Principal Mortgage Broker – Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions
In Partnership with Australian Expat Finance
Co-Founder of THE EXPATRIATE

Shona Stephenson is the Principal Mortgage Broker at Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, working in partnership with Australian Expat Finance. With over eight years in the finance industry and supported by more than a decade of established lending expertise through Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, she provides strategic property finance guidance to clients across Australia and around the world.

Shona specialises in structuring tailored lending solutions for owner-occupiers, investors, self-employed professionals and Australians living overseas. Her expertise spans a broad range of lending scenarios, including First Home Buyer schemes, Family Guarantor loans, bridging finance, reverse mortgages, FastRefi solutions, equity release strategies, low-doc lending, commercial finance and complex expat lending.

Before entering the finance industry, Shona spent over a decade competing as an elite ultra-endurance athlete and coach. She was ranked 8th in the world on the Ultra Trail World Tour (Now UTMB Tour), competing in 100km and 100-mile endurance races internationally. The discipline, resilience and strategic thinking required in endurance sport now underpin her approach to helping clients build long-term property wealth and financial security.

Originally from Sydney and now based in Peregian Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Shona is also an active property investor. She has strategically leveraged opportunities within the Noosa short-term accommodation market and brings this personal investment experience into her lending advice, helping clients structure finance with both growth potential and risk management in mind.

Known for her strategic thinking and problem-solving approach, Shona works closely with clients, accountants and financial advisers to design lending strategies aligned with long-term financial goals. With access to more than 60 lenders across residential and commercial markets, she is able to structure tailored solutions that support each client’s broader wealth-building strategy.

As Co-Founder of THE EXPATRIATE, Shona helps provide the global Australian community with trusted, practical and relevant financial insights tailored to the needs of Australians living abroad. THE EXPATRIATE is an online platform and community designed to connect expatriates with reliable education, guidance and professional expertise so they can make confident financial decisions from anywhere in the world.

Shona also regularly contributes to educational events and seminars for Australian expatriates, speaking on property finance, lending strategy and the evolving global economic landscape.

Her approach is strategic, transparent and solutions-focused — ensuring clients feel informed, supported and empowered at every stage of their lending journey.

Shona is committed to ongoing professional development and continually expands her expertise within the finance and mortgage broking industry.

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Cert IV in Mortgage Broking and Finance
Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) Member
Connective Group Credit Representative
Australian Credit Licence – Connective Credit Representative #389328