Bachelor of Laws graduate Jacqui Mengler has become the first woman in the history of the 110-year old stockbroking and financial services group Patersons Securities to become a State Manager.
Jacqui commenced in her new role of State Manager on Monday, 3 June after joining the company in 2009, following the merger of Tolhurst & William Noal.
When asked how she felt about taking on the role of State Manager Jacqui explained, ‘Personally, I’m pleased to join a strong and committed management team. Patersons has a very stable leadership history, with just five senior management figures throughout the firm’s operations since 1903’.
After banking her first sheep shearing cheque from her pet sheep Polly at age four, Jacqui was attracted to the stockbroking and finance industry. In addition, Jacqui’s father, Max is the longest serving stockbroker on the Gold Coast.
Jacqui commenced her Bachelor of Laws degree at Bond University in 1997 after receiving a full scholarship whilst continuing her sporting career as a sprint canoeist at the nearby Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) canoe facility. The flexibility of the three trimesters allowed Jacqui to meet international sporting commitments whilst maintaining her studies and she stated that, ‘To this day, I am met with respect, interest and even a little envy when I mention I studied at Bond University.’
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 2002, Jacqui has worked as a Lawyer at Allens Arthur Robinson in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne; a Senior Underwriter at Chubb Speciality Insurance; and ran her own law consulting business for three years focussing on the implications of state and proposed federal legislation, introducing saliva testing in the workplace.
Jacqui feels that every day as a stockbroker is different, but at its base it relies on the ability to evaluate and interpret information accurately. There is continuous analysis of companies and situations, and she is able to draw from the skills developed throughout her degree at Bond in various ways.
When asked to sum up her study experience, Jacqui said, ‘Bond University gave me real world experience, not just text book study experience. From taking part in moots as a first semester law student to preparing advertisements in communication skills, I felt that I was learning skills that mattered well past exam time. And I continue to use these skills every day in the corporate world’.
Jacqui’s advice to future Bond graduates is to be authentic and engage with your prospective market. ‘I attended many industry events prior to applying for graduate positions. It helped me get a feel for law firms I wanted to work for’.
Jacqui now lives on the Gold Coast with her husband, Mick, and two year old daughter, Ava. She no longer competes in sport but is training for the upcoming Gold Coast Half Marathon.