5 min read

Community and Collaboration: The Pillars of Success for Women in Insurance and Female Founders

Community and Collaboration: The Pillars of Success for Women in Insurance and Female Founders

Community and Collaboration: The Pillars of Success for Women in Insurance and Female Founders

Caption: Bobbie Shrivastav, Theresa Luty, and Laurel Jordan amongst a community of peers at Insuretech Insights New York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the complex and rapidly evolving insurance industry, fostering a sense of community and embracing collaboration emerge as key strategies for empowering women and female founders. As we confront technological advancements and shifting market demands, the importance of nurturing supportive networks cannot be overstated.

Understanding the Impact of Positive Leadership

Recent insights from the field of social psychology, highlighted by Harvard Business Review, affirm that leaders who prioritize relationships and lead with compassion and transparency not only enhance their own success rates but also significantly boost the performance of their organizations. This approach results in higher employee engagement, reduced turnover, increased loyalty, and improved productivity. Importantly, these leaders create workplaces where client satisfaction, the bottom line, and shareholder returns are markedly better.

Cultivating a Culture of Happiness and Recognition

Bobbie Shrivastav and the women behind Altaworld in 2023.

The insurance sector, traditionally dominated by male leadership, is undergoing a transformative change with more women stepping into roles once out of reach. To support this transition, it is crucial to cultivate environments where women feel genuinely seen, heard, and valued. Acknowledging the human need to feel recognized, as described by research in social psychology, can prevent the stress and isolation often felt in competitive fields. Creating a community where women are recognized for their unique contributions can mitigate feelings of exclusion and activate a positive feedback loop of motivation and engagement.

 

Enhancing Collaboration for Greater Innovation

Collaboration in the insurance industry serves as a powerful catalyst for innovation. When women unite to share resources and ideas, they drive collective problem-solving and innovation that can address complex challenges more effectively than homogeneous teams. This synergy is particularly crucial in insurtech, where the pace of change is relentless and the demand for innovative solutions is high. Female leaders who collaborate across boundaries harness a diverse set of skills and perspectives that lead to groundbreaking developments and solutions.

The Role of Mentorship in Building Strong Networks

Mentorship plays a pivotal role in building strong professional networks that extend beyond mere connections. Effective mentorship involves providing guidance, sharing valuable insights, and opening doors to new opportunities. For women and female founders in the insurance industry, having access to seasoned mentors can accelerate career development and provide stability and confidence to navigate the challenges of the sector.

Committing to Inclusive and Supportive Environments

To maximize the benefits of community and collaboration, we must also commit to inclusivity in every interaction within the industry. This means actively engaging diverse voices in meaningful conversations and decision-making processes, ensuring that all members feel they belong and can contribute fully.

Bobbie Shrivastav and female leaders outside the Making Waves awards at InsurTech Hartford.

Conclusion

As a leader and a female founder in the insurtech field, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of community and collaboration. These elements have been crucial to my journey and the growth of Benekiva. Moving forward, by fostering supportive, inclusive environments and embracing the principles of positive leadership, we can ensure that women in insurance and female founders not only enter the industry but thrive and reshape its future.

Let’s continue to support each other, share our knowledge, and build networks that empower, inspire, and transform the insurance industry. Together, we can achieve more and drive the kind of change that benefits everyone in the ecosystem.

 

About Bobbie Shrivastav

As the Co-Founder and COO of Benekiva, I bring over 15 years of experience in driving innovation and operational excellence within the insurance and technology industries. My journey began with a clear vision to revolutionize and optimize documents and documentation in the industry, leading to the creation of Benekiva—a platform dedicated to transforming the life insurance industry through modern technology. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex problems and improve customer experiences. At Benekiva, I oversee the operational strategy, ensuring that our solutions not only meet but exceed the evolving needs of our clients. My expertise in digital transformation, process optimization, and customer-centric design has been instrumental in our company’s growth and success. Beyond my professional endeavors, I am dedicated to mentoring and supporting women in technology, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I co-host the "Insurance Sync" podcast with my collaborative partner and fellow claims transformation influencer Laurel Jordan, where we discuss industry trends, innovations, and share stories, case studies, and insights to inspire and educate others. I am committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement both in my company and in my communities. I believe in empowering my team to think creatively and drive impactful change. As a leader, I strive to inspire others to achieve their full potential and make meaningful contributions to the industry. I am particularly passionate about advancing and developing women in insurance, especially in the insurtech space, providing mentorship and opportunities for growth. You can find me frequently speaking at industry conferences, sharing insights on digital transformation, customer experience, and the future of insurtech. The future of technology in the insurance industry is bright—and I’m driven by the opportunity to create solutions that make a real difference. Let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to drive innovation and transformation.

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As the Co-Founder and COO of Benekiva, I bring over 15 years of experience in driving innovation and operational excellence within the insurance and technology industries. My journey began with a clear vision to revolutionize and optimize documents and documentation in the industry, leading to the creation of Benekiva—a platform dedicated to transforming the life insurance industry through modern technology.

Throughout my career, I have been passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex problems and improve customer experiences. At Benekiva, I oversee the operational strategy, ensuring that our solutions not only meet but exceed the evolving needs of our clients. My expertise in digital transformation, process optimization, and customer-centric design has been instrumental in our company’s growth and success.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I am dedicated to mentoring and supporting women in technology, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I co-host the "Insurance Sync" podcast with my collaborative partner and fellow claims transformation influencer Laurel Jordan, where we discuss industry trends, innovations, and share stories, case studies, and insights to inspire and educate others.

I am committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement both in my company and in my communities. I believe in empowering my team to think creatively and drive impactful change. As a leader, I strive to inspire others to achieve their full potential and make meaningful contributions to the industry. I am particularly passionate about advancing and developing women in insurance, especially in the insurtech space, providing mentorship and opportunities for growth. You can find me frequently speaking at industry conferences, sharing insights on digital transformation, customer experience, and the future of insurtech.

The future of technology in the insurance industry is bright—and I’m driven by the opportunity to create solutions that make a real difference. Let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to drive innovation and transformation.

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