We recently hosted our 5th annual WALI Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, with over 60 female agency leaders representing our six regions. Emma Corcoran, Director of Distribution Strategy at Selective, planned the event in collaboration with the WALI Conference Planning Committee. As part of Selective's Distribution Strategy team, I was honored to be on the ground as a part of the group that executed the event.
This year's conference theme was “Invested in You.” We focused on examining industry challenges that attendees face as leaders and giving them tools and resources they can leverage. Roy Hall, Jr., our keynote speaker, officially kicked off the conference and infused an unmistakable energy that inspired the audience. Attendees then engaged in a philanthropic event, assembling gift bags for Fresh Start of Scottsdale's annual Celebration of Success graduation. This organization provides access to resources that help women achieve self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive.
Afterward, attendees engaged in peer-to-peer roundtable discussions, where they examined a variety of industry and leadership topics in a small group setting. Through a conference survey, one participant remarked: “I love the peer-to-peer roundtable events! It's such a great opportunity to hear from people in similar situations all over the country and how they solved similar problems.”
The conference proceeded with interactive educational sessions on Personal Brand and Creating a Talent Plan, which offered valuable insights into recruiting and developing agency staff. A highlight of the day was the agency panel discussion, facilitated by Cindy Heismeyer, Vice President, Strategy and Partnerships at Selective, which included four agency representatives. The panelists shared their experiences and views regarding the impact of their personal brand, which complemented the prior session delivered by Mercedes Peil, Director of Strategy at Selective, on how to understand, shape and build your personal brand.
Paying it Forward
Over the five years we have been holding this conference, we have heard from attendees that they are always eager to share what they have learned at WALI with their agencies. For them, the information they gather at WALI is not for them alone. Enriching their agencies with new knowledge and resources is critical to keeping up with trends. That is the goal! Each attendee must have key actionable takeaways.
Networking with peers and sharing challenges and best practices has been and remains a conference highlight for attendees. One agent said, "There were many positive takeaways from every presentation. My favorite part of the conference was connecting with some wonderful, successful, incredible women who inspired me and quickly became treasured friends."
At Selective, we believe our women leaders are essential, and we are intentional about dedicating resources to further their development.
One attendee comment stood out: "No other carrier comes close to your investment in women in the insurance industry. You have really created something unique and special. The bonds formed have been so meaningful."
This sentiment is why the WALI Conference is so important. Positively impacting the careers of women leaders, making meaningful professional connections, encouraging the sharing of knowledge, and enriching our distribution partners is what it's all about. Attendees leave the WALI conference feeling empowered to go out and make a difference – invested in themselves and their communities.
To learn more about our initiative, don't hesitate to get in touch with your Agency Management Specialist or visit the Women's Agency Leadership page and follow #WomensAgencyLeadership to see photos from our events!