The Resilience Dividend: Why the most successful funds will build stronger members, not just bigger balances
Engaging members in ways that are relevant, timely and genuinely supportive remains one of the most important, and challenging, priorities for superannuation leaders today.
As part of the FEAL October Luncheon Series, we invite FEAL members to join an interactive discussion focused on member engagement, resilience and long-term member outcomes.
In an increasingly complex environment, member outcomes are shaped by far more than retirement balances alone. Financial wellbeing, physical and mental health, social connection, financial confidence and access to support all influence a member's ability to navigate life's challenges and remain resilient through to, and beyond, retirement.
This session will provide exclusive insights into new ground-breaking research exploring the drivers of resilience in Australia today and what they mean for funds seeking to improve member outcomes. Bringing together leading voices from across industry, economics, public policy and consumer research, the discussion will explore how organisations can better understand emerging member needs and translate insights into action.
At the heart of the discussion will be the ‘Australian Resilience Index’, the first comprehensive, quantitative assessment of its kind. As featured in the Australian Financial Review, the Index draws on more than two million public and proprietary data points, across health, financial, social and environmental indicators for all 2,500 local communities in the country. It provides a powerful new lens for understanding the challenges facing Australians and how funds can respond with more relevant, targeted support.
Together, we will consider how funds can move beyond traditional engagement approaches to help build stronger, more resilient members and improve long-term outcomes.
Discussion themes
Insights from the Australian Resilience Index on the key drivers shaping resilience across Australian communities
The role of health, wellbeing, education and financial confidence in supporting member resilience through to retirement
What difference in resilience across communities and demographic groups could mean for member engagement
Perspectives on translating economic, societal and behavioural insights into meaningful action
What effective member engagement looks like in a changing superannuation landscape
Using data-led insights to support timely, personalised and practical engagement
The opportunities for funds to strengthen member outcomes by supporting resilience throughout members' lives
Speakers
Facilitated by Zurich, the panel will bring together senior superannuation executives and leading experts across economics, public policy, behavioural research, wellbeing and resilience.
Kos Samaras
Director, Strategy & Analytics, RedBridge Group and well-known commentator on Australian politics and demographic trends
Kos brings more than 25 years' experience in strategy, public policy, political campaigning and social research, and is widely regarded as one of Australia's leading analysts of community sentiment and behavioural change. As Director of Strategy & Analytics at RedBridge Group, he works with organisations to understand how demographic, economic and social trends are shaping expectations, trust and decision-making across Australia. In this session, Kos will provide a societal lens on resilience, exploring the changing realities facing Australians and what evolving community expectations mean for member engagement, trust and long-term outcomes. He is frequently sought for commentary on polling, community sentiment and the forces influencing behaviour and decision-making.
Dr Adam Triggs
Partner, Mandala and established economist & policy expert
Adam is one of Australia's leading economists and policy thinkers, with extensive experience advising governments, businesses and institutions on the economic, demographic and social trends shaping Australia's future. As a Partner at Mandala, he helps organisations understand the forces influencing productivity, workforce participation, wellbeing and long-term economic resilience. In this session, Adam will provide an economic lens on resilience, exploring the structural factors affecting Australians today and what they mean for superannuation funds seeking to better engage and support their members. Adam is also a non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institution and a visiting fellow at the ANU Crawford School, and has previously held senior roles with AlphaBeta, the Australian National University and the Australian Government.
Kresh Wright
Head of Product & Proposition, Group Insurance, Zurich Australia | Facilitator - Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
Kresh leads Product & Proposition for Zurich Australia's Group Insurance business, working with superannuation funds to develop solutions that support stronger member outcomes and address emerging member needs. She has extensive experience across the insurance and reinsurance sectors in Asia-Pacific and the United Kingdom, bringing deep expertise in product strategy, risk and customer outcomes. Kresh will facilitate the discussion and connect the research and panel perspectives to practical considerations for superannuation funds.
Darren Wickham
Head of Group Insurance, Zurich Australia | Facilitator - Adelaide
Darren has more than 30 years’ experience across superannuation, life insurance, retirement income and employee benefits. As Head of Group Insurance at Zurich Australia, he is responsible for the overall Group Life business, spanning strategy, product, pricing, partnerships, growth and member engagement. An experienced actuary and former superannuation trustee director, Darren brings a broad industry perspective to the discussion, grounded in a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing superannuation funds and their members.
Fund executive panelists
Brisbane
Hayley Powell, Head of Superannuation and Retirement Advice, Brighter Super
Hayley is the Head of Superannuation and Retirement Advice at Brighter Super, leading the delivery of member-focused financial advice that helps members live confidently in retirement. With more than 15 years’ experience across financial planning, leadership, and transformation, Hayley is known for her authentic, values-led approach and ability to build high-performing, purpose-driven teams. She has held senior roles at AIA Financial Wellbeing and Commonwealth Financial Planning and holds a Masters in Financial Planning, has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and is currently now completing her FEAL Masters of Organisational Leadership at Melbourne Business School.
Steve O’Donoghue, Executive Manager, Member Engagement, BUSSQ
Steven is is Executive Manager, Member Engagement at BUSSQ, where he leads the fund's member engagement, advice, education, and stakeholder relationship functions. He has more than 25 years' experience across superannuation, financial services, and governance, with a strong focus on improving member outcomes and helping Australians make informed retirement decisions.
Steven holds an MBA, a Master of Applied Finance, is a Certified Financial Planner, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is passionate about making superannuation simpler, improving access to guidance and advice, and helping members achieve better retirement outcomes.
About the luncheon
This luncheon is designed as a peer-to-peer conversation for superannuation executives, providing an opportunity to share perspectives, challenges and emerging practice in member engagement.
We look forward to welcoming FEAL members to a thoughtful and practical discussion on how the industry can continue to evolve its approach to member engagement and help build stronger, more resilient members.
Brisbane
Date: Thursday 15 October
Venue: Thomsons
Address: Level 28, 1 Eagle Street
Sydney
Date: Tuesday 27 October
Venue: Thomsons
Address: Level 14, 60 Martin Place
Melbourne
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Venue: Sheraton
Address: 27 Little Collins Street
Adelaide
Date: Thursday 29 October
Venue: Thomsons
Address: Level 7, 19 Gouger Street
Time
12.15pm (for a 12.30pm start) - 2.00pm (BRIS - AEST | SYD & MELB - AEDT | ADEL - ACDT)
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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