Profile
Colleen MacCarthy is chief operating officer and co-founder of Grappler, a tech company transforming insurance finance operations. Her introduction to insurance came through a contracting role in an underwriting team.
“Straight away I saw opportunities to automate what the team was doing,” she says. “Even back then, I was looking for ways to do myself out of a job – because of this, AIG seconded me into their tech team, and that’s where everything really started.”
She is unapologetically customer-obsessed, seeing service and delivery as non-negotiable priorities at Grappler. Tenacious and solutions-driven, MacCarthy refuses to give up on problems that others might walk away from – a quality that has helped Grappler tackle long-ignored inefficiencies in insurance finance.
MacCarthy explains, “I have real empathy and understanding of customer problems because I've been there myself. I’ve experienced the frustrations of insurance finance operations firsthand, which makes me better at solving them.”
Her rise has never been about titles or ticking career boxes. Without a degree and initially watching others be promoted ahead of her, MacCarthy responded not with resentment but with grit. She immersed herself in different parts of the industry, developing a 360-degree understanding of insurance and finance operations.
Equally significant is the workplace she has helped create. Although it wasn’t a deliberate strategy, Grappler’s team includes a notable proportion of women, unusual in most tech environments. MacCarthy and her co-founders have focused on hiring the best people and building an environment where they want to stay, resulting in strong loyalty and long-term tenure across the business. That retention speaks volumes about her leadership and commitment to culture, which is a byproduct of her own experiences.
“Mansplaining was common in the early days. I think people are much more conscious of that now, but back then, it was just accepted. When you’re younger, you don’t have the confidence to deal with it, and it knocks you,” she says. “I also knew I was being paid less than others on the team, and it was just accepted. I felt like I had to try harder, be better, do more and work longer hours just to be seen as equal.”
Balancing co-running a tech company with raising two young children, often under the same roof and in the same workspace as her spouse, MacCarthy brings a grounded realism and also moved back to Auckland to be more available to the Grappler team.
She wants her legacy to be proof that you can build a global, high-performing tech business with a positive and inclusive atmosphere. “I’d also like to leave behind a company that people genuinely want to work for, a place where loyalty and long-term careers are the norm. And if we’ve proven that you can build a diverse, high-performing team by just hiring great people and treating them well, that would be a legacy I’m proud of.”
115 Grenfell St, Adelaide, SA 5000
+61 8 8394 4544
colleen@grappler.io
linkedin.com/in/colleen-maccarthy-00a981a1
grappler.io
Colleen MacCarthy
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Grappler.io
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Bio
Milestones
2000–2005
2006–2010
2010–2014
2014–2018
Present
HR and Accounts Payable at BP
2000–2005
Senior Business Analyst at AIG
2006–2010
Business Support Manager at Proactis
2010–2014
Senior Business Analyst at QBE Insurance
2014–2018
Co-Founder and COO at Grappler.io since 2016
Present
Milestones
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
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
A significant part of his focus today is staying ahead of regulatory change while maintaining a seamless client experience. He tracks updates from regulators and lenders closely and works with his teams to adjust systems as needed.
“My approach to my role and my career has always been rooted in passion, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” he says. “I’ve never been driven solely by profit or business metrics. I believe in hiring great talent, trusting them, and pushing boundaries because innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe.”
His experience isn’t limited to Canada. Ibrahim has worked in the US and UAE, which shaped his global perspective and comfort with adapting to different markets. He thrives on risk, viewing setbacks as stepping stones to progress.
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made,” he adds.
That outlook continues to guide his work and reflects his broader goal of helping move the industry forward. Through his brokerage, lending company, and legal services, Ibrahim is focused on creating long-term value for his clients, his teams, and others working in the field.