Inspirational. Powerful. Celebrated: the women of Brokerslink
An interview with… Tatiana Akl, UAE
We’ve reached the end of the week, and the last in our special series of interviews for International Women’s Day (IWD).
Throughout the week we’ve learned from senior women in insurance from Hungary, Nigeria, the United States and India, and today we travel to the UAE to hear from Tatiana Akl.
Tatiana is the Vice-Chairperson and Director of Associated Insurance Consultants (AIC), our affiliate in the UAE, she is also our Middle-East regional manager.
Tatiana tells us about some of the biggest challenges facing women in insurance in the Middle East and shares her advice for women considering insurance as a career.
Tatiana, in your experience, what are the greatest challenges women in the Middle East face in the insurance industry today?
The Middle East is incredibly diverse. The challenges women face in insurance vary depending on location, culture, and local business environments. In my opinion, three key issues stand out:
- First, women are significantly underrepresented in executive roles across insurance, brokerage and risk management.
- Second, the absence of strong female leadership networks and mentorship programs makes it harder for women to navigate career growth.
- Third, insurance is not a typical 9 to 5 job. It demands constant availability, long hours and high-pressure negotiations, making a work-life balance challenging. Unfortunately, flexible work arrangements are not yet standard and expectations for in-person meetings, travel and networking still tend to favour men who often face fewer societal constraints.
Has the insurance market in your region become more welcoming to women since you started your career?
Absolutely yes. The market is evolving day after day. We see more women in mid-level management than before. In addition, the mindset is changing. The idea of a single woman in a room full of men at a business meeting is becoming more acceptable.
You’ve had an incredibly successful career to date, how have you been able to break down those barriers and what advice would you give to other women looking at an insurance career?
I was fortunate to grow up in an environment that did not differentiate much between men and women. That fact shaped my confidence and my ability to express myself freely.
My advice is to believe in yourself and never let a setback make you think failure is tied to your gender. We all make mistakes, that's how we learn. Find your voice and surround yourself with the right people. Know how to set your priorities and allow time to pamper yourself. It is you who can make the success.
How can the industry attract and retain more women in top jobs?
Flexibility is a must. Parental support programs can ensure women don't feel like they have to step away from leadership roles when starting a family. Promoting industry role models will encourage young professionals both women and men to see insurance as an inclusive and viable long-term career.
Finally, what one thing do you think our industry needs to do to accelerate change?
The industry should ensure visibility and challenge biases in promotions and leadership appointments.
Throughout this week, we’ve been struck by the similarities between countries and regions around the world. Every one of the women we spoke to highlighted the significant changes that have been made over the years, but women are still fighting for equal representation at a leadership level.
Women feel they need to operate at a much higher level to compete with and be treated equally to, their male counterparts, and a lack of flexibility in the industry often puts women with familial responsibilities at a disadvantage.
It’s clear from our interviews that more needs to be done to recognise and reward the talented women of insurance, but one thing’s for sure: the women of Brokerslink are playing an important role in paving the way for future generations, and we’re proud of them!
