Talking Empowerment in Insurance with Lisa Odgers
The Women in Insurance Summit Australia 2024 is a cornerstone event by Insurance Business Australia dedicated to recognising, celebrating, and empowering women in the insurance industry. The summit offers insightful strategies, unparalleled networking opportunities, industry expertise, and inspiring stories from top leaders in Australia's insurance sector.
This year, Lisa Odgers will represent Gallagher Bassett as a panel moderator at the Women in Insurance Summit, where she will share her expertise on:
- Overcoming imposter syndrome
- Engaging internal sponsors to be your advocates
- Embracing your leadership style
- Navigating different environments and dynamics at work
Lisa Odgers, Manager - Operations Claims at Gallagher Bassett Australia, has over 25 years of experience in the personal injury industry and over a decade of senior leadership experience.
We sat down with Lisa to discuss her thoughts on the importance of Women in Insurance and her insights on the summit:
Why do you think this event is important?
I believe the Women in Insurance event is essential as it highlights the contributions and achievements of women in our industry, inspiring more women to pursue careers in insurance. It also offers valuable networking opportunities, allowing us to connect, build relationships, and access new career paths.
The event also addresses gender-specific issues and provides insights and strategies for career growth. Its focus on empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting their wellbeing ensures comprehensive support. Furthermore, it covers emerging risks that impact women, like digital technologies and climate risks, while promoting diversity and gender equality within the industry.
What are the current challenges for women in insurance and the workers' comp claims space?
Presently, the challenges we observe for women in insurance and workers' compensation claims are multifaceted. However, many obstacles remain consistent with those of other industries, such as the need to empower women to take on leadership roles and create a level playing field.
Maintaining a career trajectory while starting or building a family remains a significant hurdle. The inaccurate assumptions about women's ability to fulfil senior-level roles due to family commitments also hinder their progress.
What are you doing / can you do about these challenges?
As a leader, I value development plans and mentoring relationships. I believe it's essential that these plans allow and cater to the holistic view of an individual's life, including family commitments. I also very loudly and proudly celebrate diversity and its benefits to any workplace or team.
I take my responsibility to build the next generation of leaders seriously and greatly respect those who have invested the same in me over my career.
Inclusion and Diversity at Gallagher Bassett
At Gallagher Bassett, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, valuing every employee’s unique perspective and background. By embracing diversity, we aim to deliver exceptional outcomes and service that caters to the diverse needs of our clients and people.
As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity, we are excited to participate in the Women in Insurance Summit Australia 2024, where we will join industry leaders in empowering women in the insurance sector.