Women In Insurance NSW

Congratulations to our second 2024 Women in Insurance Grant recipient – Negar Bahramali! 👏

A Forensic Structural Engineer at Silver Wolf Projects Pty Ltd, Negar joined the organisation for its talented team and inspiring leadership, and its strong support for women in the industry. Negar ventured into forensic engineering after six years in structural engineering design, applying her existing expertise through a forensic lens. Now in the role for six months, the team at Silver Wolf Projects have provided Negar with numerous opportunities for meaningful collaboration and overcoming project challenges.

As a delighted WII Grant recipient, Negar says: “The Grant marks a new chapter in my professional life, and I am excited to step into it and be a part of this incredible opportunity. To truly excel in my domain, expertise must be complemented by a strong professional network. The Grant will allow me to build relationships with engineers, lawyers, risk managers, and other professionals, facilitating collaboration, knowledge exchange, and staying up-to-date with the latest developments. The Grant allows me to build the networks that are crucial for my long-term success.”

We are thrilled to welcome Negar to the WII team and look forward to fostering opportunities to share knowledge and build professional connections on her journey towards realising her full potential.

Congratulations to our 2024 Women in Insurance Grant recipient – Kirra Donovan! 👏

A Law Graduate at Wotton + Kearney, Kirra joined the team in 2023 through the organisation’s paralegal pathways program while undertaking her last two years of study, and drawn by the firm’s culture and focus on insurance law. Kirra’s initial interest in pursuing a career in law was informed by her genuine passion for fairness and equity, and the intellectual challenge it provides. Now in her role for 18 months, Kirra praises the firm for its unparalleled support and resources dedicated to junior employee learning and development.

As a delighted WII Grant recipient, Kirra says: “I would be thrilled to meet all the amazing women in our industry and am excited to hear about their journey, advice and guidance they may offer.”

We look forward to welcoming Kirra to the WII team and be a part of Kirra’s professional development journey in an industry that continues to focus on development and creating opportunities for women to reach their full potential.

It was a great pleasure to welcome Platinum Sponsor ASTA Group’s Kirra Harrison to our 2024 Winter Luncheon & AGM.

Executive Loss Adjuster – ASTA Group State Manager for Queensland, Kirra Harrison chose a career in loss adjusting because, as a self-confessed “certifiable nerd”, she genuinely loved the technicalities of policy interpretation, quantum, and indemnity determination. However, it was the people she encountered that kept her in the role for the past 24 years. Despite the trauma and the stress of the events, she found them to be some of the most exceptional human beings. For Kirra, working together as a team with claims handlers, builders and restorers, as she navigates all the in-betweens to assist the insured through an event and settle back into their business or home, is something she finds immensely rewarding.

💭 It is true, Kirra has a great love and passion for all things Eurovision. Together with her daughter, who is equally “imbibed with Eurovision fever”, Kirra fulfilled the true-blue Eurovision fan’s dream by travelling to the city of Liverpool last year, the official 2023 host on behalf of Ukraine, to attend Eurovision. As they say, “Douze pointe, Kirra!” 🎵

Thank you to all our wonderful guests who joined us at our Winter Luncheon & AGM, sharing insights and knowledge on the topic: ‘All Things Women’s Wellbeing’, in the company of our expert panellists: General Practitioner, Nicole Leotta; Clinical Psychologist, Georgia Ashworth; and Financial Planner, Tanya Carlson.

Among many an interesting discussion, we took a deeper look at positive practices we can all implement today and advocate in others towards better physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Arguably, a key take-away for our busy, over-scheduled lives may well be, as Tanya suggests, to ‘automate, delegate, and do less’. And of course, ladies, make sure to take time to look after yourselves too – ‘book the appointment’! Let us know what kept you talking on the day and beyond in the comments below.

📷 Our Winter Luncheon & AGM album is now live! Feel free to view, download and share your favourite photos from the luncheon at: https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/gallery/august-2024/

A big thank you to our event Platinum Sponsor, ASTA Group, for their continued support.

One week to go and counting down! We’re excited to welcome you all at our SOLD-OUT Winter Luncheon & AGM panel event: ‘All Things Women’s Wellbeing’, Thursday, 15 August 2024 at the Hyde Park Doltone House, at 12 noon. See you there! 👋

Two weeks to go until our much anticipated, SOLD-OUT Winter Luncheon and panel discussion event, titled: ‘All Things Women’s Wellbeing’. Our Moderator on the day is WII Vice-President and Special Counsel at Thompson Cooper Lawyers, Laura Maker; joined by our guest panellists: General Practitioner, Nicole Leotta; Clinical Psychologist, Georgia Ashworth; and Financial Planner, Tanya Carlson.

