Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Debbie Vounakis has not only mastered the art of networking and collaboration but has become an instrumental force driving innovation and personal and professional growth within the industry.
In her role as the head of sales and client services in personal injury at Gallagher Bassett (GB), Vounakis is recognised for her unwavering commitment to excellence and her dedication to improving the lives of injured workers.
With a remarkable two-decade track record in the insurance industry, her impact has been acknowledged by Insurance Business Australia and New Zealand, naming her an Elite Woman of 2024.
Vounakis describes her approach as dynamic and collaborative, highlighting the unique solutions she tailors for clients by working closely with diverse leaders and clients within GB. This collaborative environment, she notes, makes her work both fulfilling and constantly engaging.
Her standout leadership has paved the way to unlimited potential in her new role, where she oversees the organisation’s national growth strategy and implements best-practice client management solutions. Seizing this opportunity, she has enhanced GB’s continued success as a premier personal injury provider in Australia, drawing upon her extensive experience, insights, and lessons gleaned from its national claims’ operations.
Recognised as a woman of influence by her peers, Vounakis has demonstrated exceptional leadership in:
Level 2, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
+61 3 9056 9611
Debbie_Vounakis@gbtpa.com.au
linkedin.com/in/debbie-vounakis-772864165
gallagherbassett.com.au
Debbie Vounakis
Head of Sals and Client Services - Personal Injury
Gallagher Bassett
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Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2002–2011
2013–2021
2016–2017
2021–2023
2023–present
2002–2007: Team Manager at Allianz (responsible for overseeing claims teams across the workers compensation Victorian business)
2007–2011: Claims Manager at CGU (responsible for overseeing claims teams across the workers compensation Victorian business)
2002–
2011
Manager, Claims Operations and Claims Delivery at CGU (responsible for claims operations, stakeholder engagement, initiatives relating to both mental and physical injury, provider management and innovation)
2013–
2021
State Manager at CGU (responsible for key facets of people, operational and business performance)
2016–
2017
Operations Manager at Gallagher Bassett (responsible for both business and claim operations, stakeholder engagement, service and performance delivery; recognised at an individual level for her contribution to the scheme in 2021)
2021–
2023
Head of Sales and Client Services – Personal Injury at Gallagher Bassett (responsible for GB’s national growth strategy for personal injury and the delivery of best practice client management services nationally)
2023–
present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
overseeing large-scale operations
delivering high-performance results consistently
establishing a culture that prioritises the wellbeing of individuals
Joining Gallagher Bassett in 2021 as a senior operations manager, her swift progression led to her current appointment in November 2023. Beyond her organisational achievements, Vounakis has driven transformative change within the industry, particularly addressing mental health challenges. Through collaboration with mental health professionals, she played a key role in developing a return-to-work program that has significantly improved outcomes for challenging cases.
Known for navigating the complexities of workers’ compensation schemes in Victoria, Vounakis has positively impacted the broader community.
Her expertise and dedication have led to significant turnarounds in the performance of complex government portfolios, facilitating injured individuals’ recovery and return to work through innovative strategies.
Industry colleagues attest to her passion for turning complex issues into practical solutions, a testament to her depth of knowledge and professionalism. With her tireless work ethic and client-centric approach, Vounakis consistently ensures her team delivers the best possible outcomes
“As an Elite Woman, my goal is to drive positive change in the industry by leveraging my expertise,” she remarks, epitomising her commitment to making a lasting impact on the insurance landscape.
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