The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has named the winners of the Donna Walker Awards.

Health and work solutions provider IPAR EGM Jo Broomhall and AIA Health non-Executive Director Hoa Bui took home the Inspiring Leadership prize, and AIG Junior Legal Counsel Shannen de la Motte won the Emerging Talent Award.

All three winners say they are honoured to receive the awards, which celebrate excellence in leadership and were launched to honour Donna Walker, who died in 2019 during a tour of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, shortly after climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.

She was Allianz’s Chief Technical Officer at that time.

Ms Broomhall says her path crossed with Ms Walker during her time at CGU and remembered how her team spoke highly of her leadership.

“Seeing senior female leaders like [her] in the industry inspired me. Perhaps that would be me some day.”

Ms Bui says Ms Walker was a business leader who was universally respected, loved by her team, her peers and her company.

“The win was a huge surprise, there are so many talents in the industry,” she said. “For me, it was a very special moment.”

Ms de la Motte says while she never met Ms Walker, she is in awe of her career and the messages she stood for.

“She demonstrated the role of the modern executive, displaying the leadership qualities that I strive to develop.”