For the first-ever roundtable episode of InsHER, I had the privilege of sitting down with four incredible female leaders at RGA Insurance: Laura Cockrill, Sandi Hubert, Tonya Blackmore, and Stephanie Koch. Throughout our conversation, a recurring theme emerged: RGA’s deeply rooted culture of collaboration and support. These women emphasize a workplace where success is measured by collective achievement rather than individual wins. They discuss how mentorship, sponsorship, and modeling inclusive leadership have become key factors in fostering a culture where women feel empowered to voice their ambitions and take on leadership roles. With the influence of trailblazers like Anna Manning, RGA’s first female CEO, they’ve seen meaningful progress in the advancement of women across the organization.

Looking ahead, these leaders share their hopes for the future, both within RGA and the broader insurance industry. They highlight the importance of widening the talent pipeline, ensuring more women have opportunities to rise into leadership roles, and continuing to advocate for inclusion at every level. They also offer invaluable advice to women looking to grow their careers, from embracing discomfort and taking risks to recognizing that success doesn’t mean doing it all alone. Whether it’s building a strong support system, advocating for oneself, or knowing when to say no, these women provide a roadmap for navigating career growth with confidence.

In this episode, I interview Kira Kimball, Chief Diversity Officer at Marsh McLennan Agency, to discuss her fascinating career journey and her impactful work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kira shares how saying yes to a temporary role served as her entry into the insurance industry, eventually paving the way for her leadership role in DEI. Drawing on her background in higher education, Kira spearheaded MMA’s inaugural DEI Council and was later named the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer. Kira also discusses her mission to socialize the book "Shared Sisterhood" which emphasizes the importance of white women acknowledging their privilege to empower women of color. Kira shouts out insurance influencer Ngozi Nnaji for introducing the book.

An educator at heart, Kira shares actionable insights into fostering allyship, collaboration, and intentional leadership. She reflects on the responsibility of using her privilege to create opportunities for others and highlights the value of building trust and empathy across diverse experiences. We explore the need for actionable allyship from male leaders, shifting the focus from skill-building webinars to removing systemic barriers for women in the workplace. Kira’s vision of leaving a legacy through investment and empowerment offers a fresh perspective on how we can collectively create a more inclusive and equitable industry.

In this episode, I interview Amy Reczek, founder of Sales & Presence, to explore her journey from a successful sales career to becoming a sought-after consultant and trainer in the insurance industry. Amy shares how her pivotal moment came as she realized that she craved growth, excitement, and the challenges that come with stepping out of her comfort zone. Guided by her business coach and a period of deep self-reflection, Amy discovered her passion for helping others excel in sales, communication, and executive presence—laying the foundation for her consulting business. Today, Amy partners with industry leaders like WSIA, CRC, and AmWins to deliver custom training programs, bringing a fresh, forward-thinking approach to the wholesale insurance space.

We also discuss the unique programs Amy has developed, including “Pulse,” a sales training initiative for women that came directly from the wholesale insurance space. Amy explains why soft skills like communication, negotiation, and listening are essential for modern sales success, and how these elements elevate traditional training techniques. With a second book in the works, her first online course, and a focus on helping businesses achieve their “1% better,” Amy’s enthusiasm for innovation and growth in the insurance industry is truly inspiring.