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Empowering Voices: Spotlight on Women Speakers from SpeakEasy with WiRE

An Interview with Lauren Liang

by Wenyi Chew | January 2025

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Diversity is about more than just age, ethnicity, or gender—it’s about embracing a wide range of perspectives and experiences. The real challenge lies in creating an environment where diverse individuals feel empowered to contribute meaningfully and confidently. 

Lauren Liang

Global Head of Growth & Innovation

Swiss Re Solutions

About Lauren

Lauren Liang is the Global Head of Growth & Innovation at Swiss Re Solutions, covering both property & casualty and life & health businesses. In this role, she spearheads a multinational team across Asia, EMEA, and the Americas, applying innovation principles to transform client needs into analytics and technology solutions. 
Lauren joined Swiss Re as Head of Customer & Partnership Solutions for its life & health business in Asia in 2020 and subsequently took on the role of Head of Global Partnerships for Life & Health Solutions. 
Prior to Swiss Re, Lauren held various regional leadership roles in areas of M&A, partnerships, innovation, commercial finance, and venture capital at NBC Universal, Nielsen, and MetLife across the US and Asia. Lauren is based in Singapore and is fluent in English, Mandarin and Bahasa Indonesia. She is a BBA graduate of University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.

01

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly contributed to your growth as a leader in the (re)insurance industry?

My career took a transformative turn when I joined MetLife’s Innovation Center in 2015, switching from media and entertainment/market research industry to the insurance sector. At that time, the concept of InsurTech was still in its infancy, and not many were familiar with its potential. The team was extraordinarily diverse, with professionals from industries such as gaming, banking, and insurance. This diversity –spanning age, ethnicity, and professional experience – created a collaborative environment where every voice was valued regardless of title. It was eye-opening to see how different perspectives could generate innovative ideas that the insurance industry had not seen before.


When I transitioned to Swiss Re five years later, I carried that lesson forward. One of my key priorities has been engaging with colleagues across functions like claims and underwriting to gather diverse viewpoints, even on topics that may not seem directly relevant. In an industry often characterized by silos, this approach has been invaluable in uncovering unique insights that drive innovation. As a leader, I prioritize creating an environment where individuals with different working styles and perspectives feel empowered to share their ideas freely. This principle also informs my hiring decisions, as I actively seek to build teams that reflect a range of experiences and thinking styles.

02

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the reinsurance industry, and how have you overcome them to achieve success?

One of the significant challenges for women in the (re)insurance industry is representation, where there is a noticeable gap in the number of visible female role models in leadership who confidently chart their own paths. Authenticity in leadership – staying true to one’s own style rather than emulating others – can be difficult in our industry where such examples are scarce. This challenge often extends to areas like conferences and speaking opportunities.

 

Navigating these challenges requires both personal resilience and a strong support system. I’ve been fortunate to work under several managers who fully trusted and supported me, providing opportunities to grow and excel. This has reaffirmed that overcoming challenges isn’t solely about personal effort — it’s also about finding mentors and allies who can advocate for you and open doors to new possibilities. Building and leveraging this support network has been instrumental in my growth journey.
 

03

How do you manage the demands of a successful career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and what advice would you offer to others striving to do the same?

Achieving work-life balance is often about setting boundaries, but it’s easier said than done. I’ve learned to adjust my focus depending on different stages of life. For instance, when my daughter was young, I prioritized family responsibilities over professional aspirations. Now that she’s grown and off to university, I’ve been able to embrace roles with broader responsibilities, such as taking on global positions. Recognizing that balance is dynamic and evolves with life’s circumstances is key.


As a leader, I believe work-life balance extends to the team as well. I avoid working on weekends and encourage my team to do the same, ensuring we all return refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges. My advice to others is to practice self-care, set clear boundaries, and acknowledge that it’s okay to seek support during different phases of your life.

04

What does being a part of the “SpeakEasy with WiRE” initiative mean to you?

Joining the SpeakEasy with WiRE was a decision I made without hesitation because I believe it is one of the most meaningful efforts I have come across in the industry. It addresses a critical gap by creating a platform that elevates the voices of women and promotes their visibility as speakers. This initiative is particularly significant in Asia, where we often see a good gender balance at various levels within (re)insurance companies, but senior leadership roles are still predominantly held by men. With conferences often prioritizing senior speakers, the representation of women on stage becomes even more limited. 

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From my experience, public speaking is a skill that improves with practice. SpeakEasy not only offers women the platform to gain speaking experience but also highlights their unique perspectives, which are essential for driving progress in the industry. I also value how this initiative fosters a supportive network where women can uplift each other and share diverse viewpoints, which is essential for building a more inclusive and dynamic industry.
 

05

What does diversity and equity mean to you in a practical sense?

Diversity is about more than just age, ethnicity, or gender—it’s about embracing a wide range of perspectives and experiences. The real challenge lies in creating an environment where diverse individuals feel empowered to contribute meaningfully and confidently. 


Women often face challenges in accessing opportunities or building confidence, and I make it a priority to network with women professionals, exchange insights and to help them recognize their potential where necessary. Regardless of years of experience, everyone has something valuable to share, and by fostering this culture of mutual support, we can collectively make a difference.

Join us in this transformative journey

We invite women professionals in (re)insurance to be part of this inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiative by joining our database and share their voices. Whether you are an experienced speaker or looking to take the stage for the first time, SpeakEasy with WiRE offers support and opportunities to amplify your impact.​

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Together, let’s SpeakEasy with WiRE and amplify the voices of women in the (re)insurance industry.

WOMEN IN REINSURANCE

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S I N G A P O R E

Launched in 2016, Women in Reinsurance is a non-profit, volunteer-run association consisting of
Committee Members working across the reinsurance industry. With over 600 network members, WiRE hosts events to inspire and motivate young talents to pursue their ambition and achieve their full career potential as future leaders.  Our events include mentoring, personal development workshops and networking events. 

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To join the WiRE network, please click on our Membership page.

© 2016 by Women in Reinsurance (WiRE)

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