100 Women in Insurance

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.

079: How to have difficult conversations at work with Crystal Riley

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Summary
In this episode, Sandra is joined by Crystal Riley, who entered the insurance industry by chance and has since built a successful career across underwriting, broking and claims.
Crystal shares how exploring different roles helped her understand where she could thrive, and how feeling stuck prompted her to reflect on what she truly wanted from her career. She speaks openly about letting go of other people’s timelines, focusing on her strengths, and building a reputation around what she wanted to be known for.
The conversation explores the power of difficult conversations and the everyday courage it takes to advocate for yourself at work. Crystal offers practical insight into how to prepare, stay grounded, and revisit conversations when they do not go to plan. She also reflects on the role of informal mentorship, the importance of self-reflection, and how learning to speak up has shaped both her professional and personal confidence.
This is a story about awareness, growth and the clarity that comes from doing the work to define success on your own terms.
Takeaways
Exploring different roles in insurance can help you understand where you truly thrive
Recognising when you feel stuck is a sign to pause and reflect
Networking and mentorship are key to navigating career challenges
Difficult conversations, though uncomfortable, often build trust and respect
Preparation is essential for having difficult conversations
It's okay to revisit conversations if they don't go as planned.
Personal and professional growth often intertwine in the workplace
Learning from both positive and negative experiences is valuable
Confidence can be built through experiences in the industry
About the guest
Connect with Crystal Riley on LinkedIn
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

078: How to say yes when fear holds you back: from career in insurance to a racecourse

This episode is sponsored by Markel International.
Summary
In this episode, Sandra is joined by Sophie Forsyth and Philippa Hartrick-Morris, colleagues at Markel and this year’s riders in the Markel Magnolia Cup, the UK’s most prestigious charity horse race. Held each summer at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, this all-female amateur race celebrates women leading in business, sport, fashion and media.
Their stories take us far beyond the racetrack. Sophie shares how a career in insurance led her back to horse riding after more than a decade away, while Philippa reflects on receiving the call while on maternity leave, and how training just 12 weeks after giving birth became a powerful way to rebuild strength and reconnect with herself and embrace a once-in-a-lifetime challenge.
From renewal season and nursery drop-offs to four-minute planks and dawn gallops, this conversation explores what it means to say yes to something that scares you, and the transformation that follows.
Sophie and Philippa are riding in support of Project Lehar, a King’s Trust International programme supporting girls in India to access education, build skills and create pathways to employment.
This is a story about courage, visibility and what becomes possible when insurance creates space for women to grow.
Takeaways
The Markel Magnolia Cup is an all-female amateur race that has raised over £2.7 million for women’s causes since 2011.
Training includes demanding fitness tests, race-day preparation and weekly riding sessions at professional yards, all balanced alongside full-time roles.
Sophie and Philippa are only the second and third women from Markel ever to compete in the race.
“Just say yes.” It’s the advice Sophie has followed throughout her career and one that’s led to challenge, growth and unexpected opportunities.
Postpartum doesn’t have to mean pressing pause. Philippa’s journey shows how ambition and new motherhood can coexist with the right support.
You don’t need experience to step forward. Both riders started from scratch, proving that courage and commitment count for more than credentials.
Progress looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a promotion. For others, it’s holding a plank for four minutes and getting back in the saddle.
None of it happens alone. From family to teammates, support made all the difference, especially on the hardest days.
A career in insurance can open doors to extraordinary and unexpected places.
About the guests
Connect with Sophie Forsyth on LinkedIn
Connect with Philippa Hartrick-Morris on LinkedIn
Resources
Donate to the riders’ JustGiving page
Explore the 2025 Magnolia Cup lineup and cause
Follow Markel International on LinkedIn and Instagram for race day coverage
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

077: Don’t outsource your career, live event recording with Sam Tymms

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This episode is sponsored by RPC.SummaryIn this live recording from event at RPC FIG Network, Sandra is joined by Sam Tymms for a powerful and honest conversation about what it really means to own your career.
Sam shares reflections from a career spanning regulation, advisory and governance, and speaks openly about the common traps women fall into when it comes to progression. Too often, women wait to be tapped on the shoulder, rely on their employer to plot the next step, or assume success will be recognised without saying a word.
Together, Sandra and Sam explore how career ownership starts with self-awareness, clarity and courage. From navigating networking with curiosity, to preparing for non-executive roles, this episode unpacks what it takes to get boardroom-ready and why authenticity and failure are essential parts of leadership.
The conversation also dives into the evolving nature of diversity and inclusion in financial services, and how regulation, unconscious bias and cultural expectations continue to shape the experience of women in the industry.
Whether you're just starting out, pivoting mid-career or stepping up into leadership, this episode is a reminder that you are your own best advocate, and that sisterhood, celebration and support go a long way.
Takeaways
Women often don't do enough to own their career
Outsourcing your career management can hinder progress
Success looks and feels different at every stage, and that’s OK
Networking works best when you lead with curiosity
Sisterhood is about support and empowerment
Non-executive roles can provide valuable experience
Know your value and be ready to articulate it in board setting
Diversity and inclusion discussions are evolving
Networking can be less intimidating with the right mindset
Career ownership is essential for professional growth. Diversity and inclusion are ongoing challenges in financial services
Regulatory interviews often lack awareness of gender dynamics
Future leaders must be tech-savvy and self-aware
Authenticity is crucial in leadership; accept your strengths and weaknesses
Failure is a natural part of career growth
Recognising personal value is essential for career advancement
Cultural perceptions can influence women's career choices
Self-doubt can create barriers to success
Owning your career means challenging societal expectations
Celebrating achievements fosters a supportive professional community
About the Guest
Connect with Sam Tymms on LinkedIn
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective

076: It’s never too late: career change, purpose and sustainability with Cristina Galindo

SummaryIn this episode, Sandra is joined by Cristina Galindo for a thoughtful conversation on career transitions, sustainability, and the changing world of work.
Cristina shares her journey from a career in HR across financial services and tech to her current focus on sustainability and talent. She reflects on the benefits and challenges of moving abroad, the realities of career breaks, and the importance of embracing change at any age or stage. From the rise of sustainability roles in insurance to the need for organisations to retain knowledge as professionals approach retirement, Cristina brings fresh insight into how careers, and workplaces, are evolving.
Together, Sandra and Cristina explore the concept of the “empty box,” a space for reflection and reinvention, and discuss why transferable skills, introspection, and storytelling are essential in today’s job market.
They also tackle the shifting language of CVs, how to balance legal compliance with company culture, and why kindness and performance are not mutually exclusive.
This episode is packed with practical advice and quiet encouragement, for anyone navigating change, rethinking their purpose, or creating more human-centred ways of working.
Takeaways
It's never too late to change careers or pursue new opportunities
Moving abroad can be a great learning opportunity but comes with challenges
The traditional linear career path is becoming less common
Career breaks can develop leadership, negotiation and project management skills
The "empty box" is a space to pause, reflect and explore new directions before taking your next step
CVs need to evolve to focus on skills, strengths and stories, not just job titles
Introspection helps you reconnect with your values and design a career that fits with your authentic self
The job market is changing rapidly, with sustainability roles expanding across insurance and beyond
People are living and working longer, but many organisations are not prepared for longer careers
Knowledge retention is a growing challenge as senior professionals retire without transition plans
Equal and inclusive parental leave policies send a powerful message about what a company values
Kindness and high performance can coexist
Creating human-centered workplaces enhances employee loyalty
About the guest
Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective