The Donna Walker Awards, sponsored by Allianz, aims to celebrate individuals who promote diversity and inclusion throughout the insurance industry and contribute to the development of insurance professionalism.

Launched in 2021, the awards recognise one professional in each of two categories: Inspiring Leadership and Emerging Talent.

Entrants may self-nominate or nominate a colleague who has championed professionalism, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and commitment to the insurance industry.

In 2024, submissions will be accepted in writing only, and entries remain open to everyone working in the insurance industry regardless of sector or title.

Allianz Managing Director Richard Feledy says the company is proud to support these awards named in memory of the late Donna Walker.

“Donna was Allianz’s Chief Technical Officer, but also a champion of diversity and inclusion (D&I) who contributed enormously to the insurance industry,” Feledy says.

“At Allianz, we aim to foster a culture of belonging knowing that an inclusive work environment can lead to greater levels of engagement, and diverse perspectives can help support innovation and better business outcomes.

“We are excited to reward aspiring and existing leaders who achieve outstanding D&I results within their team and organisation.”

ANZIIF will announce the winners of the Allianz Donna Walker Awards on 28 May at its annual Diversity and Inclusion event, which returns in 2024 as a luncheon.

The Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon will undoubtably be an enjoyable event bringing industry leaders and diversity advocates together to discuss strategies for creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace in the insurance and finance industries.

“The ANZIIF Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon is a great opportunity to focus on creating cultures of inclusion and belonging and to acknowledge that active commitments to such cultures make a real difference for our people and our customers,” says ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks.

“There is still some way to go in the insurance industry to achieve gender parity, cultural diversity and proportional representation of disabled, LGBTQIA+ and Indigenous Australians.

“However, the Luncheon is a great forum to hear from an interesting panel, engage in insightful discussions and share best practices for promoting diversity and inclusion, with the aim of creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for all employees.”

The ANZIIF Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon will take place on 28 May in Sydney and Online.

ANZIIF acknowledges the generous support of platinum sponsor CHU Underwriting Agencies without which the Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon would not be possible.

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The Donna Walker Awards, sponsored by Allianz, aims to celebrate individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of insurance professionalism and promote diversity and inclusion throughout the insurance industry. The awards will recognise one professional in each category: Inspiring Leadership and Emerging Talent.

Entrants may self-nominate or nominate a colleague who has championed professionalism and equality and has shown great leadership and commitment to the insurance industry.

Entries are open to everyone working in the insurance industry, regardless of sector or title. ANZIIF will announce the winners at the Diversity and Inclusion Seminar in late June.

In memory of Donna Walker

Donna was a much loved and respected member of the Insurance Community. Donna championed and supported diversity within the insurance industry and was an early supporter of flexible working programs including her participation in diversity and inclusion groups at both IAG and Allianz. Donna was an admired professional and respected leader, who displayed warmth, genuine care and dedication in her professional and personal life. She was a regular speaker at industry events, and was a friend of ANZIIF for many years.

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In 2021, ANZIIF introduced the Donna Walker Awards in memory of Donna Walker and her contribution to the industry. The awards shine a light on individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of insurance professionalism and promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the industry.

The Allianz Donna Walker Awards will recognise one professional in each of the two following categories: Inspiring Leadership and Emerging Talent

Entrants can self-nominate or nominate a colleague or peer who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, commitment, achievement and passion in the insurance industry.

Award entrants will be tasked with recording a video entry that is compelling and based on evidence and winners will be announced at the Diversity and Inclusion Seminar in August.

Submissions will close at 5pm, Friday 8 July (AEST). Entries are open to everyone working in the insurance industry, regardless of sector or personal identification.

Apply for the award.

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The Allianz Donna Walker Awards shine a light on individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of insurance professionalism and promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the industry.

The award winners were announced at ANZIIF’s Women in Insurance Virtual Event on 30 September.

