Atrusted Insurance Consultant, Certified Financial Planner, and dynamic Business Leader, Janifer Yap Lee Queen is the proud Founder of Acorn Consulting Asia, leveraging on her 20+ years of experience in the financial industry. She began her professional journey when she was 19 years old as a trainee training executive at Allianz Life Insurance. She became the youngest Regional Manager in the industry and rose to the rank of Senior Manager responsible for business building and transformation. She successfully established new agency segments, managed sales from different regions, and was instrumental in the design and delivery of training programs for producers.

Currently, apart from being the Founder & CEO of Acorn Consulting Asia, Janifer is also the Holding Group Agency Director at Etiqa Life Insurance. She is also the Group Financial Consultant at Philip Capital Malaysia responsible for managing clients’ investment portfolios. After achieving her MDRT in a record time of 12 days in the Year 2020, she went on to earn the highest recognition in the industry, Top Of the Table (TOT), for three consecutive years.

Janifer is also a Certified Financial Planner from the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia and a firm believer in lifelong learning. Let’s hear it from her.

How has your past professional experience equipped you to be a better leader today?

My industry experience has helped me to develop an understanding of making effective decisions through critical thinking, develop skills in managing and resolving conflicts within a team or organization, and develop the ability to lead a team toward a common goal through effective teamwork and collaboration. It has built my communication skills, whether through public speaking, written communication, or interpersonal interactions, and the ability to adapt to change in dynamic and ever-changing environments.

Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and some of its key areas of specialization.

Acorn Consulting Asia is a professional insurance consultancy that provides expert advice and guidance on insurance matters to individuals and businesses. We specialize in a specific area of insurance, such as life insurance, legacy planning, property and casualty, employee benefits, or risk management. By providing customized solutions and advocating for clients' interests, Acorn Consulting helps clients navigate the complex and ever-changing world of insurance, and ensure they have the protection they need to achieve their goals. Importantly, at Acorn we emulate the very principle of identifying and leveraging an individual’s potential and strength to grow. As we believe that every success story is a tale of professionalism, growth, constant adaptation, and perseverance whilst building a legacy for the next generation.

As the founder what are your primary focus areas currently, in terms of driving growth for Acorn Consulting Asia?

I am focusing on establishing strategic partnerships and collaborations with other companies or organizations that can help insurance agencies expand their reach and provide new growth opportunities. I am looking for opportunities to provide excellent customer service and a positive customer experience which are critical for driving growth in the insurance industry. Attracting and retaining top talent in the insurance industry is critical for driving growth. Hence, we are putting our efforts to develop strong recruitment and retention strategies to ensure they have the expertise and skills needed to succeed.

"Motherhood helped me to develop & strengthen qualities such as patience, resilience, & adaptability which are necessary for leaders to navigate challenges & overcome obstacles in a business setting"

Throw some light on the most critical challenges you encounter as a leader in the field of finance.

The financial and insurance industries are highly regulated, and staying up-to-date with ever-changing regulations and compliance requirements can be a significant challenge. It deals with complex risks, and managing these risks effectively is demanding. We also have to keep up with the latest developments in digital transformation since technology is rapidly changing the way that financial and insurance services are delivered. Moreover, attracting and retaining top talent is critical in this line. Therefore, we strive continuously to develop effective recruitment and retention strategies. Lastly, financial and insurance markets are influenced by a wide range of economic and political factors. It is necessary to navigate these uncertainties effectively to ensure our stability and growth.

Throw some light on your life beyond work. What role has motherhood played in your evolution as an individual and business leader?

Motherhood has had a significant impact on my personal and professional growth that includes my development as a business leader. This wonderful journey enabled me to develop a deeper sense of empathy and compassion toward others. With this, I am able to understand the needs and concerns of team members, customers, and other stakeholders before making informed decisions and building stronger relationships. Balancing the demands of motherhood with work responsibilities requires excellent time-management skills. We as mothers, often need to prioritize tasks which then translates to more effective time management in a professional setting. Besides this, motherhood helped me to develop and strengthen qualities such as patience, resilience, and adaptability which are necessary for leaders to navigate challenges and overcome obstacles in a business setting.

Janifer Yap Lee Queen, Founder, Acorn Consulting Asia

Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Management from La Trobe University in Melbourne, and an MBA from the University of Western Australia, Janifer is leading Acorn Consulting Asia, where she is helping clients identify their insurance needs and providing customized solutions to meet those needs.

• Awards & Recognition:

• Allianz Asia Promising Executive in 2007 by Regional Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Asia-Pacific Allianz.

• Million-dollar financial portfolio from Philip Capital Bhd

• Outstanding Performance, British Publishing House (BHP) Successful People in Malaysia in 2020.

• 2020-2023 Top of the Table (TOT)