InsHER

From Existing to Living: Sharné Liebenberg on How Purpose Transforms Work and Leadership

In this episode, I interview Sharné Liebenberg, founder of Unrisked, a boutique risk consultancy based in Johannesburg, whose path into insurance is anything but traditional. With a background in journalism, Sharné brings a unique lens to underwriting, one rooted in curiosity, empathy, and a deep commitment to understanding people before assessing their risk. We talked about how that perspective has shaped her work in the trucking and logistics space, where she focuses not just on data points, but on the human decisions behind the wheel. 
Sharné also shared how the loss of her brother reshaped her outlook on life and work, pushing her to prioritize meaning, autonomy, and intentionality. That shift has influenced everything from how she shows up for clients to her recent work in building AI-driven safety tools designed to support, not replace, human decision-making. What stood out most to me is Sharné’s belief that insurance is, at its core, about people, and that we have a responsibility to reflect that in how we assess risk, build technology, and serve our clients. 

Safety Starts with Trust: Marla Carangi on Building Teams and Technology That Prevent Risk

In this episode, I interview Marla Carangi, Director of Sales and Partnerships at Embark Safety, to talk about a critical area of risk management: fleet safety. Marla shares how Embark Safety uses near-real-time driver record monitoring to help companies identify risk before it turns into an accident, supporting more than 400,000 drivers across 1,000+ organizations. We explore the origin story behind the company, sparked by a near-miss accident that inspired its founder to rethink how businesses approach driver safety. Marla also explains how their technology partners with insurers to reduce auto liability exposure while helping companies proactively protect their people and operations.
Beyond the technology, this conversation dives into the human side of safety, leadership, and culture. Marla shares why empathy plays such a powerful role in risk conversations and what it looks like to build trust in a traditionally male-dominated space. We also talk about the collaborative culture at Embark Safety, a majority-women team built on transparency, accountability, and shared ownership, and the importance of hiring for abilities and cultural fit. 

Full-Circle POV: Tracie Thompson on Leadership Lessons in Risk, Talent, and Trust

In this episode, I interview Tracie Thompson, Global Leader of Strategic Accounts at Cytora, whose career journey  spans the globe. From her start in Australia to senior leadership roles across Europe, the UK, and the U.S., Tracie brings a powerful perspective shaped by decades in the industry, including time with AIG and Aon. We talked about how her work in crisis management and climate risk has deepened her appreciation for insurance’s real-world impact, and why the industry must do a better job telling that story. Tracie shared her belief that clearer, more intentional communication about insurance’s role in enabling businesses and supporting the transition to a greener future is critical if we want to attract diverse, next-generation talent.
Our conversation also went deep on leadership, culture, and what it really takes to move the industry forward. Tracie spoke candidly about the gap between DEI commitments and real execution, the importance of sponsorship for women advancing into leadership, and why vulnerability is actually a strength, not a liability. We discussed why creating workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and supported is essential for retention and growth. 

Safe to Be Yourself: Danielle Rohr on Leading by Example

In this episode, I interview Danielle Rohr, AVP and broker at Wholesure, to talk about her dynamic path into transportation insurance and the leadership mindset that has fueled her growth. Danielle shared how she went from a background in theater and writing to building a successful wholesale career specializing in cargo and stock throughput, a transition sparked in part by her husband’s early encouragement and her own adaptability during industry shifts like the rise of Uber. We talked about her boutique, relationship-first approach, the art of positioning risk between retailers and underwriters, and why honesty and transparency continue to be her most powerful differentiators. Danielle also shared what inspired her to found the Las Vegas chapter of the Young Risk Professionals Network and her passion for developing the next generation of insurance talent. 
Danielle also spoke candidly about her health journey. After Danielle received a BRACA1 diagnosis which put her at a 70% lifetime risk for breast cancer she made the decision to undergo a prophylactic double mastectomy last fall to reduce her lifetime risk. She also details her IVF experience and the emotional realities many women, especially working mothers, carry while building their careers. We discussed the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability, why empathy from leadership drives stronger performance (not weaker), and how mindfulness and boundaries help her stay present both at work and at home. 

From Anywhere: Lindsey DiGangi on Leading from Any Role

In this episode, I interview Lindsey DiGangi, Vice President of Field Operations and Marketing at Pennsylvania Lumberman's Mutual Insurance Company to talk about her leadership journey and what it really looks like to grow a career from the inside out. Lindsey shared how a single risk management class in college sparked her interest in insurance, which eventually led her to an internship and then a 12-year career spanning field operations, marketing, process improvement, and customer relationships. We talked about the creativity required to make complex insurance topics resonate, how gaining diverse perspectives across an organization shapes better solutions, and why meaningful projects and strong support matter so much when developing interns and early-career talent.
Lindsey also offered honest insights about career growth in smaller organizations, where progress may feel slower but often comes with deeper experience and broader exposure. She points out that titles matter far less than the skills you build along the way, and that saying yes to unexpected opportunities can open doors you didn’t even know existed. We also discuss employee engagement, lateral mobility, and her vision for creating a more equitable playing field in insurance through accessible entry points and upskilling opportunities. 

