Meet the speakers

We’re excited to introduce you to a lineup of influential leaders who will come together at CALI’s inaugural conference to explore the issues that will shape the life insurance industry in the decades to come.

Wild For Life 2025 speakers

Azaria Bell - Financial Adviser, Skye Wealth & 2024 ReCALIbrate recipientAzaria Bell is an award winning risk adviser at Skye Wealth. With a strong focus on personal insurance, particularly for the younger generation, she ensures her clients are protected from the financial strain of unexpected illness or injury.

Since entering the industry in 2018, Azaria has made a significant impact—hosting personal finance podcasts, speaking at industry events, and earning recognition as the 2023 Young Financial Adviser of the Year and 2022 Newcomer of the Year at the ifa Excellence Awards. She is committed to empowering individuals with expert, accessible advice that fosters true financial independence.

Christine Cupitt - Chief Executive Officer, CALIChristine Cupitt is a widely respected and credible leader with a passion for ensuring fair, high-quality outcomes for consumers across the financial services sector. She is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Australian Life Insurers and has 20 years’ experience working in legal, strategic and public policy roles.

Christine is the former Chief of Policy and Strategy at the Australian Banking Association (ABA) where she led the industry’s response and submissions to the banking Royal Commission. She was instrumental in subsequent changes to the Banking Code of Practice and provided considered industry guidance that helped shape the banking sector of today. She also led the banking industry’s policy response and regulatory program for COVID 19 as well as the development of the ABA’s climate change and net zero transition program.

She also worked at AMP from 2007 to 2013 across product and financial advice, including three years with Hillross Financial Services.

Christine is a co-founder of the debt relief charity, Way Forward Debt Solutions, and a Vincent Fairfax Fellow.

Darren Black - Chief Executive Officer, SuperFriendDarren is a champion for improving mental health & safety outcomes particularly for people in high-risk workplaces and occupations. This interest was founded in his first profession as an Army Officer and United Nations Military Observer following two tours of the Middle-East as a UN Peacekeeper in Lebanon, Syria and Israel.

Darren’s military career and subsequent NFP leadership career has focused on work in the mental health and suicide prevention sector as both a CEO and Non-Executive Director. This experience has enabled him to see the impact of occupational hazards not well managed and treated, and the cost they have on people, organisations and the system.

Initially as CEO of a front line industry focused Mental Health and Suicide Prevention organization delivering support services for high-risk male dominated industries such as Construction, Mining, and Transport. And currently as CEO of SuperFriend – the mental health initiative of the Industry Super Funds and Life Insurance Industry.

Darren is a Board Director of Suicide Prevention Australian (SPA) and the Board of Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA).

He has also been a special advisor to both Mental Health Australia (MHA) and Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) on their policy work towards a Male Suicide Prevention Strategy and the submission to the Royal Commission into Veterans Suicide.

Darren is an experienced ‘For Purpose’ CEO having previously led Outward Bound Australia, the NSW PCYC, and the OzHelp Foundation.

He has an MBA from Melbourne Business School, is a Graduate of the AICD and has studied best practice NFP Leadership at Harvard and Stanford Universities.

Darren Leonard - ALUCA Underwriting Chair, MLC Life InsuranceWith a career spanning over 18 years, Darren has extensive Financial Services industry experience across group & retail insurance. Prior to joining MLC Life Insurance in October 2021, Darren spent 13 years at ING, ANZ and OnePath in various roles across Underwriting & Proposition. He also spent four years as General Manager and Risk adviser at a boutique advice firm.

In his role at MLC Life Insurance, Darren is responsible for managing the underwriters in NSW and QLD and is a key driver of the organisation’s strategic underwriting initiatives. Darren is a passionate advocate for customer service excellence and is a dedicated leader.

Darren holds a diploma in financial planning and is currently the President of the Senior Underwriters Forum and is the ALUCA Underwriting Chair.

Deanne Stewart - Chief Executive Officer, Aware Super Deanne joined Aware Super as Chief Executive Officer in 2018 and has more than 25 years of experience in financial services, both in Australia and overseas. She is an expert in super, wealth and insurance.

Before leading Aware Super, Deanne was Chief Executive Officer at MetLife. Prior to this, she held senior roles at BT, Westpac, Merrill Lynch and McKinsey & Co.

During her time as CEO, Deanne has overseen some pivotal moments and significant growth, with Aware Super now one of Australia’s largest, top-performing pension funds. She led the successful merger of VicSuper and First State Super in 2020 and the launch of the new brand Aware Super. Throughout her time at Aware Super, Deanne has been a strong advocate for gender equality. She was honoured by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as a pay equity ambassador in 2019.

Deanne also serves as a Director of the Super Members Council, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and non-profit organisation Redkite. A hallmark of Deanne’s career has been a passionate commitment to building and maintaining a strong culture and clearly defined purpose to drive business success.

Evnike Yardley - CEO & Founder, Enspire GroupEvnike is a trusted and sought-after communications leader, who has built a strong reputation in helping businesses thrive. An expert facilitator, Evnike has run workshops for some of Australia’s leading organisations including Westpac, Qantas and Iress…just to name a few!

She is passionate about creating equal opportunities for women and leading Enspire for the last 13 years has allowed her to do just that.

Fiona Macgregor - Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, TALFiona has over 20 years’ experience in financial services and has held a number of senior leadership roles since joining TAL in 2014. As CEO, Fiona brings a strong focus on customer experience, technology and innovation.

Fiona was appointed Group CEO and Managing Director on 1 October 2024, having previously led TAL’s Individual Life business.

