Super and beyond: Enhancing support for women in the workforce
An insightful and engaging lunch briefing, we delved into the evolving landscape of women's participation in the Australian workforce. With more women extending their careers and advancing into senior leadership roles, including C-suite, CEO, and board positions, the need for robust support systems has never been more critical. This session highlighted the pivotal role superannuation funds can play in supporting their female employees and members. We explored current initiatives within superannuation funds and discussed future possibilities to further enhance support for women in the workforce.
Guest speakers
Pauline Vamos
Non-Executive Director and Chair
Pauline is a non-executive director of Mercer Superannuation Australia Limited and Chief Executive Women and is the Chair of Interaction Disability Services and Zurich Assure Pty Ltd. Pauline is also the President and Chair of Governance Institute of Australia and a member of the International Council of The Chartered Governance Institute.
Pauline is recognised as an expert in broad financial services, governance, risk management and public policy.
She has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, including as a senior regulator with ASIC, various directorships on listed, public, NFP and fiduciary entities, CEO positions, including CEO of ASFA and as an international adviser on pensions governance.
Rodney Hanratty
Head of People and Culture, Australia and New Zealand, Zurich
Rodney joined Zurich as Head of People and Culture, Australia and New Zealand in June 2021. He oversees the People and Culture function across all business lines.
Prior to joining Zurich, Rodney spent six years at SwissRe as Head of Human Resources ANZ. His extensive work experience spans general & life insurance, reinsurance, commercial & investment banking, as well as experience in the telecommunications and public sectors. Rodney’s career has spanned the globe, and he has held leadership roles in Australia, Hong Kong, the US and Switzerland.
Sydney Panelists
Natalie Previtera, CEO, NGS Super
Natalie was appointed Chief Executive Officer at NGS Super on 5 June 2023, following nine months acting in the role. She was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer in August 2022, following her appointment as Chief Risk and Governance Officer in 2021, after joining the Fund in 2019. As Chief Executive Officer, Natalie is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Fund's operations, while leading the Executive team in the successful execution of the Fund's business plan.
Susan Alexander, Principal, Member and Investments Engagement, AustralianSuper
Susan has been with AustralianSuper since January 2010 and held a number of roles during this time.
Recently returned from New York, Susan was the Regional Head US where she established AustralianSuper’s New York office in August 2021. The focus was to establish the United States entity and support the investment activities developing in the United States, promoting AustralianSuper as a desirable global investment partner. Explore new partnerships and build on valuable existing relationships all with the purpose of providing better retirement outcomes for our members.
Susan returned to Australia in September 2024 to take up a newly created position of Principal, Member and Investments Engagement.
Brisbane Panelists
Kate Farrar, CEO, Brighter Super
Kate has been the Chief Executive Officer of Brighter Super since April 2018, and has grown the fund from $10b with 75,000 members to $32b with 228,000 members through the merger of LGIAsuper and Energy Super and the acquisition of Suncorp Super. Completed 18 months early, the integration of the three foundation funds has delivered material fee savings to members whilst increasing services across Queensland. In recognition of this work, Kate won the FEAL Fund Executive of the Year Award for 2024.
Kate has 35 years’ experience in leadership roles across the finance and energy sectors, including at Barclays de Zoete Wedd, Suncorp Investment Management, NSW Treasury Corporation, McKinsey and Ergon Energy. She is also a Non-Executive Director with ASX100 company Seven Group Holdings, and is the President of the Queensland Futures Institute.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) Degree and a Masters Degree in Econometrics and Finance. Through a scholarship from Chief Executive Women, she is also a graduate of INSEAD’s Advanced Management Programme.
Stevhan Davidson, Chief Service Delivery Officer, Australian Retirement Trust
Stevhan joined Australian Retirement Trust in 2010 and is responsible for the fund’s member operations and member service. Previously, as Chief Strategy Officer, Stevhan oversaw ART’s strategic direction, communications, government relations, and corporate social responsibility. Before this role, as Chief of Transformation and Executive Integration Lead, he was responsible for planning and delivering the merger of Sunsuper and QSuper to form ART.
Stevhan has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, both in Australia and overseas, including roles at BT, Adelaide Bank, Citi, Schroders, and Commonwealth Bank.
