Taneth Pestana

Taneth Pestana

Private Wealth Manager

Taneth Pestana is a Private Wealth Manager at Carrick Athena, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since beginning her career in 1998, she has built a reputation founded on trust, integrity, and a genuine commitment to helping clients achieve financial clarity and confidence.

Taneth believes that successful financial planning starts with understanding the person behind the portfolio. Her warm, relationship-focused approach enables her to build meaningful connections with her clients, ensuring they feel heard, informed, and empowered to make confident financial decisions at every stage of life.

She works closely with professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals, providing tailored guidance across local and offshore investments, wealth creation, retirement planning, estate planning, and risk management. Her ability to simplify complex financial matters allows clients to navigate important financial decisions with greater certainty and peace of mind.

As part of Carrick Athena, Taneth is passionate about creating a supportive and collaborative environment where clients feel comfortable discussing their financial goals, aspirations, and concerns. She is dedicated to building long-term relationships and delivering personalised advice that evolves alongside her clients’ changing needs and life circumstances.

Taneth holds both a Certificate in Wealth Planning and a Certificate in Financial Planning. She remains committed to helping individuals take control of their financial futures and is passionate about contributing to a more inclusive, empowered, and financially confident community.

Outside of her professional life, Taneth is a devoted wife and mother to a daughter and a son. Family is at the heart of everything she does, and she treasures spending quality time with her loved ones. Whether enjoying great food, spending time outdoors, or creating lasting memories together, she values the balance between building a successful career and nurturing a fulfilling family life.

Her strong appreciation for family, security, and long-term planning naturally influences her approach to wealth management, helping clients build, grow, and protect the futures that matter most to them.

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“Financial planning is not just about managing wealth, it’s about creating the freedom and confidence to live the life you envision.” – Taneth Pestana.

Lize Burger

Lize Burger

Private Wealth Manager

Lize Burger is a seasoned treasury and investment professional with more than 15 years of experience in banking, financial planning and portfolio management. Over the course of her career, she built long-lasting relationships and managed substantial client portfolios, driving significant business growth.

Lize holds a BCom in Accounting and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning. She is a member of the Financial Planning Institute. Her strong analytical ability, strategic mindset and client-centric approach have positioned her as a trusted advisor within the South African banking and investment industry. Lize is passionate about connecting with women and helping them navigate their financial journey with confidence and clarity.

Outside of work, Lize treasures time with family and friends and has a deep appreciation for wildlife, birding, exceptional food and great wine. Guided by curiosity, connection and a sense of adventure, she brings warmth, insight and enthusiasm to every client relationship.

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear, and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain

Antoinette Aspeling-Harris

Antoinette Aspeling-Harris

Private Wealth Manager

Antoinette is a seasoned financial professional with 16 years of industry experience, recognised for delivering clear, practical advice and building strong, enduring client relationships. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to helping individuals make confident, well-informed financial decisions through guidance that is both strategic and personally meaningful. 

As part of Carrick Athena, Antoinette specialises in empowering women to take ownership of their financial futures. She is deeply attuned to the unique challenges women face, constant life transitions, competing responsibilities, and the natural tendency to prioritise everyone else first. 

As a devoted wife and mother, she understands these dynamics personally and brings both empathy and real-life perspective to her work with clients. 

Outside of work, Antoinette loves the outdoors and enjoys spending time in nature, as well as relaxing with a good movie. 

Her approach creates a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and genuinely supported. Through this, she equips them to make informed financial decisions with clarity, confidence, and purpose. 

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“The only way out is through” – Robert Frost

Stacey Matadin

Stacey Matadin

Head of Growth and Partnerships

Stacey Matadin is the Head of Growth and Partnerships at Carrick Athena. With 19 years of experience in the financial services industry, she is deeply passionate about empowering women to build wealth with confidence, clarity, and purpose. 

Her career spans a progressive journey across sales, relationship management, business development, and strategic partnership leadership within the financial services sector. This foundation has shaped her expertise in driving growth, building high-value client relationships, and expanding market opportunities within competitive investment environments. 

Stacey is known for her dynamic energy, authentic leadership style, and her ability to build meaningful partnerships that unlock opportunities for women to invest, grow, and achieve long-term financial independence. 

Outside of work, Stacey enjoys travelling and exploring new cultures and global destinations. She values family deeply and shares her life with her husband and their two daughters, alongside their two beloved furbabies. She also enjoys personal development and wellness practices that keep her grounded, inspired, and continuously growing. 

Her mission is to inspire more women to step into lives of freedom, security, and choice through financial empowerment and education. 

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“A woman who understands her worth and her wealth becomes unstoppable.” 

Rita Tshaya

Rita Tshaya

Business Development Specialist

Rita brings a dynamic and people-focused approach to the world of wealth and relationship management. With a strong background in client communication, business development, and high-performance sales environments, she is passionate about building meaningful relationships and helping individuals feel confident and supported in their financial journey. 
 
Known for her energetic personality, professionalism, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Rita thrives in fast-paced environments where trust, communication, and excellence are key. Her experience working closely with clients and decision makers has strengthened her ability to understand people’s needs while delivering a high standard of service and care. 
 
Rita is driven by growth, leadership, and creating opportunities that empower others, especially women, to step confidently into their future. She believes that strong relationships are the foundation of long-term success and is committed to creating an experience that feels both personal and professional. 
 
Outside of work, Rita has a competitive spirit and enjoys staying active through sports. She also loves shopping, spending quality time with family and friends, and embracing moments that bring balance, connection, and joy to everyday life. 

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than You”

Paula Yates

Paula Yates

Business Development Executive

Paula Yates is the Business Development Executive for Athena, now proudly in its fourth year.

