Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Maureen Migliazzo is an accomplished and collaborative business leader committed to ethical leadership and behaviour. She successfully leads strategic initiatives and business transformation and ensures her firm, Dentons, adheres to the highest standards of integrity.
As the Chief Operating Officer (COO), she oversees the firm’s day-to-day operations, working with the executive team to drive Dentons’ growth and success, drawing on her leadership, problem-solving skills and the ability to manage teams and resources effectively.
As a professional services executive leader, serving as the COO of a law firm presents unique challenges, including the efficient and profitable running of the firm while also managing the expectations of the partners who own the business. Her unrelenting focus on delivering key business solutions with quality and efficiency, adapting to market conditions, staying ahead of the competition and executing a clear strategic plan are all attributes of Maureen’s career.
Her passion for technology means Maureen is always exploring new technologies to improve the delivery of legal services and the client experience. She cites acting as an adjudicator for the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer program as one of her most significant career achievements. This experience found her contributing to the decision on the 100 early-stage start-ups from around the globe annually that will work with society’s foremost political, business and cultural leaders to address the issues facing people and the planet.
“That experience allowed me to learn about cutting-edge technological advancements while providing greater opportunities for learning leadership and exposure to diverse perspectives,” she says. “It was amazing to be part of a select group of experts who shape the future of technology, contribute to the global tech ecosystem and connect with influential leaders from around the world.”
Maureen has built a reputation for exceptional leadership and team management skills, which she harnesses to manage and inspire those around her effectively. She is a big believer that the success of a leader comes down to the people you work with, both colleagues and clients, to further elevate Dentons as a trusted advisor to the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders.
“Leadership involves making critical decisions daily while being faced with complex and high-impact choices, so the ability to make informed and timely decisions can significantly impact the firm’s success,” she says. “In a dynamic environment, change is inevitable, and a COO must lead teams through transitions and changes, whether related to technology, process improvement or market shifts.
Maureen believes that her team is critical to her own success and the success of the firm, which is why she surrounds herself with “smart and inspiring people.” Her ability to communicate clearly and transparently with internal and external stakeholders helps to foster trust, alignment and collaboration. The self-described optimist believes greater resilience is born out of difficulties and focuses on gratitude and the positive aspects of a situation to see silver linings and potential areas for improvement.
“These attributes are hallmarks of my career, to date,” she says. “Positiveness leads to better collaboration and teamwork, and this has been a big part of my success.”
As a recognised Elite Woman of 2023 by Australasian Lawyer, Maureen hopes to leave a legacy of ethical and principled leadership, something she holds dear.
“This means setting a standard for integrity, transparency and responsible decision-making,” she says. “Educating and mentoring the next generation of professionals, sharing knowledge and experiences, helping others succeed and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace are critical regardless of gender, race or background; they lead to a more equitable and welcoming industry and ultimately make a positive impact on society at large.”
Level 16, 77 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
+61 3 8600 8888
maureen.migliazzo@dentons.com
linkedin.com/in/mmigliazzo
dentons.com
Maureen Migliazzo
Chief Operating Officer
Dentons
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Milestones
“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
1999-2011
2011–2013
2013–2015
2015–2019
2019–present
Various roles including Global Markets Executive Director at KPMG
1999–
2011
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at DLA Piper
2011–
2013
Partner at Global Markets Group
2013–
2015
Global Clients and Markets at PwC
2015–
2019
Chief Operating Officer at Dentons
2019–
present
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
How does he distinguish himself among fellow brokers?
“I believe all brokers are working very hard in a difficult market,” he says. “However, I have demonstrated continued growth, advocacy and performance on my client’s behalf, which is now recognised [for 10 consecutive years] in the Elite Broker awards.”
In 1990, Dixon got started with FAI, working in claims and as a team leader. From the late 1990s up until 2003, he worked at FAI and Suncorp in underwriting and as an area manager at VACC, CGU (South East Queensland). From 2003 to 2012, he got into broking and eventually started Dixon Insurance in 2013. Since then, he’s accumulated numerous acccolades, including Elite Broker, Diversity and Equity, and Fast Broker awards.
During the pandemic, Dixon challenged insurers over the Quarantine Act application to insurance wordings. His argument was that the Quarantine Act does not apply as an exclusion, as the Biosecurity Act was invoked by the Morrison Government, and this was not a subsequent amendment to the Quarantine Act. The test case in the Appeals court was won for Dixon’s client with a unanimous five-judge verdict.
He remains focused on transport, manufacturing, motor trade, engineering and large farm clients.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”