Women of Influence
DEB CALLAHAN Job title: Director of Personal Lines
KATHLEEN COBURN, CIC, AAI, AU, API, AIS
Agency: Element Risk Management
Job title: Vice-President of Underwriting
Location: West Chester, PA
Agency: CBM Insurance Group
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of? I went from a successful marketing manager to a stayat-home mom for 12 years. My biggest professional accomplishment was proving to myself that I could return to the workforce – even a new industry – and find success again. I attribute this success to the leaders who believed in me and challenged me to recognize my abilities as an individual and a leader. I am lucky to have those same leaders ahead of me today. What words of wisdom would you offer young women just beginning their insurance careers? Be confident and trust yourself. Don’t let the fact that others have years of experience put self-doubt in your mind. Lean into these teammates and learn from them. Ask lots of questions; there is never a stupid one. You will encounter many situations that are brand new. Failure is part of your growth, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
IABforME.com |
Location: New Castle, DE What professional accomplishment are you most proud of? While I am proud of the certifications I have received, the thing I am most proud of is helping people understand how insurance works and why it is important. Having knowledge to share with clients and colleagues is rewarding in itself. Being an insurance nerd, I get excited learning from others to increase my knowledge. And with this industry, there is no shortage of things to learn. What words of wisdom would you offer young women just beginning their insurance careers? Keep up with your education. Classes and designations are great, but learning from trusted mentors who have been there, done that, is invaluable. If you can find a great person to learn from, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It pays dividends if you can use someone else’s experiences to help you go forward in your career.
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