanding the audience and how different channels work to make communication more effective. Different channels include written documentation, emails, new media, and presentations and one-to-one meetings. David considers this a critical component of his skillset as he tackles change, documentation and training projects.
Sandra Santillan – South American Director
Sandra commenced her career in finance on the trading desk as a foreign exchange dealer in Argentina, before making a life changing to move to Australia in the year 2000.
In Australia, Sandra built her career in the financial planning industry working in boutique financial planning practices, including working with her husband Alex Cook at Arcadian Private Wealth. Sandra also worked for Colonial First State in technical roles as a Paraplanner and as a Technical Services Consultant.
A fluent Spanish and English speaker, Sandra is able to cross cultures and bring a message of hope and the love of Jesus to many.
Phil Colley – Strategy
Phil is currently director of Colley Investments, a company specialising in property development and renovations. He also provides strategic input to business owners for their businesses so that they may flourish and reach their full potential.
Through Colley Investments, he is able to direct his clients in making better decisions, developing their current assets to generate more income and develop strategic plans in order for the business to function to its full potential.
His long exposure to the industry has gained him very impressive credentials. He has worked on property projects with an end value in excess of $125,000,000.00
Anna Wood – Strategy
Anna is currently the Marketing & Fundraising Director at the Crusader Union. Anna’s career has been as a Marketing Professional commencing at Kimberley Clark as an Assistant Brand Manager – Kleenex, and soon after promoted to Brand Manager.
Anna has spent fourteen years at Crusader Union, an organisation focused on bringing the good news of Jesus to the next generation. In 2008 Anna was awarded “Australasian Fundraiser of the Year”.