Broadcast journalism, culinary school, ecotourism and jewelry marketing. These are some of the unexpected starts that the 2023 Business Insurance Women to Watch honorees took that eventually led them to their careers in insurance and risk management.
While some honorees majored in insurance and risk management, finance and business, others pursued studies in fields that would not automatically make you think insurance, such as geology and mechanical engineering. Many chose a path through law school and became practicing attorneys before pivoting into roles at brokers and insurers. Still others started their careers in administrative roles or at call centers, working their way up to leadership positions in their organizations.
Many have found success in a nonlinear way, forgoing a vertical climb in favor of zigzagging to new roles. These conscious career choices encourage a diversity of experience that benefits both the individual and the organization. From sales to claims to underwriting, this year’s honorees have taken bold steps to grow and develop into the leaders they are today. As one honoree shared, “Having worked in different parts of the company before taking on a national role gives me a unique perspective.”
Sometimes leaders’ past career roles benefit and shape teams in unexpected ways. As another honoree, who got her start in conservation, said: “I’ve had a lot of individuals that have come into my team that didn’t have environmental insurance experience, so I’ve gotten a lot of joy out of teaching them the business and watching them grow.”
Diversity of experience undoubtedly has influenced many leadership styles. Experiences as an immigrant, as a caregiver to a child with a rare disease, or in navigating neurodiversity in the workplace shaped how this year’s honorees lead. As one said: “I’m just really focused on paying it forward and creating opportunities for other women and minorities to have a seat at the table.” For another honoree, being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia made her “realize how important it is to treat everyone as individuals and to individually understand people’s preferences, needs, skill sets and strengths.”
Many honorees reference the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Their work as members of committees, company-sponsored employee resource groups and external foundations helps to connect not just women but different communities to foster diverse, inclusive workplaces. Being intentional about DEI and taking a broad approach to the issue is a commitment many honorees have made. As one honoree reminded us: “Gender diversity isn’t the only diversity.”
As DEI moves beyond gender, and companies look to recruit and retain talent, it’s clear that zigzagging through positions becomes an asset rather than indicating a lack of a clearly defined path. Fortunately, many of this year’s honorees were brave enough to change industries, move to another country, jump between roles, yielding stronger leaders who are better able to build diverse teams.
That breadth of approach translates into greater innovation for the industry going forward. Several of this year’s honorees pitched new roles and business opportunities or developed coverages in new areas that companies may not have considered before. As one honoree said: “We oftentimes think that the only options available to us are those we can see, and so often there are other options that either we don’t know about, or that haven’t come to fruition yet.”
Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.
