When Drew Schnehage began her career in insurance claims, she had no idea she was on a path that would lead her to become a Director at just 32 years old. Since then, Drew’s journey has been anything but ordinary. From developing niche insurance products to leading the Australian arm of a global company, she’s continuously pushed boundaries and achieved what many might have thought impossible.
Today, Drew is the CEO of Innovation Group Australia and ControlExpert Australia, where she’s helping shape the future of insurance by partnering with other female-led, purpose-driven organisations (like Stella Insurance) to provide a tailored claims experience powered by technology for women across the country.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Drew for this latest instalment of the Stella Women Series to learn more about her career journey to date, her motivations for pursuing a career in insurance, and her advice for other women breaking into male-dominated industries.
What motivated you to work in the insurance industry?
“Like most, I fell into the insurance industry,” she admits.
“I stepped out for a short while as an entrepreneur to start my own modelling school, I soon ventured back when I realised that the insurance industry provided a stable career path with ample growth opportunities – which are attractive career prospects.”
Drew goes on to explain, “The insurance sector is quite versatile and vast in terms of what you can learn. And it actually gave me that — the opportunity to work across different lines of business and areas of insurance.”
Drew’s experience to date spans product development, underwriting, claims management, and more. This diversity of experience not only shaped her career but also taught her a lot about herself. “I’ve learned a lot through that opportunity, and it’s helped me build a successful career, one which eventually brought me to Australia.”
With the merger of Innovation Group Australia and Control Expert APAC in Solvd Group – a significant milestone in the claims management and auto insurance markets across the Asia-Pacific region, Drew continues to lead Innovation Group Australia and inspire those around her in her new role as CEO.
Financial services is a heavily male-dominated industry. What has it been like working in insurance as a woman, and what changes have you seen across your career?
“In most instances, I find that I am still the only female in a meeting,” Drew shares candidly.
“At Innovation Group I am the only female CEO, I have always had to work harder to prove myself and what I am capable of, often facing scepticism from colleagues or clients.” She goes on to share.
“This has an impact on your confidence, and often one then questions yourself which leads to the inevitable imposter syndrome.”
But through resilience and a strong network of mentors, Drew has navigated these challenges and come out even stronger.
With that said, she’s also started to see positive changes in the industry. “But moving into the new Solvd group, we have a female CEO and CTO, and I look forward to working in a more female-orientated space. In Australia, there’s been a lot more visibility of women in leadership roles within the industry, which is very exciting. Organisations are looking to promote more females into senior positions, and the culture is shifting slowly towards being more inclusive.”
You’ve been promoted to a number of senior positions early in your career. What do you attribute your success to?
For Drew, success comes down to a few key traits: resilience, hard work, and adaptability. “My life coach always told me I’m resilient — just not giving up, and always pushing forward,” she shares.
Drew is also a firm believer in continuous learning and seizing opportunities, even when they seem daunting. “I’ve always been open to taking on a challenge, and for some reason, I always seem to take on the biggest challenge that comes my way.”
Her move to Australia from South Africa in 2019 was one such challenge. “The last five years, coming to Australia and taking on a job that was very different to what I was used to in South Africa, was probably the biggest challenge for me.” But through strong relationships, building her network, and navigating a new corporate landscape, Drew has made a name for herself in a completely new environment.
Why are you so passionate about joining forces with innovative, challenger brands like Stella Insurance?
During our chat, Drew’s passion for innovation and creativity in everything she does was very evident. “I’ve always had a love for niche products and unique insurance products,” she says. “I created my own high-net-worth insurance product for wealthy individuals in South Africa. That’s when I started my underwriting agency, and we focused on unique service offerings with a customer-centric approach, treating our clients like VIPs.”
Her partnership with Stella Insurance felt like a natural fit, fueled by her entrepreneurial spirit. “I think it’s probably the passion that counts the most for me. And that passion gives the business the opportunity to diversify. My passion, and the way I operate, tend to rub off on the people who report to me. They support the vision and the strategy.”
“I’m a creator, an innovator, and an entrepreneur at heart, so I think joining forces with Stella just makes sense. Stella is an innovative and challenger brand in the local market. They’re going to push the boundaries, and I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with a brand that’s going to disrupt the market.”
Drew’s own experiences, including her battle with breast cancer, make her connection to Stella’s values even more personal. “Stella’s marketing campaign ‘It Takes Boobs’ had a double meaning for me because I survived breast cancer two years ago. So, I love the brand, and I love what they stand for.”
Her passion extends to her team as well, where she sees a shared excitement about the project. “I think the team at Stella can definitely echo that they are enjoying the working experience and environment with us in terms of bringing this to life. We’ve done a stellar job in rolling out the process, managing claims digitally, and ensuring that everything is online. I’m very excited about it.”
Outside of your role at Innovation Group, what has been your proudest achievement to date and why?
Reflecting on her career, Drew highlights two major achievements. First, setting up her own underwriting agency at just 32, while also becoming a new mother. “We won the Underwriting Agency of the Year Award about four years into the business, which was a huge surprise because we were still fairly new and small.”
Her second proudest moment was making the move to Australia. “That was a big lift and drop for me and the family. We had to literally start all over again.” Despite the challenges of COVID and her personal health battles, Drew and her family have thrived in their new environment.
“We just celebrated our five years in Australia, and I feel very proud of where we are and how far we’ve come.”
How do you prioritise work-life balance? What daily rituals keep you grounded?
While Drew’s career has been marked by hard work and ambition, she understands the importance of balance. For her, prioritising work-life balance involves setting boundaries and being intentional about how she spends her time.
“I’ve learned that it’s essential to make time for myself and my family,” she says. “I try to incorporate daily rituals like morning walks or meditation to keep myself grounded.”
What is your advice for women looking to break into a competitive or male-dominated industry like insurance?
Drew’s advice for women entering the industry is simple but powerful. “Women need to just believe in themselves, stay confident, and not underestimate their abilities,” she emphasises.
Building a strong network is also crucial. “It’s essential to have mentors, allies, and peers who can provide guidance, advice, and encouragement along the way.”
She also stresses the importance of personal branding. “Spend time on your personal brand—it’s something you need to invest in to make sure you’re putting yourself out there.”
Finally, she encourages women to embrace their unique perspectives. “Don’t forget that you’re a woman. Even though you operate in a man’s world, you don’t have to act like a man. Be strong, independent, and speak your mind, but also be mindful of others and support other women.”
As Drew continues to lead Innovation Group Australia and inspire those around her, it’s clear that her journey is far from over. Her story is a testament to what can be achieved with resilience, passion, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
Learn more about the Stella and Innovation Group Australia partnership here and stay up to date with Drew on her LinkedIn.
