Every International Women’s Day, GB recognises and celebrates the accomplishments of the inspiring women we work with. This year, we asked our people to nominate an inspiring female leader that they work with, and we were overwhelmed with dozens of very worthy nominations. After a tough process, nine women were selected to be profiled for 2020, based on their amazing accomplishments over the past 12 months.

All of the women featured in these interviews will represent GB at the Women in Insurance Leadership Summit in August.

Meet Karen Apikotoa, a passionate, genuine member of the Gallagher Bassett family.

Karen joined GB four years ago and is the Team Manager for our QLD and NSW Self Insurance teams.

Karen was nominated by her colleagues, due to her passion for providing the best service to her customers, while supporting and developing her team.

Karen is an inspiring leader, she is resilient and committed. She has helped GB maintain 100% customer retention in her business unit and helped position the business for new opportunities and growth.

Karen is genuine in her interactions with clients and all levels of GB staff, without exception. Karen is balanced, measured, and positive. She is a breath of fresh air in a very dynamic environment. Her approach positively impacts those around her and she is an absolute pleasure to work with.

We recently sat down with Karen to find out more about her:

What has been your journey to get to your current position?

After completing my HSC, my journey started in workers compensation claims at the age of 17, as a junior Claims Assistant. Growing up in a musical family, as a student I was ‘allergic’ to law/legal studies and excelled in the arts. Before landing my first job in insurance, my heart was set on going to university to do a BA in Visual Arts, and was crushed to just miss out. Looking back, I see this was a blessing in disguise, as my 20-year career in insurance has led me to my current position as a Team Manager in Self Insurance for GB, as a subject matter expert in NSW workers comp legislation and claims operations.

Throughout my career I’ve worked with various companies licensed as NSW workers comp scheme agents and have been blessed to work with great managers and mentors who have trained me to succeed in promotions from Case Management to Team Leader and Practice Group/Branch Manager. In each role I have focused on becoming a subject matter expert and this has enabled me to grow professionally; teach, develop and coach peers, direct reports and clients during my journey, in both NSW and QLD.

Do you have a standout career highlight?

My first promotion into a Senior Management role in 2007 was a standout for me …. Visually, I felt like I had kicked the winning FIFA world cup goal!

Highlights in my career at GB so far have been retaining and winning new business, in particular The Star Entertainment Group and Coca Cola Amatil. At the moment, I’m working on our team’s next winning FIFA world cup goal here, for GB!

What motivates or drives your passion for the insurance/risk management industry?

As a shy Polynesian kid who had experienced racial discrimination growing up, with young immigrant parents who focused on working hard for a brighter future, unknowingly my parents had also instilled their strong work ethic in me from a young age. Since my first junior role in insurance, I’ve learnt through adversity in life, success comes from hard work, resiliency and commitment. The appreciation for my career in the insurance industry has given me stability, career growth, life skills, life-long friends and shared values that have shaped me into the leader I have become. This life experience drives me to offer the same opportunities to other hard workers I take under my wing, by welcoming diversity, empowering and developing future superstar talent. Seeing my superstar team members grow and succeed in their careers not only drives me each day but it’s also the most rewarding experience as a leader.

What do you like most about Gallagher Bassett in five words or less?

Our CEO, John McNamara’s Leadership.

How is Gallagher Bassett is helping you face your future with confidence?

Our Senior Managers are very accessible, and mentorship is available from leading industry experts within GB. GB is the first company I’ve worked for who genuinely believe our people are our strength. This gives me confidence that my hard work ethic, resiliency and commitment is valued by GB and that is very important to me.

Who is your inspiration or role model?

Being Polynesian, is Dwayne Johnson, The Rock. His advice for success is: “Be humble, Be hungry, Be the hardest worker in the room”. This inspiration echoes my dad and is my daily mantra that I live and breathe each day.

What does equality mean to you?

To me, equality means mutual respect and no tolerance to unfair or unjust behaviour towards any gender, race, ability or personal character.