Meet the Financial Minds Behind varionextilum

Our team combines decades of experience with fresh perspectives to help Australians build stronger financial foundations

Quinton Blackwood

Senior Financial Strategist

Quinton started his career analyzing market trends for small investment firms in Perth before moving to Newcastle in 2018. He's particularly passionate about helping families understand superannuation strategies and has spent the last six years developing educational resources that make complex financial concepts accessible. When he's not crunching numbers, you'll find him teaching weekend workshops at community centers across the Hunter Valley.

Superannuation Planning Investment Analysis Risk Assessment Portfolio Management

Diana Rothwell

Education Director

Diana brings a unique background in both finance and adult education to varionextilum. After working as a financial advisor for eight years in Sydney, she completed her Master's in Educational Design and moved to Newcastle to focus on financial literacy programs. She believes that understanding money shouldn't require a finance degree, and she's dedicated to creating learning experiences that actually stick with people long after they leave the classroom.

Curriculum Development Adult Learning Financial Literacy Workshop Facilitation

Marcus Holt

Technology Integration Specialist

Marcus joined varionextilum in early 2024 after spending five years developing fintech solutions for regional Australian banks. He's the one who makes sure our digital tools actually help people rather than confuse them further. His background in software development combined with his understanding of financial services means he can bridge the gap between complex financial data and user-friendly interfaces that real people can navigate confidently.

Financial Technology Data Visualization User Experience System Integration

Building Financial Confidence Through Education

We started varionextilum because too many Australians felt overwhelmed by financial decisions that would shape their futures. Rather than another platform promising quick fixes, we focused on creating genuine learning experiences that build lasting financial skills.

Our approach combines practical workshops with digital tools, making financial education accessible whether you prefer learning in person or online. Every program we develop gets tested with real participants before launch - because what sounds good in theory doesn't always work in practice.

1,200+ Workshop Participants

45+ Educational Modules

What Drives Our Work

These principles guide everything we do, from designing workshops to developing new educational resources

Practical Learning

Every concept we teach connects directly to real financial decisions you'll face. We skip the theory-heavy content and focus on skills you can use immediately in your own financial planning.

Transparency First

We explain not just what to do with your money, but why certain strategies work and when they might not. Financial decisions are too important for vague advice or one-size-fits-all solutions.

Community Focus

Learning about finances works better when you're not doing it alone. Our programs create connections between participants who can support each other's financial journeys long after formal learning ends.