Asia-Pacific’s top women in insurance lead change
Seventy-one women from across the Asia-Pacific insurance sector have been named Elite Women for 2025, recognized for leadership, innovation, and measurable impact on their companies and communities.
Uneven progress in pay and promotion
Despite the recognition, industry data reveals persistent gaps. In Australia, men represent 45% of the financial and insurance workforce yet hold 60% of the highest-paying roles, according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. One in ten employers in the sector lacks an equal-remuneration policy, and 12% have never conducted a gender pay analysis.
New Zealand’s financial and insurance services sector reports a 29.3% gender pay gap, more than triple the national average. The Financial Services Council attributed this disparity to systemic barriers and unconscious bias in the workplace.
Regional findings from the OECD’s 2024 Social Institutions and Gender Index show similar challenges. In Southeast Asia, 38% of respondents agreed that higher earnings for women create marital problems, while 22% believed children suffer when mothers work outside the home. The index ranks Asia below both the OECD and global averages for discriminatory social norms.
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The achievements of the Elite Women stand out against this backdrop. The selection process evaluated leadership impact, influence, innovation, and contributions to societal well-being over the past year.
Five traits that set the winners apart
The 2025 cohort shares key strengths: resilience, mentorship, integrity, trust-building, and a long-term perspective on industry progress. These qualities appear consistently in feedback from peers and nominators.
One respondent described a winner as someone who “carefully chooses her battles, supports other women, and demonstrates what can be achieved.” Another praised a leader for “challenging norms and driving progress even when it’s difficult.”
Confidence and calculated risk-taking emerged as recurring themes. A nominator noted how one honoree “perseveres through challenges with dedication and commitment to her goals.”
While the awards honor individual success, they also reveal a broader reality: women in insurance continue to face structural obstacles that men rarely encounter. The contrast between recognition and representation shows progress remains inconsistent, even as the industry begins addressing the issue.
From claims to culture: three leaders who redefined their roles
The executive general manager has seen firsthand that success isn’t just ab
Emm McCartney, a financial adviser in Christchurch, treats insurance as essential to financial planning. Early in her career, she noticed advisers often treated coverage as a formality, offering clients limited options. After opening her own practice, she adopted a holistic approach, prioritizing claims management to build trust.
“Insurance matters most when claims happen,” she says. “I don’t just explain coverage—I handle all claims for my clients.” This hands-on method has resulted in over $9 million in payouts, a career highlight. With roughly 1,000 clients, she remains available for emergencies, knowing each claim can alter a family’s future.
McCartney emphasizes self-worth. “Women must recognize their competence. Without this awareness, opportunities may be missed.” Her work aligns with broader efforts to build strength through life’s challenges, ensuring clients and advisers alike handle difficulties with confidence.
