Speakers

Julia Morris is one of Australia’s most accomplished and celebrated performers. A quadruple threat, Julia has seamlessly moved between the stage and the screen for over 34 years.

Julia first appeared on Aussie TV at 17, singing on the talent show New Faces. By the mid-nineties, Julia was a household name as a headlining standup and actor, with starring roles in comedy sketch favourite Full Frontal, nighttime talk show In Melbourne Tonight and comedy panel show, Beauty and the Beast.

As a stand-up comedian, Julia has featured in every major comedy festival in the world, taking to the stage with Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Pryor and Robin Williams.

In late 2011, Julia became Australia’s very first Celebrity Apprentice, raising nearly $200,000 for breast cancer research along the way. By the following year, Julia was cast as the female lead, Gemma Crabb, in the Nine Network drama House Husbands.

The show established itself as an audience favourite, with Julia being nominated for ‘Most Popular Actress’ in Australia’s Logie Awards for five years in a row. Between August and November 2013 Julia hosted Nine Network’s Australia’s Got Talent. The same year, her ‘No Judgement’ stand up tour won the Helpmann Award for Best Comedy (Australia’s Tony Awards).

The large formats just kept coming, and in 2015 Julia co-hosted the very first Australian season of Network Ten’s hit reality show I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! with Dr Chris Brown – she has co-hosted the show each year since then, with Season 5 already announced for 2025.

In 2022, Julia was nominated for the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television.

She has also made memorable appearances on shows such as Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee, Have You Been Paying Attention, Thank God You’re Here, Celebrity Gogglebox, and served as the narrator for Dog’s Behaving Badly.

Alongside her TV work, Julia toured her show 75 Years in the Business to sold-out audiences across Australia.

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.

Nigel Fitzgerald joined Steadfast Group in April 2023 as Chief Operating Officer of Steadfast Group.

Nigel has worked in the insurance industry for over 25 years with a proven track record in leading profitable and strategically dynamic businesses on a global basis, including fulfilling leadership roles while living in New York, London, Houston, Singapore and Sydney.

Prior to Steadfast, Nigel fulfilled CEO and Board Director roles for AIG and Fairfax Financial and Senior Executive roles for Liberty International Underwriters.

Dean Boxall is the architect of swimming greatness, guiding athletes to Olympic gold and world records. He's the mastermind behind Ariarne Titmus's historic triumphs and Mollie O'Callaghan's meteoric rise in world swimming.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, he orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history, as Arnie shattered Katie Ledecky's aura of invincibility.

His impact reached new heights in Paris 2024 – a record-breaking 10 swimmers on the Australian team, bringing home 18 medals, including nine gold.

Get ready for a masterclass in unlocking potential from an elite coach renowned for innovative methods and cultivating a world-class, high-performance environment.

Brace yourselves for the force that is... Dean Boxall.

A homegrown success story and compelling speaker, Michelle Cowan, has always defied convention. From being the only girl in the locker room, to the only Gen-Y in the boardroom, Michelle is a daring story of success against the odds.

Taking the attitude which made her the pioneer of women of professional football coaching into the workplace, Michelle managed a team of 150 government staff as a 23-year-old, before launching her own national training company, working with some of the biggest names in Australian sport.

Inspiring, entertaining, energetic and hilarious, Michelle's amazing stories are a tribute to what all of us can achieve with enough guts, grit and groove!

Current work:

Michelle later took on a dual role at Melbourne Football Club as the Senior Coach of their Women's Team and Development Coach for the Men's team. She was named as Senior Coach for the newly formed Fremantle Dockers women's team in 2016 as they embark on the inaugural AFL Women's season in 2017.

Previous experience:

WAFL: At 21, Michelle Cowan become Australia's first female WAFL assistant coach and put West Perth through their paces. At 23 she managed 150 staff through a $10.3 million Leisure Centre redevelopment. At 25 she became Managing Director of her own national company. At 27 she became a mother, also known as - story-teller, doctor, teacher, firefighter, garbage truck driver, princess, kangaroo, fifth Wiggle and more...

AFL: In 2012 Michelle was appointed Assistant Coach with the South Fremantle Football Club, in 2013 she coached the Melbourne women's team in the AFL exhibition game at the MCG against the Western Bulldogs, and was named AFL Football Woman of the Year.

