Business Made Personal

• Ep133 – Stephen Brunker on leadership and mentorship in reinsurance

  Leadership and mentorship in reinsurance are central themes in this discussion with Stephen Brunker on Business Made Personal. With more than 25 years in both international and local reinsurance markets, Stephen shares the personal story behind his professional success – from a disjointed childhood and frequent school moves to finding stability through his grandparents’ wisdom and the family values that continue to guide him today.Stephen shares how a detour through hospitality and completing a Bachelor of Business at UTS led him into NRMA Reinsurance. He reflects on how those early days in underwriting and claims shaped his views on risk, relationships, and responsibility. He explains why the customer service discipline he picked up in hospitality has become one of his greatest assets in reinsurance and broking – and why listening well continues to be more important than ever.You’ll hear honest reflections on the trade-offs that come with senior roles, the realities of travelling when you have a young family, and how Stephen has learned to maintain work–life balance without losing ambition. He discusses his passion for mentoring, the surprise many mentees feel when they understand the size of the reinsurance market, and why the industry needs to do a better job of telling its story if it wants to attract young talent.Along the way, Stephen shares lighter moments too – including teaching himself guitar, playing in a pub rock band, and his love of boxing, yoga, and mountain biking as outlets beyond the office.Listen in to rethink leadership and mentorship in reinsurance, and walk away with practical insights on career paths, transferable skills, and staying true to your values. Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond. Never miss an episode: Follow & Subscribe on https://bit.ly/bmp-WebsiteJoin the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedInFor enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

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• Ep132 – Kishan Dasan on mentorship and balance in insurance careers

  Mentorship and balance in insurance careers are central themes in this honest chat with Kishan Dasan, General Manager at MECON Insurance. Growing up in Malaysia with dentist parents and a solid educational background, Kishan talks about how a one-way ticket to Melbourne at 21 completely transformed his life, his identity, and ultimately his career in insurance.In this episode, Kishan shares how he was overwhelmed by the freedom of being an international student, struggled with failing subjects at university, and had a wake-up call upon realising the extent of his parents’ financial sacrifice. He discusses how he recalibrated, completed his electrical engineering degree, and unexpectedly fell in love with sales, eventually securing a graduate underwriter role at AIG that led him to New York.Kishan also discusses the shift from technical underwriting to leadership, including a significant move from Melbourne to Sydney that tested both his resilience and his relationships. He’s honest about the period when work became his entire identity, and how burnout and self-reflection pushed him to rebuild a more sustainable version of success.You’ll hear Kishan’s practical view on building networks in a small industry, staying loyal without losing yourself, and leading a team of more than 40 underwriters while still being a present husband and dad. He also shares his opinions on innovation in insurance and why agencies like Mekon are particularly well-placed to move faster.If you're passionate about mentorship and work-life balance in insurance careers and want a genuine story of determination, sacrifice, and adjustment, this episode is for you. Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond. Never miss an episode: Follow & Subscribe on https://bit.ly/bmp-WebsiteJoin the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedInFor enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

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• Ep131 - Lisa Hiscock on women in insurance leadership and flexible work

  Women in insurance leadership are central to this conversation with Lisa Hiscock, Director of Hakea Insurance Brokers. Mark Silveira interviews Lisa about her journey from a tough start in Chatham, UK, to senior underwriting roles at AXA XL and Axis, and ultimately founding Hakea to create a more flexible, values-driven career. You’ll hear how a love of travel and learning opened doors beyond a traditional legal path, why early exposure to clients at Hiscox accelerated her growth, and what crisis management underwriting taught her about education, risk, and resilience. Lisa also shares honest reflections on pregnancy in corporate life, imposter syndrome, and the identity shift that motherhood brings.Key takeaways: • Practical strategies for women in insurance leadership, mentorship, saying “I don’t know” aloud, and learning through experience. • How flexible work models in broking create space for family, deep client service, and personal wellbeing. • The business case for mental health advocacy, how loss led Lisa to crisis counselling and improved listening skills as a broker. • Why the industry must incorporate sustainability into underwriting, claims, and product design to safeguard community-critical businesses.If you’re building a meaningful, sustainable career in insurance or leading a team that wants to attract and retain top talent, this episode will provide you with frameworks and inspiration. Listen, subscribe, and share your key takeaways with a colleague. Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond. Never miss an episode: Follow & Subscribe on https://bit.ly/bmp-WebsiteJoin the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedInFor enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

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• Ep130 – Mike McShane on Mentorship in Insurance Careers and Leadership

  Mentorship in insurance careers is central to this conversation with Mike McShane, founder and director of McClardy McShane Partners. From a modest beginning in Melbourne to co-founding one of Australia’s most respected broker networks, Mike explains how resilience, education, and trusted mentors shaped his journey.He recalls leaving school early, travelling across Australia doing tough jobs, and realising that true learning often comes from experience. Returning home, he completed a Bachelor of Business while working full-time—an education that boosted his confidence and changed his career path. When corporate conflict pushed him out of a role, it became the trigger for entrepreneurship and, eventually, a partnership with Don McLeary.Mike also discusses his deep involvement with the Reach Foundation, which helps young people become their best selves, and explains why nurturing future professionals is vital for the industry’s well-being.TakeawaysFormal study fosters long-term confidence in insurance careers.Values-aligned partnerships endure beyond circumstances.Claims transparency enhances public trust.Mentorship in insurance careers speeds up professional development.https://fundraise.reach.org.au/donate-to-reach Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond. Never miss an episode: Follow & Subscribe on https://bit.ly/bmp-WebsiteJoin the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedInFor enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

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• Ep129 - Darren Trott on Mentorship in Insurance and Empathy-Led Claims

  Mentorship in insurance impacts careers, cultures, and client results—and few exemplify this better than Ambrose Construct’s Executive GM of Business Development, Darren Trott. In this chat with Mark Silveira, Darren shares a 40-year journey from Adelaide to national leadership, illustrating how mentors, music, and resilience shaped an empathy-first approach to claims and culture. You’ll discover how early family influences and a parallel life as a musician taught Darren to listen carefully; how a “Trojan horse” mindset helps builders and insurers collaborate; and why mentorship in insurance underpins sustainable teams.Key takeaways include practical leadership lessons learned through redundancies and relocations, how to support staff facing catastrophic loss, and the importance of compassion in moments that matter—such as Black Saturday and Cyclone Yasi—when clients remember how you showed up, not just what you did. Darren also shares the story of John and Chrissy, and the simple promise that kept them going until they received the keys to their rebuilt home.Whether you’re in broking, underwriting, loss adjusting, or builder networks, this episode will enhance your understanding of mentorship in insurance, client care, and culture development. Listen now and subscribe for weekly leadership insights that drive better outcomes for people and the industry. Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond. Never miss an episode: Follow & Subscribe on https://bit.ly/bmp-WebsiteJoin the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedInFor enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

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