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Young brokers are inheriting the profession at a pivotal moment. What kind of broker do you want to be in ten years, and what are you doing now to get there? In ten years, I would like to be recognised not just as an insurance broker, but as a trusted strategic advisor — someone clients view as an extension of their business. My goal is to be the person they turn to for proactive risk guidance, long-term planning and clarity in an increasingly complex environment, rather than simply someone who places insurance. To get there, I'm investing in the habits and skills that will matter most in the future: continuous learning, staying across emerging risks, technological shifts and economic pressures. I'm also continually engaging with my mentors for guidance on becoming a better leader and broker, so that in time I may have the privilege of offering that same guidance to the next generation. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Young Broker of the Year mean to you? Becoming a finalist has been an incredible milestone — one I'm deeply proud of and grateful for. For me, it represents more than recognition of my ability as a broker; it's an acknowledgement of the core values I've tried to live by since starting my career in 2019: integrity, reliability, continuous learning and a genuine commitment to understanding and supporting my clients. I have been fortunate to work alongside mentors who have not only taught me the technical aspects of broking but demonstrated what it means to lead with professionalism and empathy. Their guidance has consistently challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and pursue growth. Being recognised as a finalist is also a reflection of the time and investment they have made in me, for which I am incredibly grateful.
“Empathy, trust and care are at the heart of what we do — so until a robot can take a client out for a coffee and have a proper chat, I think we'll be alright.” the people behind the business and being there to support them when something goes wrong. Empathy, trust and care are at the heart of what we do; so until a robot can take a client out for a coffee and have a proper chat, I think we'll be alright. Young brokers are inheriting the profession at a pivotal moment. What kind of broker do you want to be in ten years, and what are you doing now to get there? In ten years, I want to be known as a broker that clients trust, colleagues can rely on, and young professionals look to for support and guidance. I want to have deep technical knowledge across a broad range of products and to be in a leadership role where I can help shape the next generation of brokers. To get there, I'm focused on continual learning — expanding my product knowledge, working towards my Diploma, and gaining exposure to more complex risks and claims. As the industry evolves and new risks emerge, my knowledge needs to evolve alongside it. I'm also investing in building strong relationships with clients, underwriters, insurers and industry partners, because I've learned that strong relationships often make all the difference when it comes to achieving positive outcomes. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Young Broker of the Year mean to you? Becoming a finalist is something I'm extremely proud of. When I first entered the industry, I never imagined being recognised in this way, so being named a finalist is both humbling and deeply rewarding. It's given me the chance to reflect on how far I've come over four years as a broker. It also reflects the support, guidance and opportunities I've been fortunate to receive from the people around me throughout my career. More than anything, being a finalist has reinforced my passion for the industry and motivated me to keep learning, keep growing as a leader, and keep encouraging more young professionals to see insurance broking as the rewarding and supportive career that it is.
Isabella Moran, Howden WA State Finalist
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession? I've always been driven by a desire to help others and understand what people need — which initially drew me to studying psychology after school. While completing my degree, I started as a receptionist at a local brokerage and got my first real exposure to the industry. Seeing what brokers actually do — understanding their clients, identifying their exposures, working out what needs protecting — I realised it aligned exactly with my natural instincts and what I wanted from a career. By then I was close to finishing my degree, so I completed it, but ultimately chose to pursue my goals in insurance. Tech and AI is reshaping how brokers work. Where do you see it adding value and what do you think will always need the human touch? The key to integrating AI in our industry lies in recognising the strength it brings to streamlining administrative processes, supporting compliance requirements and providing deep, data-driven risk analysis. Brokers who embrace these capabilities are simply creating more time for the aspects of our role that are fundamentally built on human relationships. Trust remains the foundation of every successful broker–client partnership, and that trust is built through empathy, credibility and genuine connection. AI will never be able to replace the emotion, negotiation skills and complex judgements that brokers rely on to service their clients and uphold industry standards. However, AI will enable brokers to uphold those standards with greater confidence, knowing they have the systems and structures in place to support them and their clients.
“The key to integrating AI in our industry lies in recognising the strength it brings to streamlining administrative processes, supporting compliance requirements, and providing deep, data driven risk analysis.”
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