In this episode, I sit down with Nikki Brandt, Owner and President of NB Talent, whose journey from public relations to insurance has been driven by practicality, passion, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Nikki began her career in commercial insurance underwriting in 2007, a role she initially took for financial stability but quickly fell in love with. Over the years, she built a successful career across underwriting, marketing, and then as a commercial producer, where she cultivated a substantial client base. It was through this work that Nikki recognized a gap in the recruiting space – specifically, the need for a firm dedicated to finding the right fit for insurance roles. In 2021, Nikki took the leap and founded NB Talent, a firm that exclusively matches high-caliber talent with industry-leading companies, all while balancing her career aspirations with family life. 

Nikki shares the unique philosophy behind NB Talent and how she chooses her clients with care, based on culture, reputation, and flexibility – traits she values both personally and professionally. As a strong advocate for flexible work, Nikki speaks candidly about the shifting dynamics in the workforce, especially for women balancing career and family. She’s passionate about empowering women to know their worth, often guiding clients on salary negotiation and encouraging them to keep their resumes polished and take interviews for confidence-building. Nikki believes that embracing flexible and even part-time roles can unlock more potential in the industry, and she’s dedicated to leading by example.

In this episode, I speak with Anne Marie Elder, Global Chief Underwriting Officer of Specialty Insurance at AXA XL, to explore her inspiring career journey and her passion for the marine industry. Anne Marie's path began with her studies in marine insurance at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. With over 30 years of insurance experience, she shares pivotal moments from her career, from her early days as a trainee in New York City to leading AXA XL’s global specialty strategy across marine, aerospace, political risk, and niche markets. Anne Marie’s story is one of strategic vision and a relentless pursuit of leadership, including taking detours to acquire the skills needed to excel.

Anne Marie’s passion extends beyond business, as she champions inclusion, diversity, and bringing one’s full self to work. In a candid conversation, she opens up about coming out in a professional setting. She shares how embracing her true self transformed her leadership style, making her a more authentic, compassionate, and effective leader. Anne Marie offers invaluable advice for those who feel the need to mask aspects of their identity at work, emphasizing the power of authenticity and the importance of creating inclusive environments. We also explore the importance of authentic mentorship and the evolving landscape for women in the insurance industry. With impending retirements on the horizon, she stresses the need to prepare women for future leadership roles by providing visibility, coaching, and opportunities to build their skills and confidence. 

In this episode, I speak with Tinsley English, an operational leader and passionate advocate for women in the insurance industry. Tinsley’s journey is a unique one—she’s among the rare individuals who chose a career in insurance right from the start, drawn to the stability it offered. Now, 25 years later, she’s a seasoned expert, lighting up whenever she helps women find their own calling in the industry. Tinsley’s commitment to empowering women is not just professional but deeply personal, as she recently channeled her passion into self-publishing a book. Written in just 60 days, the book is a blend of practical wisdom and heartfelt guidance, aiming to inspire women at all stages of their professional journey.

Tinsley shares the concepts of "Grit, Growth, and Gumption," which form the core of her book. She dives into the importance of self-care in the pursuit of professional grit, the challenges and rewards of personal growth as a leader, and the power of taking calculated risks with gumption. Her message is clear: to truly thrive, women must be willing to break out of their comfort zones and take chances on themselves. Tinsley hopes her book serves as a toolkit for setting and achieving "north star" goals, and she offers a heartfelt message to her younger self, and to all women, about embracing their unique voices. 

In this episode, I speak with Emily Yoo, who has a unique blend of consulting and insurance expertise. Emily shares how her consulting career, driven by her passion for making a lasting impact, led her to the world of insurance when she received a call from Tokio Marine North America. From there, her journey began, allowing her to leverage her skills in strategy and problem-solving in an industry she believes is crucial to society’s well-being. As someone who thrives on tackling complex challenges, Emily explains how insurance, like consulting, gives her the chance to help companies solve critical issues with a broad market perspective. Her passion for always leaving situations better than she found them shines through in our conversation.

Emily also talks about the opportunities that insurance offers for anyone looking to make a name for themselves, noting the industry’s innovative push in areas like AI experimentation. She shares her thoughts on the power of individual impact in supporting diversity and inclusion, particularly in assembling diverse teams and mentoring those who need it most. Emily emphasizes the importance of broadening our circles beyond the familiar to foster understanding and ensure that diverse voices are heard and valued in the workplace. 

In this episode, I sit down with Noelle Codispoti, Head of the Academy at the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance and Co-Founder and Chief Transformation Officer at Verto. Noelle shares her journey from being a first-generation college graduate with a passion for math to pursuing actuarial science. She reflects on how a high school teacher’s discouragement from becoming a math teacher led her down an unexpected but fulfilling path in insurance. We discuss the industry’s tendency to focus on specific skills while overlooking the many who, like Noelle, find insurance unexpectedly and make a profound impact. Noelle also speaks to an authenticity study conducted with Verto which revealed a disconnect between what insurance companies advertise in job descriptions about the role and company culture vs. the reality, highlighting the need for more transparent and trustworthy communication from hiring managers.

One of the most impactful parts of our conversation was when Noelle shared her approach to engaging students at an early age, changing the perception of insurance as a career. She recalls a visit to a third-grade class where she used a wooden castle and cartoon cutouts to teach children about risk management and insurance, making it relatable and fun. Noelle emphasizes the importance of getting insurance professionals involved in sharing their stories with students to inspire the next generation. Her passion for helping students see insurance as a viable and rewarding career path shines through, and she truly believes that education can transform the future of the industry.

