Our Advisers,
are passionate about building strong client relationships, 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.
For more information on what we do and who we work with, please use the links below.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
We sleep well at night knowing that our financial affairs are in very safe hands.
“We have been with Strategy First since the beginning - September 2005. We were feeling extremely frustrated and very vulnerable with our then financial adviser. We were referred to Strategy First by a good friend. Having regard to our prior negative experience, we were very wary in the beginning. But that wariness evaporated very very quickly. It became apparent during our first meeting with Dave Price that we would be in very good hands. From that first meeting it was clear to us that Dave and the entire team would create a culture of excellence and trust. We sleep well at night knowing that our financial affairs are in very safe hands. We appreciate very much the worrying is being done for us! In the almost 20 years of our association and as our needs have changed, we can honestly say we have never had a day of doubt about the quality of the team, the independent advice being given or the outcomes. We therefore happily recommend Dave and Strategy First to anyone requiring first class assistance in managing their financial wellbeing.”
- Craig and Karen (clients since 2005)
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
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
Melissa is a professionally qualified financial adviser (CFP® 2005) with over 15 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
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.
Michael Lang
Paraplanner
Michael is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at Sydney University and his role at Strategy First is to assist our Advisers with technical and administrative support. Michael uses his commerce background to assist with research and documents of client advice.
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.
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.
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
Kay is part of our customer service and compliance team. She loves the knowledge she has gained working for different companies and the variety of the work that comes with the role.
Ashlee O'Leary
Client Service Specialist
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.
Nera Kokot
Client Service & Marketing Specialist
Nera brings a strong background in office administration and customer service. After completing a Digital Marketing Strategy and Leadership course, she has taken on the dual role of Client Services and Marketing Specialist. Nera has also contributed significantly to streamlining and improving processes within the company.
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.
