Awkward Insurance

It's the end of an era! In this heartfelt farewell, hosts Dustyne Bryant, Ashley Fitzsimmons, and Producer Mac reflect on the journey of Awkward Insurance. From awkward beginnings to unforgettable moments—including their adventures in Vegas—they share highlights, podcast stats, and a countdown of top episodes. Join them for one last laugh (and maybe a tear) as they celebrate the connections made and the impact of the show. Thanks for listening—Toodles!

Wesley Pergament, SolaWesley is CEO and Co-Founder of Sola Insurance based in Atlanta, GA. Wesley comes from a tech background and jumped into the insurance industry at a flood insurance startup where he was tasked with working on the data side with private and FEMA flood maps. Realizing this data was telling us exactly where the damage is, Wesley and the Sola team became obsessed with how data can be used to automatically trigger an insurance claim payout. Sola is starting with supplemental tornado coverage for homeowners and small businesses but plans to expand into every type of natural disaster to help people cover their deductible and immediate expenses. Sola has already been approved in 14 states as the first ever admitted personal lines parametric product, is fully reinsured through Lloyd's of London and has partnered with dozens of agencies and aggregators. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Key Takeaways:Customer feedback is a growth tool – Handling negative reviews with a positive approach strengthens relationships.Cultural fit matters – Many employees leave due to misalignment with company culture rather than job dissatisfaction.Talent is everywhere – Hiring based on traits, not just experience, can uncover high-potential candidates.The industry must evolve – Adapting to new expectations and investing in education will attract the next generation.Monica Adwani is a dynamic leader whose career has been defined by breaking barriers and championing diversity.Monicais a passionate advocate for creating opportunities and fostering inclusivity, particularly for women and Latinos in the business world. As the CEO of Breezy Seguros, she leads a company dedicated to providing accessible and comprehensive insurance solutions tailored specifically for the Latino community in the United States.Born in Puerto Rico,Monicaearned degrees in Information Management and Medical Coding from the InterAmerican University. Her desire for continuous learning brought her to Massachusetts, where she obtained a Business Management degree from Fisher College in Boston.Monica's exceptional leadership has earned her multiple accolades, including Young Agent of the Year in 2019, LatinX Amplifier in 2021, one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Massachusetts in 2022, and the Top 100 Latino Influencer award in 2023. Additionally, Breezy Seguros was recognized as one of America's Top 250 Latino Companies in 2024.Monicais deeply committed to the Latino community and is working tirelessly to reach the goal of insuring more than 5 million Latinos across the United States through Breezy Seguros. Her dedication drives her efforts to empower and protect Latino families, entrepreneurs, and businesses, ensuring their success and security for future generations.  Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Curtis Goldsborough is the President of National Insurance Inspection Services, an evolving technology and field service provider for P&C underwriting, based in Fresno, CA. He cut his teeth in insurance as an agency owner with Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, where he became acutely aware of the friction and pain points associated with underwriting inspections. In 2013, he joined National Insurance Inspection Services on a quest to forge a better path forward for personal lines underwriting.  Curtis was instrumental in the development and launch of the NIIS self-inspection app and workflow, which is now in production environments with over 18 carriers and MGAs around the country, including three of the top ten P&C carriers in the United States. In his not-so-spare time, Curtis produces insurance video content on LinkedIn under the moniker of LO$$ RATIO, with a goal to engage, educate, entertain and inspire insurance professionals around the world.  Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Judy HughesWith over a decade of experience in the insurance industry, Judy has been a licensed Property and Casualty agent since 2010 and a licensed Life and Health agent since 2011. Currently, she serves as a Personal Lines Account Manager at Anderson and Green Insurance Agency, where she has been for the past five years. In this role, Judy recently expanded her expertise to assist Medicare customers with their prescription plans.In addition to her work at Anderson and Green, Judy also holds a position as a Customer Service Representative at Cravens Insurance Agency, where she specialize in Medicare Supplements where her commitment to providing exceptional service and guidance allows Judy to help clients navigate their insurance needs effectively. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Regent James M. Benham was appointed to the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in October of 2020 and was reappointed for a second term in 2023. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents and is Chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee.Regent Benham is the CEO of JBKnowledge, a 280-employee global insurance software company he co-founded in 2001, with offices and staff in 4 countries. He served for five years as an Adjunct Professor of Construction Science at Texas A&M University and still volunteers as a mentor and advisor for student groups. Regent Benham served the City of College Station as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner from 2011 to 2012 and was elected to two terms on the College Station City Council from 2012 to 2018 where he also served as Mayor Pro Tem. He is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). He lives in College Station and is an avid airplane pilot and musician. Regent Benham received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2001 and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems in 2002, both from Texas A&M University. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Insurance vs History is a podcast that examines the intersection of insurance and history. Meredith Brasher is a 20-year veteran of the insurance industry, specializing in General Liability, Umbrella and Excess insurance products, wording development, and education. She also has extensive experience in the development and management of MGA programs, as well as auditing for MGA programs and Casualty books of business.She has both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in history, as well as her AU, ASLI and CPCU designations in insurance. She currently works as an insurance consultant, historian, and, sometimes, as a professional actor.www.insurancevshistory.comLinked in: friend/follow me at Meredith BrasherDive deeper into the fascinating history of insurance and discover how it has shaped the world we live in today. Explore A Tedious Brief History of Insurance—a captivating publication that uncovers pivotal moments, groundbreaking innovations, and the enduring impact of insurance through the ages. Perfect for industry professionals, history enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the roots of risk management. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

