In this episode, I interview Cristina Varner, SVP and Life Science Practice Leader – West Region at Lockton, for a candid conversation about advocacy, leadership, and what it really means for women to take up space in the workplace. Cristina shares her unexpected path into insurance after originally pursuing fashion merchandising, and how she became known as an “activist” for speaking up about equity and inclusivity. I admire her refusal to shrink herself to make others comfortable, and her belief that when women lead authentically and visibly, it creates a ripple effect for everyone around them.

We also talk about the realities many women still face in corporate environments: feeling unsafe speaking up, navigating competition between women, and the emotional toll of constantly proving yourself. Cristina opens up about co-founding DEI and women’s initiatives, the resistance that can come with challenging the status quo, and why community and female friendships are critical in moments of burnout and self-doubt.

In this special Mother’s Day episode, I interview Emma Corcoran, Founder of EC Consulting LLC. We share an honest conversation about career growth, motherhood, and redefining success on your own terms. Emma shares how her insurance journey began through an internship at Selective Insurance and evolved into launching her own consulting business, a decision shaped not just by professional ambition, but by her desire to create a life with more intention, flexibility, and time with her daughters. I love Emma’s perspective that success can evolve through different seasons of life, and that choosing balance doesn’t mean choosing less.

Together, we talk about the realities modern working parents face, from impossible school schedules and constant notifications to the pressure of feeling endlessly available. Emma opens up about the boundaries she’s created to protect what matters most, including keeping Fridays focused on family, and why organizations need to rethink outdated ideas around visibility and productivity if they truly want to support and retain talent. We also discuss resilience, leadership, and Emma’s belief that creating equity for women starts with fixing “the broken rung,” building transparent career paths, and creating stronger communities where women can support one another both personally and professionally.

In this episode, I interview Linda Liu, CEO of LiftHERCareer. We talk about her unique career journey, starting as a receptionist in an insurance agency to working in IT consulting, global education, and ultimately founding LiftHER Career. Each chapter of Linda’s career built toward a clear purpose: helping young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, successfully navigate the transition from college to career. Through her Grad2Hire program, Linda is tackling one of the biggest gaps we see in the insurance industry: connecting early talent to real opportunities, particularly in insurance and risk management.

We also get into the realities behind that transition, the confidence gaps, the networking challenges, and why so many graduates, especially women, find themselves underemployed. Linda shares how her program takes a more holistic approach, combining practical skills, career exposure, and real-world experience to help participants build momentum. It’s an honest conversation about what’s working, what’s missing, and what our industry can do differently, including her call for organizations to get involved and rethink how we bring the next generation into insurance.