Women rock the mic at InsureTalk45

It was a “ladies only” affair on Thursday, 22 August 2024 with an all-woman speaker line-up for the monthly InsureTalk session – number 45 in the franchise – headline sponsored by MiWay Insurance.

Our conference them was “Empowering together: Redefining success through diversity, resilience and courage”. MC Christelle Colman introduced each speaker in turn – and even took a speaking slot herself! But more about that later. 

First up was Nomie Nxumalo, head of people and transformation at MiWay, who spoke about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Nomie’s talk focused on the importance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace, emphasising that while these concepts are often discussed using big words and idealistic terms, the real impact comes from understanding and implementing them effectively.

“D&I benefits various stakeholders within an organisation, including employees, leaders and external partners, by promoting increased engagement, productivity, innovation and competitiveness,” she said.

Nomie stressed the importance of understanding D&I beyond just race and gender, advocating for embracing different ways of thinking and ensuring that D&I is embedded in every aspect of an organisation’s operations, not just within HR or transformation departments. She also debunked common myths, such as the notion that D&I lowers standards or is prohibitively expensive and argued that the real challenge lies in systematically integrating D&I into the company culture.

To make D&I practical and effective, Nomie suggested several steps, including analysing data, revising policies and procedures for inclusivity, considering the needs of current and future customers and nurturing partnerships that promote diverse and inclusive growth. She provided practical examples, such as how diverse partnerships can lead to better business outcomes and encouraged organisations to continuously reevaluate their efforts to ensure true inclusivity.

“D&I is not just a moral obligation but also a business imperative that can drive success in a changing world,” Nomie concluded.

She invited attendees to reflect on their own D&I practices and to take actionable steps to make their workplaces more inclusive.

Next up was Roeann Lazarus from SHA Risk Specialists. Roeann’s talk centred on redefining success and finding fulfilment in life through mindfulness, resilience, and self-care. She began by discussing her personal journey of balancing various roles as a mother, wife, and professional, acknowledging the challenges and guilt that come with trying to “do it all.”

Roeann emphasised the importance of being intentionally present, focusing on the current moment rather than being overwhelmed by the pressures of the past or future.

She used the metaphor of a glass of water to illustrate how holding onto stress for too long can become unbearable, advising her audience to put down their worries at the end of the day. Roeann also highlighted the importance of “filling your cup”—taking care of yourself emotionally, spiritually, and physically—so that you can have the energy and capacity to care for others and pursue your goals.

Roeann discussed the changing definitions of success, noting that traditional markers such as climbing the career ladder or achieving financial stability are not the only measures of a fulfilling life.

“Redefine success on your own terms,” she said. “Prioritise well-being, mental health, and meaningful relationships over external achievements.”

Roeann concluded by reflecting on the legacies of remarkable women in history who broke barriers and challenged norms, using their stories to inspire her audience to push past their own limitations.

She urged everyone to embrace their power to shape their own lives, reminding them that they are their own architects and can choose to redefine and rebuild their paths as needed.

IISA’s Thokozile Mahlangu provided updates on several key initiatives and upcoming events.

She began by announcing that following the success of the AIE 2024 conference, registration for the 2025 conference is now open, with special super early bird rates available for early registrants.

“Planning for the 2025 conference, including engaging potential sponsors and crafting content, is already under way,” she said.

Thokozile also highlighted two upcoming member events: a member-only sip-and-paint event and a golf event in October to celebrate the organisation’s anniversary. The golf event is open to both members and non-members, with various sponsorship packages available.

She provided updates on the Youth Accelerator Programme and announced the start of a mini-MBA programme in September, which focuses on enhancing the capabilities of senior and executive management, particularly in leading businesses in a digital environment.

“The Insurance Director Programme will commence in October,” she said. “The course is aimed at sharpening the skills of current and aspiring directors to effectively contribute in board engagements.”

Thokozile concluded her talk with a video showcasing key highlights from the AIE 2024 conference.

Lize Hartley South African living in the Netherlands and working in private equity for McKinsey. She shared her story of entrepreneurship, education, tragedy, emigration and success, with a liberal dose of wine, cats and bureaucracy.

