Jim Welsh has been in the Australian Life Insurance Industry for 17 years. As Chair of ALUCA, I am dedicated to increasing the relevance and rewards of ALUCA membership, helping ALUCA make a positive difference to our industry and to our association’s transparency. I have been on the board since November 2014 and Chair since January 2016.
I am the Customer Analytics Manager at AMP, using data to drive our understanding of cause and effect in both underwriting and claims, and to bring to forefront the links between the two disciplines. Before AMP, I worked at RGA, TAL and MLC. I am an advocate for the use of data in advancing life insurance and life insurance professionals in Australia, and passionately believe in the difference we can make for every individual in the industry.
Mary Sinclair-Porter has worked for many years in financial services, with the majority of her experience gained in the UK working for the largest protection provider Legal & General. With a long underwriting background in the individual space, she has seen, been part of and effected a lot of change. Mary has been involved in various UK industry underwriting clubs, prior to leaving for Australia, she chaired Select 74 for many years and was on the committee for LUCID the premier underwriting and claims conference in the UK. Since being in Australia Mary has had roles at Macquarie Bank and now Zurich Life where she is the National Underwriting Manager. Mary also is part of the SURF committee.
Monique Luu is a qualified accountant (CPA) who recently established her own consultancy firm. She has been in the life insurance industry for nearly 15 years, mainly working as an internal forensic accountant for various life insurance companies. Monique provides technical services to the products, claims and underwriting teams. This entails financial assessments and investigations for complex cases including FOS and litigated matters, business valuations, audits, improving processes and procedures, ad hoc projects and financial training.
In addition, Monique has achieved the ANZIIF Diploma of Life Insurance and Certificate IV Training and Assessment. She has the passion and commitment to her role as a Treasurer on the ALUCA board.
Carol Smit is a qualified Occupational Therapist who has worked in the clinical environment before joining the insurance industry almost 20 years ago.
She’s held varies roles in the Life/Reinsurance industry that’s enabled her to develop leadership, strategic disability management capability, claims technical and product development skills.
Carly Van Den Akker has worked in the insurance industry for more than 10 years in a variety of injury/illness management and rehabilitation roles in both Australia and the United Kingdom. She joined the Life and Health Claims team at Swiss Re in 2011. Carly has had extensive experience in the occupational rehabilitation field working as a Senior Rehabilitation Case Manager across various disciplines including workers compensation, CTP and income protection/disability insurance. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Cert IV Occupational Health & Safety and is a Certified Disability Management Practitioner (IDMSC). In 2012, Carly was awarded the TurksLegal – ALUCA Scholarship for her research paper on the benefits of early intervention in claims management. Carly authored Swiss Re’s life rehabilitation benchmarking report, Rehabilitation Watch 2014 covering market insights on the benefits and challenges associated with supporting recovery and return to work best practice. She also represents the reinsurance/life insurance sector on the Australian Signatory Steering Group for the Health Benefits of Good Work.
Based in Melbourne, Benjamin Lynch has 15 years of claims experience, having worked in retail and group offices in claims assessment and managerial roles across Sydney and Melbourne.
His previous claims roles have encompassed a broad variety of responsibilities including training, mentoring, people development, technical reviews and quality assurance.
Benjamin possesses a passion for raising the profile of life insurers and the important role they play in the community.
Amanda Stow has been in the Life Insurance Industry around 15 years and worked in both underwriting and coaching roles as well as being involved in the enhancement of underwriting rules engines.
Amanda held the position of ALUCA Victoria President from 2010 to 2016 prior to joining the ALUCA National Board.
Sean Potter joined the Life Insurance Industry in 2001 with Norwich Union / Aviva working in a number of claim focussed roles as well as roles working with Underwriting and life company administration services. Sean moved to TAL Life in February 2010 where he held a number of Head of Claims Roles. More recently, Sean was Head of Claims Operational Excellence at TAL life focusing on supporting claims managers through Technology, Training, Education and Health Services. Sean now works at MLC Life Insurance as a Senior Relationship Manager in Group Insurance helping bring life insurance to a wider audience through the Group Insurance Channel. Sean previously held an ALUCA National Committee / Board position from 2004 to 2012.
Paula Bourke has over 18 years of experience in the Australian Insurance Industry, joining SCOR in September 2016. Prior to this she has held various senior roles during 7.5 years with BT Financial Group including National Underwriting and Claims Manager and Head of Life Insurance Claims, leading large scale technical teams. Previously CommInsure and Australian Casualty & Life she has a strong background in the local market. Paula recently won the Australian Money Management and Super review 2015 Women in Financial Services award for life insurance.
Devi Uka has over 25 years’ experience in New Zealand and Australia in the Life Insurance industry, primarily in underwriting roles, but also incorporating product and claims experience.
I would describe myself as a Life Insurance underwriting professional with skills in management and building and maintaining effective working relationships across the life insurance spectrum. I have very strong technical underwriting skills, and a good track record in training and development of underwriters
My current role at TAL is focussed on Quality and Training, particularly the development of junior staff. I am currently involved in cross-skilling and up-skilling across our teams of Direct, Group and Retail underwriters.
Chantelle Everett began her career in youth and child welfare working for organisations including Centacare and Boys’town. Her early exposure to community based case management and social welfare helped to cultivate her deep passion for supporting individuals and families in crisis.
Chantelle has over 17 years’ experience in the insurance industry, including 11 years in Australian life insurance, having held senior claims roles in Individual and Group Life along with her earlier career experience in Workers’ Compensation. She is the Head of Claims, Direct at TAL where she has the privilege of leading a team committed to delivering exceptional service.
Chantelle joined the ALUCA National board in 2014 taking on the role of secretary in November 2016.