Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon

Paul Bennell is a Life Insurance professional with over 16 years of experience. He is currently a claims platform Product Owner at TAL and has previously held technical and leadership roles in Claims functions.

Paul is currently the TAL Pride chair and is the co-chair of the InsurePride network, along with Metz Ronan where for the past 2 years they have been driving LGBTIQ+ inclusion across the entire insurance industry.

About InsurePride

InsurePride, formerly known as the InterInsurance Network, was established in 2018 following the legalisation of marriage equality. Initially branded as The Interinsurance Network, the group had stakeholders from across insurance industry firms along with affiliate members joining to come together and discuss how we as an industry might advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace.

Now with over 30 member organisations, the network has grown significantly over the years, but the foundation has remained the same: where members can share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of employees, our customers, community and industry.

Simon is a transformational change leader with more than twenty years’ experience in both consulting and in-house roles spanning several industries including professional services, retail, banking and finance, insurance, FMCG, construction and manufacturing, government, NFPs and start-ups. 

He began his career as a school teacher before shifting to the corporate world working with AMP, PwC, Woolworths, and YSC Consulting which was recently acquired by Accenture where he is now Director & Head of Diversity Equity & Inclusion Consulting within the ANZ Leadership & Culture practice. 

Today, with Accenture he partners with organisations around the world to identify and develop the leadership styles, interpersonal and team dynamics, and cultures that enable successful, sustained 
delivery of commercial and organisational performance. Through this partnership, leaders make more mindfully, purposefully and intentionally better judgments that direct their drive, and extend their influence to create long-lasting change.

He brings specialism in diversity, equity and inclusion, change and transformation and accelerating top team performance and growth through operating model strategies. He has deep experience 
implementing sustainable leadership and talent capability strategies, shifting the dial on DEI, organisational design, post-merger integration, and organisational culture programs. 

He has been an active contributor to Australian publications, public discussions, and radio broadcasts on the topics of diversity equity and inclusion, and change management. He holds a Masters of Applied Social Science (Management) from The University of New England, Bachelor of Education from The University of New England, Diploma of Anthropology from Oxford University, Diploma of Human Centered Design from The University of Sydney, and Prosci Change Management Certificate.

With many years’ experience working across multiple industries including Media, Health and Wellness, Pharmaceutical and Insurance, Sommer is a passionate advocate for employees and customers through her roles as a Customer Experience professional. Sommer has founded 3 employee led Pride networks at previous employers and is now the co-chair of the DEI LGBTQ+ committee at MetLife.

Over the past two years Sommer has been working closely with her co-chair to bring to life changes in the business relating to the Worth The Risk report and creating a truly diverse and equitable environment, psychologically, physically and digitally. In her spare time Sommer likes to ride her motorbike, hone her boxing skills and sample as many new bars and restaurants as possible. 

Kristy is a senior professional who has operated at Director level over 15 years in the position of Head of People & Culture / HR Director. She has multi region experience covering Australia, APAC, UK and Europe across a range of sectors including professional services, media, technology and insurance. Kristy has enabled organisations to move through periods of rapid growth and change. Her area of expertise allows her to understand the importance of communication, connection, and community in delivering successful business outcomes.

Kristy has a personal interest in the future of work, the impact of technology and what this means for “human” skills for the future and our next generation. Kristy has been on the Board of The Farmhouse Montessori School since 2021 where she provides guidance and insights into community engagement, governance and risk. 

Anu is an experienced human resources professional and is currently the Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager at QBE Insurance Australia Pacific. 

Anu has deep expertise across all pillars of inclusion and wellbeing, complemented by previous business partnering experience, across a range of sectors including financial services, fashion retail and not for profit. 

Anu is a strong believer of the link between inclusion and wellbeing to foster a thriving workplace culture. She is passionate about unlocking the value of different perspectives and creating an environment where people feel valued for their contribution, have a sense of belonging and are treated with fairness and respect.

Angela is currently the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager at TAL. She is an experienced practitioner in leading the development of DE&I strategies, governance and implementation of initiatives to drive progress towards achieving organisational goals across a range of inclusion and diversity areas. At TAL, these include gender equality, First Nations reconciliation, LGBTIQ+ and disability inclusion.

Angela previously held DE&I roles in large public sector organisations. She also worked at the Australian Human Rights Commission as an adviser to the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, and on national inquiries examining employment barriers for working parents, older Australians and people with disability and ways to address these.

Angela believes in taking a strategic approach to DE&I closely linked to business values and strategies and guided by lived experience to achieve meaningful employee, customer and broader community outcomes.