The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) will this year present two awards that honour Donna Walker, who died while holidaying in East Africa two years ago.

As part of the Year of the Insurance Professional, ANZIIF is celebrating Women in Insurance with a special focus on remembering Ms Walker and her contribution to the industry.

The Donna Walker Awards will shine a light on individuals who have contributed to professional development and promoting gender equality across the industry.

The awards will have two categories, Inspiring Leadership and Emerging Talent, with both winners to be recognised for demonstrating outstanding professionalism, commitment, achievement and passion in the insurance industry.

Ms Walker, who was Allianz Australia’s Chief Technical Officer, held a number of leadership roles during 20 years in the industry. An actuary by training, she began her career with CGU.

She was on the board of ANZIIF, a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate.

“Donna was an extremely clever and astute executive with great judgement,” Allianz Australia CEO Richard Feledy says in an article on the ANZIIF website.

“Her exceptional leadership skills came from a genuine love of people, care for customers and a knowledge of how to motivate and inspire teams.”

Entries for the awards will open on August 4 with winners to be announced at the end of September at an ANZIIF virtual panel event. Further details are to be confirmed.

Ms Walker died suddenly while exploring the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania with her husband, just days after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.