Rethinking Default Insurance in Super

Following the success of the June 2024 luncheon series on the evolution of disability cover in super, our 2025 Luncheon Series returned with a sharper focus on one of the most pressing challenges facing superannuation members today: default insurance. This session we delved into the growing awareness gap around default cover—why it exists, how it impacts members, and what can be done to bridge it.

We explored innovative approaches to insurance design that better align with the evolving needs of today’s members. Together, we unpacked how the industry can collaborate to create more informed, empowered, and protected outcomes for members.

Guest speakers

Alison Bodinnar, Head of Proposition and Product, Acenda (previously MLC Life Insurance)

Alison Bodinnar leads the Group Proposition and Product team at Acenda, where she focuses on delivering innovative life insurance solutions that meet the evolving needs of superannuation fund members. With over 25 years of industry experience, she is dedicated to improving member outcomes through thoughtful product design and strategic leadership.

A passionate advocate for design innovation, Alison is driving Acenda’s disability design initiative—championing change across the group insurance industry to ensure members receive the support they need, when they need it most, while enhancing long-term retirement outcomes.

Christine Cupitt, Chief Executive Officer, Council of Australian Life Insurers [Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane luncheon briefings]

Christine 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.

Keely O’Brien, General Manager Corporate Affairs, Council of Australian Life Insurers [Adelaide luncheon briefing]

Keely O’Brien is an experienced leader who has spent 15+ years working to build and nurture successful teams across the corporate affairs, government and media sectors. As a former senior adviser to the Prime Minister and several ASX200 CEOs, she has deep experience advising C-suite executives and Cabinet Ministers on reputation, policy, media, marketing and public relations, as well as stakeholder and employee engagement.

She brings deep relationships and connections across the political, media, banking and financial services sectors. Known for her creativity and authentic communications style, Keely prides herself on delivering integrated communications, government relations and strategy campaigns that win hearts and minds.

Sydney panellists

Kym Clarke-Albert, Head of Insurance Product - Member, Rest

Kym heads up the Insurance Product team at Rest, one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member super funds. With close to 20 years’ experience working at both insurers and super funds, she has extensive knowledge of both sectors.

Established in 1988, Rest has around 2 million members – the equivalent of 1-in-7 working Australians. It has a proud heritage with the retail industry, and many of its members work in part-time and casual roles.

Kym is passionate about providing members with meaningful cover for when life doesn’t go as planned, particularly for those who may not be proactively engaging with their insurance in super.

Tristan Reis-Freeman, Chief Strategy Officer, Team Super

Melbourne panellists

Dean Kambouroglou, Senior Manager Insurance, Aware Super

Dean leads Aware Super’s insurance team, providing strategic direction and leadership on the insurance offer of one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds. In recognition of the critical role that insurance can play in helping Australians retire with dignity, Dean champions creative insurance propositions that are underpinned by a deep understanding of members’ insurance needs and underlying risk characteristics.

Shane Fielding, Head of Insurance Product & Strategy, Hostplus

Shane Fielding is the Head of Insurance Product and Strategy at Hostplus, where he leads the development and management of innovative insurance solutions for Hostplus members. With over 35 years of experience in the Group Insurance industry, Shane has a proven track record in managing group insurance tenders, fund mergers, benefit design, and product development. His expertise extends to re-engineering claims and underwriting processes, analysing mental illness-related disability claims rates, and providing strategic advice to Industry Super Funds. Shane holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Operations Research from Monash University.

Canberra panellist

Adam Nettheim, Chief Customer Officer, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation

Adam has been CSC's Chief Customer Officer since December 2022 and has been with CSC for 8.5 years. Adam is a financial services industry professional with more than 24 years' experience across insurance, superannuation and financial advice. The majority of this time has been in leadership roles across a number of service and product providers with a strong focus on governance, business change and member centricity. Adam has extensive experience in the superannuation industry in both scheme administration and member facing roles. Adam has recently been made a Fellow of the Future Government Institute.

Adelaide panellist

Anniko Prior, Operations Manager Claims, Super SA

Anniko Prior is the Operations Manager of Claims at Super SA, with over ten years of experience in insurance and claims management across the superannuation and banking sectors. She is dedicated to optimising operational efficiency, delivering outstanding member experiences, and leading high-performing teams with clarity and purpose. With a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, Anniko integrates innovative thinking with compliance to drive continuous improvement and deliver better outcomes for members.

Brisbane panellist

Karla Harvey, Senior Manager Insurance, BUSSQ

Karla Harvey leads the insurance team at BUSSQ where the focus is on understanding members’ needs and providing tailored insurance for the building and construction industry.

With over 30 years in the superannuation industry in various policy and operational leadership roles she is committed to enhancing the end to end member experience especially for those journeying through trying times.

SYDNEY
DATE: Monday 16th June
VENUE: KPMG
ADDRESS: Level 38 Tower 3/300 Barangaroo Ave

MELBOURNE
DATE: Wednesday 18th June
VENUE: Sheraton Hotel
ADDRESS: 27 Little Collins Street
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CANBERRA
DATE: Tuesday 24th June
VENUE: KPMG
ADDRESS: Constitution Place, Level 9/1 Constitution Ave

ADELAIDE
DATE: Wednesday 25th June
VENUE: KPMG
ADDRESS: Level 7/151 Pirie Street

BRISBANE
DATE: Thursday 26th June
VENUE: EY
ADDRESS: 111 Eagle Street

TIME: 12.15PM - 2.00PM (AEST)
COST: FEAL members - $0 & non-members $145 (inc GST)
*If you are a non member & would like to attend please contact FEAL.

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