In this episode of InsHER, I sit down with Tamra Johnson, Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). Tamra’s journey into insurance began with her work at AAA’s Public Affairs office in Washington, D.C., where she first encountered the industry’s critical role in safeguarding communities. She later joined APCIA just before the pandemic hit in December 2019 and quickly immersed herself in one of her passions: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Tamra shares how she spearheaded APCIA’s first Women in Diversity Conference in 2020, which has since evolved into the Expanding Opportunity in Insurance Conference, a forum bringing together DEI thought leaders to tackle industry challenges and best practices. Tamra discusses the importance of collaboration, both internally and with key partners like NAAIA and LAAIA, to drive meaningful progress in DEI.

Tamra also speaks to how APCIA’s DEI Leader Groups, which meet quarterly, keep the momentum going by exchanging insights and strategizing on DEI, talent development, and more. She explains the critical role storytelling plays in moving the needle on DEI, helping people understand the lived experiences of others and inspiring allyship and advocacy. I also ask Tamra about the challenges and opportunities in DEI, including continuing to push for greater representation not only for women, but women of color. Tamra also has meaningful insights into how the insurance industry can better communicate its value to young people to ensure a stronger, more inclusive future for the industry.

In this episode of InsHER, I have the pleasure of speaking with Alicia Kiser, Vice President of Human Resources at M3 Insurance. Alicia’s journey into HR began at a large, publicly traded company. She was leading leaders of teams by age 22, navigating the complexities of management and business strategy early on. She shares how this intense learning experience gave her a competitive edge and deepened her passion for the intersection of people and business. Alicia quickly realized she wanted more opportunities for impact and personal growth. Thirteen years ago, she joined M3 Insurance, where she found a dynamic environment that allowed her to be more engaged. Alicia is also a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), bringing a data-driven approach to DEI work by integrating scorecards, objectives, and transparent reporting into the company’s strategy.

Alicia discusses her efforts in building and nurturing M3’s Women’s Business Resource Group, which grew from a slow start to a thriving initiative that she proudly watches flourish today. Her DEI philosophy is rooted in the principle of “Give, Learn, and Do,” guiding employees to meet people where they are and create meaningful change. Alicia also speaks to how M3’s DEI efforts are measured through dashboards, aligning their internal demographics with the communities they serve, and connecting with clients and prospects in their own communities. Alicia emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, both internally and externally, so that everyone at M3 feels empowered to speak confidently about the company’s DEI efforts. Her unique approach shows how DEI can be integrated into business strategy and highlights the small yet impactful ways we can create inclusive environments, such as being mindful of the tone-setting conversations that happen before meetings.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jamala Arland, President & CEO, US Life Companies at Genworth. Jamala is a remarkable leader in the insurance industry. Growing up in Barbados, Jamala discovered her passion for actuarial science early on after meeting the island's only actuary, an experience that set the foundation for her impressive journey in insurance. Jamala quickly recognized the pivotal role of insurance as a safety net for individuals and businesses, highlighting the critical importance of customer experience. Jamala shares her pride in being part of an industry that profoundly impacts lifestyle and quality of life by offering protection and security.

Jamala's story is also one of compassionate leadership, shaped by her own experiences of navigating the intersection of career and personal life, including the challenges of starting a family while in a leadership role. She reflects on the importance of empathetic management, drawing from her own journey of infertility and the support she received from her supervisor who understood her struggles. This experience inspired Jamala to embrace a leadership style that integrates the whole person, creating space for employees to be fully human at work. Jamala emphasizes that compassionate leadership doesn't mean compromising on accountability but rather fostering a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. She likens balance to yoga, emphasizing the importance of sharing the load and nurturing all facets of life to prevent burnout and optimize what matters most.

In this episode of InsHER, I sit down with Elle Slattery, attorney and partner at Taylor Nelson PL, a boutique law firm specializing in transportation law. Elle shares her journey starting from her background in regulatory compliance at an executive agency in Washington, D.C., and how she quickly immersed herself in the complexities of commercial insurance within the transportation industry. She describes the steep learning curve she faced, from reading and understanding intricate policy details and learning the nuances of cargo insurance and other coverage types. Elle's dedication to learning the role insurance places for her clients, as well as her compassion and empathy, make for a perfect combination to assist those in a time of need.

Throughout the conversation, Elle highlights the unique culture within transportation law, noting the supportive community among attorneys who all learned on the job and their willingness to help whoever is next in line. She discusses the growing presence of women in transportation law and the broader industry, emphasizing how women are increasingly taking on leadership roles, from drivers to CEOs in family-owned businesses. Elle’s passion for fostering this growth is evident as she advises clients on implementing policies that promote gender diversity. With her legal expertise and dedication to creating impactful change, Elle not only excels in her field but also empowers women to pursue careers in transportation law, showcasing the dynamic opportunities available in this evolving sector.

In this episode of InsHER, I'm thrilled to share the story of Chartenya Cleveland, Director of Underwriting Solutions at The Hanover. With nearly two decades of experience, and an innate instinct to jump in and help, Chartenya has not only mastered underwriting, but has made major strides in organizational initiatives and non-profit involvement. Chartenya is a curious problem-solver, where she sees a gap, she finds a meaningful way to fill it. She mentions twice an analogy of never fixing a sprained ankle with a band-aid – every challenge deserves the care and time to find a long-term solution and not the quick fix.

Chartenya humbly speaks to the leadership roles she's embraced, and the groundbreaking initiatives she's led at The Hanover, including launching a quarterly newsletter that has transformed internal communication and inspired company-wide connection. She also shares her impactful community work, founding her own 501c3 entity. Chayce Jreams, Inc. empowers the underprivileged youth to overcome obstacles by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Chartenya also leads the steering committee of the Houston chapter of the Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW). Chartenya’s dedication to servant leadership and her commitment to raising her hand to volunteer to solve real challenges is nothing short of extraordinary.