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China, NUS EMBA (Class of 2023)

Zoe Xie

Client & Distribution Leader

AXA XL

“Empowerment comes from within”: Zoe Xie (Class of ‘23)

Zoe Xie (Class of ‘23) is a firm believer of empowerment.

As the President and Founding Committee Member of Women in Insurance, Zoe is dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in the insurance industry.

Women in Insurance is a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating and nurturing the professional growth of women. It was born in 2022 from the vision of 11 trailblazing women across various sectors of the insurance industry.

In this interview, the NUS EMBA alumna shares the inspiring story behind the community’s formation, their impactful work, and her perspective on the essence of female empowerment.

How did Women in Insurance come about?
The insurance industry was traditionally more male-dominated. Although progress has been made, there is still a noticeable imbalance in female representation, particularly in leadership roles.

The idea for Women in Insurance originated from two visionary women within our founding team. When they approached me with the concept, I immediately recognized its potential and the need for such an initiative. It felt like the perfect timing for us to step up and make a positive change in the industry.

Could you share more about what Women in Insurance does?
Women in Insurance focuses on three key pillars: Engage, Enable and Elevate.

Firstly, we aim to engage by creating a safe and supportive environment for women to connect with each other. Secondly, we strive to enable women by offering activities, peer sharing, and connections that enhance both their soft and technical skills, ultimately helping them succeed in their careers. And finally, our third pillar is to elevate, where we highlight and share success stories, fostering a community where women support, appreciate, and learn from each other.

What are some examples of events that Women in Insurance has organized?
We have a variety of events within our three pillars (Engage, Enable and Elevate). For engagement, we host gatherings based on shared interests, such as art gallery visits and to support the Singapore women’s rugby team at the Rugby Sevens this year. These events provide a comfortable environment for networking and building connections, regardless of seniority or experience.

To enable women, we offer skill-building forums to empower them at every career stage. One highly praised event was focused on public speaking, which we identified as a common hurdle for women aspiring to leadership roles. Participants received coaching from industry and public speaking experts, culminating in a speech in front of an audience. This session helped build confidence and develop a crucial skill for leadership.

Finally, our Elevate pillar focuses on sharing success stories. We host discussions with female industry leaders, providing insights into their journeys and demonstrating that women can achieve anything. These events aim to inspire and motivate women in their professional pursuits.

What were some challenges the founding team faced?
I wouldn’t necessarily call them challenges, but rather integral parts of our journey. One of the most time-consuming aspects was building the founding team itself – finding individuals with the right skills, mindset, and commitment to take this on, alongside their full-time jobs, families, and other commitments.

We also had to tackle various groundwork. These include defining our vision and mission, establishing the association’s direction, navigating the legal setup process, securing funding, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

What does female empowerment mean to you?
To me, empowerment comes from within. It is an internal process that begins with building self-confidence. It’s about recognizing and harnessing our own abilities and being able to showcase our capabilities confidently. At times, we can be our own biggest obstacle. Believing in ourselves and taking the initiative to help ourselves are crucial steps, as no one else can empower us if we don’t believe in our own abilities.

What is one piece of advice you would give an aspiring female leader?
Never underestimate the power of human interaction and connection.

What keeps you going?
Teamwork is a major motivator for me. I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made. It’s a really big achievement to launch and sustain an organization like ours, and I’m grateful for the dedication and support of our team and the industry as a whole. Our events are inclusive, welcoming participants of all genders, and it’s extremely rewarding to see everyone benefit from the work we’re doing.