Women Leading Change in the Insurance Industry
The insurance sector, traditionally male-dominated, is undergoing a transformation driven by female leaders who are championing innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), sustainability, and customer-centric strategies. Women comprise about 60% of the insurance workforce globally, yet they hold only 22% of C-suite positions and less than 7% of CEO roles in key markets like the UK. This underrepresentation highlights the “broken rung” in career progression, where women face barriers such as unconscious bias, limited networking, and work-life imbalances. Despite these challenges, female executives are making significant impacts by advancing digital transformation, ethical AI adoption, climate resilience, and gender-responsive products—potentially unlocking up to $1.7 trillion in market value by 2030 through better serving women customers.
Research from McKinsey and others shows that gender-diverse leadership correlates with improved financial performance, innovation, and risk management. In 2025, awards like Insurance Business America’s Elite Women, Business Insurance’s Women to Watch, and Digital Insurance’s Women in Insurance Leadership (WIL) spotlight these trailblazers. Below, we highlight notable women driving change, drawn from recent recognitions and industry reports. These leaders exemplify resilience, mentorship, and strategic vision, inspiring the next generation while addressing sector-wide issues like rising premiums, AI biases, and climate risks.
Key Women Leaders Driving Change
The following table profiles 10 influential women based on their 2024–2025 achievements, focusing on those advancing innovation, DE&I, and sustainability. Selections prioritize executives from major firms and insurtechs who are breaking barriers and influencing policy or products.
| Name | Role & Company | Key Contributions & Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Blanc | Group CEO, Aviva (UK) | Leads the UK’s largest insurer with 18.5 million customers; divested non-core assets for focus on core markets and pioneered net-zero emissions by 2040—the first major insurer to do so. Recognized on FT’s 25 Most Influential Women list; drives environmental transformation and gender parity. |
| Jennifer Fitzgerald | CEO & Co-Founder, Policygenius (US) | Built a leading online insurance marketplace serving 30 million users and placing $150 billion in coverage; raised $275 million in funding. EY Entrepreneur of the Year; advocates for insurtech accessibility, reducing barriers for underserved consumers. |
| Pravina Ladva | Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Swiss Re (Switzerland) | Oversees digital transformation at the global reinsurance giant; previously CIO at Barclaycard. Promotes AI ethics and agile cultures; named one of Sweden’s 125 Most Powerful Women in Business for fostering innovation in risk modeling. |
| Skye Theodorou | CEO & Co-Founder, Upcover (Australia) | Launched pay-as-you-go insurance for small businesses and gig workers; appointed Non-Executive Director at Insurtech Australia. Focuses on simple, affordable products for independents, addressing gaps in traditional coverage. |
| Carolina Klint | Managing Director, Risk Management Leader Europe, Marsh (Sweden/US) | Leads risk strategies for multinational clients; former AIG executive. Drives customer-centric innovation and DE&I; member of Marsh’s Europe Executive Committee, enhancing value propositions amid global risks. |
| Kate Terry | Co-Founder & COO, Surround Insurance (US) | Reinvents insurance for gig economy workers, renters, and freelancers; former roles at Liberty Mutual and Progressive. Emphasizes people-focused products, closing protection gaps for modern lifestyles. |
| Meryl Golden | President & CEO, Kingstone Insurance Company (US) | Heads the specialty property insurer; Elite Women 2025 honoree. Advances digital underwriting and claims efficiency, promoting mentorship for women in property-casualty lines. |
| Brenda Austenfeld | Co-President RT Specialty & CEO RT National Property, Ryan Specialty (US) | Oversees national property division; 2006 Women to Watch winner and 2025 Iconic Leader. Sets excellence standards in brokerage, mentoring diverse teams and driving revenue growth in a volatile market. |
| Nadia Hoyte | National Cyber Practice Leader, USI Insurance Services (US) | Leads cyber risk strategies; Elite Women 2025. Broadens intern perspectives on careers, addressing talent shortages and integrating DE&I in high-risk tech areas. |
| Rekha Skantharaja | President & CEO, Tangram Insurance Services (US) | Guides the MGA through expansion; Elite Women 2025. Focuses on inclusive leadership, empowering teams and innovating in specialty lines for emerging risks. |
Trends and Challenges They’re Addressing
These leaders are at the forefront of several pivotal shifts:
- Digital and AI Innovation: Women like Ladva and Fitzgerald are mitigating AI biases in underwriting and claims, ensuring equitable outcomes. A 2025 report emphasizes women’s role in ethical AI, as they often prioritize fairness and customer empathy, reducing discriminatory pricing.
- DE&I and Mentorship: Figures such as Hoyte and Golden are tackling the leadership gap through programs like Alliant’s DE&I initiatives and WIL’s NEXT for emerging talent. Only 16% of CFOs are women, but diverse teams boost profitability by 21% (McKinsey).
- Sustainability and Resilience: Blanc and Klint are integrating climate risks into products, with initiatives like Allianz’s carbon dividend advocacy. The Geneva Association’s Women in Insurance Award (2025 winner TBD) honors societal impact, such as health and environmental coverage.
- Market Expansion for Women Customers: Theodorou and Terry target underserved segments, aligning with IFC’s SheforShield goal of $1.7 trillion in women’s market growth by 2030. This includes gender-responsive policies closing protection gaps exacerbated by COVID-19.
Barriers and Pathways Forward
Despite progress, women face internalized biases, networking gaps, and imposter syndrome—exacerbated by the “mommy myth” and glass cliffs (assigning women high-risk roles). In Canada, EY’s 2025 study notes limited female representation stifles aspiration. Solutions include:
- Sponsorship and Training: Companies like MetLife and Allianz use succession planning and flexible policies to achieve 30% female leadership.
- Awards and Visibility: Programs like Elite Women 2026 (nominations open until Sept. 19, 2025) and Business Insurance’s EMEA Women to Watch (Dec. 5, 2025, London) amplify voices.
- Policy Advocacy: Push for gender-neutral pricing in auto insurance (banned in 7 US states) and inclusive data practices.
The future looks promising: Trends show tech like AI aiding bias detection, and firms prioritizing DE&I outperform peers. By recognizing these women, the industry can accelerate parity, fostering innovation and resilience. For nominations or events, visit Insurance Business America or Women Leaders in Insurance.