Our Advisers

are passionate about building long-term relationships, truly independent advice and consistently yield strong outcomes, ensuring that your financial journey is as smooth as possible. Their commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals has earned them a reputation for excellence. Our advisers have a range of specialties, and we will always attempt to match you with the adviser that best suits your needs.

Strategy First Financial Planning Advisers
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David Price

Director & Financial Planner

David is the founding Director of Strategy First, starting the business in September 2005. David is passionate about his clients, the Strategy First team, and the provision of quality, independent advice.
 
While qualified to provide advice in all areas of Financial Planning, David has spent the last 10 years working with High Net Worth Individuals; specialising in wealth management, retirement planning, asset protection, estate planning and intergenerational wealth transfer.

Outside of work, David loves spending time with his family and Golden Retriever, Jett.

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Rhys Phillips

Director & Financial Planner

Rhys is a member of the SMSF Association, holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Financial Services. He has been a dedicated team member since 2010 and is skilled in the areas of Wealth Management, Strategic Planning, Estate Planning, and Portfolio Management. 

​Finalist in the 2018 Young Leaders in Finance Awards in the Financial Adviser of the Year category.

Rhys was nominated for the FSPOWER 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia in 2024 & 2025.

Don Foster - Financial Adviser

Don Foster

Certified Financial Planner

Don is a member of the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.

He is skilled in all aspects of Financial Planning, including the areas of Wealth Accumulation, Pre and Post-Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, and Investment Portfolio Advice.            

Chris Gilmour - Financial Adviser

Chris Gilmour

Certified Financial Planner

Chris is a member of the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.

He has been a part of the Strategy First team since 2013 and is passionate about helping people along their financial journey, improving their financial wellbeing.

With his caring and empathic nature, his clients feel heard, helping them in the areas of goals discovery, understanding financial capabilities, strategic planning, wealth management, pre and post-retirement planning and estate planning.                   

Erin Coyle - Financial Adviser

Erin Coyle

Certified Financial Planner

Erin is an experienced Financial Planner advising on a wide range of financial strategies, including tax-effective wealth accumulation, cash flow and debt management, retirement planning and aged care.  She is passionate about working with clients to help them identify and articulate their financial goals before formulating the steps required to achieve them.

Erin is a member of the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® with a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) and a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). Completing her Financial Planner Certification in 2014, Erin graduated as the highest achieving student, earning herself the inaugural Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award.               

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Michael Lang

Financial Planner

Michael is a Provisional Financial Adviser who is the midst of completing his Professional Year.

He has over 6 years of experience within the Financial Planning Industry as a Paraplanner. He completed his Master of Financial Planning in 2024 and a Bachelor of Commerce in 2022.

As a provisional financial advisor, Michael will be under the supervision of senior adviser Don Foster.                

Strategy First Financial Planning Team

Meet Our Expert Team 

At Strategy First, we believe that behind every successful financial plan is a dedicated team of professionals. Get to know the team responsible for helping you achieve your financial future.

Taiki Yasushima - Senior Paraplanner at Strategy First Financial Planning

Taiki Yasushima

Senior Paraplanner

Taiki assists our advisers with technical and administrative support, providing research and documents of client advice. He has previously worked for an accounting firm in the financial service division for over 6 years. Finalist in the 2019 Money Management Paraplanner of the year award.

Melissa Richards - Senior Paraplanner at Strategy First Financial Planning

Melissa Richards

Senior Paraplanner

Melissa is a professionally qualified financial adviser (CFP® 2005) with over 25 years’ experience in financial services organisation. Melissa's thorough understanding of the financial framework and statutory legislation surrounding financial services gives the paraplanning team a strong foundation of guidance.       

Sam Battaglene - Paraplanner at Strategy First Financial Planning

Sam Battaglene

Paraplanner

Sam has five years of experience in financial services and as a taxation consultant. At Strategy First, Sam assists our Advisers with technical and administrative support, providing research and documents of client advice. Sam holds an Advanced Diploma of Accounting and is currently studying a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance at Australian Catholic University.

Jack Dacey - Junior Paraplanner at Strategy First Financial Planning

Jack Dacey

Junior Paraplanner

Jack's role at Strategy First is to assist our Advisers with technical and administrative support and is currently studying a Bachelor of Applied Commerce at TAFE. Jack brings his 10 years of customer service experience in a variety of roles requiring leadership and attention to detail to Strategy First.         

Nera Kokot - Senior Client Service & Marketing Specialist at Strategy First Financial Planning

Nera Kokot

Senior Client Service & Marketing Specialist

Nera has been with Strategy First for over seven years, backed by extensive experience in office administration and operations. She is known for going above and beyond for clients while streamlining processes across the business.

Having completed her Digital Marketing Strategy and Leadership course, along with additional studies, Nera has earned the role of Strategy First’s Marketing Specialist, driving the firm’s strategy with a practical, client-focused approach.

Leah Steele - Senior Client Service Specialist at Strategy First Financial Planning

Leah Steele

Senior Client Service Specialist

With a background in information technology, event management and administration Leah brings an eclectic mix of skills focused on our company ethos of 'making dreams happen'. Since 2014 Leah has been supporting her clients and her team with heartfelt intention, knowledge and experience. 

Ashlee O'Leary - - Client Service Specialist & Junior Paraplanner at Strategy First Financial Planning

Ashlee O'Leary

Client Service Specialist & Junior Paraplanner

A dedicated professional with a background in office coordination and an extraordinary commitment to exemplary customer service. Ashlee's proficiency in organising and streamlining office operations ensures seamless workflows and efficient processes at Strategy First. Ashlee has recently completed her Advanced Diploma in Paraplanning and is now studying to become a Financial Adviser. 

Diana Plenty - Client Service Specialist at Strategy First Financial Planning

Diana Plenty

Client Service Specialist

Diana started in 2006, just after Strategy First's inception. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in administration and project management. She is always happy to assist our Clients and Advisers. She holds a Diploma in HR and Certificate in Business Administration.          

Tracy Cronan - Practice Support at Strategy First Financial Planning

Tracy Cronan

Practice Support

Tracy's specialist experience and professional attitude is backed by an exemplary career in accounting and administration. Tracy's contribution to Strategy First aims to help us reach peak service delivery and organizational management.      

Kay Marin - Practice Support at Strategy First Financial Planning

Kay Marin

Practice Support

Backed by an extensive background in financial services, Kay combines her industry training with an unwavering focus on accuracy and client satisfaction. She ensures our operations meet the highest standards while keeping our clients' needs at the heart of everything we do.

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Dream Plan Achieve

At Strategy First our mission is to encourage you to dream a little to set your financial goals, and help you develop a structured plan around smart financial decisions to achieve your aspirations.
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