InsHER

Rise Up: Feel Seen, Heard & Valued with Diana Patton

In today's special episode of #InsHER, I sit down with Diana Patton, the Rise Advocates® Academy, and International Speaker, Consultant, and Author. Diana founded the Academy in 2016 to empower professional women by helping them build confidence, embrace their personal journeys, and advocate for themselves and others. She equips women with tools to navigate workplace challenges and drive meaningful change. Additionally, her Rise with Diana platform offers coaching, consulting, and corporate training to foster inclusive workplace cultures.
Reflecting on her journey, Diana acknowledges the struggles of past generations, particularly her grandmother, who overcame systemic barriers. She remains committed to ensuring women feel valued, understand their worth, and rise above external validation, even as DEI initiatives face challenges. Her defining moment came in 2020, prompting deep self-reflection and a focus on character, resilience, and internal strength. She emphasizes that true power comes from within, beyond titles and appearances, and encourages women to embrace their authenticity, personal growth, and leadership without diminishing others.
Join Diana's March 9, 1 PM CST webinar: https://lnkd.in/gUu6akWq. Also, attached is a graphic for the webinar.
Sign up for weekly downloads that Diana shares every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am: https://lnkd.in/gHPvq_Aj

WISE Women: Building Community in Wholesale & Specialty Insurance

In this roundtable episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with the seven incredible women who came together to form WISE: a community dedicated to supporting and uplifting women in wholesale and specialty insurance. What started as a casual happy hour among colleagues quickly evolved into an empowering network focused on fostering relationships, mentorship, and inclusivity. Leah Ohodnicki, Mallorie Harper, Shawnae Bentley, Kathy Colangelo, Dana DiLullo, Dawnmarie Black, and my first returning guest, Meghan Leary, share how WISE was built organically from existing friendships and a shared desire to create a welcoming space. From helping newcomers navigate industry events to expanding professional networks, these women emphasize that true success comes from connection, collaboration, and showing up for each other.
We also dive into the power of authenticity, the role of male allies in advancing women’s careers, and the importance of building confidence early on. The guests reflect on their own journeys, offering advice to younger women on embracing their strengths, speaking up in the room, and trusting that they belong. As WISE continues to grow, the focus remains on keeping the community open, supportive, and free from expectations. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned leader, this conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to navigate your career alone.
Interested in learning more about WISE? Contact connect@wiseinsurance.org and include InsHER podcast in the subject line.

Strategic Storytelling: Making Risk Management Resonate with Tracey Swift

In this episode, I interview Tracey Swift, Editor-in-Chief and the founder of HigherEd Risk, to discuss how risk management goes beyond insurance. It's about asking the right questions, fostering resilience, and empowering businesses to proactively navigate uncertainty. Tracey’s journey spans both brokerage and higher education, including nearly eight years at Arizona State University, where she built a risk management program that complemented the university’s mission. From implementing policies to protect minors on campus to shaping boardroom discussions on strategic risk, Tracey has consistently focused on making risk management proactive, accessible, and aligned with long-term goals. 
Post-pandemic, Tracey saw an increased appetite for risk awareness at the board level, leading her to create a platform that delivers actionable intelligence in a concise, digestible way. Taking a leap into entrepreneurship was a risk in itself, but Tracey embraced the challenge, leveraging LinkedIn to build her brand and connect with like-minded professionals. She shares valuable insights on the power of consistency, authenticity, and patience in building an online presence. We also discuss the importance of getting young women into strategic meetings early in their careers, ensuring they gain visibility and access. 

Engineering a Safer Future: How Valkyrie Holmes is Changing Climate Risk

In this episode, I interview Valkyrie Holmes, founder and CEO of Faura. Valkyrie and her female co-founder are working at the intersection of climate, insurance, and technology. Valkyrie’s journey is incredibly impressive - from working at NASA, to engineering for SpaceX’s Falcon team, and now leading a female-founded startup tackling the insurance crisis of natural disasters. She shares how insurance plays a crucial role in society’s resilience, and why it’s time to rethink traditional risk models. Instead of just identifying high-risk properties, her company is pioneering solutions to make them more insurable, offering underwriters actionable insights grounded in climate science.
Valkyrie also shares the power of putting yourself out there, and why young people shouldn’t wait to chase big opportunities. She opens up about the importance of visibility for women in leadership in niche and interesting industries, especially STEM, and her commitment to helping other women and young founders. Like many, Valkyrie didn’t plan to work in insurance, but it has become an industry she loves and respects, and she is here to make it better in more ways than one. 

Write Your Own Narrative: How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out with Dr. Cindy McGovern

In this episode of InsHER, I interview Dr. Cindy McGovern, the First Lady of Sales® and CEO of Orange Leaf Consulting & Academy, to explore her philosophy that sales is a life skill. Dr. Cindy realized the basis of sales is really helping, persuading, and educating. This inspired her to create a consulting company and online training academy, designed to help independent insurance agencies. Dr. Cindy calls herself a “helpaholic”, so naturally she loves to help professionals, especially women, embrace their authentic selves and take control of their personal brand.
Cindy’s passion for helping others succeed shines through as she shares insights on overcoming roadblocks, breaking into male-dominated spaces, and ensuring that women are the ones writing their own narratives. Whether we realize it or not, we are always selling: our ideas, our expertise, and ourselves. 