Dawn joined Lloyd’s in 2022 and oversees Lloyd’s global network across the Americas, Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa (APMEA), and European Regions. She is responsible for our Global Network governance, market development, strategic engagement with key trading partners, and New Entrants into the Lloyd's Market. She also leads on Strategy and Innovation at Lloyd’s, including the Lloyd’s Lab and Academy, and is a director of Lloyd’s Insurance Company in Europe. More recently, Dawn has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer of Lloyd’s and CEO of Lloyd’s Americas, delivering both roles from New York with effect from 1 September 2024.

She has over 25 years of experience working in the global insurance industry with oversight of underwriting, distribution, clients, and strategy, including leadership positions at CHUBB, AXA, AIG and WTW. Having started her career in Washington D.C., Dawn has since taken on senior positions in London, Houston, New York, Paris, Dubai, San Francisco and Zurich.

She is chair of the Board of Trustees for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation UK (IICF UK), sits on the Steering Committee for Maths4Girls, the Executive Council of the International Insurance Society (IIS) and is Vice Chair of The American University, School of International Service Dean’s Advisory Council. She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) and Worshipful Company of Insurers. 

Adam Schwab is the co-founder of the world’s most loved travel businesses, Luxury Escapes, has been a prolific author and podcast host (of the top rating The Contrarians with Adam and Adir and From Zero podcasts) and was awarded the Young CEO of the Year in 2015.

Adam trained as a lawyer and worked for five years at Freehills before founding his first business a school friend with just $50,000 in capital. Within two years, the business was profitable turning over more than $2m annually.

In 2010, Adam co-founded what would become Luxury Escapes from a tiny, windowless office in a dark Melbourne laneway. Fourteen years later, Luxury Escapes has growth to turns over more than a $1 billion annually with more than 600 team members across four continents. Adam and his co-founders bootstrapped the business until 2022, before raising more than $120m in growth and secondary capital.

Luxury Escapes survived and thrived during Covid better than any other travel business globally - doubling in size and being one of the only travel businesses to increase its team during the pandemic.

In 2012, Adam co-founded MyTable, one of Australia’s first online home delivery businesses, which he exited to Menulog (and then participated in Menulog’s $855m sale to JustEat).

Since 2004, Adam has been a financial journalist and business commentator specialising in corporate governance, economics and start-ups for SmartCompany, the Australian Financial Review, and has appeared on Channel Seven News nationally, 3AW, 2GB, Sky Business and Today Tonight.

Luxury Escapes: Luxury Escapes was named the fastest growing company in Australia by BRW in 2013 and by the Australian Financial Review in 2017. It was also ranked #1 in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 while Adam was the Young CEO of the Year in 2015 and was nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 (Southern Region). Adam has been on the BRW Young Rich list since 2014 and in 2015 and was named a Young Business Leader 2015 by CPA.

Director: Adam is a director of the Myeloma Foundation of Australia and is on the Investment Committee of the Save the Children Investment Fund.

Author: In 2010, Adam released the Amazon bestseller, Pigs at the Trough: Lessons from Australia's Decade of Corporate Greed, published by John Wiley & Sons.

4-time Olympic Gold medallist, and current World Record holder in the 200m and 400m freestyle, swimmer Ariarne Titmus is one of the greatest middle-distance swimmers of all time.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ariarne achieved a historic 3rd Individual Olympic Gold Medal, winning the 400m freestyle, in the race dubbed “The Race of The Century”, where she defeated the other two previous world record holders of this event - American all-time great Katie Ledecky, and Canadian swimming prodigy Summer McIntosh, to become the first Australian athlete since Dawn Fraser in 1964, to win back-to-back gold medals in the same event.

Overcoming challenges and pressure, to be the best when it counts on the big stage, time and time again, is what has placed Ariarne in a league of her own and making her an inspiration to many.

Join Michael Miller, Chief Executive Commercial and Personal Injury to explore how Vero is evolving to better support you in 2025 and beyond. This session highlights our goals, ambitions and objectives for the year ahead, while addressing the market dynamics, regulatory challenges and social pressures.

