Profile
“My strongest professional quality is my ability to build trust and long-term relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
In 2013, Maria Masterantonio set up DigiMaster with a vision that was ahead of its time. She introduced one of New Zealand’s first fully virtual legal support services, covering everything from verbatim transcription and legal executive drafting to secretarial duties, litigation support and trust accounting.
By running around the clock, DigiMaster gave law firms a new model for reliable, technology-driven support. Her leadership has built a business that is as flexible as it is inclusive. DigiMaster’s team consists of self-employed contractors who manage their own schedules, giving them room to balance professional work with personal commitments.
That freedom has improved wellbeing across the team while maintaining high standards of accuracy and responsiveness for clients. The structure speaks to Maria’s long commitment to modernising legal services and showing that a sustainable way of working can go hand in hand with quality results.
Her influence is grounded in more than 35 years of experience across New Zealand’s legal sector and London’s magic circle. She has worked as a paralegal, recruiter, and training and business consultant.
That breadth of expertise informs her consulting practice and her ongoing role as an author for LexisNexis New Zealand, where she shares insights on business strategy and compliance.
“While I’ve always been clear on my strengths and passions, many of the biggest steps came from embracing opportunities as they arose, sometimes unexpected ones that shaped the trajectory of my career,” she says.
That willingness to seize opportunity, combined with discipline and focus, has defined her progress.
Building DigiMaster while raising a family stands out as her proudest achievement. “I am proud that this vision has now become a reality across the sector,” Maria says.
Her current challenge is balancing tradition with rapid change. She views law as grounded in structure and shaped more and more by technology. She respects established practice and pushes innovation only where it strengthens client service. That balance shows her ability to master detail while keeping a firm hold on strategy.
As a woman in law, Maria remembers a time when barriers were stark. Senior roles were mostly held by men, and women often had to prove their worth before they were taken seriously.
Today, she sees a very different landscape. Upon reflecting on what she would change in the legal sector for women, she explains, “If you were to ask me this same question in the ‘80s to ‘90s, I would say something completely different. Women have risen through the ranks, been acknowledged for their expertise, and are now even turned to as industry leaders. The Old Boy’s Club is disappearing and is making way for a more collaborative, open-minded industry.”
Being named to the Elite Women 2025 list is recognition she carries with pride but also with a sense of responsibility. She wants to show that leadership in law goes far beyond traditional practice. Women, she says, can have a profound impact in management, technology and business innovation.
For Maria, the legacy she hopes to leave is her efforts to help build firms that are smarter, more agile and client-focused and to support the next generation of lawyers and business leaders as they adapt to a fast-changing environment.
Her work at DigiMaster and her broader influence in the sector are proof of that vision in action.
Suite 1B, 5 Parliament Street
0274 934881
maria@digimaster.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/maria-masterantonio-1775527
digimaster.co.nz
Maria Masterantonio
Director DigiMaster
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Bio
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Profile
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Bio
Milestones
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
1987–1997
1997–1999
1999–2012
2013–present
2025
PA/paralegal in top-tier New Zealand and London firms
1987–1997
Legal recruitment, running a legal temp team before becoming fully self-employed
1997–1999
Self-employed, running a legal temp team; training and development of secretaries and law graduates
1999–2012
Director at DigiMaster
2013–present
Honoured by the Ecumenical Hellenism Foundation
2025
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
A significant part of his focus today is staying ahead of regulatory change while maintaining a seamless client experience. He tracks updates from regulators and lenders closely and works with his teams to adjust systems as needed.
“My approach to my role and my career has always been rooted in passion, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” he says. “I’ve never been driven solely by profit or business metrics. I believe in hiring great talent, trusting them, and pushing boundaries because innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe.”
His experience isn’t limited to Canada. Ibrahim has worked in the US and UAE, which shaped his global perspective and comfort with adapting to different markets. He thrives on risk, viewing setbacks as stepping stones to progress.
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made,” he adds.
That outlook continues to guide his work and reflects his broader goal of helping move the industry forward. Through his brokerage, lending company, and legal services, Ibrahim is focused on creating long-term value for his clients, his teams, and others working in the field.