100 Women in Insurance

089: What could you achieve if you stopped downplaying your ambition with Allia Khan

In this episode, Sandra speaks with Allia Khan about what happens when you decide to treat your ideas as choices you are allowed to make, rather than chances that happen to you.
Allia shares how she moved from a legal role in logistics into the Lloyd’s market, why she trusted her gut when everything felt unfamiliar and how insurance became a space for growth.
She also talks about launching Mansion 28, the luxury fashion brand inspired by her travels to the Middle East, and why she sees it as a second career rather than a “side hustle”.
Sandra and Allia explore what it means to walk into rooms where you are the only woman or the only person from an ethnic minority background, and how visible difference can become a source of strength.
Allia also reflects on the impact of LinkedIn, building an employee resource group with purpose, and the mindset that stops her from reaching old age thinking, “I wish I had tried”.
Key Takeaways
Your choices shape how you tell your story.
Gut feel is data, and paying attention to how people, culture and opportunity make you feel can be a useful guide when you change sectors or roles.
Your job is not your life, and allowing yourself more than one professional identity can protect your sense of purpose and keep your spark alive.
How you label your business matters, and moving from “side hustle” to “my business” can shift both your confidence and how others take it seriously.
Difference can be a value proposition, especially when you choose to stand out in a room rather than shrinking yourself to fit an unspoken norm.
Authenticity has levels, and you can be true to yourself at work without sharing every part of your life with every person.
Inclusive cultures need visible action, through ERGs that invite people in, open conversations on topics like menopause, and genuine allyship from across the organisation.
About the Guest
Connect with Allia Khan on LinkedIn.
Mansion 28 fashion.
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.

088: What if the opportunity you think you missed is still waiting for you with Rebecca Apps

Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Rebecca Apps about what happens when you stop writing yourself off and decide to try.
Rebecca shares how she fell into insurance by chance after leaving university, why a family-run brokerage shaped her career for nearly two decades and what finally pushed her to believe she could make a move she once thought was “too late”.
They talk about the moment Covid changed everything for working parents, how flexible working opened doors she had already closed in her mind, and what it took to step into a major broking house after years of assuming the opportunity had passed.
Rebecca talks openly about rebuilding confidence later in her career, moving from part-time to full-time after 16 years, and learning how to walk into rooms where assumptions can follow women who work around school hours.
She reflects on how organisation, resilience and a strong work ethic grounded her through each transition, and why naming non negotiables can often be the first step towards change.
Key Takeaways
You often realise what you want by naming what you will not compromise on, whether that is your hours, your boundaries, or your life outside work.
Experience can outweigh job titles, especially when you have spent years juggling clients, deadlines and family life with consistency.
Visibility comes from speaking up, even if your instinct is to sit behind someone else and let them take the lead.
Sometimes one conversation shifts everything, especially when someone says, “I’ll put your name forward” and you suddenly see yourself differently.
Confidence grows when you try, not when you wait for certainty to appear.
The skills you build outside work count, especially the organisation and focus that come from being a parent.
Most people want honesty, even when the message is difficult, and trust is built through clear explanations rather than perfect outcomes.
You can reconnect with ambition at any age, and the right environment can remind you that your story is not finished.
About the Guest
Connect with Rebecca Apps on LinkedIn.
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, private LinkedIn Group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.

087: How do you turn complex risk into a career you love with Catrin Townsend

Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Catrin Townsend about making actuarial work accessible, navigating career pivots with purpose, and building confidence in a field that is often misunderstood from the outside.
Catrin shares how a chance role at Lloyd’s sparked her interest in actuarial science, what pricing looked like when risks were printed on a mouse mat once a year, and how the rise of machine learning has transformed the way insurers understand risk. She explains why statistics only reflect the past, why underwriters still play a critical role in shaping decisions, and how education becomes essential when you want people to trust new tools and approaches.
Sandra and Catrin explore her transition from practitioner to educator, the process of writing Risky Business Book during maternity leave, and how motivation, rather than pressure, is what sustains big projects.
They discuss how to test new career paths without taking big risks, why LinkedIn can feel human rather than performative, and how boundaries help you manage ambition alongside family life.
Catrin also reflects on visibility, representation, and why she hopes the next generation will grow up seeing actuaries reflected in places they never expected, including in children’s storytelling and culture.
Key Takeaways
Actuaries quantify risk, turning ambiguity into something that can be priced, managed, or transferred.
Technology has transformed pricing, moving from annual updates to fast, data-driven iteration.
Education drives adoption, because people trust what they understand.
Test new paths early, through internal networks, shadowing, and low-risk learning opportunities.
Know your “why”, because motivation sustains difficult work longer than pressure ever will.
LinkedIn works when it is conversational, not overly curated or robotic.
Boundaries shift over time, and children adapt quickly when they understand the purpose behind your work.
Representation matters, because seeing a role is often the first step to believing it is possible.
Visibility builds community, and sharing achievements can strengthen confidence and connection.
About the guest
Connect with Catrin Townsend on LinkedIn
Resource
Catrin is the author of *Risky Business: Actuaries Quantifying and Managing Risk* and a recent Women in Insurance Awards winner.
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, private LinkedIn Group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

