Young Insurance Professional Isabelle Kwek champions diversity

Isabelle Kwek, winner of the 2023 New Zealand Young Insurance Professional of the Year, believes young professionals can play a crucial role in steering the industry through the rocky road that lies ahead.

An Associate at Wotton + Kearney New Zealand, Kwek identifies greater financial and technological literacy, and commitment to diversity and inclusion as important attributes that young professionals can offer.

Rocky road ahead

The insurance industry is “bracing for impact”, Kwek says. “Climate risk, food insecurity, political and economic instability, and an ageing population will continue to create widespread disruption and place significant pressure on insurance to offer protection,” she predicts.

This will be compounded by the “exponential growth of technology, including artificial intelligence and the metaverse, which will require insurers to evolve their product offering and sales practices.”

Kwek argues that the next three to five years will be critical for the insurance industry to “rediscover how to maintain resilience in a post- COVID world.

“Insurers will need to evaluate their environmental, social and governance business strategies to position for long-term success and sustainability,” she says.

According to Kwek, another crucial factor for insurers to remain resilient will be the ability to resolve claims efficiently and effectively in the face of rising claims volumes and consumer expectations. 

She also says a key driver of resilience and recovery is an equal, diverse and inclusive workplace. “The research is clear that diversity and inclusion makes business sense,” she points out. “Companies see a greater return on investment for their efforts in this area.”

A core value

Diversity is a core value for Kwek. “My professional identity is influenced by my background as a young, female lawyer and a first-generation immigrant,” she says.”These characteristics allow me to empathise with people and approach problems creatively.”

Kwek adds that being part of an inclusive workplace is important to the next generation. “If we can cultivate strong cultures of inclusion, especially for young professionals, this foundation will flow through as this generation leads the industry into the future,” she says.

She appreciates that the industry is making important strides in this area and acknowledges ANZIIF’s Excellence in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion award, particularly the finalists and 2023 winner, AIA New Zealand, for the strategies and initiatives they have prioritised and implemented.

Kwek encourages the industry to support inclusive employment through recruitment, retention and development strategies.

“I hope senior leaders and management will continue leading by example, and that the industry as a whole will be mindful of the way we support and instruct each other. We need to prioritise diversity in our everyday practices and decision-making,” she says.

Meaningful work

Kwek recognised from a young age that a career in insurance offered meaningful work. In 2016, while completing her law degree, Kwek began working part-time with Fidelity Life.

“I was immediately inspired by the important role insurance plays in protecting the public at their most vulnerable times of loss,” she says.

She graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Conjoint, and in March 2020, joined the insurance litigation team at DLA Piper.

Two years later, in February 2022, she moved with this highly regarded team to Wotton + Kearney, where she was promoted to Associate in January 2023.

Kwek advises clients at all stages of litigation, tribunal, disciplinary and complaints proceedings. She has experience with a variety of insurance claims, including professional indemnity, statuatory liability, general liability and life insurance. She specialises in medico-legal law and the evolving regulation of insurance and financial services in New Zealand.

In August 2019, Kwek was accredited as an ADR ODR International Civil Commercial Mediator. She is the 2023 Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) Consensual Scholarship winner. The scholarship provides rising stars with learning opportunities and professional mentorship to master leadership and mediation skills.

Grateful to mentors

Kwek is also passionate about dispute resolution and using her experience and expertise to help clients achieve the best resolution in a way that restores their confidence in their work, business prospects and livlihoods.

She values the opportunity to work with and learn from highly skilled insurers, claims managers, brokers, loss adjusters and other specialists.

“I know the work we do in this industry is incredibly important, despite the fact that it isn't always perceived that way by the public," she says. "That's often been caused by sensational media and headlines.

"There are very good reasons why insurance professionals stay committed to their work and I look forward to continuing to learn from those who have developed a wealth of expertise.” 

While many people have supported and mentored her, Kwek makes a point of mentioning how grateful she is to her parents, who "demonstrated by example" the value of positively impacting the lives and businesses of clients through their recent careers in financial services.

She also credits Tanya Skilton, Ben Holloway and her colleagues at Fidelity Life with helping her find her feet at the start of her career in the insurance industry.

“To Misha Henaghan and everyone at Wotton + Kearney who supported me in my legal roles, as well as Nina Khouri and Mark Kelly who mentored me in dispute resolution and mediation practice, I would not be where I am today without you all,” she says.

“I owe my journey to the many insurance professionals and leaders who have shared their wisdom and encouraged me to pursue a career in insurance. My Young Insurance Professional of the Year award is a reflection of their investment in me and the true value of mentorship in building up the next generation of insurance professionals."

Award inspires further motivation

Kwek finds it meaningful and inspiring that the insurance sector is championing young insurance professionals through a specific award category. She says it was an honour to be nominated among such talented and accomplished finalists and to be named the winner on the night was “a surprise and truly amazing”.

“I am grateful for the outpouring of support from across the industry,” she says.

Winning the ANZIIF New Zealand award has further boosted Kwek's motivation to represent the next generation of insurance professionals and to continue providing excellent service and advice.

“I view this award as an opportunity to showcase to the sector that there are many young professionals like me who are passionate and prepared to lead the industry into a bright future,” she enthuses.

Kwek also hopes to one day reach a position of leadership in which she can continue to promote diversity within the legal and insurance sectors.

“In the future, I hope to inspire generations of young insurance professionals to find successful, meaningful careers in this industry, and create opportunities for them in the same way that I have been offered incredible opportunities by the generations before me.”

Find out more about the ANZIIF New Zealand industry awards