When Lauren Walker first contemplated a career path, her sights were set on law. It was a field that promised prestige, intellectual challenge and purpose. Yet, as she would soon discover, her true calling lay not in the courtroom but in the boardroom, guiding clients toward financial independence and security.
Today, as an accomplished adviser with global full-service investment bank Canaccord Genuity, Walker is recognised as one of the next generation of wealth professionals redefining what modern financial advice looks like. Her journey from a curious student to a finalist in the Women in Wealth Awards is a story of self-discovery, mentorship and courage to carve her own niche in a rapidly evolving industry.
“I was initially heading towards law,” Walker reflects. “But my dad, who’s a financial adviser, suggested I try a role in a planning firm first. He thought it would give me a feel for the business world.”
What began as a detour soon became a destination. That early exposure to financial advice revealed a career that combined analytical thinking, people skills and real-life impact, all values that resonated deeply with Walker
But before she dived into finance, she took a year off to see the world. She moved to Boston, where she spent her gap year working as a nanny for a family who lived, as she fondly notes, “on ‘Matt Damon Street’.” The experience would prove formative in unexpected ways.
“That year really matured me,” Walker says. “Living overseas gave me perspective. I was surrounded by wealth and success, and it made me realise that I wanted to understand how people create and manage that kind of financial stability.”
When she returned to Australia, she enrolled in university and took an entry-level position in financial services at Perth firm Lighthouse Capital. It was there that her professional journey began in earnest.
Walker started as a client services associate, learning the operational side of financial advice, the processes, compliance and client care that underpin great service. Over the next eight years, she climbed the ranks, supported by a strong commitment to education and professional standards.
“I’ve always believed that technical knowledge builds confidence,” Walker explains. “I completed a Graduate Diploma, followed by a Master of Financial Advice, and became a qualified adviser at 26.”
Her progression wasn’t simply about credentials. It was about mastering the language of advice, understanding not just products and portfolios, but people. “You can’t give meaningful advice without understanding what drives your clients,” she adds.
Mentorship also played a central role in her growth. “I was lucky to have people who invested time in me, who taught me how to think strategically, manage relationships and navigate the regulatory landscape.”
That experience has shaped her own leadership philosophy today. Walker is a strong advocate for mentoring young advisers and often participates in industry initiatives and university sessions to encourage others into the profession. “We need more visibility of successful, approachable role models in advice,” she says. “Especially for young women, who are still under-represented in the industry.”
After eight years at Lighthouse Capital, Walker moved across to Euroz Hartleys, where she had a four-year stint. In February 2022, Walker joined Canaccord Genuity, where she is a senior financial adviser.
“It was a big transition,” she admits. “I’d spent years at my previous firm, where I’d done my studies and built my foundations. Moving to a new environment, especially one that also houses investment advisers and stockbrokers, challenged me to find my own voice as an adviser.”
Walker didn’t come alone; she brought her team with her, ensuring continuity for her clients and a supportive professional environment. At Canaccord, she partners closely with investment specialists to deliver holistic, strategy-led advice.
“My role focuses on strategic advice, superannuation, tax planning, estate structuring and and risk management, while our investment partners handle the execution of tailored portfolios,” Walker explains. “Together, we build bespoke solutions for high-net-worth clients, combining deep technical strategy with market insight.”
Walker’s clients are typically high-net-worth individuals and families seeking comprehensive wealth strategies. Each portfolio is distinct, reflecting the client’s goals, life stage and risk profile.
“We don’t take a cookie-cutter approach,” she says. “Every client’s situation is unique. Some are still accumulating wealth, others are preparing for succession or retirement. The key is aligning investments to purpose.”
Her portfolios often blend Australian and global equities, fixed income and defensive assets, with careful attention to liquidity and diversification. “We use both listed and unlisted securities,” she adds, noting that her clients are increasingly exploring opportunities in private credit and alternative assets.
Yet, she’s quick to emphasise that the conversation isn’t just about returns. “Financial advice isn’t only about investments, it’s about strategy. My background as a registered tax agent means I’m always thinking about structure, tax-efficiency and long-term outcomes.”
What sets Walker apart is her ability to connect, to listen deeply and translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable advice.
“My clients come to me for guidance, but also for partnership,” she says. “They want someone who can help them see the big picture, not just what’s in their portfolio, but how their wealth supports their life goals.”
Her approach is collaborative, often involving accountants, lawyers and family members in strategic discussions. “We’re really building a family office mindset, integrated, forward-thinking and personal.”
Equally important to Walker is giving back to the profession. She mentors junior advisers and regularly speaks at universities (she is a guest lecturer at Curtin University) and high schools, hoping to inspire students to see financial advice as a rewarding career.
“It’s such a fulfilling profession,” Walker says. “We have the privilege of helping people make life-changing decisions. I want more young people, especially women, to see the diversity of paths within advice.”
Walker’s dedication was recently recognised when she was named a finalist in the Women in Wealth Awards, celebrating her leadership and impact in the industry. “It was a proud moment,” she says. “Not just for me, but for all the women in advice who are working hard to elevate the profession.”
She believes the industry is evolving in exciting ways, becoming more professional, transparent and client-focused. Yet she also acknowledges the challenges. “The regulatory environment continues to shift, which can be daunting for new entrants. But it’s also creating opportunities for advisers who are ethical, well-educated and client-centric.”
Looking ahead, Walker is optimistic. “There’s so much scope for innovation in advice, from technology integration to intergenerational wealth planning. I’m excited to see how we can continue raising the bar.”
Behind the professional polish, Walker is also a mother, a role she describes as grounding and perspective-giving. “Family time keeps me balanced,” she says. “It reminds me why we do what we do. Financial planning isn’t just about wealth, it’s about creating choices and freedom for the people we love.”
As she reflects on her journey, from a young woman exploring her options in Boston to a respected adviser shaping futures at Canaccord, Walker’s story stands as proof that passion and purpose can align beautifully in a career built on trust, integrity, and human connection.
“I never imagined I’d end up in finance,” she smiles. “But now, I can’t imagine doing anything else.”