ABOUT
Women in Insurance Atlanta returns in 2024 with a live summit dedicated to empowering women and allies, developing the next generation of leaders, and celebrating the achievements of women in insurance.
The event has been designed to enable insurance professionals to make new connections, discover new ideas and disruptions, explore the hot topics and key challenges women face in the industry and get inspired to advance in their careers.
Featuring influential speakers from leading companies, a packed agenda and powerful networking opportunities, the event aims to inspire and empower the industry to continue to make positive change in its goal to close the gender gap and provide equal opportunities for men and women to flourish.
Join us in person in Atlanta on April 12, 2024, to celebrate the resilience of this innovative and forward-thinking industry and unite as part of the summit’s global conversation.
Why attend?
Elevate Your Business Skills: Engage in dynamic workshops and networking sessions designed to enhance your business savvy and decision-making prowess. This is your chance to stand out in the insurance industry
Gain Insider Knowledge: Immerse yourself in the latest industry trends and insights from leading experts and a Chief Economist. Stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of insurance
Learn from the Best: Participate in engaging panel discussions that offer actionable strategies for advancing your career, developing leadership skills, and building a lasting impact in the insurance sector
Network with Industry Leaders: Seize this exceptional opportunity to connect with peers and industry luminaries during our exclusive networking sessions, including a lunch and a drinks reception. Expand your professional circle in a setting designed for growth and opportunity
Jumpstart Your Career or Help Guide the Future with Mentorship: Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join the Women in Insurance Mentorship Program. Connect with top industry mentors ready to guide and elevate your professional journey, help mentees navigate the path to success and growth
What You Will Learn?
Future-Proofing Workshop: Discover expert tactics to strengthen your business resilience and adaptability in a fast-changing industry
Market Insight Briefing: Gain essential, data-driven market knowledge from a Chief Economist and industry leaders to guide your business decisions
Career Advancement Panel: Learn effective career-building strategies for women at all stages in a panel dedicated to professional growth and leadership
C-Suite Influence Workshop: Master the art of influencing top-level executives with strategic proposals and decision-making insights
Mentorship Network Insights: Transform your career with key mentorship strategies and networking opportunities in the Women in Insurance Mentorship Network
2024 SPEAKERS
![Taffy Jo Mayers](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Taffy-Jo-Mayers.jpg)
Taffy Jo Mayers
Chief Commercial Officer
Neuron Digital Trading
![Jess Ekstrom](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Jess-Ekstrom.jpg)
Jess Ekstrom
Social entrepreneur
Forbes Top Rated speaker, and best-selling author
![Tamieka Weeks](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tamieka-Weeks.jpg)
Tamieka Weeks
Director, Global Risk Management & Insurance
Southwire Company
![Sonja Teague](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Sonya-Teague.jpg)
Sonja Teague
Senior Vice President, Head of A & H Claims North America
Chubb
![Stephen Jalkut](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Jalkut_Stephen_EHT0415-scaled-e1712880121789.jpg)
Stephen Jalkut
SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
Arch Insurance
![Angela Taylor](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Angela-Taylor-scaled.jpg)
Angela Taylor
Partner Strategist, Life Insurance Business Development
TruStage
![Lacrecia Cade](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lacrecia-Cade-1-e1712004190351.jpg)
Lacrecia Cade
Founder & CEO
What-If Collective
![Chris Carlson](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Chris-Carlson.jpg)
Chris Carlson
Director – Property Practice
CRC Insurance
![Renée Collins](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Renee-Collins-scaled-e1708360675606.jpg)
Renée Collins
Assistant Vice President, BI Field Operations, SC & Specialty Practices
Travelers