In this special conference episode, the Awkward Insurance Podcast hits the road to ITC Vegas, where technology meets insurance in surprising ways. Join host Dustyne Bryant as she dives into the industry's pressing challenges around talent recruitment, uncovers inspiring career journeys, and explores the ever-evolving insurance landscape. From motivational stories to insights on how AI will reshape industry roles, this episode offers an insider's view of the conversations driving the future of insurance.  Tune in for a lively mix of professional insights, unexpected encounters, and a few quirky detours straight from the ITC floor!  Plus, don't miss our Man on the Street coverage from the BrokerTech Ventures Happiest Hour during ITC Vegas!Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.  

Key Takeaways:Diverse Sessions: A comprehensive agenda covering compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity awareness.Leadership Vision: Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain's forward-looking view on industry challenges and opportunities.Next-Gen Engagement: UCA student Connor Black shares perspectives on attracting young professionals to the field.Reinsurance Insights: Lee Covington delves into the evolution of reinsurance and its impact on the industry.Cybersecurity Focus: FBI Agent Tanja Sablatura stresses the importance of cybersecurity in today's risk landscape.Generational Shift: Over 30% of attendees have 20+ years in the field, emphasizing the need for mentorship and knowledge transfer.Purpose-Driven Work: Encouraging professionals to find meaning and purpose in their roles, fostering a legacy for future leaders. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Level up your industry language by visiting www.riskeducation.org/insurtech to learn about a brand new self-paced course developed with BrokerTech Ventures: Introduction To Insurance for Insurtech Professionals. Douglas Ver Mulm is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Turris, a financial infrastructure platform for the insurance industry. Prior to this, Douglas was the Co-Founder & CEO at Stable Insurance, focusing on distribution and analytics for insurance in the shared/on-demand economy. With a background in law and economics/finance, Douglas has also served as a Volunteer Executive Director at InsurTech Association and as a Lead Mentor at Founders Network. Garrett Droege, CIC, CPCU, CLCS, CBIA, CWCA, CRIS serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Innovation and Digital Risk Practice Leader at IMA Financial. His role oversees IMA's national focus in the technology, and digital risk verticals (collectively called the Advanced Industries Specialty). He also co-manages IMA Labs, IMA's insurtech innovation, investment, and strategy with BrokerTech Ventures. Additionally, he is part of the founding team of IMA's web3Labs initiative and helped IMA become the first broker to build an insurance and risk management facility in the metaverse and issue the industry's first “proof of coverage” via blockchain/NFT. He serves on the Crypto.Chicks NFT Advisory Board and consults with several other NFT projects.Prior to his current role, he served as CEO/Executive Director of TechAssure Association, Inc., an international consortium of insurance agents/brokers specializing in technology-related risks.  Garrett's expertise includes Errors & Omissions, Cyber, and Technology Risk Management. Additionally, he is a brokerage technology specialist – focused on InsurTech, AMS/BMS/CRM platforms, data mining, and client journey tech stack development. Garrett has designed complex insurance and risk management programs for some of the most sophisticated and diverse tech businesses in the country.  These include firms in info tech, medical technology, telecommunications, new media and all types of digital risk and blockchain. Garrett is an alumnus of University of North Carolina at Wilmington and The Hartford School of Insurance.  He was named to the Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under Forty list and Insurance Business America's Young Guns of Insurance list. Garrett is routinely featured in national publications and media productions, including NPR's All Things Considered.  