Hollard Insurance is now accepting applications for the third intake of Aspire, a year-long leadership programme designed for women in the insurance broking sector.
The initiative continues Hollard’s collaboration with Steadfast Group and the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), first launched in 2021.
Aspire offers a structured pathway for women seeking to take on greater leadership responsibilities within the industry. The programme combines executive education, technical training, and business strategy development with mentoring and peer engagement. Participants also earn credits toward an AGSM Executive MBA, integrating formal learning with industry-specific leadership development.
"At Hollard, we know that diverse teams make better decisions and drive stronger outcomes," said Suzi Leung, the chief commercial officer at Hollard. "Our continued support for Aspire reflects our deep commitment to building a more inclusive insurance sector and investing in the next generation of female leaders.”
Steadfast Group, a general insurance broker network in Australasia, remains a key partner. Chief executive Robert Kelly confirmed Steadfast’s continued involvement, saying they have observed a number of participants step into leadership roles following their participation.
“We are very proud to support the Aspire program, for the third time, and the professional development of women in the insurance broking industry, and we’re seeing new leaders emerge as a result of this participation,” said Kelly.
When Rhiannon Toohey finished the programme in 2023, she described it as a pivotal step in her transition toward leadership. As head of subsidiary performance at Steadfast Group, she said the experience helped her develop the skills needed to lead teams and manage business operations.
“I really wanted to transition into leading a team and leading businesses, and so I thought what better place to do it than with a group of experienced women in the insurance industry," Toohey said. "It would have absolutely been a missed opportunity if I hadn’t applied – it's the best course females in the insurance industry looking to accelerate their career could do.”
Aspire is structured to support mid-career professionals seeking advancement within the insurance industry. The curriculum is delivered in partnership with AGSM and includes both in-person and online components. Mentorship and access to industry networks are embedded in the programme’s design, offering participants exposure to experienced professionals from across the sector.
Applications for the 2025 intake are open exclusively to female brokers within the Steadfast network. The deadline for submission is on 31 July 2025. The application process, including eligibility criteria and programme information, is available on Hollard’s website.
As companies in the insurance industry revisit talent strategies, should more initiatives like Aspire be introduced to expand leadership pathways? Share your perspective in the comments.
