In this episode, I sit down with Noelle Codispoti, Head of the Academy at the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance and Co-Founder and Chief Transformation Officer at Verto. Noelle shares her journey from being a first-generation college graduate with a passion for math to pursuing actuarial science. She reflects on how a high school teacher’s discouragement from becoming a math teacher led her down an unexpected but fulfilling path in insurance. We discuss the industry’s tendency to focus on specific skills while overlooking the many who, like Noelle, find insurance unexpectedly and make a profound impact. Noelle also speaks to an authenticity study conducted with Verto which revealed a disconnect between what insurance companies advertise in job descriptions about the role and company culture vs. the reality, highlighting the need for more transparent and trustworthy communication from hiring managers.

One of the most impactful parts of our conversation was when Noelle shared her approach to engaging students at an early age, changing the perception of insurance as a career. She recalls a visit to a third-grade class where she used a wooden castle and cartoon cutouts to teach children about risk management and insurance, making it relatable and fun. Noelle emphasizes the importance of getting insurance professionals involved in sharing their stories with students to inspire the next generation. Her passion for helping students see insurance as a viable and rewarding career path shines through, and she truly believes that education can transform the future of the industry.