International Women’s Day – celebrating women in our business
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke to women leaders of organisations in our industry. We asked what it takes to be successful in today’s business world, what they’ve achieved in their careers to date, and what their plans are for the future...
Bernadette Breton, Founder and Creator of Alliance International Medical Services (AIMS)
I feel honoured to be seen and thought of as a leader of an organisation within our industry, and I’ve pondered over the question, ‘What does it take to be a successful woman?’ What is it to be successful? This comes in many different forms, goals and achievements, but for myself and my success I believe that you should know your worth and not be afraid to demand it.
While growing Alliance International Medical Services over the last 21 years there have been many challenges, lots of hard work, and ups and downs. The key, however, is not to give up and to keep on moving forward. As a woman or a man, you should invest in yourself, take calculated risks and refuse to accept anything less than the best. Apply this to your life and work, keeping your goals and desired outcomes in mind.
Prior to AIMS I was the International Patient Liaison Officer within one of the major South African Hospital Groups. I didn’t know the first thing about starting a business, but I did know that I had/have the passion and drive to pursue the goals I had set for myself.
My most notable accomplishment on my career journey was being promoted through self-motivation and learning. Opening AIMS has allowed my medical knowledge to grow, and together with my amazing staff, we have achieved many goals and saved many lives, which is very important to me.
AIMS is not just a company to me, but a family. I am extremely proud of my colleagues who have helped develop AIMS into a significantly meaningful and well-respected Medical Assistance Service Provider both on the African continent and globally.
Natalya Butakova, Chief Executive Officer, AP Companies
I have been with AP Companies for over 15 years and have been growing with the company each and every day. I have been lucky enough to have this opportunity and to be able to make an impact on the company and its growth, success and achievements.
I started as a routing billing specialist and have worked in many different positions which helped me to learn the business inside-out. The most challenging part for me was being able to move from day-to-day processes (which I greatly enjoyed doing) to seeing a wider picture, to think bigger, to plan further ahead and to keep those longer-term strategies in mind while still working on each and every process AP performs internally.
Work days have not always been easy. Sometimes I needed to look for inspiration, to work on myself and my colleagues, and at times even force myself to do something new and challenging. But I’m a strong believer that only through those challenges, efforts, trials, failure, and sometimes stress, can something great and successful be built. And this is exactly how I feel about the place AP Companies has reached in the modern TPA/assistance industry. Being highly regarded by our client and partners, based internationally, with long term relationships and unique customised solutions for our clients.
Bronwen Courtenay-Stamp, Partner and Solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Having come from North East England, a product of the 'local comp,' I ended up doing law at Exeter University and somehow never managed to leave the city. Certainly, Devon has been my home for over 30 years.
I have stayed with one firm my whole career – Stones – which merged with Trowers in 2015. I'm very proud of the fact that I managed, somehow, to bring up two children whilst navigating a legal career; despite some mad decisions, such as agreeing to be Managing Partner at Stones when my daughter was just six weeks old.
When I qualified, I was able to work with a real character in the law who taught me so much and introduced me to the idea of ski liability work and the travel sector generally. I have been the Partner in charge of our Travel and Insurance Team now for over 20 years and we have seen a lot of change.
As I look back on my career I always think of my parents and that they would have been very proud of what I have achieved
I would like to think that I have achieved the art of knowing what I do and don’t know, and to ask the right questions! The highlights have without doubt been the people I've met in the fantastic industry we work in and with whom I have worked over the years. There have been some great events, formal and informal, including ski trips and conferences, many etched deep into the memory!
Looking forwards, I am hoping for more of the same.
As I look back on my career I always think of my parents and that they would have been very proud of what I have achieved. It's easier to look at your life through another's eyes.
Louise Heywood, General Manager, International Assistance Group
After completing a business degree, majoring in marketing, I left the UK and went on a six-month working holiday to Australia which turned into 35 years! I travelled around Australia and then landed a job in an agency in Sydney. After securing a new medical assistance company client I was enticed across to the client side. This resulted in over 30 years working in the assistance industry with amazing opportunities to travel to Singapore, New Zealand and Toronto.
One of my great achievements wasestablishing a 24/7 medical assistance start-up in the UK within 11 weeks, that included locating and fitting out the site and recruiting 40 staff. The company thrived and still exists today even with some of the original staff I selected in 1995.
