The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) said that its ReCALIbrate program is a chance for women to reshape life insurance.
The latest initiative through the program is to provide three mid-career female risk advisers with a $2,000 grant to attend the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals (AIOFP) conference in Canberra from 29 November to 2 December.
AIOFP executive director Peter Johnston said: “Men outnumber women at industry conferences for many reasons, including juggling family and carer responsibilities with day-to-day work.
“It is important that we create opportunities for women to participate generally and particularly at conference events where valuable networking and information exchange occurs.”
The AIOFP said that the Canberra conference will be the “most politically important event in our 25-year history”.
“It marks the halfway point of the Albanese government’s tenure and therefore a chance to push for our five preferred amendments leading into a period when most politicians are on a re-election footing,” the association said.
Last week, the AIOFP also announced a new client opportunity project that will be launched at the conference, with the aim of supplying new client opportunities to members.
“We will have three relationships to present with at least another two in early 2024,” Mr Johnston told members.
“The new entities will include super funds, corporates, boutique banks, another association, and the rural sector with a wide range of potential clients with different needs and resources seeking assistance.
“In this highly litigious world, we needed to present an environment where the risk of poor advice/product failure was mitigated giving confidence to facilitate our participation with their people. Fundamentally, they needed to be comfortable with the conditions.”
CALI initially launched the ReCALIbrate program in September ahead of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress, which will run from 20–22 November.
“CALI believes it is important to play our part to foster the next generation of female financial risk advisers to ensure a strong pipeline of talent and leadership while also addressing the decreasing number of financial advisers in Australia,” CALI chief executive Christine Cupitt commented at the time.
Ms Cupitt further emphasised CALI’s passion for finding ways to make life insurance more inclusive so that the industry “reflects the community we serve”.
The recipients of the ReCALIbrate grants for the FAAA Congress are Kirsten Genter of Zurich Assure, Asha Burrows of Platinum Partners, Azaria Bell of Skye Wealth, Trish Gregory of Fox and Hare Financial Advice, and Adele Martin of Adele Martin – Money Mentor.
Great work CALI on moving forward with more grants for women in financial advice to attend these important conferences!