The Generation i Council meets to discuss issues affecting young professionals in insurance and to assist ANZIIF to best meet the needs of the next generation of insurance leaders.
The Chair of the Board is Tim Kasem.
Tim Kasem
Tim Kasem
Claims Specialist
VMIA
Tim Kasem completed his Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Business degree in 2011. Whilst undertaking his university studies, he worked as a Legal Clerk primarily in the area of Workers Compensation and Public Liability. After graduating from university, Tim commenced his legal traineeship at the College of Law and was then admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria in August 2012.
In March 2013, Tim joined Ansvar Insurance Limited’s Liability Claims Team as a Claims Consultant. Tim administers a mixed portfolio of liability matters ranging from Personal Accident, General Public Liability, Employment Practices Liability and Professional Indemnity claims.
Tim enjoys having the ability to make direct contact with the Client’s and Brokers that he deals with to bring an effective and efficient claims service. He aspires to grow and have a fulfilling career in insurance particularly to provide risk solutions to his client base.
Tim says:
‘Young professionals working in insurance have great potential to explore the many difference facets of the insurance industry. The business of insurance requires people from many difference disciplines and walks of life which means we have a goldfield of knowledge to learn from’
In March 2013, Tim joined Ansvar Insurance Limited’s Liability Claims Team as a Claims Consultant. Tim administers a mixed portfolio of liability matters ranging from Personal Accident, General Public Liability, Employment Practices Liability and Professional Indemnity claims.
Tim enjoys having the ability to make direct contact with the Client’s and Brokers that he deals with to bring an effective and efficient claims service. He aspires to grow and have a fulfilling career in insurance particularly to provide risk solutions to his client base.
Tim says:
‘Young professionals working in insurance have great potential to explore the many difference facets of the insurance industry. The business of insurance requires people from many difference disciplines and walks of life which means we have a goldfield of knowledge to learn from’
Ben Church
Ben Church
Sales and Development Manager
Regional/Rural Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd
Ben completed his bachelor of Agricultural Economics at University of Sydney in 2012 before commencing his insurance career in 2013 as a graduate at Allianz Australia. Ben started his career working in Allianz's Technical division, assisting in the product and portfolio management areas.
Driven by a passion for creating customer centric solutions and providing superior customer service, Ben transitioned into the Allianz Broker and Agency division in late 2015, where he is now Sales and Development Manager, working in Allianz's Regional and Rural business. In this role, he has delivered significant growth in Allianz's Regional and Rural footprint and implemented a variety of product and process improvements designed to provide improved coverage and customer experiences.
What drew him to insurance, particularly in the agricultural space, was the challenge of designing insurance solutions for historically difficult risks. "Agriculture is the most volatile industry in Australia and I am passionate about doing more to address the inherent production and price risks that exist for our agricultural customers, so that we might contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural industry."
Ben is also highly passionate about all things technology and the opportunity for the insurance industry to leverage technology to build improved products and easier to navigate platforms for our customers.
Driven by a passion for creating customer centric solutions and providing superior customer service, Ben transitioned into the Allianz Broker and Agency division in late 2015, where he is now Sales and Development Manager, working in Allianz's Regional and Rural business. In this role, he has delivered significant growth in Allianz's Regional and Rural footprint and implemented a variety of product and process improvements designed to provide improved coverage and customer experiences.
What drew him to insurance, particularly in the agricultural space, was the challenge of designing insurance solutions for historically difficult risks. "Agriculture is the most volatile industry in Australia and I am passionate about doing more to address the inherent production and price risks that exist for our agricultural customers, so that we might contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural industry."
Ben is also highly passionate about all things technology and the opportunity for the insurance industry to leverage technology to build improved products and easier to navigate platforms for our customers.
Gareth Downie
Gareth Downie
Account Manager
PSC Insurance Brokers
Gareth is an Australian Chartered Accountant (CA), and a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, who specialises in complex risk management and insurance solutions for a range of different clients.
He has experience in both Big Four Audit firms and market leading Insurance Brokers. The competencies he acquired in his Audit & Assurance profession can be seamlessly applied across various financial service sectors. Throughout his career, Gareth has been dedicated to delivering superior financial advice and solutions to his clients.
