Judges

Rex Afrasiabi, the founder of M A Legal, was recognized by Forbes Magazine in 2023 as the top choice lawyer for real estate agencies throughout Australia. With a diverse clientele in the real estate sector, including some of Victoria’s largest real estate offices, Rex has built a wealth of experience and deep knowledge of the industry's inner workings over the years.

Furthermore, Rex co-hosts the real estate-focused business advisory show "Real Estate Renovators," where he has welcomed notable guests from the industry. Rex's expertise has been recognized by leading publications like Forbes, Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, Herald Sun, being a guest on numerous podcasts, and he has been a finalist for a number of legal awards.

Renowned for his business acumen, Rex not only navigates clients through complex legal matters and negotiations but also offers strategic guidance for their growth and planning needs. He has been instrumental in assisting both startups and established large agencies in achieving their business goals, and was also recognised by Forbes in 2023 as a top 5 business mentor in Australia.

Sinthya, (CPA), Executive (MBA), is a Senior Financial Analyst at Qantas, where she looks after the Regional Workforce Division, providing critical financial insights, supporting and managing key commercial decisions and strategic planning across the wider business.

“The numbers don’t rule, they can inform, but it’s all about us as accountants inside companies having the deep understanding and skills to look at the past and present to help predict and shape the future.” She further leads multiple projects, protecting and serving the public interest by ensuring that investors and other stakeholders have materially accurate financial statements and other reliable information on which to base decisions.

Additionally, Sinthya is an Adjudicator for Australasian Reporting Awards, as well as a Judge for multiple Award shows across the Accounting industry, including Accountants Daily, Accounting Reporting Awards, Commercial Finance Awards, & Better Business Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the industry.

Also, Sinthya is a Board Member at MyQOL Incorporated Charity, and an appointed Committee Member for CPA Divisional Corporate Sector Comittee, further contributing to the Accounting Profession, Partner, and prepare members for today and tomorrow in a globally connected world.

Jason is the Director of Broker Essentials and is Australia’s leading Mortgage Broker Mentor and sort after media commentator. In 2016 Jason foundered Broker Essentials and launched a training program for brokers after years of inquiries into the best practices and habits of a high-performance business.

Jason was named 2021 Mentor of the Year at The Adviser Better Business awards, 2021, APAC Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 - Financial Services, ABA 2020 Mentor of the year, and AMA 2020 Service provider of the year. He was the Managing Director of The Australian Lending & Investment Centre (ALIC) and has been instrumental in taking ALIC to the forefront of the mortgage brokering industry. In 2014,15,16 and 2017 ALIC was voted the top independent brokerage of the year by Mortgage Professional Australia, Australia’s best brokerage in 2014 & 15 at the Australian Mortgage Awards and MFAA in 2016 and 2018.

Jason has over 30 years’ experience in the finance sector, having worked in senior sales, distribution and management roles for ANZ and having provided financial advice and services on behalf of financial planning, equity trading platforms, private banking, lending and retail distribution brands.

More details can be found on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-back-broker-essentials/ and at Broker Essentials www.brokeressentials.com.au

Richard Brown brings a unique blend of strategic marketing and award-winning mortgage broking expertise to the REB judging panel. After a distinguished 20-year career in Advertising and Media, Richard transitioned to mortgage broking in 2023, where he has made an immediate and significant impact. Named The Adviser’s Australian New Broker of the Year in 2025, Richard has rapidly built a high-growth brokerage centered on exceptional client outcomes.

His experience working and partnering with real estate businesses across the industry has given him exposure to the best agents and operators. Richard is highly regarded for his dedication to first home buyers and seasoned investors alike, driven by a philosophy that clear communication and high-energy service are the benchmarks of industry excellence.

Jess Densley is the founder of the Elite Agency Success System, a leading real estate consultancy group working with business owners and sales people to achieve peak performance in their business worldwide.

He has previously been a high performing real estate agent ranked in the top 2% of agents in Australia, inside the countries largest franchise group operating from a regional market place. Jess also has been a leading business owner who operated an awarding winning real estate business that was crowned the number one regional business a record 4 times across Victoria & Tasmania.

As well as being a leading sales coach, Jess also has credentials as an accredited level one (ICG) human behaviour coach working with corporate organisations on unlocking potential in their individuals and teams.

Adam Franklin is the author of Web Marketing That Works — an Amazon #1 best seller. He is a professional speaker, marketing coach and CEO of Bluewire Media. Accolades include being named Australia’s #1 business blog, #7 LinkedIn Expert in Asia Pacific and #9 on Entrepreneur magazine’s top marketing podcasts. Adam’s work has featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, The Australian, and the Sydney Morning Herald. Adam helps businesses win high-value clients via LinkedIn. He teaches 1000s of students via his online courses and coaching programs and his weekly ‘Bluewire News’ email goes out to over 35,000 business owners worldwide.

Neville Hurst is a senior lecturer in property studies at RMIT University, Victoria, Australia. Although originally trained as an electrical engineer Neville has worked extensively in industry and for the last 40 years in the property sector as a practitioner and academic. His research interest focuses on real estate industry practices, valuation practices, housing markets and in particular energy efficient housing. Completing his Phd in 2019, Neville investigated real estate agent attitudes and engagement with energy efficient housing and is working with peak industry bodies to create greater awareness of the importance of sustainable housing to future cities.

Peter Lynch is a leader in Professional Indemnity Insurance in the real estate, valuation and management right industry sectors.

He boasts over 30 years’ experience with Aon Risk Solutions and as the Client Manager is responsible for developing new business within the real estate sector including the identification of business opportunities with franchise groups and other stakeholders.

He took a significant role in providing advice and support to introduce a Real Estate specific indemnity insurance scheme and is responsible for the highly successful REIQ/REINT schemes which he coordinated with the assistance of industry, lawyers, underwriters and claims staff.

