Backed by extensive experience in the financial services sector, Nicole Ott, National Manager – Dealer Groups & Platforms, has spent the past eight years growing Trilogy Funds’ adviser network across Australia.

In this edition of ‘In conversation’, we chat with Nicole about her career journey, the impact she has on the financial services industry and her goals for the future.

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

I started in the financial services industry back in the early 2000s. I began working with one of Australia’s leading dealer groups for a few years before transitioning into funds management roles where I worked in State Manager sales positions.

I then got the opportunity to help set up and run some outsourcing businesses in India and the Philippines, which mainly specialised in financial services support type roles. Then when the role came up at Trilogy Funds, I grabbed it with both hands and it has been one of the best career decisions of my life.

What challenges have you faced as a woman throughout your career, and how have you overcome them?

I have definitely experienced some interesting situations early in my career, but I think confidence grows over time. I have been very fortunate that I have always been able to lean on and learn from some amazing mentors who helped shaped me into the person that I am today.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is to ‘Accelerate Action’ for gender equality. Is there anything you do to help accelerate action?

Only 22% of financial advisers in Australia are women, down from 23% in 2023. Attracting more women to the industry is definitely a challenge, both on the adviser and fund manager side.

I have the pleasure of being a part of the Financial Advice Association Australia’s (FAAA) Inspire Community in Queensland. Inspire’s purpose is to provide a supportive and inclusive community for women in financial services.

This community is working wonders to accelerate action and I am so impressed by the calibre of these amazing women who are working hard to support and attract more women into the industry.

How do you support the financial services industry?

Outside of my work with Trilogy, I try to give back to the industry as much as I can. Along with the FAAA’s Inspire Community, I am also part of the FAAA’s Brisbane Metro Community Commitee. This committee aims to build a vibrant space for all professionals who facilitate and deliver financial advice in the Brisbane area.

I am also on the Grants Committee for the Future2 Foundation. The Future2 Foundation leverages the financial services sector’s ability to enhance financial literacy, with a particular aim of building stronger financial futures for women, young Australians, Australians in need, as well as those in regional and remote parts of the country.

Can you share an example of an instance where your leadership has made a significant impact on Trilogy Funds?

We have grown significantly since I started, which is thanks to the entire Trilogy Distribution team. When I joined, the Trilogy Monthly Income Trust was just celebrating ten years since inception and had $90 million in funds under management. In the eight years since, funds under management have increased almost tenfold to $862 million at 31 January 2025.

How does Trilogy Funds promote diversity and inclusion?

There are so many great things Trilogy does as a company to make all employees feel appreciated and included. Personally, I have always felt a part of the team. I think this has primarily been driven by the culture at all levels of the organisation, which has always felt open, collaborative and inclusionary.

How do you think companies can better support women in leadership roles?

Provide women with the opportunity to be in leadership roles. I am of the opinion that the right person should get the job, which means we need to create the right pathways to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to be that ‘right person for a job’.

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

I think there has been some amazing progress in regard to the role of women in business over the past few decades and I am excited to see how this plays out in the future. In particular, through advancements in technology and the ability for remote and more flexible working conditions, this has allowed more women to enter and thrive in the workforce.

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

Be yourself, work hard, never say no to an opportunity and surround yourself with good, positive people that you can learn from. Many women tend to underestimate themselves, which is why it’s so important to be assertive and find your voice.

What are your goals for the future, both personally and for the company?

I feel like the best is yet to come for both myself and for Trilogy Funds. My main goal is to continue helping Trilogy to grow our funds and our brand’s presence throughout Australia.

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

I would love to think that wherever I have worked, I have added value and left the organisation in a better position than when I joined.

A quality that is ingrained in me is to be thoughtful and empathetic of others’ opinions and interests, and this is a trait that I would like to have tied to my legacy.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?

I’m currently renovating my house, so I am busy working with my builder to try to narrow down my selection of wallpaper from the thousands of different samples available. This is proving quite daunting, much like the number of ‘white’ paint colours and cabinetry styles to choose from.