This episode is sponsored by MS Reinsurance.

In this episode, Sandra speaks with Maria V Amelio about what hard work really looks like, why confidence in your ability matters, and how visibility can change the course of a career.

"Working hard and just saying ‘I’m so busy’ doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a good hard worker." – Maria V Amelio

Maria shares the pivotal risks that shaped her journey, how she built her personal brand, and the difference between mentors who guide you and sponsors who open doors for you. She also reflects on empathy in difficult conversations and why clear career paths and incentives are essential to retaining female talent.

Maria reflects on her involvement with St. Baldrick’s, a childhood cancer charity founded by reinsurance professionals, and how her personal loss made the cause deeply meaningful. She also shares how the industry’s support during that time shaped her career and her life.

Takeaways

About the guest

Connect with Maria V Amelio.

About the sponsor

MS Reinsurance is a global reinsurer domiciled in Switzerland with underwriting offices in Zurich, Bermuda, Miami, and New York. The Company underwrites non-life treaty reinsurance solutions on a worldwide basis through its three business units: Americas, International, and Specialty Lines.

About the host

Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn

Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.

Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, private LinkedIn Group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.

Summary

In this episode, Sandra is joined by Crystal Riley, who entered the insurance industry by chance and has since built a successful career across underwriting, broking and claims.

Crystal shares how exploring different roles helped her understand where she could thrive, and how feeling stuck prompted her to reflect on what she truly wanted from her career. She speaks openly about letting go of other people’s timelines, focusing on her strengths, and building a reputation around what she wanted to be known for.

The conversation explores the power of difficult conversations and the everyday courage it takes to advocate for yourself at work. Crystal offers practical insight into how to prepare, stay grounded, and revisit conversations when they do not go to plan. She also reflects on the role of informal mentorship, the importance of self-reflection, and how learning to speak up has shaped both her professional and personal confidence.

This is a story about awareness, growth and the clarity that comes from doing the work to define success on your own terms.

Takeaways

About the guest

Connect with Crystal Riley on LinkedIn

About the host

Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn

Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

This episode is sponsored by Markel International.

Summary

In this episode, Sandra is joined by Sophie Forsyth and Philippa Hartrick-Morris, colleagues at Markel and this year’s riders in the Markel Magnolia Cup, the UK’s most prestigious charity horse race. Held each summer at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, this all-female amateur race celebrates women leading in business, sport, fashion and media.

Their stories take us far beyond the racetrack. Sophie shares how a career in insurance led her back to horse riding after more than a decade away, while Philippa reflects on receiving the call while on maternity leave, and how training just 12 weeks after giving birth became a powerful way to rebuild strength and reconnect with herself and embrace a once-in-a-lifetime challenge.

From renewal season and nursery drop-offs to four-minute planks and dawn gallops, this conversation explores what it means to say yes to something that scares you, and the transformation that follows.

Sophie and Philippa are riding in support of Project Lehar, a King’s Trust International programme supporting girls in India to access education, build skills and create pathways to employment.

This is a story about courage, visibility and what becomes possible when insurance creates space for women to grow.

Takeaways

About the guests

Connect with Sophie Forsyth on LinkedIn

Connect with Philippa Hartrick-Morris on LinkedIn

Resources

About the host

Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn

Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

This episode is sponsored by RPC.

Sam shares reflections from a career spanning regulation, advisory and governance, and speaks openly about the common traps women fall into when it comes to progression. Too often, women wait to be tapped on the shoulder, rely on their employer to plot the next step, or assume success will be recognised without saying a word.

Together, Sandra and Sam explore how career ownership starts with self-awareness, clarity and courage. From navigating networking with curiosity, to preparing for non-executive roles, this episode unpacks what it takes to get boardroom-ready and why authenticity and failure are essential parts of leadership.

The conversation also dives into the evolving nature of diversity and inclusion in financial services, and how regulation, unconscious bias and cultural expectations continue to shape the experience of women in the industry.

Whether you're just starting out, pivoting mid-career or stepping up into leadership, this episode is a reminder that you are your own best advocate, and that sisterhood, celebration and support go a long way.

Takeaways

About the Guest

Connect with Sam Tymms on LinkedIn

About the host

Summary

Cristina shares her journey from a career in HR across financial services and tech to her current focus on sustainability and talent. She reflects on the benefits and challenges of moving abroad, the realities of career breaks, and the importance of embracing change at any age or stage. From the rise of sustainability roles in insurance to the need for organisations to retain knowledge as professionals approach retirement, Cristina brings fresh insight into how careers, and workplaces, are evolving.

Together, Sandra and Cristina explore the concept of the “empty box,” a space for reflection and reinvention, and discuss why transferable skills, introspection, and storytelling are essential in today’s job market.

They also tackle the shifting language of CVs, how to balance legal compliance with company culture, and why kindness and performance are not mutually exclusive.

This episode is packed with practical advice and quiet encouragement, for anyone navigating change, rethinking their purpose, or creating more human-centred ways of working.

Takeaways

About the guest

Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn

About the host

This episode is sponsored by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Summary

Vanessa shares how she found her way into insurance by chance. A researcher at heart who followed her curiosity rather than a fixed plan. Vanessa reflects on how she built a meaningful career by leaning into learning, taking calculated risks, and staying open to where her skills were needed.