Lize’s talk was a deeply personal and motivational account of her journey, touching on themes of resilience, bold decision-making, and the pursuit of dreams

She recounted her upbringing in various parts of South Africa, her dissatisfaction with small-town life and her determination to pursue bigger dreams. She discussed her diverse career path, which included working in media, strategy and eventually founding her own business—a first-to-market product offering skin-tone matching plasters. Although this business garnered international attention, it ultimately failed, teaching her invaluable lessons in entrepreneurship.

A major turning point in Lize’s life was the traumatic murder of her friend in South Africa, which pushed her to pursue her long-held dream of moving abroad. She decided to apply for an MBA at INSEAD, one of the top business schools in the world, despite the significant financial and emotional challenges involved. After a whirlwind application process, she was accepted and embarked on a transformative journey that included relocating to Europe, navigating the complexities of life during the pandemic, and eventually joining McKinsey & Company in its private equity practice.

Lize emphasised three key lessons:

• Avoid the emotional sunk cost fallacy: “It’s important to know when to walk away from situations that no longer serve you, even if it means letting go of significant emotional or financial investments,” she said.
• Big change comes from bold moves: Embrace bravery and make bold decisions in pursuit of your dreams, bearing in mind that such changes often require sacrifice but are ultimately worth it.”
• Your next move doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to make sense: “Achieving your goals doesn’t require perfection, but rather a series of small, intentional steps that gradually lead to success.”

Lize’s talk was a powerful reminder that with courage and determination, it is possible to overcome obstacles and create the life you desire.

Christelle Colman was next up in her first ever InsureTalk presentation – even though she’s been MCing the conference for a long time.

Christelle’s talk was an inspiring and practical session where she shared her journey from a challenging childhood on the Cape Flats to becoming a successful entrepreneur and business leader.

Christelle discussed her early life, marked by instability and a lack of parental support, which led to poor academic performance. Despite this, she climbed out of those circumstances and built a successful career, starting her first company at 25 and later becoming a CEO. She stressed the importance of resilience, hard work and seizing opportunities, even when they are not straightforward.

She shared several key lessons:

• Swallowing the frog: Tackling difficult tasks head-on is vital, especially those that others avoid. This can set you apart and lead to greater opportunities.
• Doing old-fashioned things well: Engage in basic but often overlooked practices, such as remembering people’s names, being punctual and maintaining good etiquette.
• Work harder, smarter later: Work hard early in your career. This can lead to significant opportunities later.
• Become a storyteller: storytelling in business is vital, whether it’s about your own journey or explaining complex issues to clients.
• Figure stuff out: Be a problem solver. Those who can find solutions are invaluable in any organisation.

• Show up and do the work: Be active in your industry. Attend events and network. You never know when a crucial connection might happen.
• Dive through cracked doors: Christelle shared a personal story about seizing an unexpected job interview opportunity, which led to a major career breakthrough. She advised looking for and taking advantage of such opportunities.

“Your start in life does not have to define where you end up,” she said. She illustrated this with a short video, emphasising that it’s never too late to make a significant change in your life, regardless of your age or circumstances.

FAnews editor and founder of The Insurance Apprentice, Rianet Whitehead, encouraged anyone on the fence about entering the next season of The Insurance Apprentice have until 31 August to make up their minds. She encouraged more experienced professionals to enter, and shared the fact that the prize money will be R100 000 (thanks Aon!).

The presentation was concluded by several previous Insurance Apprentices, who shared their behind-the-scenes stories and gave advice to prospective participants.

Christelle closed by thanking the delegates, speakers and sponsors for a highly successful event, pointing out that the chat box had been particularly busy! This was possibly our favourite comment of the day:

“Enjoying much of the presentation to elevate and keep us abreast with what happens in the industry. Honestly, the economy depends on the skill you impart to the sector.” – Masilo Maake

If you would like to watch the recording of the session, click on the video below.

Next month’s InsureTalk takes place on 19 September. You can book your spot here.