086: Underwrite Your Career: From London to Bermuda with Hannah Greenwood

This episode is sponsored by Fidelis Insurance Group
Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Hannah Greenwood, Group Chief of Staff and Chief Underwriting Officer (Bermuda) at Fidelis Insurance Group, about how curiosity, courage and consistency shape a global career.
Hannah shares how a Lloyd’s of London internship led her into insurance, how broking taught her the value of team culture and ego-free leadership, and how curiosity opened doors to strategy and M&A. She reflects on staying long enough in one firm to build goodwill, taking on stretch roles that expanded her perspective, and moving from London to Bermuda to help drive underwriting strategy and partnerships.
They discuss how sponsorship grows through consistent delivery, the benefits of taking calculated risks, why you should “underwrite” your own career by gathering information, testing fit, and adjusting as you learn. Hannah also talks candidly about balancing leadership and motherhood, the myth of the perfect time for big life decisions, and the advantages of Bermuda’s concentrated, senior market.
Takeaways
Deliver excellence first. Strong performance in your current role builds credibility and sponsorship naturally
Consistency earns trust. Sponsors appear when people see you deliver results repeatedly
Curiosity opens doors. Asking questions and exploring projects beyond your remit expands your perspective
Longevity creates advocacy. Staying with one organisation long enough builds goodwill and career champions
Take calculated risks. Growth often comes from stepping into roles before you feel fully prepared
Listen widely, decide independently. Advice helps, but only you know what’s right for you
Build layered networks. Supportive relationships sustain you, and transactional ones advance you
Leadership without ego scales influence. The best leaders invest in others and create room for growth
Mobility accelerates learning. Working abroad, especially in smaller markets, can deepen exposure to strategy and leadership
Balance is ongoing. There’s never a perfect time for big life choices, but structure and support make it possible.
Career progression often follows a narrow path; seek diverse experiences
Great leadership invests in people and keeps ego out of the room
About the Sponsor
About the sponsor Fidelis Insurance Group
Fidelis Insurance Group is a global specialty insurance and reinsurance company focused on creating value through strategic capital allocation, expert risk selection and a network of long-term underwriting partnerships.
We have built a strong foundation for scale and profitable growth, underpinned by our disciplined approach to risk selection and our financial strength, which is reflected in our insurer financial strength ratings of A from AM Best, A- from S&P and A3 from Moody’s. Our network of underwriting partners and highly diversified portfolio enable us to proactively navigate market cycles, offer innovative and tailored solutions, capitalize on favorable risk-reward opportunities and produce superior returns for shareholders. Our network of underwriting partners and highly diversified portfolio enable us to execute our strategy of proactively navigating market cycles, offering innovative and tailored solutions, capitalizing on favorable risk-reward opportunities and producing superior returns for shareholders.
For additional information about Fidelis Insurance Group, our people and our products, please visit our website at www.FidelisInsurance.com.
About the guest
Connect with Hannah Greenwood on LinkedIn.
Hannah currently serves as Group Chief of Staff, Bermuda Chief Underwriting Officer and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Prior to joining the company in 2023, Hannah served as Business manager for Ardonagh where she worked with the CEO of their Capital Solutions arm. Hannah started her career at Lloyd’s before becoming an energy broker at independent NMB, latterly renamed Ed. In 2020, she took on a more strategic role supporting the CEO of the business, with a focus across Specialty lines. Hannah holds a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Durham, an MBA from Warwick Business School and is ACII qualified.
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn.
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance with mentors, speaking opportunities, and community.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.