In 2021 Gareth joined the PSC Group and is responsible for the day to day management of a large portfolio of corporate clients. He has a proven track record of identifying opportunities, developing bespoke coverage, and providing tactical business solutions for clients, with an emphasis on clients in the Financial Sector.
Leveraging his experience and perceptive insights into clients’ respective industries and enterprises, Gareth aims to facilitate clients’ comprehensive understanding of their risks so they can make informed decisions on Balance Sheet protection and the amount of risk they wish to bear.
Gareth also holds a number of positions outside of the ANZIIF Generation i Council, including Treasurer for Aspergers Victoria and is a member of the NIBA Vic/Tas Young Professionals Committee.
He has experience in both Big Four Audit firms and market leading Insurance Brokers. The competencies he acquired in his Audit & Assurance profession can be seamlessly applied across various financial service sectors. Throughout his career, Gareth has been dedicated to delivering superior financial advice and solutions to his clients.
In 2021 Gareth joined the PSC Group and is responsible for the day to day management of a large portfolio of corporate clients. He has a proven track record of identifying opportunities, developing bespoke coverage, and providing tactical business solutions for clients, with an emphasis on clients in the Financial Sector.
Leveraging his experience and perceptive insights into clients’ respective industries and enterprises, Gareth aims to facilitate clients’ comprehensive understanding of their risks so they can make informed decisions on Balance Sheet protection and the amount of risk they wish to bear.
Gareth also holds a number of positions outside of the ANZIIF Generation i Council, including Treasurer for Aspergers Victoria and is a member of the NIBA Vic/Tas Young Professionals Committee.
Marianne Faith Li
Marianne Faith Li
Acting Senior Client Relationship Executive
Catholic Church Insurance
Marianne started her Insurance Career in 2011 with Verisure National Insurance Brokers as an Account Executive Assistant and finished as a Senior Broker and Risk Adviser. During her time at the Brokerage, she obtained her ANZIIF Senior Associate with both ANZIIF Diploma’s in General Insurance and also Diploma in Insurance Broking.
In 2014 she was nominated and then awarded the Insight Australia Group’s CGU Norm Dwyer Award of Excellence for Young Insurance Professionals. In 2015 she worked with ANZIIF as a Course Content Provider for one of ANZIIF’s Business Skills Unit. In 2016, she achieved her ANZIIF Fellow Status. Marianne had also worked as a Client Relationship Executive for Catholic Church Insurance for almost 8 years, of late - Australia’s oldest Insurance Company before it announced run-off.
Marianne has since joined Marsh as a Principal in Risk Management, Sydney where she looks forward to furthering her career within the Insurance Industry as part of Australia’s largest Broker as well as assisting in young insurance professional development within the Broader Marsh network in addition to the work undertaken through ANZIIF’s Generation I Council.
In 2014 she was nominated and then awarded the Insight Australia Group’s CGU Norm Dwyer Award of Excellence for Young Insurance Professionals. In 2015 she worked with ANZIIF as a Course Content Provider for one of ANZIIF’s Business Skills Unit. In 2016, she achieved her ANZIIF Fellow Status. Marianne had also worked as a Client Relationship Executive for Catholic Church Insurance for almost 8 years, of late - Australia’s oldest Insurance Company before it announced run-off.
Marianne has since joined Marsh as a Principal in Risk Management, Sydney where she looks forward to furthering her career within the Insurance Industry as part of Australia’s largest Broker as well as assisting in young insurance professional development within the Broader Marsh network in addition to the work undertaken through ANZIIF’s Generation I Council.
Linh Nguyen
Linh Nguyen
Chief Client Officer
Insightus
Linh is a results driven Executive with experience in client management, corporate strategy and operational development across a number of industries - Optometry, Health, Fitness, Insurance and now Tech. In each, Linh has continually displayed her aptitude for quickly developing genuine and enduring relationships across a range of stakeholders.
Born in Adelaide, South Australia to a hard-working Vietnamese refugee family, Linh believes study was a vital and much appreciated gift in setting herself up to succeed, ‘my experience has taught me that every industry recognises those who challenge the norm and do things differently — rewarding logic and forward thinking no matter what your age, background or experience.’