He holds the esteemed Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) industry designations, among others. He has been a featured keynote speaker for numerous organizations, including: Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Public Radio, CIO Magazine, Society of CPCU, Insurance Innovators, FinTech Association of Hong Kong, Net Diligence, Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), North Carolina Technology Association, Texas Blockchain Council and many more. Droege has been named three times to the Hot 100 List – a group of the top 100 insurance professionals that have “moved the industry forward” over the past 12 months. Garrett also serves as an advisor and mentor to several technology startup companies and has extensive relationships with global accelerator programs and investors. He is a frequent guest on business podcasts including: “The Insurance Guys”, Lowenstein Sandler's “Don't Take No For An Answer,” “InsurTech Geek Podcast,” “Beyond Insurance,” “A.I. Wisdom,” “The Insurance Coffeehouse,” has context menu Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Mark Olson is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience in strategic communications, spanning agency and in-house leadership roles. As the Director of Corporate Communications at Hippo, he specializes in developing corporate narratives, preparing spokespeople, and providing counsel on reputational issues. Mark has a proven track record in enhancing brand reputation and driving strategic initiatives. He holds an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Thomas Raabe has been in real estate development and sales for the last 11 years. He was a project manager for Ohio University prior to becoming a licensed salesperson in 2016. He has been helping people buy and sell homes for the last 8 years. He is the broker and co-owner of Westwood Real Estate Co. located in Columbus, OH. Westwood Real Estate prides themselves in being trusted advisors and creating lasting relationships with the people they work with. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Allison Albrecht is a National Sales Director for Clearspeed - with a focus on the financial services market. Prior to joining Clearspeed, Allison spent over a decade in various roles within the insurance industry - largely on the carrier side. Allison is proud to be from and reside in Columbus, Ohio - home to an eager and innovative insurance landscape, and of course - the Buckeyes! Nate Curtis is a National Sales Director for Clearspeed, a technology company that enables risk assessment through voice analytics. Prior to Clearspeed, he spent a decade working in various product development and innovation roles at Liberty Mutual Insurance. Nate began his professional career as an officer in the U.S. Navy after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Clearspeed focuses on risk assessment and clearance through innovation in AI-driven voice-based technology. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Alan McClain was appointed as Arkansas's 24th Insurance Commissioner by former Governor Asa Hutchinson in April 2020, and continues to serve as Commissioner under Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.  Prior to his appointment, McClain served for five years as Commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS)—a sister agency of the Arkansas Insurance Department (AID) under the state Department of Commerce.Commissioner McClain began his career in state government in 1992 at AID, spending eight years in its Public Employee Claims Division. Prior to joining AID, he served as a Claims Manager for self-insured workers' compensation plans at the Little Rock offices of Sedgwick James Insurance.McClain served thirteen years with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (AWCC), where he spent almost nine years as its Chief Executive Officer.  While at the AWCC, he also served as the regulator for companies and groups seeking to self-insure workers' compensation risks. In 2013 McClain left the AWCC to join the Workers' Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he worked alongside numerous state workers' compensation agencies as they utilized the work of WCRI in making data-driven policy decisions.McClain served as President of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation between 2019-20, as well as President of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards & Commissions (IAIABC) in 2011, where he was named Co-Chair of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)/IAIABC Joint Working Group. During his time as Commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, Governor Hutchinson also appointed McClain to serve on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, and the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities.In addition to membership on a number of other NAIC task forces and working groups, McClain currently serves as Chair of the NAIC Property and Casualty (C) Committee, as well as Chair of the Workers' Compensation Task Force, a subgroup of the Property and Casualty (C) Committee. He also serves on the Financial Standards and Accreditation (F) Committee, which reviews insurance department ability to analyze company solvency.McClain is a native Arkansan. He holds an undergraduate degree from Hendrix College in Conway, as well as a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

