EXECUTIVE PROFILES
WOMEN IN REINSURANCE
INSPIRING LEADERS SERIES
Discover the most inspiring leaders of our industry as WiRE interviews respected leaders who inspire action at every level, who advocate diversity & inclusion, who empower and influence others with their admirable passion, commitment and values.
PAVLOS SPYROPOULOS
Country Manager, Singapore, Lloyd's & CEO, Lloyd's Asia
Changing culture in an organization takes time and requires leadership at all levels. While senior management can set the tone, people at all levels need to model the right behaviors and be prepared to challenge colleagues or other stakeholders to make changes where necessary.
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ANN CHUA
Head of Asia
AXA XL, a division of AXA
Diversity in a practical sense to me is to recognize, tap on and listen to the diverse talent within an organization regardless of gender, age, race, cultural background, sexuality, social mobility, faith, caring responsibilities, mental health and physical impairments.
Diversity is important but it’s inclusion that really counts - ensuring that everyone regardless of differences and abilities feels included in the organization. It is also about creating an environment that everyone feels comfortable bringing their whole selves to work and has an equal opportunity to be successful.
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KERRIE LALICH
Chief Operations Officer
Lawcover Insurance P/L
It is important that if you are to succeed, that you are personally aware of your triggers and weak spots and continue to look for improvements to them.
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MARK NEWMAN
CEO Asia Pacific & MENA
Canopius Group
The other significant and often over-looked opportunity, is in the value of networking – widening your business and social connectivity across the business community.
Whether it is WIRE, Girls in Tech, Protégé, these are all fantastic networking and kindred spirited communities, specifically supporting women in the workplace.
They are all structured, focused and very well run, and offer fantastic opportunities to meet people, learn and engage with a wider business community.
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MARC HAUSHOFER
Chairman
Singapore Reinsurers' Association
Give yourself time to develop solid skills and an appealing personality. It’s the best investment you can make for yourself and your employer.
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SHARON JOANNE OOI
Managing Director, Head of Property & Casualty Underwriting Asia Pacific,
Swiss Re Asia Pte. Ltd.
Be open, unassuming and respect differences. It is so important that everyone feels they have a place in the organization. And there is a clear business case for this – if you are happy, you deliver better results at work.
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NICOLA STACEY
Chief Underwriting Officer
Chaucer
I think it’s important for all companies to create a culture where women feel comfortable and supported to apply for more senior roles
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ANNA KOHLS
Head of Group Reinsurance, Asia-Pacific
Allianz SE
If you want to be successful in today’s complex, inter-connected and digitalized world, you need to ensure that within your own workforce you are representative of the community that you serve.
There is evidence that diverse teams will be able to foster innovation, make better decisions and show empathy in ways that homogeneous groups seldom do.
Diversity is not a nice to have but a must.
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JOSH BREKENFELD
Director of Global Corporate Development
Aspen
Luck favors the prepared. Luck may open the door for you, may get you that chance introduction, but if you are not doing your homework, honing your craft and developing your skill set, you may not be in a position to take that opportunity. Take charge of your own development and be curious about the industry around you – that way you are ready for when opportunities knock."
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MAURICE WILLIAMS
Managing Director,
Willis Re
There should be no ceiling or obstacle to women succeeding in all areas and at every level of our industry. Somewhat fortuitously the pressure to achieve self-declared targets around gender-parity in leadership will open more senior doors to women in the short term. But the playing field was designed by men, to suit men, and is blatantly uneven. This needs to be overhauled with a particular focus on supporting parents through child-bearing and rearing years in an even-handed manner.
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Dominic Christian
Global Chairman Reinsurance Solutions, Aon
D&I demands that anyone is allowed to express who they really are and gain confidence that they can thrive at any level. It isn’t about ticking boxes or following impersonal processes. Whatever your age or experience have a mentor and mentor someone.
Claudia Salem
CEO Property & Casualty, Asia Pacific, Allianz SE
Career journeys today require lifelong learning. To stay on the cutting edge you have to work hard and continue to invest in yourself, talent alone is not enough.
Vanessa Teo
CFO & COO, Great American Insurance Company
Women are increasingly gaining influence and recognition in the corporate world. Multinational companies are increasingly committing to gender diversity and this is a big opportunity for women to take lead roles or roles which were traditionally dominated by men.