Allianz Donna Walker Awards winners

Inspiring Leadership:

• Jo Broomhall, Executive General Manager, IPAR
• Hoa Bui, Managing Director, Bui Advisory and Non Executive Director, AIA Health

 Emerging Talent:

• Shannen de la Motte, Junior Legal Council, AIG

Words from the award winners

“I am truly honoured to receive the Donna Walker Award for inspiring leadership. Donna worked at CGU during my time there, and although we were in different divisions our paths crossed in the workplace and at events. I remember her kindness. I also remember how highly her team spoke of her leadership. Seeing senior female leaders like Donna in the industry inspired me – perhaps that would be me some day. Today, I am so proud of all the teams I have been part of and have led over my career. I am grateful to the many inspiring leaders and mentors who helped me take that next step. And in particular, to my team at IPAR, thank you. Every day you make me a better leader through your passion and commitment to our customers and to each other.”

Jo Broomhall

“I feel very honoured to win the Allianz Donna Walker award. Donna was a business leader who was universally respected, loved by her team, her peers and her company. The win was a huge surprise, there are so many talents in the industry; for me, it was a very special moment. Donna and I both worked for the same company at the start of our career around the same time. Donna was always a senior actuary that I knew of, before I met her in person, Donna being Melbourne based and I in Sydney. Nevertheless, I am happy that I met Donna while she was alive; and I still remember clearly the day I met her in person and what we spoke about.”

Hoa Bui

“The win has definitely been a highlight during lockdown. The submission process provided an opportunity to reflect on my career and identify opportunities for growth.  In a time where young professionals can be feeling a bit stagnant in their career due to the inability to connect face to face with others in the industry, it is refreshing to see these opportunities for engagement. Whilst I never met Donna, I recall reading about her passing back in 2019 and I was in awe of her career journey and the messages she stood for. She demonstrated the role of the modern executive, displaying the leadership qualities that I strive to develop.’

Shannen de la Motte

The Allianz Donna Walker Awards were created in memory of Donna Walker. Donna Walker was a much loved and respected member of the Insurance Community. She was appointed to the ANZIIF Board in March 2017 and was highly regarded across the industry, having developed a wealth of knowledge during her expansive career.

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The late Donna Walker

As part of ANZIIF’s Women in Insurance month initiative, ANZIIF is hosting a panel of industry leaders to talk through contributions to innovation and technology in insurance. The Women in Insurance Virtual Panel Discussion will take place on Thursday, 30 September 12:00pm – 2:30pm AEST.

The winners of the Allianz Donna Walker Awards will be announced at the event. The Allianz Donna Walker Awards were created in memory of Donna Walker. Donna Walker was the Chief Technical Officer at Allianz and was appointed to the ANZIIF Board in March 2017. She was a much loved and respected member of the insurance community.

The Donna Walker awards shine a light on individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of insurance professionalism and promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the industry.

The award will acknowledge one professional in each of the two categories (Inspiring Leadership and Emerging Talent) who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, commitment, achievement and passion in the insurance industry.

In a recent ANZIIF article, Angela Kelly, Chief Insurance Officer – VMIA, commented that she is looking forward to participating on the panel.

‘Creating new connections and hearing how different parts of the sector are responding to the challenges of our environment is a terrific way to build your own knowledge and make a contribution to the exciting future of insurance at the same time,’ she said.

‘After 30 years in the industry, the past year has been most exciting time of my career.’

———

[1] The Women in Insurance Virtual Panel Discussion
[2] ANZIIF article

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Allan has held the position of Deputy President since 2016 and accepted the Presidency when Karl Armstrong stepped down at the end of his two year term. ‘I am excited to lead ANZIIF, as President, and work with the management team to realise the goals and vision of the organisation,’ said Allan. Prue Willsford, ANZIIF CEO paid tribute to Karl Armstrong ‘Karl has made a significant contribution to ANZIIF during a period of major change. He was also the first ANZIIF President from New Zealand.’

During the year, ANZIIF also welcomed Tim Plant, Group Executive, Self Insurance, Community and Innovation at icare and Donna Walker, Executive General Manager of Broker Business at iag. ‘We are pleased to welcome Tim and Donna, both of whom have a wealth of experience, to the ANZIIF Board. I am certain that their capabilities and knowledge of the industry will be of great benefit to ANZIIF,’ said Willsford.

