PPN Member Highlight: Keneti Masina
When most of us think of corporate attire, we think of a well-tailored suit & tie. It is, therefore, delightfully shocking to see someone like Keneti Masina, who enjoys success as Head of Claims & Client Relations at CRM Brokers, donning an ie faitaga and ‘ula fala at corporate events.
Ken describes it as “infusing more culture into what I do in my daily job.”
“I've sort of made it a mission of mine that every time I get invited to all these events that we put on throughout the year. I go dressed in traditional outfits.”
It is worth noting, too, that on the last day of work for Ken for 2024, when we held this virtual talanoa, an ‘ula fala, again, sat proudly around his neck. It isn’t just for show — it is quite literally a commitment to culture.
From an upbringing spanning South Auckland in his childhood and Samoa in his adolescence, Ken entered the workforce without tertiary or vocational education, and without a fixed career aspiration. Yet, through sheer conscientiousness, Ken now finds himself in a dynamic profession, one that he “fell into”.
Ken (centre) at the Johns Lyng Group and Lannock Strata Finance Networking Event in 2023.
Working in Insurance
After migrating to Australia in 2008, Ken proactively put himself out there and successfully gained an entry-level customer service position at an insurance company.
“So, what inspired me to pursue it? I didn’t pursue it. I fell into it, and I liked it. And I've remained since.”
Ken is a real proponent on how great the insurance industry can be to work in. He stresses that it is an industry full of variety, opportunity, and stability.
“There's just a plethora of different insurances that you can go to. The one that I fell into was property insurance, and I've stuck with that since.”
“I did have the opportunity to try other types of insurance, like public liability, but I think the niche I now find myself in, strata insurance, is where I thrive.”
While his experience in insurance has been fulfilling, Ken candidly reflects on challenges of self-belief for Pacific Islanders in a professional context.
“There was a moment in time when I didn't acknowledge more of my ethnic background.”
There’s an unspoken rule in many workplaces: fit in. Sometimes, that can breed a culture of whitewashing, code-switching, and a lack of cultural competency.
Ken reflects on this with an anecdote about a comment made to him:
“Someone once said to me ‘Ken, you don’t sound Samoan. You’re so articulate.’”
“I said ‘but what does a Samoan sound like? I don't get your comment.’”
The ability to be one’s authentic self at work can be hindered by the desire to not cause a stir. For Ken, however, that desire does not disqualify the beauty of diversity.
“I knew deep down ‘I’m Keneti, I'm Samoan, and I'm so proud to be,’ but I wasn’t projecting that externally.”
Ken’s approach then was more akin to “head down, do your work, go home.”
Now, Ken’s approach looks more like small but pronounced expressions of cultural pride and competent leadership, founded on that sense of respect and humble servitude that permeates his Samoan culture.
“I don't necessarily see it as me being in the front leading them. We all work as one unit. That's how I've applied more of my culture into how I manage and lead my team.”
“The challenge is changing your mindset.”
Throughout our talanoa, Ken expresses that what you do and what you think as an individual determines what level of success will be available to you. For those with an intention to climb the corporate ladder, whether in the insurance industry or not, Ken’s advice is threefold:
Network.
Take up professional development activities.
Be yourself.
“I highly recommend they [aspiring professionals] put themselves out there, start building a network, and take opportunities as they come.”
“Gaining exposure and experience is the key foundation for a successful career.”
“Corporate companies often pay for your education if it is aligned to the work you do. Take advantage of all those benefits.”
“Learn and develop as you go, build your expertise. Those are the things that will take you further.”
“We are entitled to that pie as much as they are.”
Lastly, Ken brings it back to authenticity. While it can be daunting to be authentic in the workplace, it doesn’t have to directly contradict what is expected of you.
“Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Just represent as much as you can.”
“If we can do as much as our non-Pacific Islander brothers and sisters, we are entitled to that pie as much as they are.”
“You can be who they want you to be at work, but also acknowledge that you have that power to be who you should be.”
Be not discouraged by limiting self-beliefs and the beliefs of others. Challenge yourself to be who you want to be. Realise your potential and put in the hard yards.
If it worked for Ken, it can work for you, too.