Jamila Rizvi - Deputy Managing Director, Future WomenJamila Rizvi is an experienced leader and gender equality expert, as well as a best-selling author and broadcaster. As Deputy Managing Director at FW, Jamila champions women who work and women who want to work with professional development and employment services, through storytelling and advocacy.

A published author for adults and children, Jamila is also a columnist for the Nine newspapers and has hosted podcasts for Listnr, ARN, Mamamia and Future Women.

Previously, Jamila advised the Rudd and Gillard Governments on gender, early childhood education, media and employment participation. She was named in Culture Amp’s 25 Emerging Global Culture Creators 2024, Women and Leadership Australia’s Victorian award winner 2020 and included in the AFR’s 100 Women of Influence.

Jessica Ridley - Founder, By The Way MediaJessica Ridley brings over a decade of broadcast journalism experience to her role as founder and principal trainer at BTW Media. As a seasoned media commentator, she has appeared on Sunrise, 7News, and regularly contributes to Channel Nine’s Today Show.

Jessica’s distinguished news career has established her as a sought-after speaker, media strategist, and public relations manager for corporate giants. Whether serving as an MC, panel facilitator, or keynote speaker, she offers insightful perspectives on a range of topics, including brand storytelling, the news cycle, and work-life balance.

Jessica holds a Communications degree in PR and Advertising from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where she also received training in broadcast journalism.

Keely O'Brien - General Manager, Corporate Affairs & Strategy, CALI Keely is a well respected leader in Australia's financial services, political and media industries. She is an expert at understanding the needs of customers and transforming businesses to better meet their needs.

She champions gender equality and is passionate about ensuring women’s voices are listened to and acted upon to create real and lasting change.

Kent Griffin - Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, MLC Life InsuranceKent has over thirty years' experience in financial services, both in Australia and internationally. Kent joined MLC Life Insurance as CFO in 2020, before being appointed CEO in 2022.

Prior to joining MLC Life Insurance he was CFO of TAL, a Partner of Ernst & Young, and Regional Chief Financial Officer of AXA Asia Life. Kent has a Bachelor of Economics, is a Fellow of the Actuaries Institute, and a Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary. He has served on a number of Boards, both in Australia and internationally, and is currently a Director of Hume Bank.

Peter Kohlhagen - General Manager Superannuation, APRAPeter’s current role is General Manager, Superannuation at APRA. In that capacity, he leads a team that undertakes prudential supervision of superannuation trustees in Australia. Prior to his current role, he held a range of leadership roles within APRA, including several years as the General Manager responsible for supervision of the life insurance industry.

Peter has extensive international experience in various roles at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors and is the Chair of the Asian Forum of Insurance Regulators, an international organisation of insurance regulators in the Asia-Pacific region. Peter holds bachelor’s degrees in law and economics from the Australian National University and a master’s degree in applied finance from Macquarie University. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School General Management Program, a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, having graduated from the Company Directors Course with Order of Merit, and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Peter Sobels - Publisher, RiskinfoPeter Sobels has worked in the financial services industry for thirty-seven years, working with life insurance companies and research groups. In 2008 he founded Riskinfo as a dedicated online news and information resource for the Australian life insurance and financial services industry, particularly for advisers.

RiskinfoNZ was launched 2018, with similar aims to serve the news and information needs of all financial advisers, but particularly risk-focussed advisers, operating in the New Zealand financial services market.

Dr Preeya Alexander - General Practitioner and AIA Health ExpertDr Preeya Alexander is a practicing GP working in Richmond, Melbourne and holds a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery from Adelaide University. She is also a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

As a doctor and mum, Preeya is passionate about preventative medicine and improving health literacy so people can make informed decisions when it comes to their health; she shares her tips/experiences and medically evidence-based thoughts across her blog, podcast and social platforms – Doctor Preeya Alexander. Across her platforms, Preeya, with her wisdom, intellect and relatable tips and information, has built a loyal and engaged following – becoming the voice of a generation.

Being a practicing GP, Preeya contributes on a wide range of topics including preventative health, general medicine and mental health.

Dr Rebecca Huntley - CALI Lead Researcher, 89 Degrees EastDr Rebecca Huntley is one of Australia's foremost researchers on social trends and a Fellow of the Women’s Leadership Institute of Australia and The Research Society.

Prior to joining 89 Degrees East, Rebecca led research at Essential Media Communications and Vox Populi, part of the CIRCA research group. She was also the Director of The Mind & Mood Report, Australia’s longest-running social trends report. Most recently, Rebecca has played an instrumental role in the Climate Compass, Gender Compass and Community Compass projects, which tell us how Australians feel about critical issues and how to communicate effectively across diverse audiences.

Stephen Jones - Assistant TreasurerStephen Jones is the Federal Member for Whitlam and Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. Stephen was first elected to the Federal Parliament in 2010 representing the Southern Illawarra seat of Throsby. He was re-elected at the 2013 election and elected to the re-named seat of Whitlam in the 2016 election.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wollongong and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Macquarie University. Prior to entering the Federal Parliament he worked as a community worker for various front line disability services, youth and health services and as a lawyer with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and as the Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).

Trish Gregory CFP - Financial Adviser, Hayes & Co Insurance Services & 2024 ReCALIbrate recipientTrish is a passionate CFP® Financial Adviser, having worked with clients from 18 to 90 years old. With a Mastersin Financial Planning, Trish brings her unique life experience into every interaction to truly understand what is important to each and every client.

After almost a decade of providing holistic goals-based financial advice, in 2025 Trish pivoted to specialise in providing Insurance-Only advice to serve an ever-growing cohort of uninsured younger Australians.

About Wild For Life 2025

The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI)’s inaugural conference will gather insurance industry leaders, the advice and superannuation community, consumer advocates, government and regulators to explore the issues that will shape our industry in the decades to come.