085: How to Achieve the Career You Want, Not the One You Need with Rebecca Fuller

This episode is sponsored by Full Circle Communications.
Summary
In this episode, Sandra Lewin speaks with Rebecca Fuller, about choosing the career you want, staying curious at senior level, and why courage comes before confidence.
Rebecca shares how moving from fitness to insurance shaped her approach to leadership, why motherhood helped her step into bigger roles, and how knowing your strengths and gaps builds better teams.
Together they discuss public speaking, preparation, and self-reflection. Rebecca explains why women’s networks matter, how to build professional networks in male-dominated rooms, and why you should stop “breaking into the boys’ club” and create your own. Be courageous and confidence will follow. Stay curious. Make deliberate choices that fit the life you want.
Takeaways
Growth does not stop at senior level. Keep learning, keep testing yourself
Motherhood can be a catalyst for leadership and clearer choices
Choose the career you want, not the one you think you need
Courage comes before confidence. Action builds belief
Preparation improves performance. Script, rehearse, use the mirror, and practise silence
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Hire, listen, and delegate accordingly
Do not chase the “boys’ club”. Create your own spaces and shared interests
Show up for networking with presence. Diversify how you connect
Lead your priorities. Reassess quarterly, refocus, and let some things go
Feeling valued and heard keeps talent engaged more than pay alone
About the guest
Connect with Rebecca Fuller on LinkedIn
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, private LinkedIn Group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

084: Your reputation travels faster than you do, so how do you protect it? with Kelly Nwankwo

Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Kelly Nwankwo about belonging, curiosity, and the power of reputation in building a meaningful career.
Kelly reflects on her twists and turns throughout her career, which were a combination of reflection, plan and openness to try.
Her journey through broking, into consulting, and back to the market is a testimonial of how our careers can take unexpected turns.
Through these shifts, Kelly learned how reputation, relationships, and self-awareness shape long-term success.
Together, Sandra and Kelly discuss personal brand and authenticity, exploring how to adapt to new environments without losing yourself. Kelly describes authenticity as something you can “dial up or down,” depending on context, but never perform. She also explains how curiosity and courage open new doors and how showing up consistently builds trust and visibility.
Kelly highlights networks like LTL, ACIN (now known as Equity), and iCAN, which gave her both support and lifelong friendships. She believes that belonging is what keeps people in the industry and that inclusion helps people thrive once they arrive.
She also shares her view that ambition should be tied to learning, not titles, and looks ahead to a more diverse, technology-driven future for insurance.
Takeaways
Career paths evolve through curiosity and courage
Your reputation travels faster than you do, protect it
A strong personal brand is built through visibility, consistency and authenticity
Mentors and peers shape how you grow and lead
Professional networks build belonging and confidence
Managers can nurture ambition by creating space for learning
Ambition tied to learning drives sustainable growth
AI will reshape work, but human connection will always matter
Fulfilment comes from purpose, progress, and the people around you
Diversity in the workplace enhances the overall experience and retention
Community and friendships formed through networking can be lifelong
Diversity brings people in, but inclusion keeps them
About the guest
Connect with Kelly Nwankwo on LinkedIn.
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn.
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance with mentors, speaking opportunities, and community.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.

083: Why Haven’t We Achieved Gender Equality Yet with Abbey Atkinson

Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with all things 100 Women in Insurance.Summary
In this episode, Sandra Lewin speaks with Abbey Atkinson about what really holds women back from progressing into senior roles in insurance. The conversation goes beyond quick fixes or skills workshops and looks honestly at the systems, structures, and habits that still shape how organisations work.
🚨 It is not a woman problem.
Abbey shares insights from her PhD research, exploring how culture, power, and trust influence progression. She explains the concept of role habitus and how some jobs are designed around old norms, forcing people to adapt themselves to fit. Together, Sandra and Abbey discuss how trust operates differently for women, why flexible working can sometimes become overwork, and what needs to shift for change to be genuine.
The message is clear: women don’t need fixing. The system does. And if we create the right environment, there is plenty of food at the table for everyone to eat.
Takeaways
Progression barriers are mostly cultural and structural, not about women’s capability
Role habitus explains how certain roles carry built-in behaviours that favour dominant norms
Women often need to re-earn trust repeatedly, while men’s trust tends to remain intact
Flexible working can help, but without boundaries it often leads to invisible overwork
Women juggle both professional and personal networks, adding unseen emotional labour
Women-centred networks are valuable, but they need links to decision-makers to drive change
Networking should be treated as a skill and supported equally across the business
Employee groups need proper funding and leadership buy-in, not just goodwill
Honest dialogue from leadership matters more than polished surveys or policy statements
True equality means redesigning systems so everyone has room to contribute
About the Guest
Connect with Abbey Atkinson on LinkedIn
Read her latest article, Why We Haven’t Yet Achieved Equality, part of her Bringing a New Beat to Equality series.
Abbey’s research challenges the idea that women need to change to progress. Through her work with Insight Change and her academic research, she focuses on how culture, trust, and role design can either open or close the path to leadership.
About the Host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join The Pink Book Collective, a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance to mentors, speaking opportunities, and community.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