💭 In addition to Laura’s extensive experience in insurance law, Laura is also pro bono coordinator, facilitating regular pro bono assistance the firm provides to organisations and individuals. ⭐️

We look forward to welcoming you at our Winter Luncheon & AGM, Thursday 15 August 2024 at the Hyde Park Doltone House, at 12 noon.

Tanya Carlson is Founder and Financial Planner at Amplify Wealth Management, helping business owners and busy professionals prioritise healthy financial habits and make meaningful decisions with their money. For Tanya, financial advice is akin to having your own Financial Performance coach – someone who will partner with you for accountability, motivation, and technical support. Tanya hosts a podcast series called Money Mind encouraging money mindfulness – making conscious decisions about how to spend money and live life.

💭 Tanya’s coaching excellence may be partially due to being a busy mum to three boys. Among her many unexpected talents, Tanya counts her rather admirable air guitar skills! 🎸

Nicole Leotta is a General Practitioner and women’s health specialist, driven by a passion for women’s right to be well-informed and actively participating in managing their reproductive health and wellbeing.

Nicole initially wanted to deliver babies but soon progressed to looking after women’s health more broadly and through all stages of their lives: from a mother’s pregnancy to daughter’s challenging periods and grandmother’s menopause. Nicole has worked in specialist women’s health services and medical education field for almost twenty years and is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and a member of the Australasian Menopause Society. In 2019, Nicole opened Rouse Hill Women’s Health to improve accessibility to Women’s Health in Western Sydney.

Nicole will be joining us as a panellist at this year’s SOLD-OUT Winter Luncheon panel discussion: ‘All things Women’s Wellbeing’.

💭 In another life, Nicole would still be tending and nurturing as a wonderful, passionate and caring landscape gardener. 🪴

Georgia Ashworth, Clinical Psychologist, will be joining us as a guest panellist at this year’s SOLD-OUT Winter Luncheon panel discussion: ‘All things Women’s Wellbeing’. Georgia brings a wealth of insights and experiences across individual and group therapy in both private and hospital settings. More recently, Georgia has worked extensively with health professionals experiencing burnout, providing support to emergency service workers for the treatment of PTSD. Fascinated by people and with a keen desire to understand the ‘why’, Georgia has a deep regard for the human connection and a desire to help others create a life that is fulfilling and meaningful.

💭 For Georgia, relaxation is spelt ‘s.p.o.r.t’! A huge lover of netball and sport in general, Georgia spends her weekends at local netball courts playing, coaching, and cheering. On weeknights, you’ll be sure to find her scouring Kayo for the latest match to watch. 🏐

2024 WII Grant applications are now closed. Thank you to all the applicants who submitted responses – we wish you the best of luck.

We were overwhelmed with the response and look forward to announcing the winners at our SOLD-OUT Winter Luncheon & AGM, Thursday 15 August at the Hyde Park Doltone House.

Thank you to our SOLD-OUT Winter Luncheon & AGM Platinum Sponsor, ASTA Group. We’re delighted to be in their company again this year and look forward to another thought-provoking afternoon together.

Our panel topic, ‘All Things Women’s Wellbeing’, looks to explore life’s ‘big three’ wellbeing pursuits: physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and financial wellbeing. Returning for the second year on the back of our highly successful inaugural panel event, our upcoming discussion promises to get us – and keep us – talking well into the afternoon!

We look forward to welcoming our guest panellists: General Practitioner, Nicole Leotta; Clinical Psychologist, Georgia Ashworth; and Financial Planner, Tanya Carlson to our Winter Luncheon & AGM, Thursday 15 August 2024 at the Hyde Park Doltone House.

Our upcoming Winter Luncheon follows on from the success of last year’s panel discussion with a session on ‘All Things Women’s Wellbeing’ set to inform and enlighten with topics that keep us most awake at night – how to create a life that is fulfilling and meaningful, how to make significant decisions with our money, and how to look after our health and wellbeing across all stages of life, in a discussion with:

General Practitioner, Nicole Leotta – Physical Wellbeing
Clinical Psychologist, Georgia Ashworth – Mental Wellbeing
Financial Planner, Tanya Carlson – Financial Wellbeing

Limited tickets remaining! Don’t miss out on the conversation that is bound to get us talking – Thursday 15 August 2024 at the Hyde Park Doltone House. Secure your tickets or table via RSVP to Marise Maechler at [email protected]

Winter Luncheon & AGM program is now available for download at https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/events/

Thank you to our event Platinum Sponsor ASTA Group for their continued support.