We want to hear from you! Share your favorite Season 5 episode in our Facebook Group and join the conversation with fellow listeners. Whether it's a memorable interview, a hilarious moment, or a valuable insight, let us know what resonated with you the most! Your feedback helps us create even more content you'll love.Join the Discussion! Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Bridge Insurtech with Insurance Fundamentals! Demo our upcoming Introduction to Insurance for Insurtech Professionals course!Our guests (in order) are:Kristopher Lundberg, CEO of Insurance Tech Insights, discusses the value of independent agents engaging with tech start-ups. Jacob Galecki, Managing Principal of Galecki Search Associates, highlights the disconnect between Insurtech developers and the insurance industry. Valkyrie Holmes, founder of Faura, explores the future of risk management through data utilization. Scott Harrison, Co-founder of the American Insurtech Council, addresses regulatory challenges as technology evolves. Joseph Zaarour, co-founder of iSolvRisk, envisions a gamified approach to risk management education, making professional development more engaging.Laurissa Berk from the University of Connecticut shares how UCON is preparing students to shape the future of insurance technology.  Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Get ready for Insurtech Insights, USA 2025, by registering today! Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Follow Awkward Insurance on Facebook! Colleen O'Hara is an accomplished executive leader whose two decades in the insurance industry have transformed the way businesses achieve growth and engagement. Beginning her journey on the front lines of the retail agency world, Colleen has carved a niche for herself by applying her unique insights to foster deep engagement, adoption, and, most importantly, advocacy within the insurance distribution channel. At Fideles Advisors, Colleen has been instrumental in leveraging her unparalleled grasp of insurance industry nuances to deliver strategies that drive value and set a new standard for what it means to be truly engaged in the business of insurance. Her approach, characterized by a rigorous alignment of business goals with operational processes and marketing strategies, has consistently produced measurable and scalable growth.Colleen's commitment to data-driven and strategic marketing has yielded remarkable results, including a dramatic restructuring of marketing teams that led to a significant revenue spike and positioning a top 100 broker brand at the forefront of the insurance industry. Under her leadership, Colleen's strategic initiatives in brand management, value creation, and organic growth have not just reshaped businesses but have also set them on a path of sustained success.

Finalist Collegiate Teams:Appalachian State University | USADurban University of Technology | South AfricaInstitute of Insurance and Risk Management (IIRM) Hyderabad | India (First Place Finalist)Illinois State University | USA (Second Place Finalist)Milpark Education | South AfricaPeking University | China (Third Place Finalist)St. Mary's University | USAUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison | USA Special mention, Corporate Grant Sponsor: FM Global https://newsroom.fmglobal.com/releases/releases-20240424To Discover More about the 2025 Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge visit: https://www.spencered.org/2025-risk-management-challengeTo Learn More about Spencer Education Foundation: https://www.spencered.org/

