Your FINR Lending Team
Derrick Wong
Managing Director
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Derrick is an experienced property investor and developer with over 9 years of experience in the property and finance industry. He has educated over 3000 of Australia’s leading property investors and is frequently speaking at conferences or featuring in webinars to share his insights and industry secrets. Beginning his career as an Engineering Consultant and later moving into Project Management, he brings a unique problem - solving approach to providing tailored finance solutions for his clients. Every scenario is approached with a solutions-first mindset and a commitment to doing what’s best for his clients over what’s easy. In his spare time, he keeps active by participating in cycling events, practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and tending to his 50kg Alaskan Malamute.
Elizabeth Wong
Director of Property & Senior Buyer's Advocate
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Liz is dedicated to supporting her clients in building their portfolio by securing the highest quality investment properties on the market. An avid investor herself, her ability to identify and purchase high performing property stems from her background as a trained scientist. She has a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Genetics) as well as a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology from the University of Melbourne. Drawing upon years of experience in the MedTech industry, she brings a data driven approach to property buying. Her uniquely meticulous process for property investment enables her to achieve outstanding results for her clients.
Joanne Ly
Operations Manager/Broker Support Manager
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Joanne, the Operations/Broker Support Manager at FINR Advisory, expertly manages operations with a strong focus on organisation and efficiency. With a background in teaching, she brings a warm and nurturing approach to her role. Joanne works closely with brokers to ensure they receive the support they need, enhances client interactions, and fosters team collaboration, all while maintaining a commitment to optimising operations. Outside the office, Joanne is an avid hiker, crafting enthusiast, and devoted traveler who loves exploring new places and cultures.
Trent Alexander
Head of Property Strategy | Qualified Property Investment Adviser
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With over 14 years’ experience in the property industry and 7 years specialising in strategic property planning, Trent leads FINR’s Property Strategy division with a clear mission: to help clients make smarter, more strategic property decisions that align with their long-term goals. Throughout his career, Trent has delivered more than 300 tailored property plans, supporting clients through over $400 million in property purchases across Australia. His approach is both data-driven and highly personalised, ensuring every recommendation is shaped by a deep understanding of the client’s circumstances, lifestyle, and future ambitions. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, or building a portfolio, Trent brings clarity, structure, and confidence to the process, helping you move beyond reactive decisions and toward a bigger-picture strategy.
Paul Kelly
Finance Advisor/Lending Manager
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In his role as the Lending Manager, Paul works closely with the Principal Broker Derrick, ensuring our clients receive exceptional attention and all loans are approved swiftly and efficiently. With over five years of experience in banking and finance and qualifications as a financial advisor in Ireland, Paul brings invaluable experience to the team. After a successful stint in Recruitment upon arriving in Australia, Paul's passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals led him back into the finance industry with FINR Advisory. Paul is also an avid Collingwood supporter and in his spare time he likes to cook up a storm and take early morning walks along the beach.
Simon Tran
Senior Mortgage Broker | Qualified Property Investment Advisor
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Simon is a Senior Mortgage Broker at FINR Advisory with over 10 years of experience in banking, finance, and property investment. His expertise stems from his previous role as a Private Banker at CBA, where he worked closely with high-net-worth clients to structure tailored financial solutions. Driven by his passion for property, Simon has also earned accreditation from Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) as a Qualified Property Investment Advisor. In his role, Simon specialises in mortgage financing and property investment advisory, helping clients navigate complex lending structures and provide strategic guidance to help clients build and scale their property portfolios. Simon is known for his dynamic energy, deep market knowledge, and client-first approach.
Miguel Escobar
Property Analyst
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Growing up in Mexico, Miguel’s interest in property was first sparked in a drafting class, where an inspiring teacher ignited his curiosity about architecture and design. This led him to complete a bachelor’s degree in architecture and began working across residential, commercial, and industrial projects. He developed strong skills in drafting, 3D modelling, and rendering. Over time, Miguel became increasingly interested in the broader business side of property, which led him to pursue a Master of Property at the University of Melbourne. There, he explored all facets of the industry, from property law and planning to financial modelling, GIS, and data analytics. Miguel worked at Proaxis as a property valuer and analyst, advising private landowners, investors, and government clients. His focus was on market research and financial modelling to support strategic property decisions. He has also contributed to education through lecturing roles in design and architecture. He is currently working at FINR as part of the Buyers Advocacy Team, where he draws on his commercial property analysis and modelling skills to help the property team assess and identify the most suitable opportunities for clients based on their briefs.