![Val Porter Cook](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Val-Porter-Cook-e1709918024201.jpg)
Val Porter Cook
President & Chief Executive Officer
Blaze: Leadership for Trailblazers
![Susan Froman](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Susan-Froman.jpg)
Susan Froman
Vice President
Amwins
![Dr Angela Grotto](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Dr-Angela-Grotto.jpg)
Dr Angela Grotto
Associate Professor, Management & Marketing
Manhattan College
![Rachael Hudson](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Rachael-Hudson.jpg)
Rachael Hudson
Vice President, Head of Data & Analytics
Bridge Specialty Group
![Helaina Jolly](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Helaina-Jolly.jpg)
Helaina Jolly
Senior Broker Relationship Leader
Munich Reinsurance America
![Maire Kahley](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Maire-Kahley-scaled.jpg)
Maire Kahley
Assistant Vice President
Amwins
![Brandi Lewis](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1703339347305-e1712004282242.jpg)
Brandi Lewis
Chairwoman, Health Plus Trans, DEI Committee Co-Chair
RISE Professionals
![Amy Lochhead](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Amy-Lochhead.jpg)
Amy Lochhead
Senior Vice President, Regional Executive East
Liberty Mutual
![Ronna Ruppelt](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ronna-Ruppelt-1-scaled.jpg)
Ronna Ruppelt
Chief Executive Officer
CLM
![Shruti Sahay](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Shruti-Sahay.jpg)
Shruti Sahay
Managing Director, Financial Services
EY
![Alexis Cierra Vaughn](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1692733785573.jpg)
Alexis Cierra Vaughn
Founder & CEO
Off Course Consulting
![Lisa Radford](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lisa-Radford.jpg)
Lisa Radford
Senior Vice President, Senior Customer Relationship Manager
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
![Devina Williams, JD](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Devina-Williams.jpg)
Devina Williams, JD
Assistant Vice President, Litigation
AmTrust
![Libby Willingham](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Libby-Willingham.jpg)
Libby Willingham
Executive Vice President
Mallory Agency
2024 AGENDA
All times in ET
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Women in Insurance Mentorship Network Launch
Celebrate the launch of our new Women in Insurance mentorship program! Join us to find out more about the Network and introduce yourself to your matched mentor/mentee or peer advisor. This is a valuable opportunity to hear from an expert speaker on the best practices of mentoring, reverse mentoring, and how to leverage the benefits of mentorship to make the most of your new mentor/mentee relationship. If you haven’t signed up yet, this is your chance to get involved.
Devina Williams, JD
Assistant Vice President, Litigation
AmTrust -
Opening remarks from chairperson
Taffy Jo Mayers
Chief Commercial Officer
Neuron Digital Trading -
Welcome address
Stephen Jalkut
SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
Arch Insurance -
Opening Keynote: Chasing the bright side – Purpose-driven thinking leads to unstoppable growth
It’s easy to allow negative thoughts to make you feel like you’re constantly moving from problem to problem. A recent American Academy of Neurology study found that prolonged negative thinking diminishes your brain’s ability to think clearly and quickly drains your energy. In this illuminating keynote based on her best-selling book, Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom reveals how editing your negative thought patterns to embrace optimism can trigger the growth mindset that will take you to the next level. It’s not about eliminating negativity; but harnessing it to activate your purpose. Jess knows this more than most, having founded two multi-million dollar social enterprises helping women and girls all over the world.
- Finding the overlap between passion and profit
- Why optimism is the key to positive growth
- Identify the five core mindsets and how to use them
- How to turn setbacks into comebacks
Jess Ekstrom
Social entrepreneur
Forbes Top Rated speaker, and best-selling author -
Speed networking
An opportunity to meet your peers and get to know more people in the room. Expand your network, make connections, and meet fellow delegates in this structured networking session.
