Elie Ayoub

Director

During Elie’s time at LaTrobe studying commerce, he learnt two things quickly: accounting wasn’t for him, but finance certainly was. It sparked a fire in him and led to working in superannuation brokerage, followed by a vast array of roles at Westpac and Bank of Melbourne. Elie gained experience in financial planning including SMSF, deposits and shares, moving onto residential, business, commercial and corporate loans in his next role.

Elie wanted to take his knowledge and like all business owners, do things a little differently. He believes that there is often a siloed approach to finance whereas the best way to work with clients is a harmonious one. Elie is passionate about working with SME’s, learning what inspires them, how they started and why. Being able to create a customised service for them based on listening to their story is what he loves most about his role.

 Elie can site the lyrics to any Prince song, whilst cooking up a mean BBQ for his friends and family. You’ll find him preaching to his (already converted) sons about the Mighty Carlton Football Club and taking long drives, then walks, at the beach on the weekend.

John Cassar

Director

With impressive experience in the finance industry ranging from sales, product management and project roles, John’s numbers brain combined with his enjoyment of fostering long term relationships with his clients makes him someone you’ll want to work with.

John was instrumental in rebuilding the debtor finance product at NAB following the GFC and has many leadership feathers in his cap too, exemplified by his running of the wonderful Invictus team today.

He preceded his career at Marcellin College (where he met Elie), and then with a Commerce degree from LaTrobe, polishing his skills with additional diplomas in finance and mortgage broking.

Making the move to business ownership was a natural one for John as his most loved part of the role is helping clients’ businesses succeed, being able to draw on his own experiences and skillset to do so. He doesn’t believe being an advisor and a friend should be mutually exclusive.

Whilst John is surrounded by women at home with three daughters and a beautiful wife, he makes up for the lack of testosterone by watching and participating in as many sports as possible with fishing, footy (Essendon only, thanks), soccer and squash being some of his favourites. John also loves travel – ask him about his favourite trips abroad next time you catch up!

Vanessa Ross

Business Operations Manager

Vanessa fell into the broking world by chance when she was applied for an apprenticeship with Wizard Home Loans, loved it, and never looked back. She learnt about the industry and then moved into various roles within banks where she met Elie, working under him for a few years. Vanessa has been mentored by some of the best in the business and when a role opened at Invictus, it was a no brainer for Elie to welcome her back into his team.

Continually learning something new every day and working with people from all walks of life is what Vanessa loves about her job most. Being part of the Invictus team from its infancy is something she’s incredibly proud of.

Cheeseboards, red wine, coffee, Essendon FC, Australian Bulldogs, family, and friends are a few of her favourite things – not in that order of course!

Jaison Francis

Senior Broker Associate

After 13 of his 16 years in the banking and finance industry was spent at one of the big four banks, Jaison wanted a change of pace that allowed him to work more closely with his clients, making a difference to people’s lives with the Invictus team. He loves using the vast knowledge and experience gained over the last few years to help clients achieve their financial goals.

Finding solutions for clients in varied situations, in different life stages and financial positions is a challenge that Jaison enjoys meeting. Joining Invictus was an easy decision, with shared values around both internal culture and client service expectations.

A life long learner, Jaison is always up-skilling or researching, particularly in anything and everything tech related. Outside of work, you’ll find him spending time with his two boys, playing sport and gaming.

Morgaine McQueen

Broker Associate

With a diverse professional background and experience, Morgaine brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to the table.

Morgaine’s strength lies in her proficiency in Residential, Commercial, and SMSF lending, allowing her to navigate various financial landscapes with ease.

She is adept at building strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and providing tailored solutions. Her analytical mindset and numerical prowess enable her to delve deep into clients’ financial positions, ensuring comprehensive and strategic advice.

One of Morgaine’s notable qualities is her deep understanding of her clients. Having worked with numerous client in all different employment spaces and sectors, she comprehends the unique challenges and financial intricacies they face.

This knowledge enables her to offer specialised guidance and solutions that align with the specific needs and goals of clients and professionals.

Goal oriented, driven and a passion for excellence, Morgaine has consistently delivered outstanding outcomes within strict deadlines. Her dedication and determination have earned her notable achievements throughout her career, solidifying her reputation as a reliable and results-oriented professional.

With Morgaine, clients can expect a dynamic and proactive approach, as she goes above and beyond to exceed their expectations.

Her commitment to achieving success for her clients, is unwavering, making her a trusted partner in their financial journey.

Outside of work you’ll find Morgaine exploring rural Victoria, venturing up to her mum’s farm and walking Gus, her four year old french mastiff.

Vaida Vahid

Broker Associate

Vaida has over a decade of experience in the banking and finance industry ranging from consumer lending to commercial and construction lending.

She holds a Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) from Monash University.

New to the brokering world, she is drawn to the fast-paced nature of the industry. She is excited and eager.

Vaida has a strong background in financials analysis and credit structuring of complex deals. Throughout her career, Vaida has demonstrated a commitment to excel, consistently showcasing strong work ethic. She never over promises and under delivers.

She is mother of 3 and in her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family outdoors.

Chad Abbas

Broker Associate

Chad is a banking and finance graduate with a passion for the finance sector and working with people. Having studied at prestigious institutions in Lebanon, Chad holds a degree in banking and finance, and has honed his skills through practical experience in the field, both abroad and here in Australia.