In this episode (In order):Jerrie Price, H.I.R.E.D Project Coordinator at Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Inc. (Special Guest)Colton Johnson, James Green & Associates (Arkansas) (YIP Board Member)Victor Werley, Pinnacle Advisors (Speaker)Casey Nelson, StakWise Data Automation (Speaker)Matthew Gleason, UA CIC, Gleason Insurance, LLC (First Time/New Professional Attendee Insight)Ben Burleson, CIC, Progressive Insurance (Company Representative Attendee Insight)Mary Katherine Henderson, CIC, Cross Pointe Insurance Advisors, LLC (PIA AR YIP Board President Insight)

Insurtech Insights USA 2024 | Javits Centre, New York | June 5-6Use discount code AWKWARDNYC to get 50% off individual registration at https://www.insurtechinsights.com/america/register/

Susan Etter: With a journey that began at PPIB in 2010, Susan has ascended to the role of President. Known for her astute creative vision and underwriting detail, she possesses the ability to discern opportunities often overlooked by others in the industry. Collaborating closely with our London carriers, Susans specializes in curating some of the most distinctive and successful insurance programs.PPIB: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ppib-insurance/

Mark your calendars! The next Coaching Cohort is on the horizon, running from April 22 to June 10. Eight weeks that could reshape your spirit and skills in insurance sales.Learn more about the coaching program:https://www.scic.com/dynamics-producer-coaching/

Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Brian Thompson is a seasoned insurance professional with over 15 years in the industry across various roles including Reinsurance and agency ownership. Currently serving as the Business Development Manager for North America at Descartes Underwriting, he is instrumental in expanding the company's presence in the US market through a client-centric focus on solving challenging placement problems with innovative solutions.

Key Takeaways:Learn to navigate and strengthen your connections with marketing representatives.Discover actionable strategies to boost your or your agency's process efficiency.Mike's insights on the questions and requests that can make a significant impact.

Terrie Strain, CIC is an experienced seasoned underwriter. She has 25 plus years' experience in commercial underwriting.  All 25 plus years have been in the Excess and Surplus lines as an underwriter. She is currently an underwriter at Med James, Inc.    She is always up for a challenge in underwriting a risk and specializing in all arenas connected to commercial lines.

Co-owner and Cofounder of Insurance Soup, the Collective Agency Council, Career Insurance Agents, Tacobot, Agency Elephant, The Insurance Content Project, Soup LIVE. Staunch Agent advocate. Industry and insuretech investor.www.facebook.com/groups/insurancesoupwww.theinsurancesoup.comwww.souplive2024.com

Richard McCathron, CIC, CPCU – President & CEO of Hippo, has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 2017. Prior to Hippo, Mr. McCathron held senior executive positions at various insurance companies including First Connect Insurance as its President & CEO from October 2012 to February 2017, Superior Access Insurance as its President & CEO from June 2007 to October 2010 and Mercury Insurance Group as its Regional Vice President from April 2004 to June 2007. Mr. McCathron is both a Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter and a Certified Insurance Counselor and sits on the board of directors of Spinnaker Insurance Company, First Connect Insurance, The National Alliance of Insurance Education and Research, and Players Health. He is an advisor to several insurtech companies and holds a BS in finance from Oregon State University.

Jacob Galecki is the Founder and Managing Principal of Galecki Search Associates, a professional and executive recruiting firm specializing in technical and analytical insurance talent.

Michael Koscielny, MBA, CPCU, CIC, is founder and chief executive officer of Born2Lead, LLC. He has more than 40 years of experience creating effective teams and innovative processes for underwriting and pricing. He serves as the Director of Field Marketing for The University of Olivet since July of 2023. He is an Instructor for The National Alliance and The Institutes. Koscielny has held many roles in the 27 years as a volunteer for The Institutes CPCU Society, including as president of the CPCU Society Leadership Council in 2017 and of the Underwriting Executives Council. He lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, Deborah, and dogs, Wiley, and Teddy. He has written numerous articles and given many presentations. He published his first book, Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership in 2023.Born2Lead, LLC 

Chris Greene is the President and Owner of The Flood Insurance Guru. He is married to Stephani Greene, and they have one daughter Lydia Greene. He graduated with a master's degree in emergency management with a focus in hazard mitigation from Jacksonville State University in 2007. He started his insurance career in 2009 and launched The Flood Insurance guru in 2018. The Flood Insurance Guru is a flood education company that spends its time educating people on flood risks, flood mitigation, and flood insurance. Chris recently launched one of the world's largest flood learning centers after producing more than 5000 pieces of flood education content. 

