Keynote Speakers

International keynote speakers

PIEF has built excellent relationships with the world’s leading international experts in personal injury management. Read more about these industry experts who have been keynote speakers at our past and upcoming conferences and seminars.

Terry-Bogyo-100Terry Bogyo (Canada)
With over 30 years in the industry, Terry speaks internationally on issues facing workers’ compensation systems and on future risks and challenges that will face workplaces and society. Terry’s current responsibilities include environmental scanning, strategic planning and inter-jurisdictional comparisons. He is currently a Director of WorkSafeBC.

Terry presented at our 2008 Personal Injury Management Conference in Sydney

 

Liz-Scott-100Liz Scott (Canada)
Liz Scott is the Principal of Organizational Solutions and is an accomplished Disability Management professional recognised for award winning cost reduction results and “best practice” program designs. Liz is renowned for the ability to solve a complex variety of internal and external workers’ compensation, disability and insurance concerns.

Liz presented at our 2008 Personal Injury Management Conference in Sydney

 

Wolfgang-Zimmerman-100Wolfgang Zimmerman (Canada)
Wolfgang Zimmerman is the Executive Director of the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR). Following a horrific logging accident at twenty years of age, Wolfgang helped forge NIDMAR; a not for profit organisation designed to reduce the human, social and economic impact of disability to workers, employers and society through training and education and the development of international professional standards.

Wolfgang presented at our 2008 Personal Injury Management Conference in Sydney

 

Robert-Aurbach-100Robert Aurbach (USA)
Robert Aurbach is the CEO of New Mexico based organisation, Uncommon Approach.  He has significant experience in providing comprehensive assistance for governments, tribal sovereigns, businesses and advocacy groups.

His extensive experience as General Counsel for a state workers' compensation program and experience participating in the evaluation and design or re-design of five separate workers' compensation systems gives Bob a unique perspective in the tailoring of workers' compensation systems to the needs of specific demographic and social environments.

Rob presented at our 2009 Seminar Series in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth

 

Joachim-Breuer-100Dr. Joachim Breuer (Germany)
Dr. Breuer is the Director General, German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV*), the umbrella organisation of all German accident insurance funds. He is often consulted as an expert in social security by governments in Europe and abroad. He has published various articles on social law and accident insurance matters. He is a frequent speaker in international panels and conferences on matters of work safety, prevention and accident insurance issues.

*DGUV is the umbrella organisation of all German statutory accident insurance and prevention institutions. The member institutions of DGUV insure more than 70 million people.

Joachim presented at our 2010 Personal Injury Management Conference in Melbourne

 

Richard-Pimentel-100Dr. Richard Pimentel (USA)
Dr.Pimentel is one of North America‘s leading experts on practical issues in workers‘ compensation, injury management, overcoming barriers, crisis and change in the workplace, disability and diversity issues in the workplace and disabled veterans‘ employment opportunities.  As a consultant, keynote speaker, professional trainer and author of numerous curricula and training guides, Dr. Pimentel is distinguished by his ability to predict industry trends and the needs of employers.  He has pioneered proactive risk management, return to work and equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs to generate both cost-savings and enduring attitudinal changes in corporate culture.

Richard presented at our 2010 Personal Injury Management Conference in Melbourne and at our 2011 Seminar Series in Sydney

 

Willi-Morger-100Dr. Willi Morger (Switzerland)
Prior to retiring in 2008, Dr. Morger was a member of Suva's executive board, where he headed the insurance benefits and rehabilitation department.  In 2008 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Fribourg for his role as pioneer of case management in Switzerland.  He now works as consultant for case management.

* Suva is the most important carrier of obligatory accident insurance in Switzerland and insures about 1.9 million employees in over 110,000 companies against occupational and non-occupational accidents as well as against work-related illnesses.

Willi presented at our 2010 Personal Injury Management Conference in Melbourne

 

Dame-Carol-Black-100Professor Dame Carol Black (United Kingdom)
Professor Dame Carol Black is the National Director for Health and Work, the (UK) Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the (UK) Chair of the Nuffield Trust, and maintains a deep interest in both the clinical and research aspects of connective tissue diseases.

