Page 35 - Tropic Magazine Issue 26

TROPIC • COVER STORY

Cassandra Draws Tony Duggan Nigel Edward
Business Banking Manager, Senior Agribusiness Manager, Business Banking Manager,
Cairns Cassowary Coast Cairns
The majority of my clients are not I first started for the NAB in 1986, My role covers from Gordonvale
for-profits and NGO, predominantly following four years at boarding to Cardwell but with connections
in the Indigenous health and school and then a Degree in Maths as far away as Melbourne, Darwin
wellbeing sector. Working with and Computing. The opportunity to and a few spots in between. My
organisations that share the same work in regional areas was the main portfolio is very diverse covering
passion to improve the lives of our attraction. Over the past 34 years, including Transport, Manufacturing,
First Nations peoples is why I get this has afforded us the opportunity Lifestyle, Professional and Private
up every day. Having the privilege to work in 16 different communities Educational entities and I’m able to
to meet people from all walks of covering most areas and rural deliver the full spectrum of funding
life and working with businesses to industries in QLD. The industries products from Property to Leasing to
streamline processes and improve I look after are cane, bananas, international import/export to name
efficiencies is what I love to do. avocados and cattle. a few.

Melanie Smith Peter Squire
Business Banking Manager, Business Banking Manager,
Cairns Atherton Tablelands Ashlea Unthank
My role is to support existing and Started with the Commercial Senior Business Banking Manager,
new clients with all of their banking Banking Company of Sydney in Cairns
needs including Business Lending, 1977 which then merged with the I joined NAB when leaving school as
Home Lending, Transactional National Bank of Australasia, a part-time teller and quickly fell in
Accounts, Trade and Working Capital ultimately becoming NABMy Uncle love with it. Customer service is my
and Investments. I love spending worked for the CBC and I also did main priority. An average day means
time with clients and having the not want to go to University straight emails, meetings, writing deals
opportunity to learn about their away. However, I completed a Degree for new and existing customers. I
business. The more time that we at Monash University through Bank deal mainly with the construction
spend with our clients to understand Sponsorship. These days I look after and engineering industry along
their business, the better we can a suite of clients and bring new with professional services and a
help to support them and advocate clients on board through offering a few hospitality clients. Working
for them. For many business owners high level of personal service. Seeing with clients everyday, building a
their business is their life; spending my customers achieve their goals relationship with them and getting
time with people passionate about and aspirations is the best part of to know their businesses and their
what they do is exciting! my role. families is the best part of the job.

35 • tropicnow.com.au