Is it possible for a whole family to win an individual award?
That’s how it feels to be named a finalist for the FAAA’s 2025 CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year award.
This award recognises excellence and leadership in financial planning, but for me it represents far more than a personal honour. It reflects the values my late father, Magdy Stephan, instilled in me, and the role he played in shaping financial planning as a profession in Australia.
A legacy built on values
My father was a pioneer in financial planning when it was still an emerging field. He showed me that honesty, clarity and service are not just professional ideals, they are the foundation of trust and impact. Those values continue to guide everything we do at Stephan Independent Advisory.
But this story is about more than my father. It’s about the people who have shaped me and supported me along the way.
I’ve never believed in the idea of being self-made. Even when recognition lands at your feet, like this award, it never truly belongs to one person. It belongs to a village.
Arnold Schwarzenegger once pushed back on being called self-made, crediting those who opened doors for him and gave him opportunities he couldn’t have created alone. That resonates deeply with me.
My father lit the spark, but it was my mother who kept it burning, raising three boys while my father balanced an academic career, a tax practice and, later, a long illness. Her strength shaped my understanding of partnership, purpose and resilience.
My brother James, my business partner, brings natural abilities that complement mine. I get to focus on what I love because he is steering the parts that come naturally to him. We have a truly symbiotic relationship, and I’m grateful for it every day.
And Sandra, who has been with us for 13 years, has been an anchor both personally and professionally. Her quiet consistency and care have helped us build a business that serves clients with heart, not just spreadsheets.
So no, this award doesn’t feel like mine. It feels like a recognition of what’s possible when good people row in the same direction for many years.
Finding your why
I’ve never been entirely comfortable promoting myself. But going through the application process reminded me that reflection is part of growth, something I encourage clients and colleagues to do as well.
Taking time to articulate why we do what we do helps keep our work grounded in purpose, not performance. For me, that purpose has always been clear: to help people make confident decisions that align their wealth with their values.
The value of advocacy
One of the most humbling parts of this process was being asked to gather endorsements. At first, it felt uncomfortable, but hearing others reflect on my contribution was profoundly rewarding.
Marc Olynyk, Senior Lecturer in Financial Planning at Deakin University, offered these words of support:
“Joe exemplifies what we hope for in the modern financial planning professional: ethics, empathy, expertise and an unwavering dedication to the best interests of his clients. He is also deeply committed to educating the next generation of advisers and has inspired many through his teaching and mentoring.”
Those reflections reminded me that while we often work quietly, our influence can ripple further than we realise.
Looking ahead
As for retirement, I don’t see it in the traditional sense. Maybe one day I’ll adjust the pace, but the nature of the work, guiding people toward meaningful financial lives, that part I love. That part stays.
Whether or not I am ultimately successful in winning, I already feel deeply proud. To be recognised among the best in our profession while staying true to the values that matter most is success enough for me.
FAAA Awards Showcase 2025