Discover how Suncorp Group’s strong results for the first half of the financial year position Vero to deliver value through technology and innovation, enhancing our capabilities and ensuring successful outcomes for the Steadfast network.

About Michael Miller 

Michael Miller was appointed Suncorp’s Chief Executive Commercial & Personal Injury Insurance in September 2023 after holding the role of Executive General Manager (EGM), Commercial & Intermediated Insurance. 

Michael joined Suncorp in 2011 and has held other senior positions leading Personal Injury Claims, Motor, Property & Specialty Claims, Reinsurance as well as CFO for Insurance. 

Before joining Suncorp, Michael spent nine years at Perpetual, in various executive roles covering finance and strategy, including Group Executive for Superannuation & Investment Solutions.

Michael is a chartered accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland.

In this session, we will debunk prevalent myths about the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) market and clarify the current landscape amidst overwhelming media narratives. Join us to discuss key topics, recent events, and why this moment represents the most significant energy opportunity since the steam engine.

About Austin Phillips 

Austin Phillips is a prominent figure in the electric vehicle transition and implementation space in Australia and New Zealand, with extensive experience since 2018 in developing, buying, selling, operating, and analysing electric vehicles.

He has worked in heavy vehicle business and technical development for brands like PACCAR, Kenworth, and Volgren and was a key early member of SEA Electric, contributing to its initial success in ANZ government markets. 

In 2023, Austin founded ERIX Technology Services, an advisory firm specialising in electric vehicle adoption and development, fleet planning, and strategy, often collaborating with experts like ZEV Integrations and EV FireSafe.

About Lydia Williams 

Lydia Williams is the first Aboriginal goalkeeper for the Australia’s Matildas, a 2x Olympian and twice-named PFA Women's Footballer of the year. With 138 caps for Australia, she is a renowned Australian athlete.

She has played international football at the highest level in the US for the Western New York Flash, with PSG in France, Arsenal, Brighton & 
Hove Albion Women in the Women’s Super League. 

She is currently playing for Melbourne Victory for the A League Women's team. 

Get ready to elevate your thinking! With the unprecedented scenario of four generations working together, Australia’s workforce is set to significantly transform over the next decade. With Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z in focus, let’s explore generational diversity and recognise the opportunity it presents for ambitious innovation.

About Tiana Iuvule

A dynamic business leader with origins in advertising, Tiana Iuvale has charted an impressive course across diverse industries. Her expertise spans luxury retail, heavy machinery, and premium funding, where she honed her skills in strategic communication, marketing, sales operations, and leadership.

Upon entering the general insurance sector with CGU, she distinguished herself as an industry standout, earning recognition as an Elite Woman in Insurance in both 2021 and 2023.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Tiana is a TEDx speaker who brings a unique perspective to understanding human complexity through the power of narrative. Her passion for storytelling complements her business acumen, allowing her to bridge the gap between commercial success and authentic human connection.

At Hollard, we believe that diversity and inclusion is a business imperative and recognize there is still work to be done to ensure gender equality in our industry.

Join Suzi, along with Richard Crawford and Nicky Dunkin from CBN, where they will discuss the value and importance of women in leadership and achieving a more equitable status quo.

About Suzi Leung 

Suzi is the Chief Commercial Officer of Hollard, having joined in August 2023. As Chief Commercial Officer, Suzi is responsible for developing Hollard’s strategy in respect of product design, pricing, strategic underwriting, and partner relationships.

With almost 20 years of experience in insurance across Australia, Switzerland, and North America, Suzi previously held several senior roles at Zurich, including Chief Operations Officer of Zurich Insurance Australia Limited and Chief Claims Officer of Zurich Life and Investments

Join IQumulate for an engaging Fireside Chat featuring two key leaders from IQumulate Premium Funding. This informal yet insightful discussion will offer a unique glimpse into our leadership team, the broader IQumulate business, and our strong, long-standing partnership with the Steadfast network.

About Graeme Gordon

Graeme Gordon is the Head of Sales for Australia and New Zealand at IQumulate Premium Funding. Joining the company in 2017 from Vero Insurance NZ, Graeme advanced through various roles to the position of NZ Manager in early 2020. The NZ business delivered significant growth under Graeme’s direction, leading to further promotion to his current role.