Dame Carol presented at our 2011 Return to Work Seminar in Auckland

 

Kathryn-Mueller-100Dr. Kathryn Mueller (USA)
Dr. Kathryn Mueller has served as the Medical Director for the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation since the inception of this position in 1991.  In her position with Colorado Workers’ Compensation she has been in charge of the development of ten evidence based medical treatment guidelines.  She is also a Professor in the Department of Surgery and the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado.  She has served as a reviewer for the 5th edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment and continues as a reviewer and contributor to the Guides Newsletter, published by the AMA and section editor for the 6th edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

Kathryn presented at our 2011 Seminar Series in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane

 

Valerie-Royle-100Valerie Royle (Canada)
Valerie Royle is the President and CEO of the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board since October 2005.  Ms. Royle currently sits on the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR), is the Chair of the Certification Committee for the International Disability Management Standards Council (IDMSC), is a founding Governor of the Board of the new Pacific Coast University of Workplace Health Sciences, is on the founding Executive of the Board of the Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management and is the executive sponsor of the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada’s Compensation and Benefits Committee.

Val presented at our 2011 Seminar Series in Alice Springs and Melbourne

 

Mansel-Aylwar-100Professor Mansel Aylward (United Kingdom)
Professor Mansel Aylward CB is Director of the Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research at Cardiff University which offers a unique opportunity to extend knowledge and understanding of the psychosocial, economic and cultural factors that influence health, illness, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.

He is also Chair of the Wales Centre for Health, an Assembly Government Sponsored Body established to be the ‘hub of connected organisations’ and to communicate better health messages to the people of Wales.

Professor Aylward will be presenting at our 2012 Personal Injury Management Conference in Brisbane

 

Jon-Schubert-100Jon Schubert (Canada)
Jon Schubert, was appointed Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2008.  Jon is responsible for providing overall leadership and strategic direction to help ICBC fulfil its corporate goal of improving customer experience and perception.

He has more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in the private and public insurance industries. Most recently, Jon was President and Chief Executive Officer of Saskatchewan Government Insurance. Prior to this, Jon operated a consulting firm assisting clients in the insurance and rehabilitation industries.

Jon will be presenting at our 2012 Personal Injury Management Conference in Brisbane

 

Janine-Shepher-100Janine Shepherd (Australia)
Janine Shepherd was a champion cross-country skier in training for the Winter Olympics when her life was suddenly and irrevocably altered during a training bicycle ride.  A truck hit Janine and shattered her body as well as her dream of Olympic representation.  A fighting spirit was rekindled in Janine as she watched small planes flying overhead.  She made a decision: “If I can’t walk, I’ll fly.” Within a year of her accident Janine had her private pilot’s licence. Despite remaining a partial paraplegic and with many physical challenges still ahead, she battled on to gain her commercial pilot's licence.  Janine then went on to become a fully qualified aerobatics instructor.

Janine will be presenting at our 2012 Personal Injury Management Conference in Brisbane

 

Julian-Burton-100Julian Burton (Australia)
Julian Burton OAM is one of Australia’s leading social entrepreneurs and keynote speakers.  Whilst recovering from life-threatening injuries sustained in the bombing of the Sari Club in Bali on 12 October 2002, Julian was motivated to turn that horrific tragedy into a worthwhile and positive experience.  Julian is a dynamic and selfless person who established Australia’s first national community organisation for burn injury, the Julian Burton Burns Trust.

Julian will be the Master of Ceremonies for our 2012 Excellence in Personal Injury Management Awards, which will be held in Brisbane on 29 August

 

Australian and New Zealand keynote speakers

PIEF has built excellent relationships with Australia and New Zealand’s leading experts in personal injury management. Below is a list of those that have presented at our past conferences and seminars:

  • Dr. Andrew Fronsko. Head, Business Risk & Intelligence, Transport Accident Commission
  • Clare Amies. Head, Health Services Group, WorkSafe Victoria / Transport Accident Commission
  • Craig Olsen, General Manager, CGU Workers Compensation Australia
  • David Bowen, Chief Executive, NSW Lifetime Care and Support Authority
  • Denise Cosgrove. General Manager, Claims Management, Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand
  • Greg Tweedly, Chief Executive, WorkSafe Victoria
  • Jacki Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, E Ventures, Insurance Australia Group
  • Len Boehm, Executive Director, Injury Support and Service, WorkSafe Victoria
  • Lisa Simpson, Partner, Melbourne Actuarial, PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Associate Professor Michael Nicholas, Pain Management Research Unit, University of Sydney
  • Michelle Reynolds, CEO, WorkCover WA
  • Neil Singleton, Insurance Commissioner of Queensland
  • Professor Niki Ellis. Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research
  • Dr. Peter Harcourt, Head, Health Services Group, Transport Accident Commission & WorkSafe Victoria
  • Rob Thomson, CEO WorkCover SA
  • Sharon Stratford. General Manager, Customer Services, WorkCover Queensland
  • Sue Kapourelakos. Claims Health Services Manager, CGU Workers Compensation
  • Tracey Slatter, Executive Manager Claims, Transport Accident Commission
  • Wayne Potter, Executive Director, RTW Directorate, WorkCover South Australia