Profile
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Simi Sethu,
Kripa Financial Solutions
Sue Griffiths has built a career by saying yes when opportunity appeared and trusting her ability to meet the moment. That instinct defines the national strategic partnership manager at First Mortgage Trust, who was named to NZ Adviser’s Elite Women 2026 list for leadership that blends practical experience with a people-first philosophy.
Griffiths did not map out a career path. After passing School Certificate at 16, her mother marched her into the local Westpac branch for a job interview. Strong math skills helped her win the job, and she never looked back. Each step that followed came from accepting challenges rather than waiting for the right time.
“I live by the philosophy of never turning an opportunity down. Every opportunity brings new learnings and opens more doors,” she says.
That openness continues to guide her through transitions. She recently stepped into the strategic partnership manager role after overseeing a 23-person lending team, a move that required leaving familiar operational territory. To adapt, she relied on the support of colleagues, deepened her knowledge of the business, and searched for ways to bring speed to market for mortgage advisers.
Griffiths’s leadership style reflects a hands-on approach. She prefers to learn a job from the ground up so she can identify efficiencies and support her team with credibility. She treats people with respect and encourages them to push beyond comfort zones. Watching team members succeed and earn industry recognition ranks among her proudest professional moments.
Personal milestones have demanded equal courage. Speaking at the NZA Women in Finance Summit in 2021 marked a turning point. Although she had addressed large audiences before, sharing her own story in a presentation titled Confessions of a Recovering Workaholic tested her resolve as a private person.
The industry Griffiths entered looked different from today’s environment. Early in her career, she was overlooked for promotions, a reflection of a period when female leadership was less visible. Progress since then stands out. Today, women are increasingly represented across financial roles. For Griffiths, that representation matters because it shows what is possible.
Still, expectations outside the office remain demanding. She points to the guilt many women feel while balancing work and family responsibilities, even as younger generations begin to share those duties more evenly. Griffiths wants workplaces to support that evolution through open dialogue.
“I’d like to see more conversations at work around ways to support women and men to share family responsibilities. Normalising these discussions leads to better understanding, stronger support, and more inclusive workplaces for everyone,” she adds.
Technology continues to transform financial services, yet she believes relationships remain central. People want to deal with people, she says, and the personal touch is what stays with them throughout their journey.
Griffiths measures success by the example she leaves behind. The legacy she hopes to build is grounded in generosity and integrity, giving without expectation and doing what is right because it should be done.
Northern Quarter, Level 1/45 The Strand, Tauranga 3110
027 222 4828
sueg@fmt.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/sue-griffiths-25082660
fmt.co.nz
Sue Griffiths
National Strategic Partnerships Manager
First Mortgage Trust
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Simi Sethu,
Kripa Financial Solutions
1984–2004
2004–2012
2012–2023
2023–2024
Present
1984–2002: Progressed from entry-level roles to Branch Manager, Business Lending at Westpac New Zealand
2002–2004: Executive Secretary at NZMBA
1984–2004
2004–2010: General Manager/Business Manager at PLAN New Zealand (Loan Market)
2010–2012: Credit Advice Manager – Queensland at Advantedge Group Australia (NAB)
2004–2012
2012–2017: Senior Business Development Manager at ALI Group (Australia)
2018–2023: Head of Sales, NZ at Bluestone Home Loans
2012–2023
Consultant Financial Services at Funding Partners
2023–2024
Operations Manager at First Mortgage Trust since 2024
National Strategic Partnership Manager at First Mortgage Trust since 2025
Present
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE
Before founding Kripa, Sethu held key sales roles with global travel leaders Emirates and Travelport, where she sharpened her client relationship, communication and strategic sales skills. These experiences gave her a deep appreciation for diverse client needs and the importance of tailored, human-centred solutions.
Sethu is also a sought-after speaker on topics such as homeownership pathways, business funding, financial literacy and smart borrowing in evolving markets. Her engaging, down-to-earth style makes financial education accessible and actionable.
Driven by a genuine passion for community empowerment and financial wellbeing, Sethu is dedicated to helping people take control of their financial futures with clarity, confidence and long-term vision.