Meet the True North Lifestyle Team
At True North Lifestyle, we believe exceptional financial guidance comes from experience, integrity, and a genuine commitment to our clients’ success. Our team blends technical expertise with a personal touch, helping you navigate your financial journey with confidence and clarity.
Kane Hansen
Director & Senior Financial Planner
Kane is a financial adviser, entrepreneur, author, and founder of True North Lifestyle, a firm dedicated to helping clients take control of their finances and design the lives they truly aspire to live.
From teaching himself to trade stocks at just 18 to leading one of Sydney’s most trusted advisory practices, Kane’s journey has been built on relentless learning, real-world experience, and a deep empathy for those navigating financial uncertainty. Over more than a decade in the industry, he has honed advanced skills in portfolio construction, tax strategy, and long-term wealth planning, working closely with high-net-worth clients to make smarter, purpose-driven financial decisions.
Beyond his professional achievements, Kane is committed to giving back, actively mentoring disadvantaged youth, and supporting community programs. A devoted family man, he enjoys life with his partner Petra and their children, Zara and Tobias, balancing his passion for sport, travel, and lifelong learning.
Denise Woodward
Financial Planner
With over 20 years in the finance industry, Denise brings depth, dedication, and a client-first approach to her role as a financial planner. Her career journey, from insurance account executive to licensed adviser, reflects a steady commitment to growth, professional excellence, and delivering personalised advice.
Denise’s warm and approachable nature ensures clients feel supported at every stage of their financial journey. She continues to invest in her learning, pursuing advanced qualifications to meet evolving industry standards.
Outside of work, Denise finds inspiration in travel, long nature walks, and spending meaningful time with her family and friends.
Steven Mach
Senior Associate Planner
Steven is a Senior Associate Planner with over nine years of experience in the financial advice industry. He holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)/Commerce and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.
Steven has worked with leading institutions, including KPMG and NAB. He has developed deep expertise in superannuation, insurance advice, tax structuring and planning, retirement planning, and investment advice. He is passionate about helping clients achieve their financial goals and secure long-term success.
Outside of work, Steven enjoys reading, playing basketball, hiking, and taking long walks along the beach and in nature.
Judy Perger
Senior Customer Service Officer
Judy combines nearly two decades of client service experience in the finance sector with a background in IT, ensuring operations run seamlessly behind the scenes. Known for her professionalism and genuine rapport with clients, she is an essential link between the True North team and the people we serve.
Away from the office, Judy enjoys travelling, theatre, trivia nights, and dining out. Above all, she treasures time with her growing family and is excited to soon become a grandmother to twin boys.
Mark Batac
Customer Service Officer
Mark brings international experience in financial advising, backed by academic credentials in entrepreneurial management. His approachable nature and dedication to client care make him a trusted support for the team and our clients alike.
Balancing work and study, Mark exemplifies drive and commitment. Outside work, he enjoys biking, Zumba, road trips, scenic coffee spots, and quality time with loved ones.
Iffah Zanzari
Customer Service Officer
With a background in corporate banking and a Bachelor of Islamic Banking and Finance, Iffah blends technical expertise with a heartfelt commitment to helping others. Licensed in both Unit Trust and Islamic Insurance (Takaful), she has guided clients in planning for secure, fulfilling futures.
Raised with values of kindness and gratitude, Iffah embraces life through travel, cultural exploration, and a passion for new experiences.
Ken Cardinal
Customer Service Officer
Ken is a dedicated client support and operations professional with a strong foundation in customer service, sales assistance, and administrative management. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Cebu – Banilad in 2017.
Before joining True North Lifestyle, Ken gained experience at Smartsourcing, Cognizant, and Jollibee Foods Corporation, where he earned recognition, including Rookie of the Year, Consistent Top Agent, and the Gold Standard Award. His diverse background equips him to ensure seamless operational coordination and outstanding client service.
Outside of work, Ken enjoys playing volleyball, exploring freediving, and spending time with his dog. He’s passionate about anime, especially Sense8, loves good food (particularly lechon), and dreams of visiting Japan to experience its culture, cuisine, and natural beauty.