As someone who doesn’t naturally seek the spotlight, Vanessa speaks candidly about visibility in the workplace, and the realisation that competence isn’t always enough.

She offers practical reflections on how to become your own PR manager, especially in a hybrid environment where it’s easy to go unnoticed if you don’t actively show up.

The episode centres on the CII Professional Map, a free, open-access tool designed to help individuals, line managers and teams reflect on development needs and define what “good” looks like at every stage of an insurance career.

Vanessa walks us through how the map was built, from field research and behavioural interviews to user testing and team workshops, and shares how it’s being updated to reflect evolving expectations around skills, sustainability and AI.

Whether you’re navigating your next move, supporting others as a manager, or returning to work after time away, this episode is a practical guide to making growth feel possible, even when you’re not sure where to start.

About the guest

Connect with Vanessa Riboloni on LinkedIn

About the host

Resource 

This episode is sponsored by Full Circle Communications.

This episode includes open reflections on mental health, including anxiety, depression, and stress leave. Sandra and Kirsty speak from personal experience and are not medical or mental health professionals. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, please contact your GP or reach out to a trusted mental health organisation such as My Black Dog, Mind, or BetterHelp.

Summary

Kirsty shares her insurance journey shaped by curiosity, a love for writing, relationship-building, and storytelling, which helped her carve out a meaningful career in PR and communications.

She talks about finding her voice through storytelling, challenging the myth that insurance is ‘boring,’ and why every business (and person) has a story worth telling.

She speaks candidly about living with anxiety, taking time off for stress, and the real emotions tied to returning to work.

Kirsty offers reflections on the importance of leadership support and the role psychological safety plays in cultivating better workplaces.

The conversation also explores how to navigate LinkedIn with intention. From overcoming visibility blocks to showing up authentically, Kirsty shares practical guidance for anyone wanting to grow their presence online, without the pressure to overshare or perform.

This is a thoughtful, insightful, and honest episode about finding your pace, owning your story, and leading with care.

Resources: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, please contact your GP or reach out to a trusted mental health organisation such as My Black Dog, Mind, or BetterHelp.

About the guest

Connect with Kirsty on LinkedIn.

About the Host

Grab a 'Coffee with Sandra' on a fortnightly basis by signing up for her fortnightly newsletter and staying up to date on all 100WII news, Sandra's behind-the-scenes and gender equality matters. Sign up here.

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In this episode of 100 Women in Insurance, Sandra sits down with Suzy Berry, Sales Director, for a wide-ranging conversation on self-belief, shifting definitions of success, and the realities of juggling career and motherhood.

Having entered insurance by chance after raising her children, Suzy shares how she carved out a fulfilling career path, first by saying yes to opportunity, then by taking control of her narrative. From becoming a single mother mid-career to leading in a high-performing sales role, Suzy speaks candidly about the myths we hold around working parents, networking, and what it really means to “do it all.”

The conversation also challenges common assumptions about sales. Suzy reframes it as problem-solving with purpose, built on trust, credibility and honesty. Whether you’re a parent, in sales, or simply navigating the next step in your career, this one is packed with relatable insights.

Connect with Suzy on LinkedIn.

Grab a 'Coffee with Sandra' on a fortnightly basis by signing up for her fortnightly newsletter and staying up to date on all 100WII news, Sandra's behind-the-scenes and gender equality matters.Sign up here.

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Summary

In this conversation, Sandra is joined by the inspiring, honest and fun insurance leader Donna Scully who shares her journey into the insurance, emphasising the importance of continuing learning.

Donna shows that is it possible to be both professional and friendly leader. What is more, she also shows that it is possible to create a company where flexible working comes in many shapes and forms, whilst continuing to drive a positive outcome for both business and employees.

She dispels common myths surrounding women in leadership roles and emphasizes the value of experience in the workforce, advocating for a supportive environment that recognizes the contributions of all employees.

In this conversation, Donna Scully and Sandra discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities women face in the workplace, particularly in leadership roles.

Donna highlights the significance of mentorship, especially when it comes to learning from the younger generations, while also addressing the challenges of leadership, particularly for women.

The discussion also touches on the significance of work-life balance, the impact of family on career progression, and the need for flexible work environments.

They emphasize the power of intentional diversity initiatives and the importance of being open-minded in creating a more equitable workplace.

Finally, they reflect on personal growth and the influence of role models in shaping their careers.

Takeaways

About the guest

Connect with Donna on LinkedIn.

About the Host

Grab a 'Coffee with Sandra' on a fortnightly basis by signing up for her fortnightly newsletter and staying up to date on all 100WII news, Sandra's behind-the-scenes and gender equality matters.Sign up here.

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Summary

Note: The founder’s voice in this episode has been altered to protect their identity.

In this powerful and insightful episode, Sandra sits down with the founder of the widely followed Instagram account @insurancewomen—a platform now inspiring over 15k followers.

This isn’t a “complain and point fingers” conversation.

Instead, it’s a deeply insightful look into what’s really happening in the industry and how we can practically come together—men and women alike—to build a better, more inclusive environment for current and future generations.

This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at a platform that’s become a powerful voice in insurance.

It’s an honest, and constructive conversation that goes beyond surface-level discussions. Whether you’re early in your career or leading teams, this episode will inspire you to think differently about inclusion, leadership, and shared accountability in the industry.

About the guest

Follow InsuranceWomen on Instagram.

About the Host