Model Behavior: Leading by Example with Laura Cockrill, Sandi Hubert, Tonya Blackmore, and Stephanie Koch of RGA

For the first-ever roundtable episode of InsHER, I had the privilege of sitting down with four incredible female leaders at RGA Insurance: Laura Cockrill, Sandi Hubert, Tonya Blackmore, and Stephanie Koch. Throughout our conversation, a recurring theme emerged: RGA’s deeply rooted culture of collaboration and support. These women emphasize a workplace where success is measured by collective achievement rather than individual wins. They discuss how mentorship, sponsorship, and modeling inclusive leadership have become key factors in fostering a culture where women feel empowered to voice their ambitions and take on leadership roles. With the influence of trailblazers like Anna Manning, RGA’s first female CEO, they’ve seen meaningful progress in the advancement of women across the organization.
Looking ahead, these leaders share their hopes for the future, both within RGA and the broader insurance industry. They highlight the importance of widening the talent pipeline, ensuring more women have opportunities to rise into leadership roles, and continuing to advocate for inclusion at every level. They also offer invaluable advice to women looking to grow their careers, from embracing discomfort and taking risks to recognizing that success doesn’t mean doing it all alone. Whether it’s building a strong support system, advocating for oneself, or knowing when to say no, these women provide a roadmap for navigating career growth with confidence. 

A Piece of the Pie: Kira Kimball on Creating a Shared Sisterhood in the Insurance Industry

In this episode, I interview Kira Kimball, Chief Diversity Officer at Marsh McLennan Agency, to discuss her fascinating career journey and her impactful work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kira shares how saying yes to a temporary role served as her entry into the insurance industry, eventually paving the way for her leadership role in DEI. Drawing on her background in higher education, Kira spearheaded MMA’s inaugural DEI Council and was later named the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer. Kira also discusses her mission to socialize the book "Shared Sisterhood" which emphasizes the importance of white women acknowledging their privilege to empower women of color. Kira shouts out insurance influencer Ngozi Nnaji for introducing the book. 
An educator at heart, Kira shares actionable insights into fostering allyship, collaboration, and intentional leadership. She reflects on the responsibility of using her privilege to create opportunities for others and highlights the value of building trust and empathy across diverse experiences. We explore the need for actionable allyship from male leaders, shifting the focus from skill-building webinars to removing systemic barriers for women in the workplace. Kira’s vision of leaving a legacy through investment and empowerment offers a fresh perspective on how we can collectively create a more inclusive and equitable industry. 

1% Better Every Day: Forward-Thinking with Amy Reczek

In this episode, I interview Amy Reczek, founder of Sales & Presence, to explore her journey from a successful sales career to becoming a sought-after consultant and trainer in the insurance industry. Amy shares how her pivotal moment came as she realized that she craved growth, excitement, and the challenges that come with stepping out of her comfort zone. Guided by her business coach and a period of deep self-reflection, Amy discovered her passion for helping others excel in sales, communication, and executive presence—laying the foundation for her consulting business. Today, Amy partners with industry leaders like WSIA, CRC, and AmWins to deliver custom training programs, bringing a fresh, forward-thinking approach to the wholesale insurance space.
We also discuss the unique programs Amy has developed, including “Pulse,” a sales training initiative for women that came directly from the wholesale insurance space. Amy explains why soft skills like communication, negotiation, and listening are essential for modern sales success, and how these elements elevate traditional training techniques. With a second book in the works, her first online course, and a focus on helping businesses achieve their “1% better,” Amy’s enthusiasm for innovation and growth in the insurance industry is truly inspiring. 

Leading by Influence: The Friendship Powering Change in Insurance with Shammi Dowla & Jennifer Nuest

In the Season 2 premiere, I speak with Shammi Dowla, Vice President of Risk and Industry Practices, and Jennifer Nuest, Senior Vice President and Transportation Practice Leader at AmWins, to explore their inspiring journeys in insurance and the incredible friendship that has fueled their professional collaboration. Shammi, with a background in chemistry and international relations, found her way into insurance, while Jennifer was drawn into the industry by the opportunity to work with a female hiring manager—a rare and empowering moment at the time. Their paths crossed when Jennifer joined AmWins, and Shammi’s warm welcome email on Jennifer’s first day marked the beginning of a fast friendship and dynamic partnership. Together, they lead with influence rather than authority, coaching teams and fostering collaboration to drive innovation and success.
We also dive into their shared commitment to empowering the next generation of insurance professionals. Shammi and Jennifer highlight the importance of spotlighting up-and-coming talent, providing thought leadership opportunities, and building confidence in those who may not yet see themselves as experts. Jennifer shares how her thoughtful approach to creating platforms for emerging voices—like the internal transportation summit—has reshaped the way their organization showcases expertise. Shammi emphasizes the value of diversity in perspectives and how intentionality in leadership can transform teams and outcomes. Through their dedication to coaching, collaboration, and elevating others, Shammi and Jennifer are shaping a more inclusive, innovative future for the insurance industry.

You Do You, Boo: Choosing Your Life and Legacy with Shannon Alfonso

In the season 1 finale, I sit down with Shannon Alfonso, recently retired insurance executive who led Marsh McLennan Agency’s Florida Region to remarkable success during her nearly 30-year career. From an unplanned start in underwriting to becoming the region’s first female CEO, Shannon’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and staying true to her core beliefs. She shares how a willingness to learn, embrace new challenges, and build strong teams shaped her journey. Shannon reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome, trusting her instincts, and the pivotal moments that defined her career. Her advice for aspiring leaders? “You very well can be the right fit. You just have to embrace it. Be confident. Go for it.”
Now retired at 54, Shannon reveals why she chose to step away from the corporate world while at the peak of her career, challenging the traditional norms of retirement. She speaks candidly about the sacrifices she made for her career and how those shaped her decision to prioritize time with her family. Shannon shares how she's embracing the next chapter with rest, reflection, and the freedom to pursue meaningful work on her own terms.