Rachel Grimes AM ('85)

Loreto Kirribilli ex-student Rachel Grimes (’85) has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2022 Australia Day Honours.

Rachel is a financial services professional with over 25 years’ experience at Westpac, BT Financial Group and PwC. She is known for her astute accounting knowledge, her dynamic and inclusive leadership style, and her ability to achieve outcomes for the organisation, as well as for the team.

In addition to her new role as Chief Financial Officer at ASX-listed investment management firm Challenger Ltd, Rachel is a Director on the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board, and was also President of the International Federation of Accountants until 2018.

She was a former member of the Loreto Kirribilli Board, and is a Board Member of Loreto Ministries.  She has been involved in other community organisations such as Surfing Australia, the Red Shield Appeal for the Salvation Army, and the Expert Advisory Committee for the Children’s Hospital Review.

Rachel is also an enthusiastic supporter of Loreto Kirribilli’s LK Connect Mentoring & Networking Program, which connects our talented ex-student community with young students and ex-students on the brink of their careers. She has been a significant advocate for Loreto Schools across Australia, and her support and advocacy for our school has always been greatly appreciated.

Rachel was awarded her AM for significant service to business in the field of accountancy, and to professional associations. The entire Loreto Kirribilli community congratulates Rachel on this distinguished achievement.

Australian Accounting Hall of Fame

In 2024, Rachel was again honoured, this time being inducted into the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements.

In her citation, Rachel was honoured as a high office holder, standard setter, and practitioner. "Rachel has been a dedicated ambassador for the accountancy profession and a champion of ethics standards and diversity. She has been a mentor who has leveraged her expansive network to champion and model diversity, evident in her recruitment of high-quality women into finance."