She also talks why she joined the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation
Last month, Nevein Versace was announced as the new chief risk and compliance officer at Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation. In the first part of this interview, she tells Australasian Lawyer what led her to join the company and talks taking a “people first” approach in the role.
What led you to take this role with Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation?
CSC’s purpose really resonated with me. Serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Commonwealth public service is a unique and important responsibility. It’s more than superannuation; it’s about serving and supporting people who have dedicated their careers, and in some cases lives, to serving Australia. I was also drawn to CSC’s strong culture of accountability and integrity, which aligns closely with my own personal values and made me confident this was the right place for me to contribute.
What are your priorities as chief risk and compliance officer?
For me, the focus is on people first. Strong frameworks are important, but what matters most is that our people feel equipped and empowered to use them. I want risk management and compliance to be seen as tools that help us do our jobs well, rather than hurdles to clear.
My priority is to create an environment where every person at CSC feels confident that they’re contributing to protecting our members’ futures. Risk and compliance are at their best when they give people clarity and confidence. As a team, we can achieve our purpose in a way that is both responsible and inspiring. By building a culture of openness and collaboration, we can make risk awareness part of everyday conversations and that way, we’re protecting our members while also creating the confidence for the whole organisation to move forward together.
My approach is to lead by example, showing that risk and compliance are about partnership and problem-solving, not obstacles. Leadership in this role is about connecting people to purpose, and our purpose is to safeguard the retirement outcomes of those who’ve served and or continue to serve Australia. I want our people to feel they can bring issues forward early, knowing they’ll be supported rather than judged. Building that trust is a leadership responsibility, and it sets the tone for a culture where risk awareness is part of how we work every day.
What’s the biggest challenge you anticipate in this role?
The superannuation industry is evolving rapidly. Regulatory expectations, technology, and member needs are all shifting concurrently, so the work of risk management and compliance is never "done". The challenge is to stay ahead of that curve, building systems and practices that not only meet today’s requirements but are resilient enough for what’s coming next. Balancing forward-looking preparation with the demands of our day-to-day operations, without overwhelming the business, will be key.
