In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Ridgewell, the dynamic Managing Director at Empower Development, to explore her journey of transforming learning and development in the insurance industry. Her keen insight into the industry revealed a gap in comprehensive training across the market, which spurred her to offer her expertise beyond her organization. Samantha's innovative approach was well-received early on, demonstrating the market's need for her solutions.

Samantha also tackles the challenge of attracting new talent to the insurance sector. Shifting from traditional university visits to leveraging TikTok, she amassed 500k views in just a few days, illustrating the platform's power in reaching job seekers. With hundreds of messages pouring in through TikTok and LinkedIn, Samantha successfully connected many with job opportunities, proving that "TikTok can change lives." She emphasizes the importance of consistency in building a social media presence, likening it to stretching an elastic band – the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Samantha also discusses the balance between deep relationships and the wide reach of social networking, highlighting the lasting impact of structured learning in today's hybrid and remote work environments.

In this episode, I sit down with Tricia Kagerer, a trailblazer in the construction industry with over 20 years of experience. Tricia began her career in claims, but it wasn’t until she found her passion for safety and construction that she realized her potential to make a significant impact. As one of the 1% of women leaders and among the 10-12% of women in the construction sector, she shares her journey, insights, and the importance of risk management for everyone in the field.

Tricia is also the acclaimed author of "The B Words: 13 Words Every Woman Must Navigate for Success". Inspired by her own leadership role in a non-traditional field, Tricia interviewed 50 women, chronicling their stories across different career phases, all linked to various "B" words. Her favorite? Belief – particularly concerning limiting beliefs imposed by societal and media messages. Tricia’s mission is to dismantle barriers in non-traditional careers, encouraging girls and women to pursue a role where they find the most passion.

In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome my first international guest, Cristina Galindo of Birdeo. Cristina is deeply involved in diversity, inclusion, and the sustainability of the insurance workforce. She shares her unique journey at Birdeo, highlighting her early focus on sustainability before it became a mainstream focus. Cristina also discusses her commitment to hiring individuals who change the world.

I also delve into Cristina’s work with the Insurance Families Network, which she joined after the Dive In Festival in 2018. As a steering committee member, Cristina has been instrumental in making the insurance industry more welcoming for families. She talks about the importance of normalizing diversity for women at work and men at home, emphasizing the power of supporting families of all shapes and sizes.