Candace Ah Chin, Principal Home Lending Officer, Cairns
Describe your role at IBA and what it entails
My role is to support Indigenous Australians to pursue their dream of home ownership in Cairns and surrounding regions including remote areas. I work with our customers through each stage of our program offering guidance and support through the journey of home ownership.
I have been at IBA for the past 3 years starting in my current role and have had the opportunity to be a part of the Galambany Network within IBA (which provides support to all IBA Indigenous staff and works collaboratively to promote cultural capability within IBA). I've also supported staff when opportunity of higher duties as Manager Home Lending arise, as well as championing our team in Cairns in community involvement and keeping my eye out for events or engagement opportunities within the community. This for me makes my role very rewarding.
Where are you from?
Born and bred in Mount Isa, traditional lands of the Kalkadoon and Indjilandji people, I moved to Cairns in 2000. I am a proud descendant of Waanyi tribe in the Gulf Country, North West Qld.
What made you want to work for IBA and what motivates you to keep working there?
Having been through the IBA Home Ownership Program myself before joining IBA, I can relate very easily to the challenges you need to overcome to get into home ownership. I had been working in the finance industry for 22 years, when I saw the opportunity to join the IBA Housing Solutions team in Cairns. I applied for the role knowing I could share my knowledge and relate to our customers journey with the program. I am motivated daily through the interactions with the team in Cairns and their passion aligning to my interests in helping other Indigenous families with their home ownership aspirations.
What are you most proud of, working for IBA?
I am proud that I work within an organisation that is genuinely interested in the financial and housing aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Personally I believe I have grown through opportunities within IBA which have allowed me to travel into and connect with community. All of this combined keeps me passionate about the work we do each and every day and am very proud of the outcomes we achieve for our people.
