
Advertise on podcast: 100 Women in Insurance
Rating
5from
This podcast has
100 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
SandraMExplicit
No
Date created
2023/09/11
Latest episode
2026/10/15
Average duration
50 min.
Release period
12 days
Description
This Podcast’s mission is to interview 100 women in the insurance profession, showcase the variety of roles available in the industry, share top career tips and make insurance career choices, not chance. Host Sandra Lewin and her guests share their stories and tips in each episode, hoping to inspire other women to take control of their lives and careers.
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Check latest episodes from 100 Women in Insurance podcast
111: Your next chapter starts with what you know: Seeing your skills in a new light with Kirstin Duffield
2026/10/15
Summary
In this episode, Kirstin Duffield reflects on moving into a new chapter after more than 30 years in the insurance market, and why reinvention is not erasure.
Changing career, company or direction does not mean leaving everything behind. The experience, knowledge and transferable skills we have built along the way become the foundation for whatever comes next.
Kirstin and Sandra explore the value of recognising what we already bring to the table, from organisational and technical skills to the behavioural skills and experience that can take years to develop.
They also discuss authenticity and how we may adapt depending on the people and environments around us without losing who we are at our core.
A thoughtful conversation about recognising your own value, carrying your experience forward and seeing your next chapter as an evolution of everything that has come before.
Key takeaways
You rarely start from scratch. When you change career, company or direction, you take your experience, knowledge and transferable skills with you.
Reinvention is not erasure. Your previous experience can become the raw material for something new rather than something you need to leave behind.
Experience is portable. Skills developed in one industry or role can have value in completely different environments.
Authenticity can adapt without disappearing. We may naturally adjust how we show up depending on who we are interacting with, but authenticity comes from staying connected to who we are at our core.
Resilience is not endurance. Resilience is not about absorbing more and more indefinitely. Recovery is an important part of resilience too.
Being in the room is not the same as having power in the room. Representation matters, but so does who is making decisions, holding authority and influencing outcomes.
About the guest
Connect with Kirstin on LinkedIn.
About the host
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
109: What could you achieve if you focused on your strengths, not your gaps? with Charlotte Halkett
2026/10/08
Summary
In this episode, Sandra Lewin speaks with Charlotte Halkett, about transferable skills, career opportunities, feedback and the importance of knowing yourself. Charlotte shares how her own career has evolved across actuarial, commercial, leadership, insurtech and consulting roles, without ever following a detailed plan.
She challenges the traditional career boxes within insurance and encourages us to look beyond job titles to the skills, tasks and experiences we already have.
The conversation also explores how to use feedback as data rather than criticism, why we don't need to be perfect at everything, and how understanding our strengths can help us build stronger teams and make more confident career choices.
Ultimately, this is a conversation about giving yourself permission to explore what you're capable of, and being open to positively surprising yourself along the way.
Key Takeaways
Look beyond your job title and recognise your transferable skills.
Don't let traditional career paths put you in a box.
Treat feedback as data. Listen, learn and decide what to do with it.
You don't need a detailed career plan. Following opportunities is a great plan.
Stay curious about what you want to learn, experience and explore.
You don't have to be perfect or be everything to everyone.
Understand your strengths and build teams that complement them.
Authenticity means being yourself while still being professional.
Give yourself the opportunity to discover just how much you're capable of.
About the Guest
Connect with Charlotte Halkett 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 and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
110: If there isn’t space, make it: Breaking barriers and finding your place with Kacey-Angel Anderson
2026/10/02
Summary
In this episode, Laura speaks to Kacey-Angel Anderson, who’s career in insurance began almost by chance, through a Facebook job advert.
Since then, she has built a career in commercial marine insurance while becoming a passionate advocate for neuro-inclusivity, women in insurance and young people entering the industry.
Kacey-Angel shares what it means to find your place when you do not necessarily fit the traditional mould.
From questioning whether her background was a disadvantage to recognising how it has shaped the empathy and understanding she brings to her work, she reflects on the importance of taking up space, asking for what you need and staying true to what matters to you.
She also explores what genuine workplace inclusivity can look like, why small changes can make a meaningful difference for everyone, and why creating space for others is just as important as finding your own.