Graeme now leads sales delivery across both countries, focused on building consistent and exceptional customer service, leveraging innovative tech solutions. Core to Graeme’s focus is developing genuine partnerships with our brokers through regular engagement and building a foundation of trust through accountability.

Join IQumulate for an engaging Fireside Chat featuring two key leaders from IQumulate Premium Funding. This informal yet insightful discussion will offer a unique glimpse into our leadership team, the broader IQumulate business, and our strong, long-standing partnership with the Steadfast network.

About Wayne Tower

Wayne Tower is the CEO of IQumulate Premium Funding, with over 25 years of experience in commercial banking and insurance premium funding. He previously held leadership roles at NAB and Macquarie Bank before playing an integral part of the change from MPF, to establishing IQumulate in 2019.

Under his leadership, Wayne has keenly observed changes in the dynamic and evolving ecosystem and continues leading IQumulate as an early adopter and driver of innovation and technology to enhance client engagement and industry adaptability. Wayne is committed to fostering a strong team culture and supporting IQumulate through change, creating an environment aligned to business success. 

The Middle Market in Australia is a dynamic and rapidly growing segment, driven by businesses with diverse and evolving needs. Within this space, the Lower Mid-Market plays a pivotal role in Australia’s economic growth, yet its unique challenges demand a more tailored and adaptable insurance approach.

In this keynote session, Chubb’s Middle Market Manager Anthony Solaese will explore the risks and opportunities shaping the Lower Mid-Market, and introduce Chubb’s industry-tailored solution, Benchmarq – designed to provide scalable, flexible coverage that evolves alongside clients' needs.

Join Anthony for valuable insights on how brokers can better support their mid-market clients, helping them stay resilient and competitive in an increasingly complex risk landscape.

The Middle Market in Australia is a dynamic and rapidly growing segment, driven by businesses with diverse and evolving needs. Within this space, the Lower Mid-Market plays a pivotal role in Australia’s economic growth, yet its unique challenges demand a more tailored and adaptable insurance approach.

In this keynote session, Chubb’s Middle Market Manager Anthony Solaese will explore the risks and opportunities shaping the Lower Mid-Market, and introduce Chubb’s industry-tailored solution, Benchmarq – designed to provide scalable, flexible coverage that evolves alongside clients' needs.

Join Anthony for valuable insights on how brokers can better support their mid-market clients, helping them stay resilient and competitive in an increasingly complex risk landscape.

Join Lorelle Hillman, General Manager, Distribution at QBE Insurance, and John Longmire, former Sydney Swans head coach and the longest-tenured coach in the Club’s 150-year history for a fireside chat on Leadership and Elevation.

In this session, Lorelle and John will share their insights into:

Practical strategies on how to elevate and grow for personal and professional success. 

Acquiring a deeper understanding of oneself and tap into increased potential.

How to continue to elevate and thrive during periods of change.

About John Longmire 

John Longmire is the Sydney Swans longest-serving coach, having taken charge of the team from 2011- 2024. In this time he took the side to 5 Grand Final appearances, winning the Premiership in 2012.

Longmire coached 333 games in total with a remarkable winning record of 63 percent. Longmire coached in 12 finals series and was voted the AFL Coaches Association Coach of the year in 2012 and 2014.

As a player, Longmire played 200 games for North Melbourne from 1988-1999. In that time he booted 511 goals and won the Coleman Medal in 1990 as the league’s leading goalkicker. He was also the Kangaroos leading goalkicker from 1990-1994 and was member of the 1999 North Melbourne Premiership team.

Join Lorelle Hillman, General Manager, Distribution at QBE Insurance, and John Longmire, former Sydney Swans head coach and the longest-tenured coach in the Club’s 150-year history for a fireside chat on Leadership and Elevation.

In this session, Lorelle and John will share their insights into:

Practical strategies on how to elevate and grow for personal and professional success. 

Acquiring a deeper understanding of oneself and tap into increased potential.

How to continue to elevate and thrive during periods of change.

About Lorelle Hillman

Lorelle has over 25 years’ of experience in both the international and local insurance markets, with two years in the London market.

She currently leads a successful team in Australia with the overall responsibility for all our broker and AR partnerships.