Debbie Hansen
Accounts & Payroll
Debbie brings almost 30 years of bookkeeping and administration experience, supported by formal qualifications in business administration and accounting. She is meticulous, reliable, and deeply committed to supporting the financial health of True North Lifestyle.
A proud mother and grandmother, Debbie values family above all. In her downtime, she enjoys yoga, walking her dog, and creating moments with loved ones.
Karen Thompson
Executive Assistant / Appointment Scheduler
With over four decades of office administration experience, Karen ensures the smooth coordination of schedules, communications, and client appointments. Her qualifications span IT, tertiary preparation, and wildlife rehabilitation, a reflection of her diverse skills and interests.
A passionate animal advocate, Karen spends her free time gardening, bushwalking, camping, travelling, and enjoying quality time with her family.
Clarita Reyes
Marketing Specialist
Clarita is a Marketing Specialist with over 20 years of experience helping businesses grow through strategy, storytelling, and design. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of the East, Manila. She specialises in digital marketing, social media, web design, and content creation, bringing a holistic approach to building brands with clarity and creativity.
Her career spans leadership roles in sales and marketing across industries, including international experience in the UAE with Orbit Showtime Network and American Express Bank. Since 2019, she has partnered with startups and small businesses as a consultant, delivering tailored digital campaigns and growth strategies.
Outside of work, Clarita enjoys cooking, travelling, outdoor adventures, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Who we are
We are a financial planning business based in New South Wales across 3 locations: Miranda, Sydney CBD, and Gosford.
We are passionate about helping businesses and individuals achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Our aim is to build long-term partnerships with our clients and assist them in building, protecting and managing their wealth and lifestyle for them and their families.
So, whether you are approaching retirement, starting a business, changing careers, or moving from two incomes to one, we can help you:
So, whether you are approaching retirement, starting a business, changing careers or moving from two incomes to one, we can help you:
- choose appropriate investment strategies
- plan for your retirement
- protect you and your family
- make the most of your superannuation
- budgeting & managing your money
True North Lifestyle's Vision
True North Lifestyle is a full-service financial planning business with aspirations to make a positive change in the lives of all our clients. True North Lifestyle was established off the back of the dream that there is more to life than money. With that in mind we created our business model to provide a family style business where we can as a family do more for our clients and many others along the way.
The culture that True North Lifestyle truly embodies is one of community, support, and a high sense of honour when it comes to helping others. With True North Lifestyle you can be assured we are there to help you, we pride ourselves on our integrity and are invested in bettering our clients lives by using our skills.
The entire True North Lifestyle family are committed to giving back to the community. We are very invested in supporting local charities and community support groups. Many of these activities are targeted to local community involvement and working with the financial education system throughout Sydney’s high schools, Youth programs through the PCYC organisations and many others that Kane Hansen specifically works as a key instructor and the True North Lifestyle team helps support this.
As part of our community involvement the True North Lifestyle team have worked with a range of foundations helping children, women, animals, and families globally in need, which is a cause close to our hearts. There have been team runs in the local Sutherland to surf, city to surf events and other similar events to help raise awareness and funds for their causes.
We are purposeful in choosing how we distribute our support, the entire team at True North Lifestyle is devoted to continuing to raise awareness for our supported charities as well as enthusiastically raising money for other charitable days throughout the year to support those in need.
The team all contribute together and individually to areas whenever we can, we believe there is much more to life than what we can achieve but to what we can contribute and give back to not only our clients but those in need. When choosing a financial planner it is important to find the right person who will act in your best interests rather than their own. The team at True North Lifestyle are always focused on their clients making decisions to help them reach life on their terms and a sense of true direction and happiness.
Whatever your financial goals are the True North lifestyle planners will work hard to assist you in achieving them in an efficient and effective way. By listening to your needs and assessing your individual circumstances they will help you build a strategy to allow you to succeed within a safe and structured lifestyle plan. Check out our Missions page for more details on how we are giving back to these communities.
