Victoria’s Young Insurance Professionals group aims to provide members with greater educational and professional development opportunities this year and beyond.

In addition to social events, including a “kick-off” in April and upcoming Christmas in July function, the group has organised a women in insurance event, a cyber masterclass and discussion around the critical issue of mental health.

“Our focus has been on fostering an inclusive community that champions a range of initiatives, from social networking, professional development, empowering women and removing the stigma around mental health,” YIPs Victoria president Tom Turner told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“None of this would have been possible without the amazing work of our committee – who always go above and beyond.”

The Insure Her Future event took place last month – featuring Solution Underwriting’s Anita Lane, Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board member Jessica Jenkins, and insurance lawyer Cathryn Prowse.

YIPs Victoria vice president Christie Lappin says it was a “huge success” that brought women and men together “to network, share knowledge and motivate one another to work towards a more equitable and vibrant future”.

The cyber masterclass is in September, and the mental health event, which will involve Dual’s Damien Coates – an ambassador for the Black Dog Institute – is in November.

Vice president Richard Davies thanked the group’s sponsors for their “fantastic support”.

“Everything we do isn’t possible without their contribution,” he said.

The YIPs Victoria committee includes Mr Turner and Corey Rule (AB Phillips), Mr Davies (McLardy McShane), Ms Lappin (Crawford & Co), Nick Barry (Arch Insurance), Ben Gray and Charlotte Cunliffe (Keystone Underwriting), Sophie Bougourd (Ethos Building & Restoration), Tylah Jones (Network Insurance Group), Marissa Parel (Clyde & Co), Holly Walker (Marsh McLennan), Dion Owens (Honan), Ysabelle Kong (Barry Nilsson) and Patrick Martin (Chubb).

Click here for more information about YIPs events.