In the second episode of TIA Talks Season 2, host Jason Mizen sits down with two of the industry’s most influential voices to explore the heartbeat of TIA 2025. What emerges is a compelling conversation on growth, leadership, and the competition’s wider impact.
Meet the judges
Darryl Grater, Chief Growth Officer at Discovery Insure, brings over 13 years of industry experience to the table. “I’m indebted to the insurance industry for everything it’s unlocked for me,” he reflects. More than just a business, he frames insurance as an enabler of the economy: “Without insurance, there’d be no construction, no imports, no exports… insurance really is not just a hedge, but an enabler.”
Linah Mabena, Executive Head of Standard Bank Insurance Brokers, leads a vast operation with over four million policies under management. Her role is defined not just by selling policies but by shepherding clients through the critical, life-impacting moment of a claim:
“Our role is to protect what matters the most to customers. The defining moment is when there’s a claim.”
Leadership under pressure: what the task unveiled
The judges dive into the standout Discovery-sponsored task, which required contestants to design an insurance product that incentivises risk reduction—a core principle of “shared value.” Darryl describes how the exercise aligns with industry goals: “Shared value… richly rewards customers to reduce risk behaviour, thereby bringing down their insurable risk… those savings get shared back into society.”
Linah, meanwhile, praises the cohort that understood the nuance: “It was only group four that kind of pulled it together,” she observes, highlighting their clarity and strategic thinking under tight presentation constraints.
Coaching beyond critique: unlocking potential
A recurring theme is the deeper purpose behind judge critiques. Jason underscores how constructive feedback builds confidence and career momentum—a sentiment echoed by Darryl and Linah. Jason shares a candid moment from his own TIA journey: “I had a brain fart mid‑presentation… I had to collect myself, and it worked out in the end.”
Both judges emphasise that behind the stern façade lies a foundation of mentorship. Linah adds perspective: “The contestants… they’re not that scared of you, only when they really present. We do a lot of coaching on the side… judges have supported me when I failed.”
The bigger picture: TIA as a catalyst for change
The dialogue extends beyond the competition itself, exploring TIA’s broader industry relevance:
- Closing the insurance knowledge gap
Linah stresses that many South Africans still don’t prioritise insurance, often opting for short-term gratification over long-term protection: “If customers could choose between paying insurance and going on holiday, they’d go on holiday.” - Building industry capability
She highlights how TIA accelerates development: “Every problem placed before you evolves around just insurance understanding… if you think you’re just coming to win, it’s not going to happen.” - Championing transformation
Linah advocates for greater female and diverse leadership in insurance: “How do we start having more of the Linahs in those positions… if you’re committed and willing to learn, you can make a career out of it.”
Darryl echoes this, underlining the breadth of opportunity: “We employ engineers, doctors, lawyers, actuaries… it doesn’t matter what you studied, there’s a job for you in the insurance sector.”
Final thoughts
By centering on growth, mentorship, and transformation, Jason’s conversation with Darryl and Linah offers more than behind-the-scenes insight, it lays bare the essence of what TIA 2025 stands for. This season, the competition won’t just crown a winner; it will spotlight the next wave of insurance leaders equipped to educate, innovate, and inspire.