Speakers

Adam Spencer was completing a PhD in Pure Mathematics when he won the national Triple J Raw Comedy championship in 1996. A television/radio career beckoned and Adam completed 15 years as one of Australia’s most respected radio commentators across Triple J and ABC 702. The inaugural Ambassador for Science and Mathematics at the University of Sydney Adam is a celebrated author of seven popular mathematics books, and has forged a reputation as one of Australia’s wittiest and most engaging event MCs and keynote speakers, specialising in artificial intelligence, cyber security and a host of geeky topics.

In early 2013, Sam Bloom’s dream life turned into a nightmare when on holiday in Thailand she unknowingly leant against a rotten balcony railing, falling through it and crashing six metres onto the concrete below. She was lucky to be alive and had suffered immense trauma including damage to her spinal cord that left her paralysed.

After a gruelling rehabilitation process, Sam was left bereft as she faced a new and foreign life in a wheelchair. All seemed lost until the day her son found an injured baby magpie that the family took in and named ‘Penguin’. Sam had no idea that this would be the start of a powerful journey of healing for both of them.

Sam and Penguin’s remarkable bond and extraordinary story of parallel recovery was captured through the lens by Sam’s husband, acclaimed photographer Cameron Bloom.

The images formed the basis for the international bestselling book Penguin Bloom: The odd little bird who saved a family, a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Bradley Trevor Greive.

Their powerful story inspired a Hollywood movie of the same name, starring Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln. Released in January 2021, Penguin Bloom became an immediate hit, taking #1 at the Australian box office and trending on Netflix in North America and across Europe.

Robert co-founded Steadfast and has over 52 years’ experience in the insurance industry. He was voted the second most influential person in insurance by Insurance News and was awarded the ACORD Rainmaker Award in 2014. Robert is a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker, a Fellow of NIBA, a Senior Associate of ANZIIF, a Certified Insurance Professional and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Robert is the Chairman of the ACORD Board and is also a Director of not-for-profit organisation KidsXpress.

Robert Kelly co-founded Steadfast in 1996 to provide insurance-related quality advice and service, leading the company to become the largest general insurance broker network and underwriting agency group in Australia and New Zealand and an ASX 100 listed company. 

In 2022 Robert received the prestigious award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Tim Mathieson joined Steadfast Group in 2015 and has over 25 year’s industry experience, most recently as CEO of QIB Group, one of the largest insurance broking groups in Australasia. He was previously Head of Broker Network at Steadfast and prior to this held several leadership roles with QBE Insurance which he joined as a graduate in 1998. He holds an MBA, Master of Insurance and Risk Management, and Bachelor of Commerce. He is an ANZIIF Fellow, AICD Graduate and director of more than 20 companies, including the Steadfast Foundation.

Samantha has 30 years' experience in the insurance industry including 25 years at Steadfast. She was COO from 2016 - 2023, directing and managing operational activities of the organisation and ensuring the implementation of the overall strategy.

Samantha was promoted in April 2023 to the new role of CEO – International and is responsible for planning and executing the company’s international strategy. Samantha is a Board Director of Steadfast companies in the US, UK, and Supervisory Board of global network UnisonSteadfast.

Nick joined Steadfast 11 years ago, and currently oversees the strategic direction, operational excellence, and growth initiatives for the Steadfast broker networks across the Asia-Pacific region. With a career spanning over three decades in the insurance and financial services industry, Nick brings a wealth of experience in managing complex networks, enhancing carrier relationships, and delivering exceptional service to brokers. Nick is also President of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA).

Kasun is the General Manager for the Australian Network, Broker, Risk & Insurer Services at Steadfast. In this role, he leads teams dedicated to enhancing our value proposition for the Steadfast network and insurers, ensuring greater alignment across our service offerings. Prior to joining Steadfast, Kasun served as a Strategic Execution Manager in the Office of the CEO at AIG and Aon, where he held various roles in operations and strategy.