Execution to Impact: Jen Marino on Developing Professional Influence

In this episode, I interview Jennifer (Jen) Marino, Chief Marketing Officer at MSIG USA, to talk about her impressive career journey and the evolving role of marketing in insurance. Jen shared how she transitioned from consumer products into financial services, bringing with her a sharp focus on data, customer experience, and brand strategy. We explored how she’s used data-driven insights to move marketing beyond activity metrics and into real business impact, shifting the conversation from spending to effectiveness, and earning marketing a true seat at the leadership table. Jen also shared how marketing can be a powerful growth accelerator when aligned with underwriting and distribution strategies, strengthening broker relationships, and helping insurers become more proactive and relevant in the market.
What I loved most about this conversation was Jen’s perspective on influence and equity in leadership. We talked about how moving from execution to impact requires business fluency, visibility, and courage, and how influence is built over time through credibility and consistency. Jen also shared her passion for advancing women in leadership, emphasizing the importance of intentional opportunity, transparency, and mutual support in the C-suite. 

35 Years Strong: Marya Propis on Experience as an Asset, Not a Liability

In this episode, I interview Marya Propis, Executive Vice President of Retail Distribution at RT Specialty, to continue an important conversation she had recently sparked alongside Leanne Berry through RT’s WOW (Women Opportunity Winning) program and APIW, Inc. The engagement from that virtual event was buzzing, proof that ageism in our industry, especially for women, deserves more space. We unpacked the familiar “Goldilocks” assumption that women are either too young and underestimated or too experienced and overlooked, never just right. Marya offered a powerful reframe: the real shift happens when you decide you’re appropriately positioned in your life and career, regardless of outside perception.
We also talked about how men often seem to gain value with age while women are expected to fade quietly, and why Marya believes it’s time we take a page from their playbook. She shared how she’s learned to wear her decades of experience proudly, leveraging depth and perspective as strengths instead of something to minimize. Toward the end of our conversation, Marya bravely brought perimenopause and menopause into the spotlight, advocating for more thoughtful support for women navigating physiological changes. This episode is a reminder that experience is not a liability, it’s an asset, and that advancing women in insurance means honoring every chapter of their careers.

Go Full Concentrate: Layna Thompson on Showing Up Human in Insurance

In this episode, I interview Layna Thompson, Founding Head of Customer Success and Growth at PowerBroker.ai, to talk about how insurance can modernize without losing its humanity. With nearly two decades of industry experience, Layna brings a refreshingly grounded perspective on AI and automation, emphasizing that talent has never been the issue, it’s the amount of time insurance professionals spend stuck in administrative work. We discuss how thoughtfully applied technology can clear space for better thinking, stronger advising, and more meaningful human connections.
What I loved most about this conversation is Layna’s unwavering belief that curiosity, trust, and real human connection are still the foundation of our industry, and always should be. We talked about why trust isn’t built through forms and e-signatures alone, but through moments that people remember. Layna shared how thoughtful automation can move busy work into the background so insurance professionals can spend less time typing and more time thinking, interpreting, and showing up when it matters most.

Make It Make Sense: Kaiza Molina on Accessibility of Health Insurance

In this episode, I interview Kaiza Molina, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at StretchDollar. Kaiza discusses how we think about health insurance and why it so often feels overwhelming, emotional, and inaccessible. She shares how many people equate choice with risk, questioning whether coverage is “good” or even legitimate, and how much of her work is rooted in myth-busting and helping people move through the fear and uncertainty tied to healthcare decisions. We discussed how health insurance is rarely a rational, spreadsheet-based decision and is often a household-level choice shaped by trust, past experiences, family needs, and risk tolerance. 
We also dug into her “why” behind StretchDollar and her mission to empower small business owners to offer meaningful health benefits without carrying impossible pressure. Kaiza reframed the problem in a way that feels immediately approachable: the job isn’t picking the perfect plan for everyone, it’s setting the right budget. Kaiza emphasized that there is no longer an “average employee,” and that solutions must account for real life, from unplanned medical needs to caregiving, fertility, and mental health. Ultimately, Kaiza believes that accessible health insurance starts with simplicity, empathy, and designing systems that respect how people actually make decisions.

Fresh Perspective: Angelina Vereshchagina on Attracting Young Insurance Talent

In this episode, I interview Angelina Vereshchagina, a sophomore student at St. John’s University. Angelina shares what initially drew her into insurance, the sheer scope of what can be insured, and the realization that this industry touches nearly every part of the world around us. We talk about that moment of curiosity when you start to see insurance not as rigid or boring, but as endlessly complex, creative, and full of opportunity. 
Angelina also discusses what it takes to attract and engage the next generation of insurance professionals, and why young voices need to be at the forefront of that effort. Through her work with Gamma Iota Sigma and as a university ambassador, she’s on the front lines of introducing students to the industry. We discuss how early exposure, honest conversations, and visible role models can significantly impact the way students perceive insurance as a career filled with purpose and growth.