Laurie Dawson – Dawson and Associates, Inc.Laurie Dawson is the principal of Treaster, Dawson and Associates, Inc., a Full-Service Group Insurance Consulting and Employee Benefits Brokerage Firm.With more than 30 years of experience in employee benefits and human resource administration, Laurie provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise.She and her staff strive to provide concierge-level service, empowering their clients to be savvy healthcare consumers.For more tips and insights, check out Laurie's mini-blog at https://www.treasterdawson.com/news-updates

Adam Rimmer first saw the potential of parametric insurance while working at RMS, the world's largest catastrophe modeling firm. Whilst there, he and co-founder Ian Bartholomew structured and modeled triggers on over $2bn of parametric insurance products and catastrophe bonds to protect governments and large corporations in the US and around the world. They are now using those same principles on a scalable platform. The result is FloodFlash, the first sensor-based parametric flood solution set to provide affordable cover to the businesses, corporations, and communities that need it most. 

We'd love to hear from you too! Share with us your favorite episode from this remarkable season over on our Awkward Insurance Facebook Group. Let's continue this dynamic conversation together!

Beth Benhart - Senior Director of Instructional Design - Beth began her career in secondary education and made the switch to the corporate world after earning her Master's in Educational Technology from Michigan State University. She has spent the last six years of her career developing training programs for insurance and risk management professionals. Beth has experience with all facets of learning and development including corporate training, learning management system (LMS) administration and instructional design. She is passionate about leveraging innovative eLearning strategies and tools to create on-demand training experiences for adult learners.Jay Williams, CIC, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, AIP, AAI, ACSR- Head of Faculty & Academic Development - Jay is the Head of Faculty & Academic Development for The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. In his role, he is responsible for all faculty and Educational Consultants, as well as overseeing curriculum development by our Academic Directors. He also oversees curricula for our Agency Operations, Agency Management, and Insurance Company Operations programs. He is an Educational Consultant and a member of our National Faculty, teaching CISR, CIC, Ruble Graduate Seminars, and PROFocus events.Interested in Shaping the Future of Risk Management & Insurance Education? Become a Faculty Member! 

Elevate your risk management and finance expertise with the Risk Management Essentials publication. Published by the National Alliance Research Academy, this comprehensive resource offers practical insights and technical know-how to propel your career forward. Invest in your success today and order your copy now.Chelsea  Adler is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) currently working as an actuary at Root Inc., an InsurTech start-up based in Columbus, OH. Prior to joining Root in October 2019, she spent 5 years working as an actuary at State Farm. Chelsea specializes in evaluating risk and developing rating plans for personal auto and home insurance.  Chelsea is passionate about changing the narrative around insurance and spreading awareness of the actuarial profession. To support aspiring actuaries and encourage them on their professional journeys, she launched a blog at InspiringActuaries.com. Website: InspiringActuaries.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/inspiring_actuaries?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inspiring_actuaries?

Learn more about HO4 by enrolling in the CISR Insuring Personal Residential Property Course

In this episode, we hear from David Carothers from Florida Risk Partners and the Power Producer Podcast, Garrett Droege from IMA Financial Group, Rick McCathron from Hippo, Aviad Pinkovezky from Hippo/First Connect, Denise Garth from Majesco, Wesley Pergament from Sola Insurance, Jeff Shi from Insurtech Group, and Adam Wacker.

Hear from Bobbie Collies, CIC from Coterie Insurance, Anna Kupik and Jacob Galecki from Galecki Search Associates, Adam Rimmer from Floodflash, Susan Winkler from CT IFS, Kevin Abramson from Cover Whale, Brent Williams from Benekiva, Katie Wade from Dunraven Strategies, and Aaron Gordon from Gordon Companies.Listen to even more exclusive Insurtech interviews in our Day 2 coverage of the 2023 Insurtech Insights Conference! 

