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.

In this episode of InsHER, I sit down with Tamra Johnson, Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). Tamra’s journey into insurance began with her work at AAA’s Public Affairs office in Washington, D.C., where she first encountered the industry’s critical role in safeguarding communities. She later joined APCIA just before the pandemic hit in December 2019 and quickly immersed herself in one of her passions: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Tamra shares how she spearheaded APCIA’s first Women in Diversity Conference in 2020, which has since evolved into the Expanding Opportunity in Insurance Conference, a forum bringing together DEI thought leaders to tackle industry challenges and best practices. Tamra discusses the importance of collaboration, both internally and with key partners like NAAIA and LAAIA, to drive meaningful progress in DEI.

Tamra also speaks to how APCIA’s DEI Leader Groups, which meet quarterly, keep the momentum going by exchanging insights and strategizing on DEI, talent development, and more. She explains the critical role storytelling plays in moving the needle on DEI, helping people understand the lived experiences of others and inspiring allyship and advocacy. I also ask Tamra about the challenges and opportunities in DEI, including continuing to push for greater representation not only for women, but women of color. Tamra also has meaningful insights into how the insurance industry can better communicate its value to young people to ensure a stronger, more inclusive future for the industry.

In this episode of InsHER, I have the pleasure of speaking with Alicia Kiser, Vice President of Human Resources at M3 Insurance. Alicia’s journey into HR began at a large, publicly traded company. She was leading leaders of teams by age 22, navigating the complexities of management and business strategy early on. She shares how this intense learning experience gave her a competitive edge and deepened her passion for the intersection of people and business. Alicia quickly realized she wanted more opportunities for impact and personal growth. Thirteen years ago, she joined M3 Insurance, where she found a dynamic environment that allowed her to be more engaged. Alicia is also a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), bringing a data-driven approach to DEI work by integrating scorecards, objectives, and transparent reporting into the company’s strategy.

Alicia discusses her efforts in building and nurturing M3’s Women’s Business Resource Group, which grew from a slow start to a thriving initiative that she proudly watches flourish today. Her DEI philosophy is rooted in the principle of “Give, Learn, and Do,” guiding employees to meet people where they are and create meaningful change. Alicia also speaks to how M3’s DEI efforts are measured through dashboards, aligning their internal demographics with the communities they serve, and connecting with clients and prospects in their own communities. Alicia emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, both internally and externally, so that everyone at M3 feels empowered to speak confidently about the company’s DEI efforts. Her unique approach shows how DEI can be integrated into business strategy and highlights the small yet impactful ways we can create inclusive environments, such as being mindful of the tone-setting conversations that happen before meetings.