About Us
After holding successful senior roles at various global banks, the founders came together to form Stellan Capital. Stellan’s ambition is to redefine the client experience for private investors in Australia, utilising our group’s expertise in local and international equity markets, asset allocation, financial planning, family office and alternative investment opportunities.
Founding Partners
Click a Partner for Bio Video
Founding Partners
David Leon
Founding Partner
David Leon
Founder | Portfolio Manager
A founding partner at Stellan Capital, David Leon, a Certified Portfolio Manager®, has held multiple high-level roles including Director, Goldman Sachs JBWere; Executive Director, Morgan Stanley; and Governor at the American Chamber of Commerce. David was featured in the top six of Barron’s Top 50 advisors in 2018, has achieved FINRA Series 7 (USA), Accredited Derivatives Adviser Level 2, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance, and finally an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). David graduated from Northwestern University (Chicago, USA), holds a CPM certification from Columbia University (New York, USA) & Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers, and is a former Adelaide Symphony Board member.
Ivan Rados
Founding Partner | Family Office
Ivan Rados
Founding Partner | Family Office
A founding partner at Stellan Capital, Ivan has worked for top global firms including Deutsche Bank and William Mercer. Ivan has been involved in the founding of multiple wealth management firms including FMD Financial in 2001 and Ascot Private in 2010, which began as a specialist advisory business focusing on the provision of investment-related CFO services to ultra-high net worth families and not for profit organisations. Ivan is a graduate of RMIT University with a Bachelor of Business in Economics and Finance.
Tom Hicks
Founding Partner
Tom Hicks
Founder | Portfolio Manager
A founding partner at Stellan Capital, Tom has held multiple global roles throughout his career, including Salomon Smith Barney and Citigroup Global Markets in London within their Fixed Income and Settlements department. Tom returned to Adelaide to work with Citigroup Wealth Advisors, which became Morgan Stanley, where he held the position of Senior Vice President. Tom received his Bachelor of Business – Administrative Management from the University of South Australia, has a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from FINSIA and is currently an affiliate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Executive Team
Chief Executive Officer
Jim DeCarlo
As CEO of Stellan Capital, Jim is a key leader driving the firm’s next stage of growth. Working closely with founding partners David and Tom, and reporting directly to the board, his history spans strategy, systems development, and financial performance.
Jim leads with a clear vision—combining his lifelong passion for people and leadership with a deep commitment to building an esteemed wealth management firm where every client feels supported and confident about their financial future.
A published author on leadership and personal development, and a dual citizen of Australia and the USA, Jim brings global experiences in wealth management and a proven ability to create collaborative, innovative, and systems-driven outcomes that benefit both clients and team members.
Chief Operating Officer
Amanda Garmston
Originally from England (and now calling Adelaide home) Amanda brings a global perspective and years of institutional financial services experience to her role as COO of Stellan Capital in Adelaide. Having been with the firm from inception, she has been instrumental in shaping the foundations and driving operational excellence across our administration and client processes. Amanda’s expertise, steady leadership, and commitment to efficiency continue to ensure the business runs with strength, clarity, and focus.
When she’s not working, you’ll find Amanda either studying something to do with projects, people, and process, or working out at the gym, or travelling.
Head of Wealth Strategy
Cassandra Macolino
As Head of Strategic Financial Planning at Stellan Capital, Cassandra is tasked with the strategic positioning of client asset structures to optimise financial results. Cassandra has worked multiple roles throughout her career for both global and domestic firms, utilising her experience in both investment advice and financial planning to deliver holistic advice for better client outcomes. Cassandra holds a Master of Taxation and Financial Planning from The University of New South Wales and is a professional member of both the SMSF Association and the Tax Practitioners Board.
Stellan Adelaide Team
Jessica Pearce
FINANCIAL ADVISER
Michael Talbot
ASSOCIATE
Greer Collins
COMPLIANCE MANAGER
Rachel Madigan
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Candy Nguyen
SENIOR ANALYST
George Lyons
ANALYST
Maddi Morton
OPERATIONS
CO-ORDINATOR
Amy Ryczel
CLIENT SERVICES ASSOCIATE
Sally Biddle
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Sara Ross
RECEPTIONIST
Family Office Team
Suzie Mihaljevic
FAMILY OFFICE | CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER
Matthew Robertson
FAMILY OFFICE | ADVISER
Hayley Jiang
FAMILY OFFICE | PORTFOLIO ANALYST
Bill Luu
FAMILY OFFICE | FINANCE OPERATIONS MANAGER