2017 ANZIIF Board

• Allan Reynolds (President), Executive General Manager – NZ + Direct Steadfast
• Megan Beer (Deputy President), Group Executive, Insurance AMP
• Karl Armstrong (Immediate Past President), Chief Risk Officer, IAG New Zealand Limited
• Paul Allison, Vice Chairman Australia New Zealand
• Guy Carpenter
• Andrew Bart, Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, Crawford and Company Australia Pty Ltd
• Tim Considine, Managing Director, Austbrokers Countrywide
• Daniel Fogarty, Consultant
• Jonathon Fox, Executive General Manager, Claims, QBE Insurance Australia & New Zealand
• Chun Ming (Tony) Lee, Assistant Vice President, Allied World Assurance Company Ltd
• Callan McDonnell, Executive Manager Customer Culture, Suncorp
• Paul Munton, Executive General Manager Broking Branches, Rothbury Insurance Brokers
• Tim Plant, Group Executive, Self Insurance, Community and Innovation, icare
• Donna Walker, Executive General Manager – Broker Business, iag
• Prue Willsford, Chief Executive Officer, ANZIIF

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford and President Karl Armstrong also recognised a number of award winners and members for their contribution to ANZIIF and the insurance industry.

Peter E Daly AM was recognised with Honorary Membership for his extraordinary service to the insurance industry. Mr Daly was President, as well as CEO, of the Insurance Council of Australia, Chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service and formerly Chairman of AAMI Limited and Concord Group Limited. He was also Chairman of HDI-Gerling Australia Pty. Ltd. and a member of the Legal Practitioners Liability Committee in Victoria. In addition, he was Managing Director of Norwich Winterthur Group Limited and is currently Chairman at Australian Landscape Trust, which administers properties in Gippsland and Renmark concentrating on conservation and environment.

The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Senior Associate John Peberdy. Mr Peberdy commenced work in the insurance industry in 1973 and throughout his career has generously contributed to a broad range of industry boards and activities including Chair of VMIA; Director of ARPC; Chairman of Stewards Insurance Services Pty Ltd; Deputy Chairman of Christian Super; Non-Executive Director of Protecsure Pty Ltd; Director of ICA; and Director and industry representative for the Financial Ombudsman Service. During the past five years, Mr Peberdy has supported ANZIIF by developing and facilitating various international workshops and seminars in China, Hong Kong and Melbourne for senior industry leaders and insurance technical specialists. In addition, Mr Peberdy was the first Chair of ANZIIF’s General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board and is a long-serving Australian Insurance Industry Awards judge.

The E.E. Vines Memorial Prize, awarded to the ANZIIF member who authored the most meritorious paper published in the Journal, ANZIIF’s quarterly publication, was presented to ANZIIF Fellow Dr Chris Wallace for his paper titled ‘Cyber Terrorism and Australia’s Terrorism Insurance Scheme’ which was published in Journal Vol. 39 No. 2.

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Walker comes from an insurance and actuarial background, with experience in tertiary education.  She is currently IAG’s Executive General Manager of Broker Business and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

ANZIIF Deputy President and Steadfast Executive General Manager NZ & Direct Allan Reynolds said he was delighted by the appointment.

“I’m excited Donna will be joining the ANZIIF board, her experience in insurance and leadership as well as her passion for creating education pathways for young professionals in insurance made her a compelling appointee,” Reynolds said.

“She’s highly respected in the insurance industry, particularly in the broker community and we welcome her contribution at a board level.”

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford echoed Reynolds comments, highlighting in particular Walker’s tertiary education experience.

“Donna brings with her significant experience in the insurance and education sectors. She is passionate about helping to raise the profile of the insurance industry, both in terms of its attractiveness to graduates and in creating educational pathways to bolster its professionalism,” Willsford said.

Walker believes attracting top talent to the insurance industry to be an important issue. “Historically, the insurance industry has had the unpopular image of being old fashioned, boring – it’s known to be an industry that you simply end up in, rather than a sector of choice and so I want to change that view,’ Walker said.

“By investing in education that suits the specific needs of professionals, and engaging the industry in that process, we will go a long way to attracting new talent.”

“I am also of the firm belief that as an industry, if we attract diversity of thought, inclusiveness, curiosity and innovation into our sector we will be far better placed to take advantage of future growth opportunities.”

Walker’s appointment to the ANZIIF Board is effective from 1 March, 2017.

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