Summary
In this episode, Shawn Davis interviews Sarah Novoa, a startup HR leader, about her background and experiences in the HR and people ops space. Sarah shares her journey from college to working in various industries and company sizes, highlighting the importance of being open to different opportunities. She also discusses her role at Coffee Financial, a startup in the InsureTech industry, and the challenges and rewards of building a company culture from scratch. Sarah emphasizes the value of self-awareness and relationships in evaluating talent and shares her thoughts on the future of HR and workplace culture.

Takeaways

• Be open to different opportunities and say yes to new experiences, even if they are outside of your comfort zone.
• Self-awareness is a crucial skill in evaluating talent and building successful teams.
• Building a strong company culture requires transparency, trust, and the ability to adapt to change.
• The future of HR and workplace culture will be shaped by the need for transparency, inclusivity, and the ability to meet the expectations of Gen Z.

#HR #peopleops #startup #InsurTech #companyculture #talentevaluation #self-awareness #workplaceculture

In this episode of Growth in Diversity, Shawn Davis interviews Chad Caples, Head of Talent Acquisition at Genworth. They discuss Chad's career journey, the evolution of talent acquisition, and Genworth's transformation into Care Scout. Chad also shares insights on remote work, the importance of diversity in candidate pools, and Genworth's efforts to recruit and support military veterans. The episode concludes with information on where to learn more about career opportunities at Genworth and Care Scout.

Takeaways
- Technology has had a significant impact on talent acquisition, changing the skills and competencies required and the way recruiters connect with candidates.
- Recruiting has become more of a team sport, with recruiters and hiring managers working together and taking on more strategic roles.
- Candidate expectations have changed, with a focus on work-life integration, flexibility, and equitable treatment.
- Remote work has opened up the candidate pool and increased competition among employers.
- Genworth is actively recruiting and supporting military veterans, recognizing the value they bring and the need to create a welcoming culture.
- Genworth's transformation into Care Scout involves building an ecosystem to facilitate a dignified and connected aging journey, as well as reclaiming their position in the long-term care insurance market.

#talentacquisition , #careerjourney, #genworth #CareScout, #remotework, #diversity, #militaryveterans

In this episode of Growth and Diversity, Shawn Davis interviews Salene Hitchcock-Gear, President of Prudential Individual Life Insurance. They discuss Salene's career journey, her experiences at the University of Michigan, and her advice for aspiring leaders in the insurance industry. Salene emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships, networking with intention, and showcasing your skills and accomplishments. She also highlights the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In this conversation, Salene Hitchcock-Gear, President of Prudential Individual Life Insurance, discusses the importance of saying yes to opportunities and seeking out mentors. She emphasizes the value of personal connections and human interaction in the workplace, especially in a hybrid or remote work environment. Salene also highlights Prudential's commitment to serving diverse communities and bridging the trust gap in the financial services industry. She shares the company's initiatives to provide financial literacy and wealth-building opportunities to underserved populations. Finally, Salene reflects on her career and advises listeners to be intentional in finding a career that aligns with their passions and motivators.

Takeaways

• Building good relationships and networking with intention are key to career success.
• It's important to showcase your skills and accomplishments to others.
• Diversity and inclusion are crucial in the workplace.
• The insurance industry offers opportunities for growth and development. Be willing to say yes to opportunities and be intentional in seeking out mentors.
• Personal connections and human interaction are crucial in the workplace, even in a hybrid or remote work environment.
• Financial services companies need to bridge the trust gap and engage with diverse communities.
• Providing financial literacy and wealth-building opportunities is essential for underserved populations.
• Find a career that aligns with your passions and motivators for long-term success and happiness.

Salene Hitchcock-Gear, Prudential Individual Life Insurance, career journey, University of Michigan, relationships, networking, skills, accomplishments, diversity, inclusion, saying yes, seeking mentors, personal connections, hybrid work, remote work, diverse communities, trust gap, financial services, underserved populations, financial literacy, wealth-building, career advice

In this episode, Shawn explores the topic of Generation Z and the pressure they face in determining their future. The conversation revolves around the idea that success does not have to be perfect or stable, and that it is okay to not have everything figured out. Shawn also challenges the stereotypes and labels placed on generations, emphasizing that individuals can break free from these expectations and make an impact in their own unique way.

Takeaways

• Success does not have to be perfect or stable.
• It is okay to not have everything figured out.
• Labels and stereotypes should not define individuals.
• Finding passion and happiness is key to success.

