Craigs’ Investment Partners scholarship recipient Rachael Coleman (middle) with Craigs’ chief people officer Mel Dyer (left) and Central North Island general manager Yvonne Davie. Photo: Supplied
Accountant Rachael Coleman has been awarded a scholarship recognising her academic excellence and passion for investing.
The third-year University of Waikato Bachelor of Business student received the Craigs Investment Partners Women in Business Scholarship in June. The programme is designed to encourage more women into careers in business and financial services.
The $7500 scholarship covers about a year’s tuition fees and includes 12 months of mentoring from Craigs Investment Partners leaders, including Central North Island general manager Yvonne Davie, who will share wisdom from her career in wealth management and financial services.
Coleman, who is completing her degree while working as an accountant at Ōtorohanga accountancy firm Bailey Ingham, said the scholarship complemented her accounting studies with a wider focus on finance and investment.
Craigs’ Investment Partners scholarship recipient Rachael Coleman (middle) with Craigs’ chief people officer Mel Dyer (left) and Central North Island general manager Yvonne Davie. Photo: Supplied
“It gives me a broader business knowledge on investing, which helps me in a personal way, but also in a professional way,” Coleman said.
“Getting to meet people – women in the industry – is a huge opportunity. What you’re learning at university is one thing, but it can be quite different in practice, so it’s good to learn from people who are actually doing it and have lots of experience,” she said.
The 21-year-old former Ōtorohanga College student said her interest in investing began while she was still at high school, where she became curious about the money system.
“I started learning about it and tried to invest, even little bits of birthday money. I didn’t have a job back then, but I’ve always been quite good at saving and putting things off a little bit for the future,” Coleman said.
“It’s mostly been my own interest, but I have family members that have invested and I’ve read books. I’ve always been interested in learning how money works. You make some mistakes along the way, but it’s all learning.”
The scholarship selection panel said Coleman stood out for her outstanding academic performance, strong understanding of financial markets and macroeconomic trends, and her commitment to encouraging more women into business and finance careers.
For now, Coleman plans to continue building her accounting career, while making the most of the opportunities the scholarship provides.
