Integrity and communication are the two most important values I have learned to demonstrate as a leader. Integrity is important to me because without it, there’s a lack of trust and an assumption that I’m not doing my best to treat people the way I want to be treated. Many times, especially in a business where we deal with people’s property, just knowing that I provided the best guidance I could in terms of potential consequences gives me and my clients peace of mind, which is so important to me. I also value the integrity of my colleagues. I think we have a great team who are all really dedicated to serving client needs and listening to their concerns.

That team dynamic dovetails with communication. It’s my duty to be honest and up front with my clients and communicate with them clearly. There’s a lot of jargon in insurance, just like there is in the moving and storage industry and I have to explain it in ways that help people understand their options, so they can make the most informed choices for their business.

Another value I’ve found important in a leader is a willingness to innovate. Like moving, insurance is a paper-heavy industry. Typically, insurance carriers ask a ton of questions and use tedious applications. As a broker, I try to make the insurance procurement process as easy on my clients as possible. I’m really pleased that Champion Risk is implementing an online process that consolidates multiple applications and eliminates the need to print, scan, and email documents back and forth, which will be a huge time saver and help for our clients, especially during peak season.

My personal leadership journey has been complex. I’m naturally an introvert, which is a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because I listen to people. It’s a curse because I wasn’t always comfortable speaking in front of groups. That’s part of the reason my involvement in IAM YP, IAM’s DAB group, and being a board member of the California Moving and Storage Association (CMSA) are so important to me. I love the relationships that grow from participating! I always learn a lot from listening and I think it helps me serve my clients and the industry better. It also makes it easier for me to contribute to panel discussions or learning sessions, because then I’m seeing a room full of friends and colleagues. This went a long way towards being more comfortable with public speaking.

Now, as I get to know more and more people and learn more about what matters to members and other industry suppliers, I’m finding new ways I can support them.

There have been several mentors and colleagues who helped me progress and grow as a leader during my 17-year career, but one person stands out. Steve Weitekamp, President of the CMSA, has offered me opportunities to speak as various association events and is a reliable sounding board. Steve’s reputation sets an example for any leader: honest, informed, dedicated, and personable.

It hasn’t been easy to effect change and modernize an industry like ours, but in some ways, I’ve been very lucky. As a younger woman, so many people paved the way for me. When I decided to join Champion Risk, I was thrilled with the support that Mark Raby and the team provided, which contributed to my personal and professional growth.

I think that traditionally insurance has been seen has a man’s business, much like moving and storage but I also believe that’s changing. People are open to working with me because they see the value and expertise I bring to the table. I look forward to helping the next generation of women open even more doors when the time comes.