In this episode, I interview Jana Byron, SVP and Practice Leader for Texas Marine at Lockton. With Greek roots and family ties to shipping, Jana’s journey into marine insurance was destined. She shares how her experience at a UK P&I Club, a place where she initially hesitated to join an all-female team, became a powerful experience that reshaped her views on women in leadership. From marine law to underwriting to now leading at Lockton, Jana opens up about embracing bold career moves, like asking for the job she wasn’t sure she’d get by channeling what she calls her “act like a man” moment.

Jana also shares how much the industry has evolved from being the only young woman in a room to now seeing more diverse and dynamic representation. We talk about the power of hiring for culture over credentials, the necessity of psychological safety in high-performing teams, and the importance of creating space for spirited (but respectful) debate. Jana’s passion for building inclusive community is clear in her work with LEMI (Ladies of Energy & Marine Insurance), a network she co-founded to empower women across the industry.

In this episode, I interview Cortney Helfrich, Chief Personnel Officer at Wilber Group, one of the top subrogation agencies in the country. Cortney’s story is anything but linear. In her words, it’s a series of “left turns that got her to the right place.” From being ranked sixth in the nation in pole vaulting to walking away from the sport to pursue a career in insurance, her journey is full of unexpected pivots, each one leading her closer to her purpose. We talk about the powerful article that first sparked her passion for risk management, and how she’s spent 14 years growing with Wilber. She has tried nearly every role in the organization and now leads their People Resources department with authenticity and heart.

Cortney opens up about what it means to be the only woman on the executive team, and how she uses that platform to champion mentorship, create psychological safety, and model what it looks like to lead while staying true to yourself. She shares her belief that it's okay to do what's best for you and your family, and that it's also okay to chase your dreams. We also talk about how to make insurance more visible and inspiring for future generations (yes, she’s dreaming of a subrogation specialist Halloween costume), and why she believes this industry offers the kind of stability and purpose young professionals are searching for.

In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Corrie LoGiudice, keynote speaker, coach, and founder of Corrie Lo & Co LLC. Corrie shared her powerful journey from being the only woman, and the youngest person, in a senior executive role within a male-dominated industry to launching her own business after experiencing an unimaginable series of traumatic events. From miscarriage, abuse, divorce, and the devastating loss of a partner to suicide, Corrie opened up about what it means to keep showing up as a leader and a mother in the face of adversity. Her ability to transform personal tragedy into fuel for transformation and leadership is deeply inspiring, especially for women navigating both professional ambition and personal struggle.

Corrie also speaks about taking the leap to build her business, not just for herself, but for her daughter and the future of women in leadership. We talked about what it means to invest in yourself, to shift your mindset from “what if it goes wrong?” to “what if it goes right?” and how she helps clients tackle burnout and overwhelm through her five-part framework: Clarity, Confidence, Community, Conditioning, and Consistency. Corrie’s message is clear—systemic change starts with courageous women stepping into leadership, and she’s here to help more of us do just that.