Key Takeaways
You do not have to follow a traditional route. There is not one background or pathway that leads to a successful career in the industry.
Your differences can become your strengths. Experiences that may initially feel like disadvantages can shape the empathy, perspective and understanding you bring to your work.
Taking up space doesn’t always mean feeling confident. Sometimes it means walking into the room despite feeling like you do not belong, putting yourself forward and asking for what you need.
Inclusivity should include everyone. Kacey-Angel challenges the idea that workplace adjustments should only benefit one particular group, advocating for broader changes that create an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking for support.
About the Guest
Connect with Kacey-Angel on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
108: More than a hire: Redundancy, resilience & rebuilding confidence with Shanika-Marie John
2026/09/17
Summary
In this episode, Laura speaks with Shanika-Marie, about what really happens behind the scenes of recruitment, and what happens when your own career suddenly takes an unexpected turn.
What begins as a conversation about recruitment quickly becomes a much more personal discussion about resilience, confidence and rebuilding. After unexpectedly losing her role and spending 16 months out of work, Shanika shares honestly how redundancy affected her confidence, mental health and sense of identity, and how therapy, family support and a belief in herself helped her navigate one of the most challenging chapters of her career.
Alongside her personal story, Shanika offers a fascinating insight into the world of Talent Acquisition, what candidates often misunderstand about the hiring process, and how employers can shape the candidate experience.
She also shares practical advice for anyone navigating today's competitive job market, from making your CV stand out to understanding the growing impact of AI on applications.
For anyone who has experienced redundancy, a career gap or the uncertainty of searching for their next opportunity, Shanika's story offers a powerful reminder that your career is only one chapter of your story.
Key Takeaways
In a competitive job market, how you present yourself, including your CV and social media presence, matters.
AI is changing the way candidates approach applications and how recruiters assess them.
Try to detach from the outcome during your job search and avoid allowing individual rejections to define your confidence.
Your personal brand is something to protect and build throughout your career, not only when you are looking for a job.
Leading people who are more senior than you can be an opportunity to grow rather than something to fear.
Redundancy can affect far more than your career. It can impact your confidence, identity and mental health.
A career gap doesn't have to be something you hide or apologise for. You can own your story and explain what that period meant for you.
Your career is only one chapter of your story, it does not define your whole identity.
About the Guest
Connect with Shanika-Marie John on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Laura Witcher on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
107: How to say yes before you feel ready with Hannah Connolly
2026/08/27
Summary
What if the biggest opportunities in your career come long before you feel ready for them?
In this episode, Laura Witcher is joined by Hannah Connolly, whose career is proof that confidence isn't something you're born with. Instead, it is something you build by saying yes, asking questions and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Hannah shares her inspiring journey from leaving school at 16 and starting as an office junior to becoming a Commercial Director leading one of the UK's largest speciality insurance portfolios.
Along the way, she reflects on the moments that shaped her career, the managers who opened doors for her, and why saying yes before you have all the answers has been one of the most valuable decisions she has ever made.
The conversation also explores how becoming a mother transformed her perspective on leadership, why she stopped making the tea simply because she was the only woman in the room, and how small moments like these can quietly shape confidence and challenge long-standing workplace habits.
Together, Laura and Hannah discuss what compassionate leadership really looks like, why relationships matter more than job titles, and how creating opportunities for others is one of the greatest responsibilities of leadership.
Whether you are just starting your career, considering your next promotion or wondering if you are ready for the opportunity in front of you, this episode is a reminder that very few people ever feel completely prepared and that is okay.
Key Takeaways
Why saying yes before you feel ready can accelerate your career.
The mindset shift that helped her progress from office junior to Commercial Director.
Why confidence is built through action, not certainty.
How great managers can change the direction of your career with small acts of belief and encouragement.
Why asking questions is one of the most underrated career skills.
How motherhood reshapes confidence, priorities and leadership style.
About the Guest
Connect with Hannah Connolly on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Laura Witcher on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
106: The biggest myth about being professional at work wiht Manja Kollmann
2026/08/20
Summary
In this episode, Sandra Lewin speaks with Manja Kollmann about one of the biggest misconceptions many professionals still believe:
that being professional means hiding parts of who you are.