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Sydney Hoffmans - iTrust Insurance Group -  Sydney Hoffmans is an Arkansas native and second-generation insurance agent. With over a decade of insurance experience, she has worked in various roles at small and large captive and independent agencies, as well as commercial insurance carriers. In 2017, she joined her family's independent agency, iTrust Insurance Group, as an insurance advisor. Sydney serves as Secretary for the Young Insurance Professionals of Arkansas and was recognized as the Young Insurance Professional of Excellence at the 76th Annual Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) of Arkansas Convention. Sydney is also a youth softball coach and a dedicated community member. She lives with her partner and four fur children in Little Rock, AR.  

Seth Marana, CIC, TRA, CRM- Member Experience Manager - Ohio Insurance Agents Association Optimist, self-proclaimed IA hype-man, and insurance nerd, Seth Marana fell into the insurance industry and has been running full steam ahead to make his dent within the independent agency channel.Having served as both a Personal and Commercial Lines agent for nearly 6 years and while earning his CIC, CRM, and TRA designations, he gained real-life experience and knowledge to serve in his new role as the Member Experience Manager with the Ohio Insurance Agents Association (OIA).In 2022, Seth transitioned to the OIA to serve the broader agents' community by coaching and mentoring agents, while equipping them with the tools for everyday agency life.Aside from insurance nerding, Seth's main passion is business experience and coaching others about it. He helps others elevate their existing model and understanding of how to delight their clients or customers in fresh and meaningful ways. This helps strengthen relationships, increases client satisfaction, grows referability, and makes doing business a lot of fun!

Taylor Garcia, CIC: Taylor quickly fell in love with the insurance industry after starting work at his in-law's agency in 2015. Coming from a creative background, creating videos, marketing, and social media content has worked really well in his career as a producer. Taylor has earned the CIC designation and is currently the VP of Jackson and Jackson Insurance in San Dimas, CA.Need advice on professional development for your job role?  Download a FREE Account Manager, Producer, Underwriter, or Risk Manager Learning Path, and review a curated learning journey specific to your job role!  Learn More!

GARRETT DROEGE, CIC, CPCU, CLCS, CBIA, CWCA, CRISGarrett Droege serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Innovation and Digital Risk Practice Leader at IMA Financial. His role oversees IMA's national focus in the technology, and digital risk verticals (collectively called the Advanced Industries Specialty). He also co-manages IMA Labs, IMA's insurtech innovation, investment, and strategy with BrokerTech Ventures. Additionally, he is part of the founding team of IMA's web3Labs initiative and helped IMA become the first broker to build an insurance and risk management facility in the metaverse and issue the industry's first “proof of coverage” via blockchain/NFT. He serves on the Crypto.Chicks NFT Advisory Board and consults with several other NFT projects.Prior to his current role, he served as CEO/Executive Director of TechAssure Association, Inc., an international consortium of insurance agents/brokers specializing in technology-related risks.  Garrett's expertise includes Errors & Omissions, Cyber, and Technology Risk Management. Additionally, he is a brokerage technology specialist – focused on InsurTech, AMS/BMS/CRM platforms, data mining, and client journey tech stack development. Garrett has designed complex insurance and risk management programs for some of the most sophisticated and diverse tech businesses in the country.  These include firms in info tech, medical technology, telecommunications, new media and all types of digital risk and blockchain. Garrett is an alumnus of University of North Carolina at Wilmington and The Hartford School of Insurance.  He was named to the Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under Forty list and Insurance Business America's Young Guns of Insurance list. Garrett is routinely featured in national publications and media productions, including NPR's All Things Considered. He holds the esteemed Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) industry designations, among others. He has been a featured keynote speaker for numerous organizations, including: Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Public Radio, CIO Magazine, Society of CPCU, Insurance Innovators, FinTech Association of Hong Kong, Net Diligence, Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), North Carolina Technology Association, Texas Blockchain Council and many more.Droege has been named three times to the Hot 100 List – a group of the top 100 insurance professionals that have “moved the industry forward” over the past 12 months. Garrett also serves as an advisor and mentor to several technology startup companies and has extensive relationships with global accelerator programs and investors.  He is a frequent guest on business podcasts including: “The Insurance Guys”, Lowenstein Sandler's “Don't Take No For An Answer,” “InsurTech Geek Podcast,” “Beyond Insurance,” “A.I. Wisdom,” “The Insurance Coffeehouse,” and more.

