In this episode, I interview Cortney Helfrich, Chief Personnel Officer at Wilber Group, one of the top subrogation agencies in the country. Cortney’s story is anything but linear. In her words, it’s a series of “left turns that got her to the right place.” From being ranked sixth in the nation in pole vaulting to walking away from the sport to pursue a career in insurance, her journey is full of unexpected pivots, each one leading her closer to her purpose. We talk about the powerful article that first sparked her passion for risk management, and how she’s spent 14 years growing with Wilber. She has tried nearly every role in the organization and now leads their People Resources department with authenticity and heart.

Cortney opens up about what it means to be the only woman on the executive team, and how she uses that platform to champion mentorship, create psychological safety, and model what it looks like to lead while staying true to yourself. She shares her belief that it's okay to do what's best for you and your family, and that it's also okay to chase your dreams. We also talk about how to make insurance more visible and inspiring for future generations (yes, she’s dreaming of a subrogation specialist Halloween costume), and why she believes this industry offers the kind of stability and purpose young professionals are searching for.