Drawing on a career that has taken her across multiple countries, cultures and leadership roles, Manja shares why the most successful careers are not built by trying to fit in, but by understanding who you are, what you stand for, and having the confidence to let others see it.
Together, they explore what professionalism really means in today's workplace, why authenticity and credibility are not opposites, and how many of the unwritten rules of "executive presence" were created for a very different world.
The conversation also explores how to build your own career narrative, why opportunities rarely arrive unless people know what you want, and how curiosity, relationships and intentional conversations have shaped Manja's international career.
Along the way, Manja shares the story behind the ducks on her LinkedIn profile, a simple image that has become a powerful reminder that you do not have to become someone else to belong.
This is a conversation about authenticity, courage and redefining professionalism on your own terms.
Key Takeaways
Professionalism does not require you to hide your personality.
You can stand out without compromising your credibility.
People cannot support your career if they do not know what you want.
Your career narrative should be intentional, not left to assumption.
Great careers are built through curiosity, conversations and relationships.
Being different is often your greatest strength, not something to disguise.
The goal is to be the unicorn, not the alien: memorable because of who you are, not because you don't belong.
Success often comes from understanding what genuinely energises you, rather than what you think you should enjoy.
About the Guest
Connect with Manja Kollmann on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date on all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join The Pink Book Collective — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
105: The leadership advice every woman needs to hear with Laura Hancock
2026/08/13
Summary
In this episode, Laura Witcher speaks with Laura Hancock, about the leadership lessons she wishes every woman heard earlier in her career.
Laura shares how a chance role at Norwich Union led her into insurance, before taking the leap to co-founding an Insurance company while raising her one-year-old daughter. She reflects on the challenges of building a business from scratch, navigating difficult personal circumstances, and why resilience is often built during the moments that feel the hardest.
Together, they explore what great leadership really looks like. Not through hierarchy or authority, but by role modelling the behaviours you want to see in others.
The conversation also challenges one of the biggest myths around women in leadership:
that ambition and compassion cannot exist together.
Laura explains why she believes the best leaders combine high standards with empathy, why saying "yes" to opportunities has shaped her career, and why many of the beliefs holding women back are not their own, but stories they have carried from others.
They also discuss the importance of building a strong business culture, mentoring future talent, embracing technology, and why the insurance industry has a responsibility to inspire the next generation.
This is a conversation about leading with courage, staying true to your values, and creating opportunities. Not only for yourself, but for those who come after you.
Key Takeaways
Great leaders role model the behaviours they want to see in others.
Ambition and compassion are strengths that can exist together.
Some of the beliefs holding you back may not be your own.
Difficult moments often become the foundations of resilience.
Networking, curiosity and giving back to the profession create opportunities throughout your career.
Technology should remove administration so people can focus on relationships, advice and creating value.
About the Guest
Connect with Laura Hancock on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Laura Witcher on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
104: What does it take to build an international career with Rajah Steede
2026/08/06
Summary
In this episode, Sandra Lewin speaks with Rajah Steede about what it really takes to build an international career, and why the opportunities you dream about often begin long before you move countries.
Rajah shares her journey from Bermuda to the USA, London and now Dubai, reflecting on the decisions, risks and mindset that have shaped her career across four different insurance markets.
Together, they explore:
the reality of starting over
building credibility from scratch
adapting to different cultures
learning that your network doesn't automatically move with you.
The conversation also dives into one of the most powerful career tools available today: LinkedIn.
Rajah explains how she used LinkedIn to connect with professionals in a new market before relocating, treating it as a digital business card that helped her build relationships, understand local markets and create opportunities before she even arrived.
Sandra and Rajah also discuss why visibility is not about showing off. Instead, it is about making it easy for people to know who you are, what you do, and how you can add value.
This is a conversation about courage, reputation, and intentionally building a career that can take you anywhere.
Key Takeaways
Build relationships in a new market before you move there.
LinkedIn is your digital business card.
Visibility is about creating opportunities, not seeking attention.
Lead with competence, then build your reputation.
Every new market requires you to rebuild your network and credibility.
Be helpful, but don't become so indispensable that you stop progressing.
