The annual AFR Women in Leadership awards have been doled out. Find out who the winners are.
Danielle Handley, chief customer and transformation officer at health insurer Bupa, took out the top spot for the health category of the Australian Financial Review’s 2024 Women in Leadership awards.
The seasoned industry executive was among seven winners recognised for their “outstanding contributions” to their respective industries, with fellow awardees including Westpac’s chief sustainability officer Siobhan Toohill, Telstra’s CISO for the Asia Pacific region Narelle Devine, and Rio Tinto’s CEO for minerals Sinead Kaufman.
Ms Handley began her career as a director of advisory services with global accounting firm EY in April 2007, working for more than a decade across its consulting divisions in both Sydney and London before being appointed head of strategy, business and operations for multinational insurance company IAG’s Sydney division in 2014.
She was later appointed executive general manager for customer experience at IAG in April 2021, before transitioning to become Bupa’s director for connected care in February 2023 and then chief customer and transformation officer in October 2023.
Speaking to the AFR about her decision to join Bupa, Ms Handley said the team she was appointed to manage, consisting of around 500 employees, was “surrounded by ambiguity” when she took up the role but had since clarified its role and mission to provide greater “connection and awareness” across the insurer’s wide-ranging services.
“Connected care is the name of our program of work,” Ms Handley told the AFR.
“There had been a lot of change across the business … the team I joined to lead was surrounded by ambiguity; they were going through a bit of an identity crisis about the role they would play in the broader organisation.
“I have a fabulous challenge right now, in terms of my role, my team and leading the transformation across BUPA APAC.
“I’m juggling many different balls, but it’s an exciting time and has so much opportunity to deliver meaningful impact for our customers and the community.”
More detail regarding the Women in Leadership Awards and the full list of winners is available here.