In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Peskin, CEO and Chief Finder of Keepers at Global Recruiters of Denver, to talk about the power of connection, strategic career moves, and building a more inclusive insurance industry. Jessica’s journey started by chance in real estate title insurance, but it quickly turned into a lifelong career. After realizing the economic and personal toll of constant travel, she made the bold move to Denver, where she launched her boutique recruiting firm in 2019. Unlike high-volume recruiters, Jessica focuses on strategic placements that create long-term success, finding a special joy in matching the right candidate with the right opportunity. Her approach is all about looking at the bigger picture: what clients need, what candidates bring to the table, and how to ensure both sides thrive.

Beyond recruitment, Jessica is a dedicated contributor to InsurTech Denver, a passionate advocate for women in insurance, and a firm believer in the power of relationships. She shares why building a “board of advisors” is essential for career growth, how women can break into leadership roles, and why compensation transparency and workplace flexibility matter. Jessica encourages young women to find their niche within insurance, speak up, and stay curious.

In this episode, I interview Stacey Divers-Turner, a servant leader with over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry. From shaping strategic policies at Allstate, Nationwide, and Farmers Insurance to optimizing distribution channels and recruiting small business owners, Stacey has seen firsthand how diverse talent can thrive in insurance. Now, as a career ownership coach, she’s passionate about helping others discover new opportunities, guiding individuals from all backgrounds to leverage their strengths in meaningful ways. Stacey shares how her experience in compliance, project management, and sales leadership prepared her to coach professionals into business ownership.

We also explore the evolving role of women in business, the power of mentorship, and the shift from corporate careers to entrepreneurship. Stacey emphasizes that success isn’t about fitting into a mold, but about having the right support and recognizing your unique value. She discusses how women are creating businesses that align with their lives, breaking through barriers of ageism, and redefining leadership on their own terms. This conversation is packed with insights on transforming your career, building a mission-driven business, and embracing the confidence that comes with experience.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.