About the Guest
Connect with Rajah Steede on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date on all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join The Pink Book Collective — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
103: Are you building the career you want or just hoping it happens? with Martina Manganelli Marina
2026/07/24
Summary
In this episode, Laura speaks with Martina Manganelli, about whether we are intentionally building the careers we want or simply hoping they happen.
Martina shares her journey from studying law in Italy to building a successful career in the London insurance market. What began as an opportunity to complete a secondment quickly became a decision to build a new life, a new career and a future in one of the world's leading insurance markets.
The conversation explores the challenges of moving to a new country, building confidence, finding your voice, and learning to contribute in rooms where you initially feel like you do not belong.
Martina reflects on what it means to grow as both a professional and a leader while staying true to your values.
At the heart of the episode is Martina's belief that careers are rarely transformed by one defining moment. Instead, they are shaped by the small decisions we make every single day, such as the meetings we contribute to, the opportunities we say yes to, the relationships we build and the habits we develop over time.
Together, Laura and Martina discuss why technical excellence creates confidence, why saying yes opens unexpected doors, and how consistently showing up, even on the days when it feels like nothing is changing, is what ultimately creates long-term success.
They also explore the importance of role models, male allies, supporting the next generation of women in insurance, and why great leaders remove obstacles so others can succeed.
This is a conversation about consistency, courage, and taking ownership of your career, one small decision at a time.
Key Takeaways
The career you want is built through small decisions made consistently over time.
Confidence comes from developing expertise and then choosing to use your voice.
Saying "yes" to opportunities often creates paths you could never have planned.
Showing up every day matters. Even when progress isn't immediately visible.
Great leaders remove obstacles and create opportunities for others to succeed.
About the Guest
Connect with Martina Manganelli on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Laura Witcher on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
102: How do you trust the process when you can't see the finish line?
2026/07/16
Summary
Thank you, Markel International, for sponsoring this episode.
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Alice Hawker, Assistant Underwriter at Markel. Alice is competing in this year’s Markel Magnolia Cup as an amateur jockey.
This episode is not only about the amazing journey to the Markel Magnolia Cup, but also about trusting the process when the finish line is not yet in sight.
Alice shares her unexpected journey into the niche world of bloodstock insurance.
What started as a chance opportunity quickly became a career that perfectly combined her passion for horses with the commercial world of insurance.
The conversation then turns to one of the biggest opportunities in Alice's life so far: becoming one of just twelve amateur jockeys selected to ride in the Markel Magnolia Cup, an all-female charity race at Goodwood that this year raises funds for Education Above All.
Alice takes listeners behind the scenes of the months of preparation leading up to race day.
Just weeks before the race, Alice also faces an unexpected setback.
Rather than seeing it as a reason to give up, she explains why learning to trust the process has become one of the biggest lessons.
Together, Sandra and Alice explore how resilience, planning, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty apply just as much in the workplace as they do in sport.
They discuss why fear should never be the reason you say ‘No’ to an opportunity, and how some of the greatest experiences in life begin long before you know how they will end.
This is a conversation about courage, trusting yourself, and believing that sometimes the path becomes clear only after you've decided to take the first step.
Key Takeaways
You don't need to know exactly how things will work out before saying yes.
Trusting the process is often more important than controlling every outcome.
Fear should never be the only reason you turn down an opportunity.
Success often comes from consistent preparation behind the scenes.
Planning creates confidence, but flexibility allows you to keep moving forward.
Life is too short to let uncertainty stop you from trying.
About the Guest
Connect with Alice Hawker on LinkedIn.
Alice’s JustGiving page.
Find out more about Markel International and Markel Magnolia Cup:
Markel in the past years
This year's race
About the Host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date on all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join The Pink Book Collective — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
101: How do you stand out without feeling like you are showing off? with Georgie Simister
2026/07/09
Summary
In this episode, Laura Witcher speaks with Georgie Simister about one of the biggest career challenges many professionals face:
How do you stand out without feeling like you are showing off?
Georgie shares her unexpected journey into insurance after being approached on LinkedIn. What began as a move to London quickly became a passion for an industry she never expected to love, proving that the best careers are not always carefully planned.
Together, Laura and Georgie explore why visibility has become one of the most valuable career skills in today's workplace. They discuss how networking is not a personality trait but a skill that anyone can learn, and why stepping outside your comfort zone often leads to the biggest opportunities.