Thien Do
Mortgage Broker
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Thien is a seasoned finance professional with over seven years of experience working with major banks. His exceptional communication skills were honed during his tenure as a call center team manager at CBA before transitioning to lending. He’s skilled at explaining complex financial concepts in a way that's easy to understand for his clients and places his clients' best interest above all. Beyond finance, Thien has a passion for music and is frequently DJ’ing at events and functions.
Jason Lieu
Tech Guru/Loan Processor
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Jason is a dedicated loan processor and systems improvement expert at FINR Advisory, where he leverages his finance experience to streamline processes through systems integrations and automations. With a commitment to accuracy and compliance, he plays a pivotal role in ensuring loan applications are packaged with all the right information and documents for a swift approval. Jason's passion for system enhancement has resulted in significant improvements in the client journey, enabling FINR Advisory to keep customers updated at all stages of the loan process. In his spare time, Jason likes to try different cuisines and also enjoys making Japanese Ramen noodles from scratch.
Danica Duque
Loan Processor
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Dan is someone who thrives on staying active and embracing life with enthusiasm. Dancing is more than just a hobby for her—it's her passion and a favorite way to express herself. Whether she's learning new routines or simply letting loose, dancing allows her to stay connected to her creative side. She is dedicated to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, often spending time at the gym to challenge herself and stay strong. Beyond fitness and dance, Dan has a deep love for adventure. She enjoys exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and stepping out of her comfort zone to try exciting activities. Whether it’s traveling to a new destination or taking on a new challenge, Dan is always looking for ways to grow and create unforgettable memories.
Lara Maravilla
Loan Processor
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Lara is an experienced loan processor with over five years in the financial industry. She is dedicated to providing smooth service and helping clients reach their financial goals with care and attention to detail. Outside of work, Lara is a devoted mother who enjoys spending time with her family and creating lasting memories. She also loves exploring local cafes and enjoying a good coffee. With a unique blend of professionalism and warmth, Lara is not only a trusted expert in her field but also someone who values meaningful connections in all aspects of her life.
Srdjan Damjanic
Buyer's Advocate Associate
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Srdjan is a dedicated Buyer's Advocate Associate with a robust background in the hospitality industry, which has honed his exceptional social and negotiating skills. These skills seamlessly transition into his role in property investment, where he is committed to assisting clients in navigating the real estate market to find premium investment opportunities. Holding a Diploma of Property, Srdjan combines his industry knowledge with a personable approach to ensure client satisfaction and success in property investments. His experience in high-paced, service-oriented environments equips him to handle complex negotiations and client interactions with ease, making him a valuable asset to his team and clients.
Tiffany Gayle Bienvenuto
Customer Success Manager
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Tiff has a rich professional background that includes roles as an SDR in a Fintech company, a loan processor, a teller, and now as a Customer Success Manager. She brings expertise in marketing, finance, research, and Facebook Ads to her role. Her adaptability and focus on delivering reliable results have allowed her to thrive across different industries. In her downtime, Tiff enjoys listening to music (a devoted fan of Taylor Swift and BINI), watching Netflix, and spending quality time with her beloved cats, family, and friends. She values meaningful connections and appreciates the simple moments that bring joy and inspiration to her life.
Trizha Mae Bienvenuto
Executive Assistant
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Tri collaborates closely with the Executive Director at FINR Advisory to support the Credit Assessment Team. Her duties range from managing inboxes and handling schedules to tracking and preparing weekly and monthly sales reports and coordinating with the internal team on ad hoc assignments. She certainly has an eye for detail, willingness to learn and expertise in customer support and clerical tasks. Prior to joining FINR, she began her career as an Executive Assistant at a start up real estate business in Melbourne where she grew massively by working independently. As a naturally born extroverted introvert, she appreciates working behind the scenes to make sure the team is always well-resourced.
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