'Just do it. The industry is so large that there are so many avenues to explore.'

About Marianne

I began my career in insurance in 2011, after completing a bachelor’s degree majoring in accounting. During my career, I have worked as a Senior Broker at Verisure National Insurance Brokers, completed my Diploma of General Insurance and a Diploma of Insurance Broking and currently work for Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) as the Acting Senior Client Relationship Executive.

My interests outside of insurance include travelling and experiencing different cultures. It’s all about finding moments that take my breath away, that no post on social media could ever do justice.

What does your current role entail?

My position is quite unique at CCI and requires me to be somewhat of an internal broker. The role allows me to act as an intermediary between our clients and our underwriters and liaise directly with our clients and brokers.

As our clients are quite niche, a deeper layer of my role is to have respect for and an understanding of the Catholic Church itself, as well as to assist the business in ensuring that our clients trust that we are the specialists in our field, our products and that we demonstrate an understanding of the environment in which our clients operate.

How did you end up working in insurance?

After graduating from university, I eventually came to the conclusion that the accounting road was not really for me. Knowing a lot of my peers at university chose a different direction than their study, I too found myself on that same path. 

Unsure what I wanted to do, I thought about the subjects I enjoyed and the one that stood out to me was a general insurance elective. Since entering the industry, I haven’t left and I have no intention of doing so either.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job is being able to be that safety net for the client, not just their insurer but a trusted advisor. At the time of a claim, being a light in a dark, difficult time is quite rewarding. I also love dealing with all the stakeholders of the business, whether they be internal or external, and seeing the different personalities they hold and display in different situations.

You are part of ANZIIF’s Gen I Council — what is the Gen I Council and what does the Council do?

The ANZIIF Generation I Council is made up of young insurance professionals. We meet to discuss the issues facing young professionals within the industry and find ways that we can seek guidance to solve these issues. We also hold events to incorporate a sense of community within the industry, enabling individuals to network and build stronger relationships with each other. 

What advice would you give someone looking to get into insurance?

Just do it. The industry is so large that there are so many avenues to explore. There are countless opportunities to sink your teeth into until you find one that suits you. Once you do, develop yourself to be the best person entrusted to do that job. I’ve found that people who are not in the industry don’t have a full appreciation of what it is that you do, but don’t let that deter you. As long as you keep developing and are able to find meaning in every piece that you contribute to the industry, that is a reward in itself. Run your own race but keep up with the changing nature of the industry and you will be OK. 

To hear more from other inspiring young insurance professionals about their careers and leadership insights around what they believe are the behaviours, attitudes and work patterns that characterise career resilience, register to attend ANZIIF’s Rising Stars in Insurance Seminar that will be held in Sydney on 19 March and Melbourne on 20 March.