Georgie also shares how creating content on LinkedIn, launching a podcast, and even posting on TikTok have helped challenge outdated perceptions of insurance while building her own personal brand.
She explains why sharing what you learn is very different from showing off, and how small, consistent actions can help you become known for your expertise.
The conversation also looks to the future of insurance, exploring how technology and AI will transform the way people work, while reinforcing one important message: relationships will always remain at the heart of the industry.
This is a conversation about confidence, visibility, and creating opportunities by simply being willing to show up.
Key Takeaways
Visibility is about sharing value, not seeking attention.
Networking is a skill that becomes easier with practice.
Growth often starts with being willing to feel uncomfortable.
Building genuine relationships creates opportunities you cannot predict.
Personal branding starts by sharing what you learn, not pretending to be an expert.
AI should enhance people's work, not replace human relationships.
Technology will create new roles and new opportunities across insurance.
There is room for everyone in insurance, and lifting others up strengthens the industry.
About the Guest
Connect with Georgie Simister on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Laura Witcher on LinkedIn.
Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with 100 Women in Insurance and future podcast episodes.
Join The Pink Book — a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance through mentoring, speaking opportunities, networking and career support.
100: Sandra’s story, journey and plans beyond 100th episode
2026/05/28
Summary
In this special 100th episode of 100 Women in Insurance, the roles are reversed as Laura Witcher interviews founder Sandra Lewin about the journey behind the podcast, the movement it has become, and why the next chapter is only just beginning.
Sandra reflects on her path into insurance, from trying to avoid the industry entirely to building a career across broking, consulting, project management, and ultimately founding one of the most recognised communities for women in insurance.
She shares how the original idea for the podcast was planted years earlier during a leadership coaching session, where she realised that many of the most valuable career conversations only happened once people reached senior positions. The podcast became her way of making those insights, stories, and role models more accessible earlier in people’s careers.
Together, Laura and Sandra discuss the evolution of 100 Women in Insurance from a simple idea into a powerful community that has connected thousands of women through storytelling, networking, events, and honest conversations.
Sandra also opens up about the moments that nearly made her quit, the reality of building a business alongside a full-time career, and the messages from listeners that reminded her why the platform mattered.
The conversation explores the recurring themes that have emerged across 100 episodes, including taking risks before feeling ready, having difficult conversations, creating your own opportunities, defining success on your own terms, and learning who you truly are.
They also reflect on the future of leadership, visibility, and gender equality in insurance, challenging outdated assumptions around ambition, flexibility, and career progression.
This is a conversation about courage, community, and what becomes possible when people feel seen.
Key Takeaways
Career success rarely follows a perfectly planned path.
Taking risks often creates the biggest opportunities for growth.
Difficult conversations are usually necessary for meaningful progress.
Creating opportunities is often more powerful than waiting for them.
Defining success for yourself is more important than following traditional expectations.
Knowing your strengths also means understanding what is not aligned to you.
Networking and relationships remain one of the most valuable parts of the insurance industry.
Leadership and workplace culture are being redefined by future generations.
Visibility matters, but authenticity matters more.
Communities thrive when people feel welcomed, supported, and seen.
About the Guests
Connect with Laura Witcher on LinkedIn.
Laura is an insurance recruiter and advocate for amplifying women’s voices across the insurance industry.
She will be joining Sandra as a co-host for the second series of 100 Women in Insurance series.
About the Host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn.
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective — a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and more.
099: Breaking Gender Myths and Barriers at Work with Emma Eccles and Dr Abbey Atkinson
2026/05/21
Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Dr Abbey Atkinson and Emma Eccles about breaking gender myths and barriers at work, and why many of the conversations around women’s careers still feel surprisingly familiar.
Together, they explore the hidden assumptions that continue to shape progression in corporate environments.
Emma shares her journey of becoming one of the first part-time partners, challenging the idea that flexibility means reduced ambition or lower value. She reflects on the comments she received after becoming pregnant at 29, and why she refused to delay either her career or her family plans to fit outdated expectations.
Abbey brings insights from her PhD research into gender imbalance and organisational culture, unpacking concepts such as tokenism, hypervisibility, and the pressure women often feel to change themselves in order to fit leadership environments designed around traditional norms.