A big thank you to Jill Edmundson for being a wonderful guest and having such an important yet fun conversation with us!

Thank you to Mostra Coffee for sponsoring Growth in Diversity. Use BROWNDAVIS10 on your next mostracoffee.com order!

 In this conversation, Jill Edmundson emphasizes the importance of insurance companies in the community and the need for innovation in the industry. Jill defines innovation as unlocking the potential within an organization and enabling employees to tap into their unique skills and perspectives. She highlights the importance of understanding business goals and using innovation to achieve them. In this conversation, Jill Edmundson discusses the importance of investing in innovation and the role of technology and cultural programs as enablers. She emphasizes the need for hands-on leadership and the ability to decrease the time from concept to customer. Jill also highlights the journey of innovation and the power of one person to drive change. She emphasizes the importance of leadership support and aligning innovation with strategic outcomes. Additionally, she discusses the importance of beginning with the end in mind and being willing to make decisions and take risks.



Takeaways


- Insurance companies play a significant role in the community and can be a draw for talent and economic growth.
- Innovation is about unlocking an organization's potential and enabling employees to use their unique skills and perspectives.
- Understanding business goals and using innovation can help organizations achieve growth and success.
- Innovation is not just about ideas; it's about enabling capabilities and creating value. Investing in innovation requires creating better, faster, and cheaper tools for internal employees.
- Leadership support is vital for the success of innovation initiatives.
- Innovation is a journey, not an event, and requires continuous effort and collaboration.
- Beginning with the end in mind and being willing to make decisions and take risks are crucial for innovation.

In this episode of the Growth and Diversity podcast, Shawn Davis interviews Jackie Morales, a senior operations executive with 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. They discuss Jackie's impressive background, the value of the insurance industry, and the importance of diversity in thought and leadership. Jackie shares her journey into the insurance industry and her transition to the insurtech space. She emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives and the importance of embracing different ideas and opinions. Overall, the conversation highlights the significance of diversity in driving innovation and transformation in the insurance industry.

Takeaways

• The insurance industry brings value to both the people it serves and the people working in it.
• Insurance is there to protect what matters and has a solution for anything that has value.
• Diversity of thought is an important aspect of diversity that often goes overlooked.
• Leaders should be open to different perspectives and willing to embrace diversity in all its forms.

In this episode, Shawn Davis explores the topic of diversity and strengths in teams. He shares his experiences with analyzing team diversity through strengths and how it can drive transformation. Shawn also discusses the importance of building a strong executive leadership team and the power of leveraging different strengths. The episode emphasizes the connection between growth and diversity.

Takeaways

• Analyzing team diversity through strengths can provide valuable insights and improve team dynamics.
• Diverse strengths within a team can drive transformation and help achieve organizational goals.
• Building a strong executive leadership team requires a balance of different strengths.
• Leveraging different strengths within a team can lead to greater accomplishments and growth.

Thank you for watching our second episode of Growth in Diversity featuring Jeff Shi and Miguel Edwards! 

Thank you to our sponsors, Brown Davis Executive Search Partners and Mostra Coffee. Use BrownDavis10 for 10% off on your next order from Mostracoffee.com. 

On this episode of the Growth and Diversity podcast, Jeff Shi and Miguel Edwards join Shawn Davis to discuss the topic of workforce diversity in the insurance industry. They start by defining diversity and its importance in meeting the needs of a diverse market. They also discuss the challenges and biases that can hinder diversity and equity in the workplace. The conversation highlights the need for diverse thought and the value it brings to problem-solving. The guests expressed their optimism for the future of diversity in the insurance industry and the importance of attracting diverse talent. In this episode, Jeff, Miguel, and Shawn discuss the future of diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry. They explore the importance of diversity and the challenges faced in achieving true inclusion. The conversation also delves into the impact of bias and stereotypes and how to address them. Finally, they emphasize the need for action and regaining control of the narrative to create a more inclusive industry.

Thank you for watching our first episode of Growth in Diversity! 

A special thank you to our first guest, Michael Brown, for being open and so forthcoming in our discussion of diversity and starting Brown Davis Executive Search Partners! 

Show notes:
Male, Pale and Stale Article discussed in the episode: https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/broker-on-diversifying-the-male-pale-and-stale-insurance-workforce-435625.aspx

Sponsored by Mostra Coffee and Brown Davis Executive Search Partners. 

Visit Mostracoffee.com and use code BROWNDAVIS10 for a discount on your coffee order!

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