In 2000 I left the assistance industry to set up a workplace health promotion business as I have always been passionate about health and fitness. This is still a successful business in Australia.
I was enticed back to the assistance industry on a short-term contract which became full time and lasted seven years. Then in 2017 the International Assistance Group was looking for an Innovation Manager. I applied and was delighted to be successful – despite my very basic French. Later, at the International Assistance Group, the General Manager retired so I applied for that job and here I am starting my fifth year in the role! It has been an amazing experience working with an exceptional team.
I love cycling and I joined the Tour de Cure and cycled from Sydney to Hobart raising funds for cancer charities. I also completed marathons raising funds for Alzheimer’s Association and mental health charities – both causes very close to my heart. I've competed in Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii too.
When not working I enjoy all that France has to offer – fabulous cycling, wonderful cuisine, skiing and hiking in the mountains. It’s fabulous being close to so many interesting countries and hopping across to Spain or Italy.
I don’t know whatmy plans are for the future! Currently I love what I do and I plan to stay in France for the foreseeable future. I can’t wait for the Olympic Games here next year.
Laura Hilton, CEO and Co-Founder, Fairmount International and Trilogy Telemedicine
It always starts the same way... a curious stranger at a dinner party... "So what do you do?" "Oh, I work in insurance." He persists... "Car insurance?" "Oh no," I say. Undeterred, the inquisition continues. "Home insurance?" "I wish! Termite invasions do sound so very exciting."
It's a tricky question, of course, because if I told the truth, no one would believe me. I could tell them that I worked with the Chilean Air Force to launch a rescue from Antarctica. Or that I regularly played matchmaker for Oscar winning actors and royalty to find them their perfect doctors. Of course, there was also the busload of graduate students from California who all suddenly developed suspicious fevers in Zanzibar. He would think I was some sort of Walter Mitty, or even worse, the George Santos of the insurance world. And did I mention I was a water polo champion?
It was a bit of a challenge in the old days before the internet and email. Lots of shouting on crackling phone lines to Africa, sometimes resorting to calling random numbers to ask puzzled strangers to look up a hospital phone number in their dog-eared phone directory. Like a multi-lingual Forrest Gump, I found myself in the background of history: sorting out medical care during the wars in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan; doctors for Olympic champions, politicians, and spies; the first provider networks in the former Soviet Union and China, when they each, in turn, became the Wild Wild East. Contracting with elite doctors in 180 countries, the first online global provider search, the first global health tools, all ubiquitous across the industry today. Lately, the first global network of telemedicine providers.
All just part of working in insurance.
Gal Levy, Head of Engineering, Faye Travel Insurance
As Head of Engineering at travel insurance startup Faye, I lead a global team of developers building the future of customer-first, 100 per cent digital, travel insurance products. Prior to Faye, I spent over a decade working primarily in B2C-focused, digital health companies. All of these roles have married my background in both data analytics and software engineering to produce user-friendly products for today’s modern consumers.
As a woman in the tech industry, I am proud of my achievements and the impact I have made throughout my career. I have continually challenged myself and broken down barriers in a male-dominated ecosystem, including taking a leap to work at Faye over a year ago, prior to the product even being launched. In fact, I’m thrilled to say that Faye has 52 per cent female workforce. Everyone knows the pain points that have plagued travel insurance for years, and I’m ecstatic to be a part of the team that’s leading the charge in creating solutions that disrupt an incumbent-dominated ecosystem. We’re coupling superior tech solutions with top-notch customer support – both of which is expected by today’s savvy travellers.
International Women's Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we've made as a community and to celebrate the achievements of women around the world. It's also a reminder that there's still tons of work to be done to achieve true gender equality – in both travel and tech. As a female leader in tech, I'm committed to a future filled with mentoring and supporting other women in the industry. I believe that we have the power to create a more inclusive and diverse tech community by empowering and uplifting one another.
Diane Lynn, Assistant Vice President Global Health, Atrium Health
My 25+ year career has spanned several industries with accomplishments in publishing, entertainment, and healthcare. Woven throughout is a common thread. Through my words and actions, I want to help and inspire people to do great things to benefit others. Be it building new systems, innovating next generation processes, or ensuring global access to world-class healthcare – my life’s purpose is elevating others to do better.
