In this episode, I interview Sharné Liebenberg, founder of Unrisked, a boutique risk consultancy based in Johannesburg, whose path into insurance is anything but traditional. With a background in journalism, Sharné brings a unique lens to underwriting, one rooted in curiosity, empathy, and a deep commitment to understanding people before assessing their risk. We talked about how that perspective has shaped her work in the trucking and logistics space, where she focuses not just on data points, but on the human decisions behind the wheel.

Sharné also shared how the loss of her brother reshaped her outlook on life and work, pushing her to prioritize meaning, autonomy, and intentionality. That shift has influenced everything from how she shows up for clients to her recent work in building AI-driven safety tools designed to support, not replace, human decision-making. What stood out most to me is Sharné’s belief that insurance is, at its core, about people, and that we have a responsibility to reflect that in how we assess risk, build technology, and serve our clients.

In this episode, I interview Marla Carangi, Director of Sales and Partnerships at Embark Safety, to talk about a critical area of risk management: fleet safety. Marla shares how Embark Safety uses near-real-time driver record monitoring to help companies identify risk before it turns into an accident, supporting more than 400,000 drivers across 1,000+ organizations. We explore the origin story behind the company, sparked by a near-miss accident that inspired its founder to rethink how businesses approach driver safety. Marla also explains how their technology partners with insurers to reduce auto liability exposure while helping companies proactively protect their people and operations.

Beyond the technology, this conversation dives into the human side of safety, leadership, and culture. Marla shares why empathy plays such a powerful role in risk conversations and what it looks like to build trust in a traditionally male-dominated space. We also talk about the collaborative culture at Embark Safety, a majority-women team built on transparency, accountability, and shared ownership, and the importance of hiring for abilities and cultural fit.

In this episode, I interview Tracie Thompson, Global Leader of Strategic Accounts at Cytora, whose career journey spans the globe. From her start in Australia to senior leadership roles across Europe, the UK, and the U.S., Tracie brings a powerful perspective shaped by decades in the industry, including time with AIG and Aon. We talked about how her work in crisis management and climate risk has deepened her appreciation for insurance’s real-world impact, and why the industry must do a better job telling that story. Tracie shared her belief that clearer, more intentional communication about insurance’s role in enabling businesses and supporting the transition to a greener future is critical if we want to attract diverse, next-generation talent.

Our conversation also went deep on leadership, culture, and what it really takes to move the industry forward. Tracie spoke candidly about the gap between DEI commitments and real execution, the importance of sponsorship for women advancing into leadership, and why vulnerability is actually a strength, not a liability. We discussed why creating workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and supported is essential for retention and growth.