This podcast is for insurance professionals and leaders seeking inspiration, bold ideas, and actionable strategies.
We discuss insurance, leadership, and personal fulfillment with some of the industry's most innovative minds and pioneers.
Our guests are remarkable individuals from various insurance industry sectors and related fields. The host, Nina Shepard, has been an insurance leader for over three decades.
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In this special episode of the Insurance Leaders Lab podcast, host Nina Shepard summarizes the common themes that emerged during the conversations in the first quarter. ✨ Building Self-Awareness as the First Step to Becoming a Leader Others Want to Follow True leadership starts with self-awareness and emotional regulation. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re essential skills that set great leaders apart. ✨ Leadership Is All About Your People Every guest echoed the same powerful truth: the best leaders put people first. Success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about supporting, inspiring, and empowering those around you. ✨ Get Involved and Give Back Great leaders don’t just climb the ladder; they lift others up along the way. Whether by organizing seminars, speaking at conferences, or contributing to industry associations, leadership thrives on service and paying it forward. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to dive into these insightful episodes of the Insurance Leaders Lab at https://ninashepard.com/podcast/ or on your preferred podcast platform. Listen, reflect, and join the conversation! What leadership lessons have shaped your journey? Let’s keep learning together.
The insurance industry offers diverse career paths. We discuss with Karyn Roeling how to choose what's right for you. Even if seemingly effortless, it still involves a lot of hard work behind the scenes, learning, and taking risks. We talk about how corporate experience allows you to leverage your family business and what it takes to execute a smooth transition between generations. We also discuss what it means to be a female insurance leader and the best strategies for becoming a strong, confident, and influential leader.
In this episode of the Insurance Leaders Lab podcast, I speak with Dawn Kristy, an expert in AI and cybersecurity. We discuss strategies for small businesses to navigate the complexities of AI and cybersecurity, the future landscape of these fields in 2025, and the critical need to empower women in STEM. What risks and opportunities does AI present from the insurance industry perspective? How can we gain a competitive advantage using AI, and what role does education play in this process? Listen to our conversation to better understand the complex environment.
In this episode of the Insurance Leaders Lab podcast, Kyle Ulrich, the President and CEO of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, shares unique insights from his leadership journey. He discusses strategies that have proven successful in navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida's turbulent property insurance market. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, walking the talk, and finding time to connect with people genuinely. We also delve into FAIA's promising plans to provide more support to its members in the near future, with a special emphasis on workforce development and technology.
In this episode of the Insurance Leaders Lab podcast, Nina talks to Kirklyn Smith, the Director of Operations at EOI Direct. They discuss Kirklyn's journey into the insurance industry, the growth and development of EOI Direct, and the importance of operational efficiency and company culture. Kirklyn shares personal insights on leadership and the insurance industry, emphasizing the need for resilience and understanding one's work purpose.