He holds a Master of Business Administration, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance, qualifications in investments and financial planning, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Adelaide Panelists
Matthew Kempton, Acting CIO, Funds SA
Matthew was appointed to Director, Equities & Deputy CIO of Funds SA in 2018 and has been Acting CIO since May 2024. He has more than 15 years’ experience at a senior level in superannuation and investment management roles.
Prior to joining Funds SA, Matthew held the role of Head of Investments at ESSSuper where he was responsible for the development and implementation of the investment strategy for approximately $7bn in assets under management, he also held oversight responsibilities for approximately $40bn in defined benefit assets for the State of Victoria. Prior to this he held the title of Consultant at Frontier Consulting where he was part of the Capital Markets, Currency and Equities teams, and prior to this held the title of Capital Transactions Manager for the ISPT Core Fund which directly manages approximately $10bn in assets.
Matthew is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honors in Economics, Bachelor of Property and Construction and Bachelor of Planning and Design, each from the University of Melbourne.
Julia Loipersberger, Associate Director, Insurance Delivery, Super SA
Julia has been the Associate Director, Insurance Delivery at Super SA since January 2022. Julia has more than 15 years’ experience at a senior level in insurance and superannuation roles.
In her current role, Julia is responsible for the management of Super SA’s self-insurance business, including the development and implementation of Super SA’s strategic insurance direction, and key responsibility for development of product, policy and service delivery improvements.Before working with Super SA, Julia was variously the Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Insurance at Statewide Super.
Melbourne Panelists
Julie Watkins, Chief People Officer, UniSuper
As the Chief People Officer at UniSuper, Julie has over 25 years of HR experience in various sectors including financial services, healthcare, consumer goods and professional services across Multinational, Asia Pacific and Australia.
Julie is passionate about developing future leaders, and creating a work environment where employees can do their best and be themselves. She has a reputation for delivering HR initiatives that is anchored in the business strategy. She is a straight shooter, an advocate for change and is driven by seeing the Fund and their members prosper. She is accredited with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma of Business (Major: Organisation Development), both from Monash.
Justine Hartman, Chief People Officer, Cbus Super
Justine is Cbus Super's Chief People Officer, a critical role on the executive team responsible for driving the Fund’s culture and people performance. With more than two decades of experience in the superannuation industry, Justine has dedicated her time in the sector to aligning employee experience with member experience. During her 10 years at Cbus Super, she has held key leadership roles in talent and employee experience, driving significant growth and transformation to uplift Cbus’ people to meet the needs of Cbus’ members. Passionate about leadership and diversity, Justine has a proven track record of fostering a positive workplace culture that promotes inclusion, excellence, and development at all levels. Her commitment to enhancing organisational culture and talent has been central to shaping the Fund’s success, ensuring the values and standards delivered to members are reflected within the organisation’s culture.
Chris Davies, Chief Executive Officer, TelstraSuper
As Chief Executive Officer of TelstraSuper, Chris is responsible for the strategic direction of the Fund and overseeing its operational management to meet the needs of its members and employers. Chris is also a director of TelstraSuper Financial Planning Pty Ltd.
Chris joined TelstraSuper in October 2013, having previously been Executive Manager, Member and Employer Solutions at UniSuper.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws and started his career practising law in a national firm before moving to the financial services sector. Chris’ experience in the financial services industry has developed over 30 years with senior roles at Lend Lease, Colonial, Commonwealth Bank and BT Financial Group.
SYDNEY
DATE: Thursday 17th October
Venue: EY
Address: Level 34/200 George Street
Brisbane
Date: Wednesday 23rd October
Venue: Australian retirement Trust
Address: Level 28/266 George Street
Adelaide
DATE: Thursday 24th October
Venue: EY
Address: Level 12/121 King William Street
Melbourne
Date: wednesday 30th October
Venue: eY
Address: Level 23/8 exhibition Street
TIME: 12.15PM - 2.00PM SYD & MELB (AEDT), BRIS (AEST) ADEL (ACST)
COST: FEAL MEMBERS: $0 & Non-member (invited guests only): $145 (INC GST)
*if you are a non member & would like to attend please contact FEAL.
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