SpeakEasy with WiRE: Amplifying Women’s Voices in (Re)insurance

Women in Reinsurance (WiRE) Singapore is proud to announce the launch of “SpeakEasy with WiRE”, a first-of-its-kind initiative in our industry that aims to increase women representation as speakers at (re)insurance industry conferences and events.

In our dynamic (re)insurance industry, fostering innovation, driving growth, and understanding the evolving global risks require a diverse range of perspectives.

At Women in Reinsurance (WiRE) Singapore, we are committed to increasing the visibility of female talent and SpeakEasy is one way we facilitate diverse discussions on key industry topics at prominent industry events.

“SpeakEasy promotes women’s technical capabilities and creates an encouraging environment for women to feature in speaking engagements at industry events.”

Aisyah Fuad

President, Women in Reinsurance (WiRE) Singapore

The Inspiration and Vision Behind SpeakEasy with WiRE

“There are no women speakers for technical topics – Would you be able to recommend a speaker for this topic?”

“We approached them, but they hesitated to say yes.”

Our inspiration for this initiative started with such feedback, and a cursory look around industry panels showed us that women’s representation is really lacking.

Whilst our industry gender diversity is improving, senior women representation still lags behind and these are typically the profiles sought for being part of conference panels.”

‘SpeakEasy with WiRE’ is our response to these problem statements, in line with our belief that if we look closely and harness the power of community, we will be able to find the right women talent for all types of industry topics.

“SpeakEasy promotes women’s technical capabilities and creates an encouraging environment for women to feature in speaking engagements at industry events,” said Aisyah Fuad, President for WiRE Singapore. “Our vision for SpeakEasy is for every conference and industry event to easily access a pool of qualified and capable women speakers.”

WiRE believes representation matters and the presence of women on stage does more than just fill a quota. SpeakEasy will:

1. Promotes Diversity of Thought: Different backgrounds, experiences, and styles bring unique insights that enrich discussions and lead to more depth of insight, innovative solutions, and strategies.
2. Encourages Future Leaders: The visibility of women in leadership and expert roles inspires and motivates the next generation of women professionals.
3. Enhances Industry Perception: A balanced representation highlights the industry’s commitment to inclusivity and demonstrates that leadership and expertise come from variety of voices.

Building the Speaker Database

The cornerstone of SpeakEasy with WiRE is our meticulously curated speaker database.

Owned and managed by WiRE, this resource will feature profiles of accomplished women in (re)insurance, highlighting their areas of expertise, speaking experience, and availability for conferences and events.

Our database begins with Singapore-based speakers and will aim to expand internationally to encompass women leaders across the global (re)insurance industry.

While the database itself will not be available publicly, event organisers can request through WiRE to identify and invite qualified women speakers, ensuring that panels and discussions are more inclusive and representative.

Get Involved

We invite women professionals in (re)insurance to be part of this inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiative by joining our database to share their voices. Whether you are an experienced speaker or looking to take the stage for the first time, SpeakEasy with WiRE offers support and opportunities to amplify your impact.

Additionally, we call upon industry leaders and event organisers to commit to gender diversity by utilising our database and placing women in your speaker line-up. We are also happy to hear feedback if there are particular topics where women’s expertise is needed and for us to jointly source suitable speakers.

Beyond the Database – Our Commitment to Ongoing Support

SpeakEasy with WiRE is more than just a database – it is a community dedicated to supporting women in their public speaking journeys and a platform where expertise, experiences, and ideas can be shared.

Our planned ongoing support is structured around three key areas:

1. Increase visibility of speakers’ expertise: We will reach out to industry event organizers including Singapore Reinsurers’ Association (SRA) to link with us for a curated panel of women speakers. Speakers will gain greater recognition within the industry, which can lead to more speaking opportunities and professional growth.
   
2. Highlight speaking or leadership journey: Through interviews and features in our socials’ publication or Trade Magazine partnerships, we will showcase the achievements, experiences, and growth journey of our speakers to inspire others and demonstrate valuable impact of diverse voices.
   
3. Foster a supportive speaking community: In the near future, we will offer mentorship programmes and networking opportunities to connect experienced speakers with each other and to new speakers, promoting mutual sharing of knowledge and guidance within the (re)insurance community.

Looking Ahead

“As we launch SpeakEasy with WiRE, we are excited about the possibilities it brings for the (re)insurance industry,” says Fuad.

“By championing female representation and promoting diverse voices, we believe we can drive meaningful change and innovation and create a more inclusive industry where every voice is heard, valued, and respected,” she adds.

Interested in joining? You may fill out the form here. (WiRE will conduct screening and verification and ultimately has the final decision of entering applicant to the database.)

If you are (re)insurance industry event organiser for Singapore and wish to access speakers, please contact us at admin@wiresingapore.com.

Join us in this transformative journey. Together, let’s SpeakEasy with WiRE and amplify the voices of women in the (re)insurance industry.

About WiRE

WiRE, a sub-committee of the SRA, was launched in 2016 with the objective of providing a platform and network for women to share knowledge, discuss issues impacting the industry and further the development and promotion of women in the reinsurance industry. With over 600 network members, WiRE launches initiatives and hosts events, including mentoring, personal development workshops and networking functions, with the aim of inspiring and motivating women to pursue their ambitions and achieve their full career potential.

If you have more questions, please reach out to WiRE at admin@wiresingapore.com.