Mark Stephen, Managing Director (Civitas Services)Mark Stephen is an authentic, dynamic and strategic leader with a proven background in growing successful integrated advice businesses across the wealth management, financial planning and accounting professions. He is an accomplished CEO and business development executive with over 30+ years’ experience in Financial Services that is highlighted by leading high performing advice teams and communities by focusing on strategic growth and strong business development & improvement. He is a leadership professional and strives to attain a high-performance culture as well as creating stakeholder wealth.Mark holds a Bachelor of Education, an Advanced Diploma in Business Management and an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning. In addition, Mark currently holds a Certified Financial Planner status (CFP) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He has held Executive Directorships on several companies, Boards and entities; has held chairmanship of several businesses & Investment Committees and is also a Justice of the Peace (JP) in Victoria.Prior to joining Connexus Solutions, Mark held the position of CEO with Lonsdale Financial Group from 2011 and previously, he spent over six years in a National role with Bridges Financial Services & Australian Wealth Management. This was preceded by two years pioneering and establishing the AFSL at Australian Unity Financial Planning. He also spent over fourteen years in various senior executive roles with a leading ASX Financial Services Company – both in Melbourne and in Sydney.Mark has played a critical leadership role in developing a high-performance management and leadership teams who have not only instilled a high-performance culture, but re-focused and achieved significant growth, expansion and industry recognition as a highly regarded integrated advice professional in Australia. Mark joins Connexus Solutions with the vision to provide a union of Licensee elements to Empower: Lead: Connect with self licensed advice businesses across Australia.He has a successful track record in strategic planning and execution within the wealth management industry and is a well-regarded thought leader on industry direction.Mark has excellent interpersonal, leadership, change management, team building and motivation skills and takes great pride in “making others better” through his leadership & stewardship.