Sandra, Abbey and Emma also discuss:
Why assumptions are one of the biggest blockers to female progression
The “Queen Bee” effect and why some women struggle to challenge systems they had to survive themselves
Why organisations need to stop “fixing women” and start redesigning systems
How flexibility is not about doing less, but doing work differently
Why role models matter, especially male role models when they show vulnerability and authenticity
And why the future of work must be designed around humans, not outdated structures
This is an honest conversation about culture, leadership, ambition, and what it really takes to create workplaces where people do not feel they need to shrink themselves in order to succeed.
Key Takeaways
Flexibility does not mean reduced ambition or commitment.
Organisations often lack imagination when designing roles around real life.
Women frequently adapt their behaviour to fit workplace expectations.
Leadership should not require people to change who they are.
Diverse organisations create stronger ideas, better culture, and better outcomes.
Vulnerability and authenticity from senior leaders create psychological safety.
About the Guests
Connect with Emma Eccles on LinkedIn.
Emma is a Partner at Waightmans specialising in large loss litigation and is a passionate advocate for flexible working and inclusive leadership.
Connect with Dr Abbey Atkinson on LinkedIn.
Abbey is founder of Insight Change and a researcher specialising in gender imbalance, workplace culture, and organisational change.
About the Host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective — a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and more.
098: The career advice that we all need to talk about with Lindsey Davies
2026/05/07
Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Lindsay Davies about the kind of career advice that is often shared quietly, but rarely said out loud.
Lindsay reflects on her 30-year career in insurance, sharing how her journey was shaped not by perfect planning, but by consistent action, visibility, and a willingness to keep moving forward, even when the timing did not feel ideal.
Together, they unpack a conversation many women face early in their careers. The question of whether to slow down in anticipation of future life changes, particularly around family, and the hidden impact that decision can have years later.
Lindsay shares the advice she once gave Sandra, and still stands by today. Don’t step back before you need to. Build your career, keep going, and trust that you will find a way to make it work when the time comes.
Sandra and Lindsay also explore what happens when you spend a long time in one organisation. The strength of building deep expertise and reputation, but also the challenge of putting yourself back into the market after years without interviews, CV updates, or external visibility.
They talk openly about confidence, feedback, and the discomfort of speaking about your own value. As well as the importance of networks that are built on genuine relationships, not just transactions.
This is a conversation about timing, self-belief, and making decisions based on what you want, not what you assume might happen.
Key Takeaways
Don’t slow down your career for a future that hasn’t happened yet.
Career progression is often built through consistency, not perfect timing.
Long-term roles can build strong reputations, but visibility outside your organisation still matters.
Talking about your value is a skill, not a personality trait.
Feedback is essential, and often needs to be actively asked for.
Networks are built through genuine relationships over time.
Transparency at work creates stronger, more sustainable careers.
You don’t need to have everything figured out to keep moving forward.
About the Guest
Connect with Lindsay Davies 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 things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective — a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and more.
097: How to build career opportunities before they are even advertised with Becs Smith and Charlotte Kleeman
2026/04/30
Thank you to BCH for sponsoring this episode.
Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Becs and Charlotte, co-chairs of GIN, about how career opportunities are often created long before a role is ever advertised, and what that means for how we show up at work today.
Sandra, Becs and Charlotte unpack how to build that visibility in a way that feels natural, not forced. How to articulate your value without ego, and why networking is less about events and more about consistent, meaningful relationships.
They also challenge one of the biggest misconceptions about career progression:
That opportunities are applied for, rather than created.
This is a conversation about being intentional, building trust, and positioning yourself for opportunities before they even exist.
Becs and Charlotte, also share the behind the scenes of the amazing network GIN, including its future plans.
Key Takeaways
Many career opportunities are shaped before a role is ever advertised.
Visibility is no longer accidental, it must be intentional.
Relationships should be built before you need them.
Networking is about consistency, not one-off interactions.
You can communicate your value clearly without ego or self-promotion.
About the Guest
Connect with Becs Smith on LinkedIn.
Connect with Charlotte Kleeman on LinkedIn.
Find out more about GIN Gender Inclusion Network.
About the Host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all things 100 Women in Insurance.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective — a private LinkedIn group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and more.
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