Taffy Jo Mayers
Chief Commercial Officer
Neuron Digital Trading -
Interactive workshop: How to future-proof your business by leveraging your network
In today’s rapidly changing insurance landscape, your professional network can be a powerful asset in ensuring the longevity and success of your business. This facilitated workshop explores the strategies and tactics for future-proofing your business by tapping into your network’s potential, insight, and energy. Learn how to:
- Harness the power of your professional network for business longevity
- Leverage both online and offline relationships to adapt to industry changes
- Seize opportunities and stay ahead of trends with a strong network
- Build a resilient and sustainable business through inspiring connections
Brandi Lewis
Chairwoman, Health Plus Trans, DEI Committee Co-Chair
RISE Professionals -
Networking coffee break
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Leaders’ briefing: Opportunity by numbers – Revealing data-driven industry insights
An exclusive opportunity to hear the latest industry-focused economic outlook from a senior economist, in conversation with a senior insurance leader. This session showcases data-driven insights on industry challenges and the opportunities they create. Data will empower you as a leader to better understand the market conditions impacting insurance and the tools available to navigate them. Enhance your market understanding for informed business decision-making and gain valuable takeaways on:
- Industry data revealing pain points and opportunities
- An enhanced market understanding for informed business decisions
- Insights and tools for navigating market conditions
- A data-driven approach to address industry challenges
Moderator
Susan Froman
Vice President
AmwinsPanelists
Chris Carlson
Director – Property Practice
CRC InsuranceShruti Sahay
Managing Director, Financial Services
EY -
Panel: Strategies to empower women in insurance – Unlocking leadership success at every career stage
In the dynamic world of insurance, career success is not limited by age or experience. What can we learn from each other’s unique perspectives and experiences? How can women take steps to advance at each level – what’s proven? This session explores the strategies and opportunities that individuals can harness to thrive in the insurance industry at every stage of their professional journey. With insights on overcoming the most common leadership pain points, explore:
- Successful strategies for establishing a winning career foundation
- Your toolkit to overcome leadership challenges and take your career to the next level
- Leadership opportunities that will drive your career forward
- How do you develop your own authentic leadership style?
- Decisions to make now to establish a business legacy
Moderator
Amy Lochhead
Senior Vice President, Regional Executive East
Liberty MutualPanelists
Ronna Ruppelt
Chief Executive Officer
CLMAngela Taylor
Partner Strategist, Life Insurance Business Development
TruStageSonja Teague
Senior Vice President, Head of A & H Claims North America
ChubbTamieka Weeks
Director, Global Risk Management & Insurance
Southwire Company -
Networking lunch
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Presented by Arch Insurance: Where do you draw your line? Managing the blurred boundaries between work and personal life
It’s 9am on a Sunday morning and your phone chimes with a message from work. When you read it, do you find yourself asking, “Was that really necessary?” Our personal time is splintered by interruptions from work. We are constantly “switching gears,” as we toggle our attention between work and the rest of life. It might feel like we can get more done this way, but we all have our limits, and so it is not sustainable, personally or professionally. This session will explore the legitimacy of after-hours interruptions, the importance of attentional agility in a world of interruptions, and the need to be more thoughtful and deliberate when interrupting others. Questions to be addressed include:
- Who is more tolerant of after-hours interruptions and who might pay the bigger price in the long run: men or women?
- As a manager, is it your responsibility to help others manage their boundaries?
- What exactly can you do to establish, communicate, and maintain your own boundaries?
Dr Angela Grotto
Associate Professor, Management & Marketing
Manhattan College -
Interactive workshop: Impacting up – How to influence decision-making in the C-suite
Influencing C-suite decision makers involves understanding their priorities, building trust, and presenting compelling arguments. To make an impact, it’s essential to align your proposals with their strategic goals and demonstrate how your ideas can benefit your organization. Collaborate with your peers in small groups to discuss how you can influence up for senior leadership buy-in. In this workshop you will learn how to:
- Understand the mindset of C-suite executives and their decision-making process
- Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key C-suite allies
- Develop critical skills for influencing and negotiation
- Craft and deliver robust, persuasive proposals tailored to business priorities
- Leverage data, research, and case-studies to support your recommendations and your cause
Val Porter Cook
President & Chief Executive Officer
Blaze: Leadership for Trailblazers -
Networking coffee break
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Fireside chat: Accelerate through authenticity – Using who you are to drive your business and career