Ms. Liljenberg, entered the insurance business in 2004 as she started her first agency from ground zero, growing the business to over $6 million in revenue in less than 12 years.Ms. Liljenberg holds a BA in Journalism/Public Relations and a MA in Political Science/Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a Professional Financial Representative holding both Series 6 and Series 63 licenses, she is an Expert Witness in the Insurance field, a Texas Public Adjuster, Property & Casualty Agent, Life & Health Agent, and a Texas Real Estate Broker.She is well-known in the insurance and real estate industries for her responsiveness, knowledge, and professionalism in handling situations in both industries. Her 36 years of contractual knowledge is extensive and is strengthened by her years as a Commodity Electricity trader during Deregulation in 2001.Taking an Ethics course is a great way to protect yourself from E&O and the court system.​ 

Taylor quickly fell in love with the insurance industry after starting work at his in-laws agency in 2015. Coming from a creative background, creating videos, marketing and social media content has worked really well in his career as a producer. Taylor has earned the CIC designation and is currently the VP of Jackson and Jackson Insurance in San Dimas, CA.The Dynamics Series is renowned with agencies, companies, and carriers for its career-elevating sales techniques, sales management strategies, and motivational power.

Carey Wallace: Carey works with agencies all across the country to understand their value and leverage it to position themselves for growth and plan for the future.Realize your full producing potential with our Dynamics Producer Coaching program. Learn more: https://www.scic.com/dynamics-producer-coaching/

In this episode, hosts Dustyne Bryant & Ashley Fitzsimmons hang out with Jordan Burns, CEO of Beyond Insurance Group in Michigan to discuss his fast-paced journey into the insurance industry. Jordan explains how he found the courage and confidence to go from P&C producer to agency owner in two short years by leveraging connections, community, and membership with the Big I Michigan to become successful. Together we can achieve anything!

Elisa StampfCEO/Co-Founder of Insure EqualityElisa “fell” into insurance over a decade ago. She spent most of her time on the carrier side with regional and national carriers; she was an underwriter for commercial lines and a marketing rep for the Chicagoland area. Throughout her insurance career, Elisa was a sales leader, a trainer, and an advocate for giving campaigns within her companies. She earned six designations and an MBA and has an insatiable appetite for learning and growing. After a brief visit to the agency side, her exit propelled her to co-found a community that pushes everyone forward and welcomes everyone in: Insure Equality.

Awkward Insurance will be back in January but in the meantime be sure to check out our previous episodes, Join the Facebook Community, and check out all of our other insurance & risk management content! 

Voices in the episode in order of appearance:Josh Paskewicz, Talent Acquisition Manager at HylantAllison Garcia, Talent Acquisition Leader at HylantKevin Ray, Vice President of Learning & Development at Erie Insurance GroupMeaghen Paterson, District Sales Manager at Erie Insurance GroupWill Kegg, Insurance & Risk Management Student at University of Cincinnati, GIS Chapter PresidentBenjamin J. Kegg, Information Technology Student at University of Cincinnati, Executive GIS MemberMary Jo Zimmer, User Experience Manager at Erie Insurance GroupLee'a Thigpen, Information Technology Supervisor & IT Intern Program Lead at Erie Insurance GroupLearn More!https://www.gammaiotasigma.org/https://www.gammaiotasigma.org/sustaining-partners