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Our Team

National Workers Compensation, Return to Work and Claims Broking Specialists

Jason Thompson

Managing Director and CEO

Jason’s management expertise, insurance knowledge and network of relationships contribute to the teams’ vision “to be the leading innovator and premier health solution provider in the workers compensation insurance and people risk industry”.

Jason’s management expertise, insurance knowledge and network of relationships contribute to the teams’ vision “to be the leading innovator and premier health solution provider in the workers compensation insurance and people risk industry”.

Jason’s initial ten years with AMP, Mercantile Mutual and QBE allowed him to work in multiple areas including credit control, underwriting and also in the capacity as an Executive, including business retention, workplace risk and development of corporate business, insurance agents and brokers.

Working at the coalface with clients and agents/brokers to help manage their workers’ compensation program, injury management and Work Health & Safety, whilst assisting with strategic goals, financial outcome measures and general management issues throughout the division.

The following twenty one year’s Jason was involved in the establishment and development of a National Workers’ Compensation and General Insurance Broking business, which entailed continuously improving the service offering and management of risk for their portfolio of clients. Jason led a successful team as the General Manager of Broking & Workers Compensation before focusing on Workplace Risk.

As Managing Director of Steadfast Workplace Risk, Jason drives the team at Steadfast Workplace Risk to deliver an exceptional experience to our clients, both conventional and self-insured, in areas such as:

  • Broking and Consulting Services
  • Work, Health & Safety
  • Return to Work and Injury Management
  • Claims Management
  • Health & Wellbeing

Qualifications:

Masters degree in Occupational Health & Safety Management

Grad Cert in Financial Services

Bachelor of Business degree

Diploma in Human Resource Management

Accredited Safety Auditor

Certificate  IV in Assessment and Workplace Training

Return to Work Coordinator NSW Return to Work Coordinator VIC

Rehabilitation Return to Work Coordinator QLD

Tier One Accreditation for Insurance Broking

Justice of the Peace

Jason is a Certified Insurance Professional (CIP) and a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF). He is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Pauline McKenzie

National Operations Manager

Pauline has over 27 years’ experience in the insurance broking industry. Pauline started her career at a professional suburban brokerage.  Her experience and knowledge progressed her career to that of an Account Broker, during which time she provided assistance for SME and Corporate accounts.  This entailed building relationships with clients and underwriters, ensuring adequacy of insurance coverage, marketing and placement of insurance programs, quality assurance and general servicing of clients’ portfolios.

Pauline has over 27 years’ experience in the insurance broking industry. Pauline started her career at a professional suburban brokerage.  Her experience and knowledge progressed her career to that of an Account Broker, during which time she provided assistance for SME and Corporate accounts.  This entailed building relationships with clients and underwriters, ensuring adequacy of insurance coverage, marketing and placement of insurance programs, quality assurance and general servicing of clients’ portfolios.

Proving to have strong attention to detail, and an in-depth understanding of the broking process, Pauline’s duties were extended to form part of a small team responsible to develop and roll-out a new broking platform for a large, national broking firm.  Pauline’s expertise is currently utilised at Steadfast Workplace Risk to maintain broking, binder and ancillary platforms.

In 2011 Pauline increased her responsibilities and accountabilities to involve designing, testing, training, roll-out and continuous improvement of a purpose-built Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Pauline was key to this development of a national based system, taking three years to build.

In 2014, whilst maintaining her responsibilities in relation to the national broking and CRM systems, Pauline was appointed Executive Assistant to the General Manager, where she acquired in-depth knowledge and understanding of the business from an operational perspective, whilst simultaneously providing executive support to National and State Managers.

It was a natural transition for Pauline to take on the position of Operations Manager in 2018, followed by National Operations Manager in 2020 as the Steadfast Workplace Risk team expanded nationally.

