In early 2025, Nadia Taylor stepped into the role of Senior Group Accountant. Since joining in 2020, Nadia has played a key role in determining and executing Trilogy Funds’ financial strategy, leveraging her strong background in public practice accounting, as well as extensive experience in providing tax and business advisory services.

In this edition of ‘In conversation’, we chat to Nadia about her career challenges and accomplishments, how best to support women in leadership roles, and her aspirations for the future.

Could you share some background on your career journey and how you reached your current position at Trilogy Funds?

I completed my Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of Queensland while working part-time in payroll and banking with Woolworths. In my final semester of university, I obtained an internship at William Buck, a public accounting firm in Brisbane. For the next two years, I worked in their tax and business advisory teams while also commencing my post-graduate studies to become a Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

In 2020, I moved into a commercial accounting role at Trilogy Funds as an Assistant Accountant. Over the four-and-a-half years that followed, I progressed within the team to the role of Finance Manager, where I led my team for three years. My role has recently evolved into a Senior Group Accountant position, a role that allows me to specialise in high-level corporate accounting concepts and financial strategy.

What has been your most significant professional achievement so far?

I am proud to have completed my Chartered Accountant studies with distinction while also working full time at Trilogy. It is greatly satisfying to actively use concepts learned from my studies in my work every day and share that knowledge with team members.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is to ‘Accelerate Action’ for gender equality. How has gender equality evolved over the course of your career?

I think the recent shift from focusing on achieving ‘equality’ to ‘equity’ in the diversity space has been a positive change. This helps further the understanding that not all people have the same starting point in their careers because of demographic and socioeconomic factors, which can influence how different people can experience inequality.

It has also been positive to see more organisations acknowledge and celebrate International Women’s Day, as education and awareness of gender equality is the first step towards accelerating action for change.

How can companies better support women in leadership roles?

Businesses should recognise the added value that gender diversity within leadership roles brings to an organisation – value that can come from fresh perspectives and unique approaches to problem solving and decision-making. These benefits have been directly correlated to better economic performance for businesses who demonstrate greater gender diversity in leadership.

How do you see the role of women in business evolving over the next decade?

In 2024, over 60% of Australian university enrolments were women. As women become more educated than ever before, I’m excited to see corporate workplaces have greater representation of women in management and senior leadership roles not only in finance, but across all fields. I also foresee more widespread adoption of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ 40/40/20 targets.

What advice would you give to women aspiring to reach leadership positions?

You don’t have to change your personality to become a successful leader. Play to your strengths and work for a business that recognises that diversity of leaders is an asset.

I think it is also important to find your voice. There have been times where I have seen and experienced gender-based stereotyping. I believe it’s often unintentional for people to stereotype in the workplace, but recognising and pushing back when it occurs can help overcome this and help people recognise unconscious biases.

What are your goals for the future?

My goal within the next few years is to start a family, while also maintaining my continual professional development and balancing a career in accounting and finance. This is a challenge that is often unique to woman, but thankfully I have strong role models to look up to, as well as the support of my husband and Trilogy Funds.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind in your career?

I hope to leave behind a legacy of kindness and always having the time to help other team members when they need it.

What are your interests outside of work?

I love cooking, baking and trying new restaurants around Brisbane.