100 Women in Insurance

• 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

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• 082: The One Rule You Should Never Break in the Insurance Industry with Jacqueline Sinclair

  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 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

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• 081: Four Words That Will Change Your Career with Lesley Charteris

  Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with all things 100 Women in Insurance. 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

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• 080: Work hard, be seen and gain confidence to change your career journey with Maria V. Amelio

  Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with all things 100 Women in Insurance. 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.

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

  Sign up to Coffee with Sandra to stay up to date with all things 100 Women in Insurance. 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

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