Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie

In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie , Julie sits down with Erica Ostrander, RPLU, Vice President of Markets & Franchise Success at We Insure, Executive Director of Independent Insurance Agents of Central Florida, and President of the Junior League of Greater Orlando. Erica shares her career journey, the importance of building strong relationships, and the lessons that h...

In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie, Renee Coffman, Agency Relationship Director at Vyrd, shares insights from her 12+ years in the insurance industry, discussing relationship building, leadership, and professional growth. Renee offers practical advice for women looking to advance their careers while navigating challenges, building trust, and creating lasting success in the...

In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance, Julie sits down with Catherine Pollard — an executive leader with deep expertise in flood insurance, operations, and product development across the NFIP and Private Flood Insurance markets. Catherine shares practical advice for women working in insurance, along with insights on leadership, business growth, innovation, and navigating a rapidly chang...

In this episode, Julie sits down with Sarah Sutton, Chief Marketing Officer at Send. Sarah Sutton is Chief Marketing Officer at Send, the leading underwriting platform trusted by global insurers. An award-winning marketing leader with over 20 years’ experience in insurance and technology, she specializes in building high-impact marketing functions that drive growth and market leadership. Sarah is...

With over four decades in flood insurance, Cynthia DiVincenti of Taurus Flood shares the lessons, leadership insights, and career advice that shaped her journey. It’s a candid conversation on growth, resilience, and what it takes to build a lasting career in the insurance industry. 👉 Learn more about Taurus Flood here: https://www.thinktaurus.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to our Youtube channel here: https:/...

For women who have built their careers in the demanding world of property insurance and claims, Rita Lewis’s story will feel familiar and encouraging. Julie sits down with Rita, Vice President of Operations at Accurate One, to talk about the path that shaped her leadership style, grounded in faith, family, and meaningful relationships. Rita shares how prioritizing mentorship, team motivation, and...

🌷 Season 2 of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie is here! This leading insurance podcast highlights women in insurance who are advancing their careers, leading teams, and shaping the future of the insurance industry. Hosted by Julie Ward, each episode features candid conversations on insurance leadership, professional development, mentorship, and career growth in insurance. Whether you’re a...

Because connection doesn’t stop when the episode ends. This panel discussion brings the Connecting Women in Insurance community back together to reflect, reconnect, and look ahead. Julie and a group of familiar voices unpack what resonated most from the first season, the connections that carried on off-mic, and why these conversations matter now more than ever. Honest insights, shared momentum, an...

From the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to the private market, Leila Taha has seen it all. In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance, Julie sits down with the Executive Director of the National Flood Association to trace a 25-year career built on innovation, resilience, and heart. Whether you are navigating the complexities of flood policy or looking for leadership inspiration, Lei...

Cayce E. Lynch, National Managing Partner and Equity Partner at Tyson & Mendes, joins Julie to talk about what it takes to lead in today’s evolving insurance defense industry. Under her leadership, the firm has quadrupled in size, launched groundbreaking programs for women, young professionals, and diverse talent, and reshaped how legal teams are trained nationwide. Cayce shares how she balanc...

In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie , we sit down with Kelly Cressy , National Business Development Manager at Haag and a true connector in the P&C world. With more than two decades of experience, Kelly’s known for building relationships that drive real growth — and for doing it with authenticity and energy. From her corporate leadership to founding Magnolia Cigar Compa...

On this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie, Joanna “Jo” Farris—Owner and CEO of TSI Adjusters, Inc.—shares how she learned the industry from the ground up and built a respected, woman-owned adjusting firm serving clients nationwide. Her blueprint? The principles behind TSI’s name: Trust, Service, and Integrity.

In this episode, we sit down with Erika Duda, founder of InsureQuest and a trailblazer with over two decades in the insurance industry. Erika blends her background in organizational psychology with deep industry expertise to reshape how companies train, lead, and grow their people. From Los Angeles hustle to Florida sunshine, Erika’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and servant leadership. W...

Julie sits down with powerhouse trial attorney Lesley Simms, Partner at Rubinton Simms, to talk about work ethic, resilience, and carving your own path in law and insurance. From prosecuting major felony cases to leading high-stakes insurance trials, Lesley’s story is proof that sometimes you have to make your own way. 👩‍⚖️ Career grit 💼 Insurance insights 💡 Real talk about finding your path 👉...

🎙️ In this episode, Julie sits down with Mary Jorgensen, a Registered Nurse with 31 years of clinical and consulting experience and a mom of four boys to explore her unique career path. Mary has reviewed 1,000+ cases spanning personal injury, workers’ compensation, premises liability, medical malpractice, toxic torts, and long-term care. She explains how clinical judgment and clear documentation s...

In this episode, Julie welcomes Malaika Kattke , a seasoned executive leader with over 25 years of experience guiding organizations through growth, change, and transformation. Known for her strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, Malaika shares insights on building high-performing teams, fostering organizational culture, and leading with confidence in evolving industries. Whether you’...

🎙️ On Episode 8 of Connecting Women in Insurance, Julie sits down with Penelope Lemery—20+ year insurance veteran turned founder of Lemery Connects Recruiting & Consulting. Penelope reveals how “listening first” has helped her place top talent, advise leading carriers, and even launch Santa Paws, her charity pet‑rescue event.

Are you a woman working in insurance and looking to elevate your career in claims? 💼 In this empowering episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie , we chat with Amy Fail, Senior Division Claims Manager at Allied Trust Insurance Company. With over 14 years of experience, Amy has navigated every corner of the claims industry, from customer service to developing a 5-star Complex Claims Uni...

In this empowering episode of Connecting Women in Insurance , host Julie engages with industry veteran Denise Miles to discuss the importance of being proactive in shaping one's career in the insurance sector. Denise shares her journey, emphasizing the significance of continuous learning, seeking mentorship, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether you're new to the industry o...

In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie , we sit down with Audrey Moon , a seasoned insurance professional with decades of experience across claims, compliance, and sales. From an entry-level role during college to earning her CPCU and thriving as a Personal and Business Lines Insurance Agent, Audrey has built a career marked by curiosity, commitment, and constant evolution. Sh...

In episode four of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie , we're joined by Grace Hanson, Co-founder and CEO of Elysian , a forward-thinking TPA revolutionizing insurance claims with cutting-edge AI. Grace’s path is anything but conventional. With a career that’s taken her across international markets as a five-time Chief Claims Officer , she brings unmatched insight into what it takes to lead,...

In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie , we welcome Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, President of SouthGroup Insurance – Gulf Coast, to discuss her inspiring journey as a leader, business owner, and advocate for her community. With a background as a CPA, independent insurance agent, and accomplished public speaker, Angelyn has built a career that blends financial expertise, industry...

In the second episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie , we sit down with Joelle Ward, Executive Director at the National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters (NACA) , to explore her unique path in the insurance industry and the leadership role she holds today . This is a very special episode recorded on-site at the 2025 NACA Conference! Joelle shares how she got her start in catastroph...

Welcome to the very first episode of Connecting Women in Insurance with Julie ! In this debut episode, Julie sits down with Alex Cary, FORTIFIED Market Development Manager at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), to discuss her career journey, the challenges she’s faced, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Alex shares how she found her way into the insurance indus...