Pauline’s role includes accountability and responsibility of day-to-day office operations, as well as, but not limited to, the following:

  • Finance
  • Compliance
  • I.T.
  • Marketing

Qualifications:

  • Tier One Accreditation for Insurance Broking

Michelle Herkenrath

General Manager

In 2004, Michelle joined the IC Frith workers compensation team in its early stages of growth and was an integral part of the team throughout its development. During her time at IC Frith, Michelle advised clients in various industries, ranging from SME to large national and multinational organisations. These industries include national retail, building supplies, manufacturing, Australia's largest privately owned steel merchant, national transport/logistics and wholesaling, furniture manufacturing, electrical industry, hotel industry and flower wholesaling.

In 2004, Michelle joined the IC Frith workers compensation team in its early stages of growth and was an integral part of the team throughout its development. During her time at IC Frith, Michelle advised clients in various industries, ranging from SME to large national and multinational organisations. These industries include national retail, building supplies, manufacturing, Australia's largest privately owned steel merchant, national transport/logistics and wholesaling, furniture manufacturing, electrical industry, hotel industry and flower wholesaling.

Michelle’s early experience as a Senior Case Manager for both commercial and corporate clients at Zurich and QBE provided a strong foundation for her to progress to her current role as joint General Manager.  Michelle’s in-depth national knowledge allows her to provide various services, which include:

  • Claims management/analysis
  • Return to Work Co-ordination
  • Premium negotiating nationally and limiting premium exposure
  • Adhoc advice on structure, medical networks and the like
  • Employer-training forums
  • Self-insurance and Comcare

Michelle has led the way with Steadfast Workplace Risk philosophy of becoming an extension of a clients' Human Resources, Industrial Relations and Work Health & Safety team. Michelle provides full claims management and is currently appointed RTW Co-ordinator for a number of national clients, involving liaising with General Practitioners, writing RTW plans, supporting injured workers and management teams.

Qualifications:

  • Diploma in Business, Marketing
  • Certificate IV Workplace Safety
  • Tier One Accreditation for Insurance Broking
  • Return to Work Coordinator NSW
  • Return to Work Coordinator VIC
  • Rehabilitation Return to Work Coordinator QLD
  • SRC Safety Rehabilitation & Compensation Act 1988
  • Senior First Aid

Anna Puccio

General Manager

Anna Puccio has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry specialising in workers’ compensation and occupational health & safety. Her expertise spans financial, transport, construction, retail, manufacturing and cleaning sectors, developing customised programs targeted at long term strategic workplace risk advice.  Prior to joining Steadfast Workplace Risk, Anna led a Multi National broking division.

Anna Puccio has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry specialising in workers’ compensation and occupational health & safety. Her expertise spans financial, transport, construction, retail, manufacturing and cleaning sectors, developing customised programs targeted at long term strategic workplace risk advice.  Prior to joining Steadfast Workplace Risk, Anna led a Multi National broking division.

In addition to her joint General Manager role, Anna also leads major national client renewals across all Australian States and Territories to achieve both financial and strategic outcomes. Anna also has experience in dealing with business with off shore employees, providing advice on employer liability covers and cross border provisions.

Anna’s developed long standing relationships with all key Australian markets to achieve sustainable and mutual outcomes for insurers and clients alike.

Anna’s expertise and industry reputation adds value to the team at Steadfast Workplace Risk, with in-depth experience in the workers compensation market and a strong service ethic with national clients and brokers.

Anna is responsible for providing comprehensive broking management services, on a national basis, to direct clients as well as partnering with general insurance brokers, with responsibilities such as:

  • Managing State and/or National programmes
  • Premium analysis / Industry classifications / Grouping classifications
  • Self-insurance and Comcare options for employers
  • Compiling claims reports for clients and/or brokers nationally
  • Claims influences on premium formula

Anna currently manages the Victorian Steadfast Workplace Risk team that provide broader claims managements and RTW services nationally.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Anatomy)
  • Grad Cert in Financial Services (Insurance Broking)
  • Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training