Meet The Team

SEBASTIAN DI MAURO

Director / Certified Practising Accountant

Sebastian has over 26 years experience in the accounting and taxation industry. He is a qualified Accountant and a CPA, with a dedication to providing a personalised service to small and medium sized business owners.

First and foremost, Sebastian sees himself as a businessman rather than just an accountant. His objective is to ensure that “all of our clients feel that our firm helped them with their goals, both financial and personal - not just that we helped them save some tax”.

Being a business owner himself, he deals with the very same challenges and issues that confront many of our business clients on a daily basis. He prides himself on his ability to put himself ‘in his client’s shoes’ allowing him to build a professional, loyal and trustworthy relationship with each business client. This has resulted in highly successful outcomes for many of his business clients, some of whom have been clients since he commenced with the firm.

Sebastian strongly believes that to be successful in business you need to keep one eye on the important detail and always have the other eye focussed on the bigger picture.

Outside of the office, Sebastian is a passionate fisherman and has a keen interest in a variety of outdoor sporting activities such as snow-skiing, water-skiing and scuba diving. He also enjoys spending time at the beach with his family.

Contact Sebastian on (03) 9497 2222 or email him at sebastian@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

LOU KRSTEVSKI

Director / Certified Practising Accountant

Lou is a qualified Accountant and CPA with over 23 years’ experience in the accounting and taxation industry. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Fellow member of the Institute of Public Accountants.

He has extensive experience in all areas of business advisory, with expertise in taxation advice, planning, business structuring and development, self-managed superannuation and management advice. His portfolio of clients extends across a broad spectrum of industries and services.

He has the ability to help clients identify and capitalise on opportunities as they emerge and truly believes that success comes to the person who does today what you were thinking about doing tomorrow. In business, one must always look for the positives in any problematic situation and turn them into opportunities.

He has a diligent approach to understanding client objectives and implementing plans to achieve those objectives.

Outside of work, Lou loves spending quality time with his wife and his two children who are actively involved in swimming, netball and soccer. He also has a love for the outdoors, enjoys travelling and is a proud supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club.

Contact Lou on (03) 9497 2222 or email him at lou@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

DAVID BLAKIS

Director / Certified Financial Planner

David is a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years’ experience in financial services. Since commencing his career with the business in 1998, David has gained a wealth of experience and has continued with his professional development throughout this time. He is a Director of Aspire Wealth Group and heads up our Financial Planning team.

Not only does David hold a Bachelor of Commerce, he also has earned himself a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment as well as a Diploma of Financial Planning.

He is passionate about advising and helping clients obtain financial security and independence, which ultimately enables them to achieve their personal life goals.

Outside of the office, David’s enjoys spending time with his family and has interests in water skiing, jet skiing and V8 Supercars. When relaxing, David’s favourite destination is Echuca on the Murray River where he enjoys time with the family and his favourite water sports.

Contact David on (03) 9497 1888 or email him at david@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

MARIE LICASTRO

Practice Manager / Financial Controller 

Marie has over 35 years’ experience in the accounting profession. Since joining the firm in 1976 she has been an integral part of the day to day operations and management of the practice.

Marie is responsible for the financial management of our business, along with developing and improving our internal systems and procedures. Marie has a strong work ethic and dedication to the business.

Outside the office, Marie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, baking and tending to her garden - especially her roses and orchids. She also enjoys visiting the Mornington Peninsula.

Contact Marie on (03) 9497 2222 or email her at marie@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

JOANNE PAPPALARDO

Accountant / Client Manager

Joanne is an Accountant with over 10 years experience in tax and accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is working towards becoming a Certified Practising Accountant.

Joanne commenced with the practice in 1999, gaining extensive accounting and tax knowledge. She is an integral part of the Aspire team and heavily involved in the completion of our client’s compliance requirements. Joanne also has extensive experience in dealing with Self Managed Superannuation Funds.

Outside of work, Joanne is dedicated to her family, enjoys travelling as a family to her favourite destinations being Queensland and the Mornington Peninsula. She also enjoys dining out, movies and the outdoors with her family.

Contact Joanne on (03) 9497 2222 or email her at joanne@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

ANNA AMATO

Accountant

Anna is a qualified accountant and CPA,  with  over 25 years experience in public practice.

Anna has an in-depth working knowledge of accounting, taxation and superannuation.  Proven ability in establishing collaborative working relationships with management, colleagues and clients.  Excellent skills in client consultation, problem solving and analysis. Self – directed and a strong proactive planner, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks. 

Well respected for strong work ethic – working effectively, efficiently and flexibly to deliver required outcomes to deadline

Outside of the office, Anna enjoys a good bottle of wine and loves spending time with her son.

Contact Anna on (03) 9497 2222 or email her at anna@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

DANIEL JONES

Accountant

Daniel is a qualified accountant and CPA, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce.  

With over 10 years of dedicated experience in business services, Daniel enjoys
building strong relationships with his clients to ensure he gets the best possible outcome for them.

Outside of the office, Daniel enjoys travelling, a round of golf and restaurant/café hopping around Melbourne with his friends and family.

Contact Daniel on (03) 9497 2222 or email him at daniel@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

DARREN WICKS

Accountant

Darren is a qualified accountant and CPA, who also holds a Bachelor of Computer Science,  with  over 12 years experience in public practice.