082: The One Rule You Should Never Break in the Insurance Industry with Jacqueline Sinclair

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Summary
In this episode, Sandra Lewin speaks with Jacqueline Sinclair about how careers can begin by chance, why integrity and connection matter more than ever, and how success evolves as we grow.
Jacqueline shares how her first interview in London didn’t go quite as planned, but ultimately led to a rewarding career built on curiosity and adaptability. She reflects on what she’s learned from working across both startups and established organisations, and how her focus has shifted from personal milestones to developing others and building teams.
Together, Sandra and Jacqueline explore the realities of the gender pay gap, the growing number of women designing work around their lives, and why flexibility has become a powerful form of leadership. They also discuss how to network as an introvert, why small acts of courtesy go a long way, and what the rise of AI means for the future of work and inclusion.
It’s a conversation about values, change, and the courage to shape a career on your own terms.
Takeaways
Careers often start by chance; purpose is built through experience
Success evolves from individual achievement to collective growth
Flexibility and autonomy create space for better balance
Courtesy and reputation matter in a small, connected industry
The gender pay gap widens mid-career and needs deliberate action
Networking can be one-to-one and rooted in genuine curiosity
AI is transforming how we work, but human insight remains vital
Diversity in AI and leadership helps prevent bias and drive fairness
The insurance industry offers wide and varied opportunities for all
About the guest
Connect with Jacqueline Sinclair on LinkedIn
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join The Pink Book Collective — a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance to mentors, speaking opportunities, and community.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

081: Four Words That Will Change Your Career with Lesley Charteris

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Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Lesley Charteris, about why it’s never too late to start again, how to overcome fear, and the four words that can change the direction of your career: I can do it.
Lesley shares her journey from industrial chemistry to 40 years in the London insurance market, before retraining in her 50s to specialise in cybersecurity. She talks about recognising your strengths, valuing experience over qualifications, and the importance of lifelong learning.
She also opens up about navigating gender bias, the misconceptions around AI, and why creating a no-blame culture is essential for building cyber resilience. Her message is clear: “if you can read a book, you can do anything”, and if you put your hand up, opportunities will follow.
Takeaways
You don’t need to have it all figured out, career transitions can happen at any stage
Continuous learning is the key to staying relevant
Attitude and curiosity matter more than credentials
Don’t fear being the only woman in the room , our perspective is powerful
Self-advocacy and confidence create opportunities
Digital transformation in insurance requires cultural change as much as technology
Cybersecurity isn’t new, it’s about people as much as systems
A no-blame culture encourages learning and reporting mistakes
If you think you can’t do it, think again
About the guest
Connect with Lesley Charteris on LinkedIn
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, private LinkedIn Group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

080: Work hard, be seen and gain confidence to change your career journey with Maria V. Amelio

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This episode is sponsored by MS Reinsurance.
Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Maria V Amelio about what hard work really looks like, why confidence in your ability matters, and how visibility can change the course of a career.
"Working hard and just saying ‘I’m so busy’ doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a good hard worker." – Maria V Amelio
Maria shares the pivotal risks that shaped her journey, how she built her personal brand, and the difference between mentors who guide you and sponsors who open doors for you. She also reflects on empathy in difficult conversations and why clear career paths and incentives are essential to retaining female talent.
Maria reflects on her involvement with St. Baldrick’s, a childhood cancer charity founded by reinsurance professionals, and how her personal loss made the cause deeply meaningful. She also shares how the industry’s support during that time shaped her career and her life.
Takeaways
The importance of having personal goals
Different career paths in insurance require distinct skill sets.
Taking risks can lead to significant career opportunities.
Local and global companies offer different experiences, but performance is key.
Personal branding influences how others perceive and interact with you.
Authenticity at work means being true to yourself while remaining professional.
The insurance industry faces a talent gap that needs addressing.
Mentorship provides guidance, while sponsorship offers opportunities.
Visibility is crucial for career advancement; hard work alone isn't enough.
Difficult conversations require confidence and empathy.
About the guest
Connect with Maria V Amelio.
About the sponsor
MS Reinsurance is a global reinsurer domiciled in Switzerland with underwriting offices in Zurich, Bermuda, Miami, and New York. The Company underwrites non-life treaty reinsurance solutions on a worldwide basis through its three business units: Americas, International, and Specialty Lines.
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, private LinkedIn Group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.