At the RISE Summit in Fort Lauderdale this June, I had the privilege of sitting down with six extraordinary young women who were recognized as part of the RISE 35 Under 35 Awards, and this conversation left me completely energized about the future of our industry. These women aren’t just rising talent; they’re already shaping what insurance will look like in the years ahead. I was joined by Alyssa Sanchez (RYZE Claim Solutions), Angel Song (Sunereum Labs), Emily Cameron (Gain Life), Mykaela Ionta (The Hartford), Peyton Rudolph (GradGuard), and Siena Pizzano (Sompo), a powerhouse group representing recruitment, innovation, underwriting, product, marketing, and then some.

If these six are any indication of what's ahead, our industry’s future is in exceptional hands. I’m deeply grateful to RISE Professionals for creating a platform that uplifts, celebrates, and invests in emerging talent, and honored to showcase the voices of the next generation of insurance leaders.

In this episode, I interview Caryn Siebert, Vice President, National Director of Carrier Engagement at Gallagher Bassett, and a respected leader, mentor, and advocate. Caryn’s career has spanned law, claims leadership, and executive roles across the industry, but an unchanging value is her lifelong commitment to developing people and leading with purpose.

We talk about her journey, from navigating complex claims and litigation to building inclusive, high-performing teams. Caryn shares how her work has always been about more than results, it’s about raising the bar for professionalism and creating a culture where people feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow.

Caryn also discusses the importance of effective communication, what it means to listen, to mentor with intention, and to make space for new voices at the table.

In this episode, I sit down with Heather Blevins, Content Programming Lead at JS Held, and a passionate leader and advocate who’s shining a much-needed light on the mental health challenges faced by claims professionals. Heather shares how her own experiences in the field inspired her to take action, to name what so many in the industry feel but rarely talk about: burnout, compassion fatigue, and the emotional toll of the work.

Heather discusses the important work of Project 55, a non-profit examining the mental well-being of insurance professionals, and a study she is working on, Heather is helping bring data and humanity together to drive meaningful change. Heather also talks about what it means to create psychological safety in an industry built around other people’s hardest moments.