Darren has extensive accounting and tax knowledge in working with various small and medium sized business clients. He is integral to the completion of our client’s compliance requirements and has experience in dealing with Self-Managed Superannuation Funds.

Outside of the office, Darren enjoys spending time with his family and friends.  He enjoys travelling and has an interest in all sports (particularly Basketball, Football
& Ice Hockey).

Contact Darren on (03) 9499 6644 or email him at darren@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

CALLUM RANDELL

Accountant

Callum is an accountant with several years of experience in public practice, and is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce at La Trobe University.  Callum enjoys working with small and medium businesses, as well as managing Self-Managed Superannuation Funds.  He is heavily involved with our client’s compliance obligations and enjoys implementing strategies with his clients for the most optimal outcomes for their business.

Outside of the office, Callum enjoys going to the gym, playing football for La Trobe University and spending time with friends and family.

Contact Callum on (03) 9497 2222 or email him at callum@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

CHESTER CHEN

Accountant

Chester is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Accounting at Monash University. Passionate and goal-driven, Chester is eager to delve deeper into the dynamic world of accountancy and constantly looking for opportunities to learn more. Chester considers himself to be a quick learner with strong analytical skills, a positive outlook, and a collaborative team player.  Chesters goal is to become a reliable professional that clients can depend on.  

Outside of his studies,  Chester enjoys playing sports like badminton, basketball, and volleyball in his free time.

Contact Chester on (03) 9497 2222 or email him at chester@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

LES WOODLAND

Accountant

Les is a Fellow of the National Institute of Accountants, Certified Financial Planner, and Registered Tax agent.

Les is a senior accountant and provides taxation, business and accounting services. Les has over 35 years experience as an accountant in private practice and has also worked within the Australian Taxation Office in Perth.

Outside of the office, Les enjoys travelling and playing golf.

Contact Les on (03) 9499 6644 or email him at les@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

DANI KRSTEVSKI

Accountant

Dani joined our team in July 2018 and holds a Bachelor of Business from Victoria University. Dani is primarily involved in the preparation of tax returns for
individuals & sole traders and liaises and provides general support to clients.

Outside of work, Dani loves spending quality time with her husband and two
teenage children who are actively involved in soccer and netball.  She has a
love of the outdoors and enjoys travelling with her family and experiencing
the different cultures around the world.  Her favourite relaxing destinations are Moama, the Mornington Peninsula & the Gold Coast.

Over the years, Dani has devoted much of her time to many local community committees where she has assisted as a volunteer. 

Dani manages to juggle her busy schedule with her family life and has a permanent smile on her face.

Contact Dani on (03) 9499 6644 or email her at dani@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

GERARD RUST

Senior Financial Planner

Gerard has been working in the Financial Planning industry for over 12 years. Gerard holds a Master of Applied Finance with a Financial Planning major combined with various other relevant finance qualifications. 

Gerard is a highly experienced and well-rounded client-centric Financial Planner with a strong ethical moral compass.  Gerard has extensive technical experience across a diverse range of Financial Planning disciplines such as cash flow management, taxation, financial modelling, superannuation, SMSF’s, retirement planning, investments, risk management, social security and estate planning. Gerard is passionate about building long term relationships with his clients to ensure they are in a position to better achieve their lifestyle and financial goals and objectives. 

Outside of work Gerard enjoys spending time with his young family, spending time outdoors, fishing and mountain bike riding.

Contact Gerard on (03) 9497 1888 or email him at gerard@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

KRYSTY STILLMAN

Administration Manager

Krysty joined our team in July 2013 in the role of Administration Officer and is working towards becoming a Paraplanner.

Krysty has held prior positions in administration roles in financial services, tax and accounting.  Krysty’s outgoing personality and dedication to detail, will ensure our client’s needs are attended to efficiently.

Outside of the office, Krysty enjoys travel and spending time with her family and friends. Krysty is a passionate Carlton Football Club supporter, attending their games regularly and enjoys watching all sports. Krysty’s favourite place to getaway is at her caravan located on the Murray in Corowa and enjoys visiting the local winery region.

Contact Krysty, on (03) 9497 1888 or email krysty@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

SILVIA MACDONALD

Administration Officer

Silvia is an Administration Officer with extensive experience in financial services.

Silvia joined the business in 1978 and her focus is the successful implementation of our client’s financial planning strategies. Silvia has extensive organisational skills and attention to detail. In addition, she assists the accounting team with various bookkeeping client requirements.

Outside of the office, Silvia enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and likes attending theatre productions and going to the movies. In her spare time, Silvia enjoys stitchery, quilting, and entertaining family and friends at home.

Contact Silvia on (03) 9497 2222 or email her at silvia@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

SHARON EATON

Administration Officer

Sharon joined our team in February 2020.  Sharon provides administration support to all team members in the business .  

Sharon has held prior positions in clerical and administration roles primarily in the shipping industry.  Sharon's can do attitude and  dedication to detail will ensure our client’s needs are attended to efficiently.

Outside of the office, Sharon enjoys travelling to the Gold Coast to get away, going out for dinner & being outdoors watching her kids play sport.

Contact Sharon, on (03) 9499 6644 or email sharon@aspirewealthgroup.com.au

Aspire Wealth Group - Building Your Business & Planning Your Future