Her goals for the future, include continuing to advocate for the creation of more equal opportunities, and promoting social mobility and inclusive growth. As a council member of The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF), as well as a Director for the Australian- Vietnam Leadership Dialogue (AVLD) Linh has already had a meaningful impact.
Linh was awarded Young Insurance Professional of the year 2021 as well as being recognised as an Insurance Business Young Gun and Women in eCommerce nominee.
Linh is a Chartered Loss Adjuster. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Science, Diploma of Risk Management and is a qualified Master Trainer from the Australian Institute of Fitness.
Born in Adelaide, South Australia to a hard-working Vietnamese refugee family, Linh believes study was a vital and much appreciated gift in setting herself up to succeed, ‘my experience has taught me that every industry recognises those who challenge the norm and do things differently — rewarding logic and forward thinking no matter what your age, background or experience.’
Her goals for the future, include continuing to advocate for the creation of more equal opportunities, and promoting social mobility and inclusive growth. As a council member of The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF), as well as a Director for the Australian- Vietnam Leadership Dialogue (AVLD) Linh has already had a meaningful impact.
Linh was awarded Young Insurance Professional of the year 2021 as well as being recognised as an Insurance Business Young Gun and Women in eCommerce nominee.
Linh is a Chartered Loss Adjuster. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Science, Diploma of Risk Management and is a qualified Master Trainer from the Australian Institute of Fitness.
Courtney Rothall
Courtney Rothall
Senior Associate
MinterEllison
Courtney is a Senior Associate in the Insurance and Corporate Risk team at MinterEllison.
Courtney has extensive experience in providing indemnity and liability advice to general insurers and self-insured clients predominantly in the areas of public liability, product liability and property damage claims. Courtney has acted for insurers in defending personal injury and property damage liability claims as well as defending professional indemnity claims and assisting insurers with complex claims management. In Courtney’s current role she works primarily with WorkSafe Victoria with respect to serious injury applications and common law damages claims.
Courtney delivers strong commercial outcomes for her clients through her willingness to learn and understand their organisational needs and requirements. In addition to developing strong client relationships she is an active member of the Melbourne insurance community with a passion for advancing the involvement and voice of women within the insurance industry. Courtney is a committee member of Women in Insurance (Victoria), a not for profit organisation which assists women from across the industry to come together to exchange knowledge and help each other thrive.
Courtney has extensive experience in providing indemnity and liability advice to general insurers and self-insured clients predominantly in the areas of public liability, product liability and property damage claims. Courtney has acted for insurers in defending personal injury and property damage liability claims as well as defending professional indemnity claims and assisting insurers with complex claims management. In Courtney’s current role she works primarily with WorkSafe Victoria with respect to serious injury applications and common law damages claims.
Courtney delivers strong commercial outcomes for her clients through her willingness to learn and understand their organisational needs and requirements. In addition to developing strong client relationships she is an active member of the Melbourne insurance community with a passion for advancing the involvement and voice of women within the insurance industry. Courtney is a committee member of Women in Insurance (Victoria), a not for profit organisation which assists women from across the industry to come together to exchange knowledge and help each other thrive.
Kara McInnes
Kara McInnes
National Claims Service Manager
CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd
Kara joined the insurance industry in 2011 and is the National Claims Service Manager at CHU Underwriting Agencies. She is a leader who is passionate about the growth and development of professionals within the industry and is currently completing her MBA with the Australian Institute of Business.
In 2020 Kara was named by Insurance Business as a young gun and in 2021 Kara participated in the NIBA mentoring program as a mentor. She enjoys giving back to the industry serving on ANZIIF boards and committees
In 2020 Kara was named by Insurance Business as a young gun and in 2021 Kara participated in the NIBA mentoring program as a mentor. She enjoys giving back to the industry serving on ANZIIF boards and committees
The Generation i Council meets to discuss issues affecting young professionals in insurance and to assist ANZIIF to best meet the needs of the next generation of insurance leaders.
The Chair of the Board is Tim Kasem.