From: Captive International
A panel of female executives advocated the idea of finding – and being – good mentors, and even putting together a personal board of directors to help navigate a successful career.
That was one of the themes that came out of a panel discussion called ‘Amplify Women – There is no Limit!’ held at the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA), taking place in Tucson this week (March 6-8).
The panel showcased the work of CICA’s Amplify Women committee. The panellists were: Mary Ellen Moriarty, Vice President for Property & Casualty and Student Insurance Programs, EIIA; Sandy Bigglestone, Director of Captive Insurance, Captive Insurance Division, State of Vermont; Kristen Peed, Director of Corporate Risk Management, CBIZ; and W. Rae Brown, Director – Captive Operations, GPW and Associates.
They recounted some of their experiences in the industry and how hard it can be to break into a male-dominated industry. Moriarty said it is increasingly hard for women to juggle the commitments of childcare and a career and she said she looks to support her colleagues in every way she can on this front.
She admitted that she did not manage her career well. She for a long time tried to outwork others, while keeping her head down and keeping going. “I did not comment on things I should have,” she said. “But there is much that was unacceptable and should always been unacceptable. Teach others to move forward and be a mentor. But you cannot outwork everyone.”