An insurance industry advocate for working mums

The Summit is returning as a face-to-face event with Marsh as the event partner to further Insurance Business Australia’s ongoing mission to recognise, celebrate and promote diversity across the insurance profession. The Summit was designed to encourage a wider representation of women in senior executive roles, overcome bias, break down leadership barriers and share strategies for building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Bounias described herself as an advocate at TAL for working mums.

“I’ve had three parental leave periods in my time here and never felt like that held me back to pursuing senior leadership opportunities,” she said. “I want to encourage other women to still be ambitious, despite their parenting responsibilities and, with the support of their organisation, continue to pursue long and fruitful career paths.”

Read more: “Women need to be engaged differently” says Marsh leader

Bounias said her success in this career/mum balancing act was partly to do with having the courage to bring her “whole self” to work.

“That’s probably what I’ve done, unintentionally, without necessarily realising it. I hope my experience at TAL has become a bit of a pathway for others to follow,” she added.

Bounias said her tenure at TAL also helped her to feel comfortable and facilitated her becoming something of a role model for other women who may not feel as courageous.

“In terms of courage I mean that you could show up as your whole self and that you, now more than ever, can blend work and life and that it’s OK to work from home so you can do the school pick up,” she said.

In the past, she added, few people would do that.

“I think through the more micro behaviours women can start to show other women and men as well, that there’s a level of acceptance of these sorts of practices, whereas, in the past, people would probably never feel confident enough to do that,” she said.

The idea, said Bounias, is to show others inclusive examples of work-life blending and prompt them to learn ways of doing it themselves.

She said the main issue for women is finding ways of both integrating themselves back into the business and remaining ambitious about career opportunities.

“The main hurdle for managing children, and also working, is understanding how you integrate yourself back into the business and then continue to be ambitious about career opportunities,” she said. “That’s why I’m passionate about sharing my personal experience of how I made it work and TAL helped make that possible.” 

Bounias said gender is more of a priority across the industry now than it was 13 years ago when she had her first child. However, during that time she felt supported by her company and feels that gender equity is a priority.

“I would say that in my experience TAL has been supportive and we are focused on gender as a priority. We have action plans in place to help keep us accountable,” she said.

At the upcoming Women’s Summit in Sydney, highlights include presentations on innovation and digital transformation, personal branding, hybrid management strategies, inclusive decision making and mental wellness at the executive level.

Kimberley Jonsson, CEO of CHU Underwriting Agencies is giving the keynote speech, Women leading the way – Inclusive decision-making. The talk will examine how the willingness to be inclusive in decision-making practices can transform a would-be CEO into a more effective leader.

Read more: How do you achieve parity on paid parental leave?

Sylvia Quang, a partner at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers and also president of the NSW Committee of Young Insurance Professionals (YIP), will give the opening remarks and run a speed networking session.

Caitlin Carson, VIC state practice leader for FINPRO for Marsh, is leading that brokerage’s involvement as IB’s event partner for the Summit.

Marsh is joined by sponsors including Arnie, Brooklyn Underwriting, EstImage, Flynn Builders, Innovation Group and Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

The 2022 Women in Insurance Summit will take place at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on August 24. The summit will feature a range of powerful keynote sessions, workshops, networking activities, presentations and panel discussions led by influential leaders from the industry on the issues that matter most. You can register for the summit here.