Embracing your unique values, skills and passions can be a catalyst for professional success. How can you transform your weaknesses into superpowers for success? This session explores how being true to yourself, developing your strengths, and leveraging your personal story leads to a fulfilling and profitable career. Leaders share their career journeys and stories of how they leaned into and mastered their perceived weaknesses to succeed. Discover how to:
- Be authentic while developing your career
- Align your career goals with your unique qualities, values, and interests
- Use your personal story to connect with your customers
- Get comfortable with self-advocacy
- Achieve personal fulfillment while reaching career and business goals
Moderator
Lacrecia Cade
Founder & CEO
What-If CollectivePanelists
Renée Collins
Assistant Vice President, BI Field Operations, SC & Specialty Practices
TravelersRachael Hudson
Vice President, Head of Data & Analytics
Bridge Specialty GroupLisa Radford
Senior Vice President, Senior Customer Relationship Manager
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions -
Panel: Capturing best practice – Preserving industry wisdom for the next generation
With the younger boomer generation of insurance professionals set to retire en masse in the next decade, the need to retain industry knowledge and expertise is critical as we transition to the next generation of markets. How can we ensure effective knowledge transfer to the next generations of insurance leaders? Through compelling examples, attendees will gain insights into the strategies and best practices employed by leading organizations to successfully safeguard and pass on invaluable industry wisdom. Gain practical takeaways and:
- Learn how to bridge the generation gap and transfer knowledge effectively
- Real-world examples of successful approaches to safeguarding industry wisdom
- Prepare for the challenges and opportunities that the evolving market presents through knowledge-sharing
- Discover concrete examples of best practices in action to equip your business for the future
Moderator
Alexis Cierra Vaughn
Founder & CEO
Off Course ConsultingPanelists
Helaina Jolly
Senior Broker Relationship Leader
Munich Reinsurance AmericaMaire Kahley
Assistant Vice President
AmwinsLibby Willingham
Executive Vice President
Mallory Agency -
Closing remarks from chairperson
Taffy Jo Mayers
Chief Commercial Officer
Neuron Digital Trading -
Networking drinks reception
Welcome to the Women in Insurance Mentorship Network
What is it?
Launching at the 2024 Women in Insurance Summit series, the Women in Insurance Mentorship Network is a supportive platform for connecting and empowering women in the insurance industry to lead effectively and maximize their careers. Mentorship and peer-supported learning are key drivers of success, and we’re excited to facilitate this at our Women in Insurance event series.
Why should I participate?
Whether you’re an established industry leader or a rising talent, the Women in Insurance Mentorship Network is designed to deliver valuable learning, meaningful connection, and business-focused insight for all women in the industry. Through both mentorship and peer-to-peer matchmaking, women of all experience levels will be paired with a partner matched to their personal and professional goals.
How will we be matched?
Want to be a mentor? Looking for guidance from a more seasoned professional? Want to share knowledge with a peer? Indicate your interest when you register to attend the event and we will follow up with a form to complete with your goals for participation in the Mentorship Network. Based on your responses, we pair you with a partner and desired role in the network.
When will I be introduced to my match?
Meet your match at Women in Insurance Summit Atlanta on April 12. Join the breakfast launch to hear from an expert speaker on mentorship best practices and how to maximize the relationship.
How do I get involved?
To connect with the Women in Insurance community beyond the Summit and participate in the Network as a Mentor, Mentee, or Peer Advisor, indicate your interest when you register for the event, and we will be in touch!
2024 SPONSORS
Event Partner
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Associate Sponsors
Media Partner
2024 VENUE
JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead
- 3300 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, United States
- +1 404-262-3344
- https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/atljw-jw-marriott-atlanta-buckhead/events/
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Parking:
Self-parking is available at a discounted rate of $20 per car on event day and $30 per car for overnight parking.
Valet parking is available at a discounted rate of $25 per car on event day and $40 per car for overnight parking.
Driving Directions
For directions to the building, please click here.
TRAVEL PLANS
Preferred Accommodation
Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable taxes and fees. Rooms are subject to availability in each hotel from April 11 to April 12. We recommend that you book as soon as possible.
JW MARRIOTT ATLANTA BUCKHEAD
3300 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, United States
Book your group rate via the reservation link to secure the discounted rate .
Room rate: $239 USD per Standard King room/night
Cut-off date: March 21, 2024
![](https://atlanta.ibwomenininsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/JW-MARRIOTT-ATLANTA-BUCKHEAD-2024.png)
THANKS FOR TAKING PART IN Women in insurance summit atlanta 2024
Missed this year’s event? Register your interest to participate in the next Women in Insurance Summit Atlanta.