INDUSTRY INSIGHT of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation( IICF) alongside my good friend and colleague Maggie Potter. Insurance has served me well. This industry is about service and protection. The same principles that drive us to serve clients in their times of need should drive us to invest in and serve our communities as well.
If there is a lesson I’ ve learned in my life and my career, it is to help others understand where you start does not define where you finish. I’ m passionate about making sure others can pursue similar opportunities that I’ ve found along my own journey.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH MENTORSHIP
I knew very little about insurance at the time I found that long-ago LinkedIn ad. But I did have a bold personality, and that helped endear me to a few incredible mentors who helped me along the way. In fact, mentorship has played a huge role in my career and still does. I have a mentor outside of the industry with whom I meet monthly for an outsider perspective as well as a mentor within insurance who helps me navigate professional growth. I also serve as a mentor to two women. We talk through their goals, challenges and perspectives, and where I can, I offer some advice and sometimes help connect them with additional resources.
Finding a mentor, however, can be a challenging, especially for those just starting out in their careers working in companies who may not have a program set up. My experience as both a mentor and a mentee has proven you don’ t need to wait for someone to offer their insights. You have to simply reach out and ask. I have even walked up to people after hearing them speak and asked if they would be willing to mentor me. If you’ re not ready to advocate for yourself in person, a simple email or LinkedIn message is a great place to start. Doing so will build confidence, and people love to know they provide value. You may be surprised how willing people are to help when they know they are appreciated.
OPENING DOORS FOR NON- TRADITIONAL TALENT
As insurance organizations grapple with ongoing
Mentorship is crucial to professional and personal growth. In my role as business development executive at OneDigital, I am involved in our mentorship program for women interns. Many of these young professionals are still learning how to find their voice and speak up for fear they will be dismissed or misunderstood. We work on building executive presence, eliminating minimizing language and learning to communicate with confidence. Encouraging young professionals to make these small changes will improve their confidence in the workplace and help them make space to contribute to real change throughout the industry.
JULY / AUGUST 2025
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