For those of you who thrive on pressure … last weekend for submissions!

The WII Grant is aimed at women early into their career with a focus on personal and professional development and building lifelong connections through industry networking – the kind of mentorship we all wish we’d had!

Know someone who’d benefit? Let them know: https://lnkd.in/gtuP9WfR

Our 2024 WII Grant submissions close 5.00pm Monday, 8 July 2024. To find out more and apply, email: [email protected]

Happy 30th of June – phew, we made it! Soon we’ll be reflecting on the goals we kicked, but for now, take a moment’s pause and enjoy the end of financial year celebrations.

⭐️ But don’t rest too long! Our WII Grant submissions close in one week – 5.00pm Monday, 8 July 2024. To find out more and apply, email: [email protected]

Be quick! Our WII Internship Grant submissions close in just over two weeks!

Applicants must submit a written 500-word response to the question: “This year's theme for International Women's Day was: ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. How would the Association for Women in Insurance Grant assist you to accelerate your journey in the insurance industry and reach your full potential?” Find out more about the Grant, including submission and judging criteria at: https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/wii-grant/

To apply, email: [email protected]

Grant submissions close 5.00pm Monday, 8 July 2024.

It was a great pleasure to welcome platinum sponsor Paynter Dixon’s Maria Dalto to our 2024 Cocktail Evening.

Business Development Manager, Maria Dalto has made her way in, and out, of the insurance industry during her career, each time drawn back by the desire and opportunity to help people. Whether as a Broker, organising that hard-to-place insurance, or in Claims, working through a claim, her clients’ happiness is what brings Maria the greatest job satisfaction. Joining the team at Paynter Dixon was a clear alignment of values, with the organisation known for their customer-centric reputation and a strong focus on policy holders’ experience rather than purely the build component through the entirety of the insurance claim – and in Maria’s view, the very foundation of a positive claims experience.

💭 A self-confessed ‘Flat-pack Queen’, Maria breaks the stereotypes counting a huge six-burner BBQ on top of her list of pride and glory achievements. Maria assembled the BBQ by herself, with the BBQ doing an excellent job for many, many years! ⚙️

Thank you to all our guests who joined us at our Cocktail Evening. Not a dark cloud could get in the way of a fabulous evening at the exquisitely lit Shangri-La Ballroom, delivering a touch of Vivid all of our own! For some, it was the caricaturist’s corner that proved to be the hottest seat in the house, as you relished the chance to be immortalised by his pen – at your own peril!

Our 2024 Cocktail Evening album is now live. Feel free to view, download and share your favourite moments from the night at: https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/gallery/june-2024/

A big thank you to our event Platinum Sponsor Paynter Dixon for their continued support.

Not long now – our June Cocktail Evening is but a week away! Leave the chill outside & join us – 6pm, Thursday 6 June 2024 at the Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. Just what the doctor ordered! 🍸🍂

RSVP to Donna Brown at [email protected]

Our WII Internship Grant is aimed at women early into their career within the space of underwriting, broking, claims, risk management, loss adjustment and insurance law.

Applicants must submit a written 500-word response to the question: “This year's theme for International Women's Day was Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. How would the Association for Women in Insurance Grant assist you to accelerate your journey in the insurance industry and reach your full potential?

For submission guidelines and to apply, please email: [email protected]

Grant submissions close 5.00pm Monday, 8 July 2024.

Last week, our President, Marise Maechler had the privilege of attending the Association Leaders Retreat with an excellent cohort of Association leaders. Set against the incredible backdrop of Uluru and its surrounding landscape and hosted by Answers for Associations, it was a one-of-kind opportunity to meet like-minded Association leaders, with a deep dive into member engagement, partnering with sponsors, event personalisation and all things AI for operational efficiencies.

The retreat was a perfect blend of cultural enrichment, networking, and professional growth, reiterating the value of in-person networking for women and the importance of ongoing investment in our development.

Look forward to seeing you – 6pm Thursday 6 June 2024, the Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney! 🍸For tickets, RSVP to Donna Brown at [email protected]

Coming right up! A Cocktail Evening set to the smooth sounds of the Daniel Francis Band at a great city address. A perfect companion to the crisp wintry nights, our ever-popular evening is the ultimate setting for a timely catch up with industry peers, colleagues and newly made acquaintances.