With a background in communication, relationship management, and supporting senior leadership teams, Paula brings a warm, personable, and relationship-driven approach to Athena’s growth, partnerships, and client engagement strategy.

Working closely alongside Athena’s Managing Director, Samantha Bowen, Paula is part of a team dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering environment where women feel confident, understood, and comfortable engaging with their financial future. 

Under Samantha’s leadership, Athena has been built around meaningful relationships, trusted advice, and a community-focused approach to wealth management for women.

Throughout her career, Paula has worked closely with business leaders, developing a strong passion for building genuine connections and creating positive, lasting client experiences. 

Within Athena, she plays an important role in helping grow the brand while ensuring every interaction feels welcoming, supportive, and personal.

Known for her approachable nature and genuine care for people, Paula believes financial conversations should feel empowering, easy to navigate, and centred around trust, understanding, and long-term relationships. 

Outside of work, Paula values building a happy life with her wife and enjoys travelling, keeping fit, and spending quality time with family and friends, who remain a very important part of her life.

As Athena continues to grow across South Africa and internationally, Paula remains focused on building strong relationships, meaningful collaborations, and a supportive community centred around confidence and financial well-being. 

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“Stay free, think fresh, and embrace new beginnings – there is where your magic unfolds.”

Melanie Fredericks

Melanie Fredericks

Client Relationship Manager

Melanie Fredericks joined Carrick Wealth in 2018 after a career as an Educator. She quickly adapted to the financial services environment and went on to complete numerous short industry related courses to enhance her service delivery to clients. Melanie is now an integral member of the Carrick Athena Dream Team and works closely alongside Carrick Athena Director, Seanagh Fannin as the Client Relationship Manager (CRM). She assists in all offshore business matters making sure that the Athena engine runs efficiently, effectively and with a slice of fun. Melanie’s drive and dedication is very much focused on the outcome and experience she wants for each of our clients. This is evident in her tireless work ethic in achieving the best and making things happen fast. Melanie is passionate about changing lives, but more specifically the lives of women. She is an exemplary part of the team that drives the Athena brand and its incredible success story. If pressed, she will tell you it is what drives her every single morning and throughout the day: ensuring she plays her part in changing someone’s life. For Melanie, the Athena Brand means a personal euphoric client experience and service of the highest standard.

Interest:

Puzzles, working with young people and empowering others, family orientated and travelling.

Words to live by:

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. Your attitude determines your altitude.

Jamie George

Jamie George

Private Wealth Manager

Jamie George is a Private Wealth Manager at Carrick Athena, where she is passionate about helping women build wealth with confidence and clarity. 

With over 13 years of experience across banking, fiduciary services, estate planning and offshore investments, Jamie brings a thoughtful and well-rounded approach to financial planning. 

She is known for building trusted relationships and simplifying complex financial decisions so that clients feel informed, supported, and empowered at every stage of their financial journey. 

Outside of work, Jamie is a keen outdoor enthusiast who loves adventure and embraces every opportunity to step outside of her comfort zone. She shares her life with her partner and son, who inspire her to live boldly and build a meaningful legacy for the future. 

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“Gracefully rebuilding, quietly growing, and showing up with strength every single day.”

Samantha Bowen

Samantha Bowen

Managing Director of Carrick Athena

Samantha Bowen is the Managing Director of Carrick Athena and has been part of the Carrick Group since its inception in 2014. Widely recognised as one of the company’s top performers and most respected leaders, Samantha has played an important role in shaping the growth and culture of the business over the years.

She developed Carrick’s first team of Private Wealth Managers and has successfully built and led high-performing teams across multiple jurisdictions. Her leadership combines deep industry experience with a genuine passion for people, relationships, and helping others grow with faith.

Carrick Athena was created with a clear vision: to offer women a more personal, supportive, and empowering financial experience. Athena is built around understanding the real-life moments women face – whether navigating divorce, loss, retirement, business success, family responsibility, or simply wanting greater certainty and involvement in their financial future.

Under Samantha’s leadership, Athena is focused on creating a trusted space where women feel heard, understood, and supported without pressure, judgment, or unnecessary complexity. Her vision for Athena is not only to provide exceptional financial guidance but to build a meaningful community centred around confidence, education, trust, and long-term relationships.

Known for her warm and approachable nature, Samantha believes the best advice begins with truly understanding people and the lives they want to create. She genuinely loves mentoring others, developing strong teams, and leading with empathy, authenticity, and integrity.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys travelling, walking, golf, and spending quality time with her Wife and friends, values that continue to shape the balanced and relationship-focused approach she brings to both life and leadership.

How you can contact her

Her favourite quote

“We are strong. We evolve. We thrive.”

Tania Muir

Tania Muir

Group Communications Manager

Tania joined Carrick when the group opened its office in Durban in 2014 and progressed in the operations department to head up the Offshore New Business team. During this time she successfully completed the RE5 regulatory exam and attained a Higher Certificate in Investment Administration.

 

After a brief hiatus, she returned to Carrick to assume her new role which resonates with her background in public relations and marketing. Her career in diverse industries enabled her to solidify her communication, administration, and project management skills; and she is driven by opportunities to learn and grow in any role she finds herself in, which is also supported by her willingness to adapt to new environments.

 

Her primary focus is her two teenage daughters and ensuring that they have the support and nurturing needed to fulfil their lives. She also has a passion for amateur photography and painting, which she combines with her love for wildlife and birding.

How you can contact her

Email Address: tania.muir@carrickfs.com

Mobile Number: 074 897 4384

Her favourite quote

“We are shaped by our thoughts. We become what we think.” – Buddha