Behind my personal and professional milestones are meaningful relationships. I believe in teamwork and consider it a privilege to lead. As an Atrium Health leader, I’m humbled to mentor diverse colleagues and students who have a driving passion for global impact. I choose to be a servant leader; to pour into the leaders of both today and tomorrow. Their potential regularly inspires me, and I challenge them to dream bigger, go deeper into their work and find a compassionate strength to sustain themselves. Maya Angelou said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Her words resonate with me; this is my philosophy. One day I hope my legacy reflects that.
Behind my personal and professional milestones are meaningful relationships
Continuing to innovate healthcare access is my focus. Atrium Health’s partnership with Advocate Health makes us the fifth largest provider in the US. These are exciting times. As a lifelong learner, I’ll continue my global leadership education while encouraging more women to do the same. Life is full of possibilities. I’ll continue helping others while amazing myself during the journey!
Claudia Schmiedhuber, Founder and CEO, Alpine Health Consulting
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants,” – words well spoken by Coco Chanel and definitely something to live by.
To be fair, I didn’t really know who and what I wanted to be when I first came into to the global healthcare industry at the tender age of 20. Looking for a summer job as I was tired of waiting tables, I responded to an ad of a local Assistance company, looking for flight paramedics and nightshift assistance coordinators. One day later, as I started my first shift, I knew I had found my dream job and wanted to do exactly that for the rest of my life. So, my wild journey began.
From flight paramedic and nightshift assistance coordinator in Europe and Canada to Head of Global Sales and Business Development of an Air Ambulance, all the way to starting my own consulting and marketing company, to becoming the Managing Director of EURAMI, it has truly been a hell of a ride so far.
As a female entrepreneur who has started and is successfully managing four companies today, I can only say – dream it, dare it, do it
To keep it honest, it has not always been easy. As a woman I have often been overlooked, many times disrespected, and regularly underestimated – although, never for long. Whilst I learned that I had to grow a thick skin and to always stay true to myself, I was fortunate enough to have met many amazing female mentors in our industry whom I am lucky enough to call friends today.
As a female entrepreneur who has started and is successfully managing four companies today, I can only say – dream it, dare it, do it. Whilst the climb for women might be a bit harder, the view and the journey definitely makes it worthwhile.
Looking back on almost 14 years in the industry, I not only realise I am getting old but I am proud of who I have become and incredibly excited for all the great things in the making.
It’s truly an honour to be surrounded by so many amazing boss-women. As Beyoncé so rightly said – “Who runs the world? Girls!”
Dr Bettina Vadera, Chief Medical Officer, AMREF Flying Doctors / Auditor at EURAMI
Starting out as a young female doctor in Germany, I never anticipated that one day I would lead a company like AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD) in Kenya as the Chief Executive Officer. Taking responsibility over such a complex aeromedical service, a substantial aircraft fleet and close to 80 full-time staff is no mean feat. It was an exciting but also challenging journey, working in the rather male dominated aviation and emergency medicine industry as a woman originating from a different culture.
Reflecting back on my achievements over the 20+ years of service to AFD as emergency flight physician, Medical Director and for eight years as the CEO, I could list many accomplishments that have turned AFD into the successful, global aeromedical company that it is today, which I am tremendously proud of.
When I joined AMREF, AFD was a program of the NGO AMREF Health Africa, with focus more on aeromedical outreach work. Coming from Germany where air rescue is an integral part of the health system, I firmly believed that medical evacuation in Africa was a much-needed service with commercial potential. The successful development of AFD into a profitable, aeromedical company that now owns and operates a fleet of five dedicated air ambulance aircraft including jets, with highly trained, professional staff and world recognition, fills me with pride and gratitude.
After the smooth transition of the CEO role to my successor Steve Gitau at the end of 2019, I moved to Germany for family reasons, but remained part of the AFD family as a consultant. I also joined EURAMI as regular auditor. I am involved in other non-aeromedical activities as well and looking into the future, I see myself enjoying the best of both worlds, living and working from Kenya during winter and from Germany/Europe in the summer.
I would be delighted if my journey sparks inspiration for young, talented women, to target leadership roles across all sectors, in order to close the existing gender gap that is still so prominent in our global society.