See you there – 6pm Thursday 6 June 2024, the Ballroom, Shangri- La Hotel, Sydney! 🍸

Make sure to secure your tickets, RSVP to Donna Brown at [email protected]

The empowerment of emerging women is an essential ingredient for their health, social and professional development. Now in its second year, the Grant is open to professionals with up to three years’ industry experience across related industries, such as: underwriting, broking, claims, risk management, loss adjustment and insurance. Learn more about the Grant at https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/wii-grant/

For submission guidelines and to apply, please email: [email protected]

Submissions close 5.00pm Monday, 8 July 2024.

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Paynter Dixon for their continued support as they partner with us again this year at our June Cocktail Evening. Accompanied by the sounds of the Daniel Francis Band, the evening promises to be one of great connections and interesting conversations, as we take but a moment’s pause before the 30 June rush!

Join us, 6pm Thursday 6 June 2024, the Ballroom, Shangri- La Hotel, Sydney! 🍂

To secure your tickets RSVP to Donna Brown at [email protected]

The Women in Insurance NSW 2024 Grant submissions are now welcome.

Aimed at women early in their careers, the year-long Grant is set to empower women in their professional development and provide the tools and the mentorship required to assist them towards reaching their full potential. Learn more about the Grant at 🔗 https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/wii-grant/

For submission guidelines and to apply, please email: [email protected]

Submissions close 5.00pm Monday, 8 July 2024.

Leave the cold outside with our June Cocktail Evening and the Daniel Francis Band at a great city address, The Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. See you there, 6pm Thursday 6 June 2024! 🍂

To secure your tickets RSVP to Donna Brown at [email protected]

Cocktail Evening invitation is available for download at https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/events/

Our thanks to our event Platinum Sponsor, Paynter Dixon for their continued support.

The Women in Insurance NSW 2024 Grant submissions are now welcome!

Aimed at women early in their careers, the year-long Grant is set to empower women in their professional development and provide the tools and the mentorship required to assist them towards reaching their full potential. Our Grant recipients are supported through their professional growth, relationships development and career progression opportunities.

The Grant is open to professionals with up to three years’ industry experience across related industries, such as: underwriting, broking, claims, risk management, loss adjustment and insurance.

Submissions close: 5.00pm Monday, 8 July 2024. Two winners will be announced at the WII Winter August Luncheon and AGM.

For submission guidelines and to apply, please email: [email protected]

Wishing all applicants the very best of luck! 🍀

Meet the Committee: Diana Germanoski

Diana is a Senior Associate at Hall & Wilcox. Diana joined the firm in 2016, drawn by the firm’s culture and strong reputation within the industry. Diana has always been fascinated by the legal system and chose to become a lawyer with the knowledge that the occupation would be both challenging and would broaden her perspective. An insurance lawyer specialising in personal injury law and insurance litigation since 2010, Diana has worked in both NSW and ACT jurisdictions.

💭 Diana enjoys watching documentaries, working on renovation projects and travelling – her heart set on a white Christmas NYC winter wonderland! ❄️

It’s been a great pleasure to welcome Advanced Buildings and Restorations as our 2024 Autumn Luncheon 🍁 Platinum Sponsor. Celebrating 25 years of excellence, we were joined by Founder & Director, Stephen Barlow and Co-Founder & Director, Joseph Rinaldi, via a video message. Reflecting on the early days and counting a modest team of three, Advanced Buildings now proudly stand a 160 strong – a tremendous achievement.

Congratulations to Advanced Buildings’ team on reaching this significant milestone, and a big thank you for their continued support over the past ten years – a milestone in itself. Our best wishes towards another 25 years of success! 👏

Fellow adventurers, our Autumn Luncheon 🍁 album is now live! Thank you for being a part of yet another delightful afternoon together; feeling inspired, connected and re-energised as we boldly head into the colder months ahead of us.

Feel free to view, download and share your favourite photos from the luncheon at https://womenininsurancensw.com.au/gallery/april-2024/

Thank you to all our wonderful guests who joined us at our Autumn Luncheon where we were inspired by our guest speaker and expedition leader to Davis Station, Antarctica, Rachael Robertson. Many a note were taken during the talk, so let’s take a moment to compare!

On the afternoon, we learnt that ice breaker ships are not stabilised like regular ships, making the two-and-a-bit week voyage akin to rolling inside a washing machine. Hydraulics on landing gear won’t work during winter and urgent surgeries may be assisted by your friendly tradie and an IT anaesthetist. And, we also learnt that Winter Solstice is the only public holiday in Antarctica! It's been a terrific afternoon and we are thrilled to share photos with you all shortly. Stay tuned!

A big thank you to our event Platinum Sponsor, Advanced Buildings, for their continued support.