From a young age, Chad has always been drawn to the world of finance. He finds the intricacies of financial analysis and forecasting fascinating and enjoys working with clients to develop tailored solutions that help them achieve their goals. Moreover, working with people every day is something that he truly loves.

Aside from his academic pursuits and work in finance, Chad is an avid sports enthusiast with a particular interest in rugby. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching rugby, and has developed a deep appreciation for the physical and mental challenges the sport presents.

Abby Singh

Broker Associate

Abby is a finance professional with a postgraduate MBA in Finance from a respected university in Nepal. Her journey into the mortgage industry started in 2019 when she worked as a loan processing officer for an Australian mortgage firm based in Nepal. What started as a role in loan processing quickly turned into a genuine passion for helping people navigate the home loan process.

After relocating to Australia, Abby continued to build her expertise as a broker associate. She thrives in the fast-paced, ever-evolving mortgage environment, where no two files are ever the same. For Abby, each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, and she finds genuine joy in guiding clients through the process. Seeing the smile on someone’s face when they secure their home is, for her, the most rewarding part of the job.

Outside of work, Abby is a proud dog mum with a lifelong love for German Shepherds having grown up with them back home in Nepal. She’s also an avid nature enthusiast who enjoys hiking and trekking, and she treasures time spent with her family, which she considers her top priority.

Teresa Coates

Broker Associate

Teresa brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and a formal qualification in Business and Finance. Prior to her current role, she served as a Lending Manager at a credit union, where she developed a strong foundation in customer service and financial solutions. A wealth of industry knowledge and hands-on experience have equipped her with the skills to navigate complex financial situations with confidence and clarity.

Teresa is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals. Thriving on the challenge of identifying tailored solutions, she is committed to delivering a high standard of service in every interaction. Her approachable nature, combined with a results-driven mindset, makes her a trusted and reliable professional in the field.

Outside of work, Teresa values quality time with her family. She enjoys spending her downtime with her daughters, granddaughter, and extended family and friends.

Ian Samonte

Broker Associate

Ian started his career in the Australian mortgage industry just a month after graduating from college back in 2018. He majored in Philosophy, which doesn’t exactly have much to do with home loans or finance, but that didn’t stop him. Over the years, he’s developed a genuine passion for helping clients achieve their financial and homeownership goals.

Starting from an entry-level position, Ian worked hard, learned how the industry really works, and eventually moved up to become a Credit Analyst, where he honed his skills with some of the well-known mortgage companies in Victoria for five years. Today, he continues his journey with Invictus as a Broker Associate, bringing both experience and enthusiasm to every client he serves.

When he’s not busy with work, Ian loves staying active. You’ll usually find him at the gym, out for a run, or hitting the trails. He’s all about maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and is always open to trying anything that gets his body moving and sweating. On days when he’s not up for a workout, he likes to catch up on the latest series or movies, pick up his guitar, or do a song cover.

Robyn Dods

Client Settlements Manager

Robyn’s caring nature can be seen in her initial career path of teaching, where she spent time as a relief teacher whilst also working in admin at a financial planning firm. As you can see, the finance path won out and she made her way through various roles until she became a certified Financial Planner, enjoying the position she’d worked for years to get qualified in.

Robyn’s girls, now 11 and 13, took priority for a while and she was fortunate enough to be a full time mum for some years. It didn’t take long for her to find her career feet again with a project manager role that led to working with mortgage brokers.

Robyn loves nothing more than helping clients turn their dreams into their reality.

Outside of work, you’ll find Robyn dreaming of their next family holiday, with much of Australia, the UK, Italy and Spain already being ticked off the list, watching and playing netball, and ideally heading down to Inverloch to visit her parents and the beach.

Ynna Evangelio

Client Settlements Manager

Ynna is a Communication Arts degree holder with a deep passion for journalism, particularly writing feature articles. Although initially drawn to the world of storytelling, Ynna found a rewarding and unexpected career path in the mortgage industry. Since 2021, Ynna has been thriving as a Settlements Officer in an Australian mortgage company, where they have embraced the challenges and complexities of the field while developing a deep appreciation for the industry.

Outside of work, Ynna finds peace and clarity in organizing and cleaning, a hobby that provides a sense of order and mental calm. This thoughtful approach to both work and personal life reflects Ynna’s commitment to balance and efficiency, ensuring a clear mind both at home and in the professional realm.

Joshua Ayoub

Asset Finance Manager

Joshua is the Asset Finance Manager at Invictus Finance Solutions, specializing in everything vehicle and equipment loans. He is passionate about helping clients achieve their financial goals, ensuring they are always getting the best deal.

Joshua is constantly expanding his knowledge and staying up to date with the latest industry trends and strategies. He brings this expertise to his role, providing exceptional service and support to clients in a discreet and professional manner.

When he is not working, Joshua enjoys spending time at the beach with loved ones, playing tennis, hitting the gym, and cheering on his favourite football club, Carlton.

Tristan Rayner

Office Manager

Finishing his bachelors in economics and finance in 2023, Tristan is passionate about exploring the power of finance to help individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals. Through investments, budgeting, or other financial planning tools, Tristan believes that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve financial security and independence.

Apart from his academic pursuits, Tristan has a love for cooking and music. He finds that preparing a meal or playing an instrument is a creative outlet that helps him unwind and relax, and he enjoys experimenting with new flavours and sounds