Peter has a strong interest in promoting safe and quality business practices in real estate and has been a regular contributor to course materials, presentations and editorial submissions. He has been called upon to be a guest speaker at training forums for the REIQ, REIA, REINT, REIWA and various franchise groups.

Peter also provides individual Risk Management training to a number of his Franchise Group clients.

As Chief Economist of PRD Real Estate (PRD), Dr Diaswati (Asti) Mardiasmo leads a
nation-wide (Australia) research team providing high-quality property, housing, and
market research to PRD franchises and brings a multitude of expertise: economics,
public policy, demographics, housing data, future projects and supply of housing,
stakeholder engagement and management, and high-level data analysis.

Prior to this she was Visiting Fellow at the Law and Justice Research Centre in the
Faculty of Law at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Dr Mardiasmo
holds a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Law at QUT, specialising in public / state asset
management and governance. Dr Mardiasmo is the industry co-lecturer for QUT’s
Bachelor of Property Economics, within the School of Economics and Finance, Faculty
of Business and Law. She was previously an industry partner within the Australian
Federal Government’s Australian Research Council Linkage on Sustainable Housing.

Diaswati was appointed by the Queensland State Government to the Brisbane 2032
Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Committee between 2022-2025, as a
housing economist specialist. Diaswati is a member of the Residential Committee
2025-2026 for the Property Council of Australia (for the 3rd term) and a member of
the Reserve Bank of Australia Liaison Program. Diaswati was awarded the prestigious
Migrant Leader of the Year award at the Women Changing the World Awards 2024.

Dr Mardiasmo has provided expert property and real estate commentary at national
and international seminars, as well as to various print media, online, podcasts, radio,
and TV channels. She has published specialized property-related research papers,
book chapters, government white papers, and industry publications; as well as in a
wide range of journals, books, and national / international conference proceedings
that covers her broader expertise of economics, public policy, and governance.

Diaswati have provided expertise as a keynote speaker and/or panellist for a wide
range of organisations, including (but not limited to) United Women Australia, Property Council of Australia, Governance Institute of Australia, Young Economist- Economic Society of Australia, Women of the World Australia; and many more.

She has a deep passion for multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion; reflected in her
position as Board of Directors for Multicultural Australia since 2022 and a committee
member for the Salaam Institute Brisbane Chapter since 2025.

Professor Rahat Munir is the Head of Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University. He is FCA, FCPA and PhD. Professor Munir is internationally acclaimed for his engagement with industry-driven curriculum and has been at the forefront of leading development and change initiatives. He is also forensic accounting specialist with financial crime investigative skills. He has pioneered innovative learning and teaching (L&T) practices, academic standards & accreditations. Her maintains strong ongoing relationships with external stakeholders, including professional associations, universities and communities - Universities in China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Europe. He has served on the panel for Faculty/Course Reviews of various Universities in Australia and New Zealand. With his strong engagement with industry, he leads CFO Forum, Industry Academic Series, Thought Leadership and Business Leaders Roundtables. He has written over 100 peer reviewed journal articles, conference papers, books, book chapters, monographs and commissioned reports, and over 50 publications for professional and lay audiences. Although the bulk of his research focuses on management accounting and controls, he has also published in important cognate areas such as education, CSR, corporate governance, corporate culture and research expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Professor Munir has delivered scores of invited/keynote presentations, and his expert opinions has been featured in radio, television, newspapers, newsletters, and web outlets. He is affiliated with several professional bodies including the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, Professional Risk Managers International Association, USA, American Accounting Association, British Accounting Association, Canadian Accounting Association and European Accounting Association. Professor Munir serves on various high-level Committees and Advisory Boards. Professor Munir’s sustained excellence in teaching and research has been recognised through international awards.

Andrew Phanartzis is the visionary Director of Property Association, Australia’s boutique consultancy for residential developers. Under his leadership, the firm delivers end-to-end expertise—from site acquisition and strategic planning through creative marketing, sales execution, and ongoing property management—helping clients transform land parcels into thriving communities.

With more than 15 years’ hands-on experience alongside some of the nation’s largest master-planned communities, apartment complexes and house-and-land subdivisions, Andrew has contributed to more than $2 billion in residential projects across the East coast of Australia. His strengths lie in anticipating market shifts, innovating sales strategies, and unlocking hidden value at every stage of the development lifecycle.

A licensed real-estate agent and FS146-qualified financial planner, Andrew holds a BA in Human Resource Management and English from the University of New South Wales. He is celebrated for his unwavering professionalism, unrelenting work ethic and a client-first mentality that consistently delivers above-market returns

Brett is a second-generation mortgage stalwart, having been actively involved in the Mortgage & Finance industry for over 30 years after starting his career working at the family-owned lender Interstar (now Advantedge). He then went onto to run the Stargate Group where he pioneered outsourced mortgage processing services by creating the first BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) operation for Mortgage Brokers and was instrumental in introducing the first Mortgage Broker CRM Systems in the early 2000’s, used by over 5000 mortgage brokers prior to its acquisition by then ASX listed Rubik Financial Limited (RFL).

Brett set about using AI to build supportive systems for mortgage participants, building the first Responsible Lending platform at Opica Group, and now as founder & CEO of Docuscan Australia he is building industry leading platforms for Brokers, Lenders and Mortgage Professionals using his vast experience in the latest AI technologies to Eliminate Data Entry using Drag & Drop Data Capture and Document Fraud Detection solutions to facilitate digital customer acquisitions.

Brett also serves on the Board of an advisory services firm, a responsible lending technology firm, a new to market fintech lender specialising in loans to Australia’s front-line responders and has been an investor and advisor to lenders, aggregators and regulators in Australia and abroad.