What initially sparked your interest in your current field or industry?
Like a lot of people, I ended up in insurance by accident — but what a happy accident! I was introduced to the industry right out of college and was hooked by the endless opportunities to learn and grow. I was fortunate to find NCMIC so early in my career — the strong culture and amazing people have kept me here for 30 years!

Who or what has had the most influence on your leadership style?
Mentors have always played a significant role in my life, starting with my dad, who was always that constant presence. He believed in me and I always knew I could run things by him. At NCMIC, Bruce Kawahara was a great coach who helped me gain confidence in myself and get comfortable being uncomfortable. He saw things in me I didn’t see in myself, which opened so many possibilities. And for the past eight years, our outgoing CEO Mike McCoy has helped me refine my leadership skills and elevate how I communicate.

What are you most excited about in the next 12-18 months?
I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to lead NCMIC, so there’s much to be excited about, including getting the chance to continue shaping and supporting our people and culture, which are best in class. Our “We Take Care of Our Own” mission is shared across the organization, and the passion our team has for helping others is unmatched.

We also recently made a considerable technology investment that has positioned us well for future growth and efficiencies. We’re now investing considerable time in strategy work that will help us evolve and plan for the next 10 years and beyond.

What kind of advice would you offer someone earlier in their leadership journey?
There’s something to learn at every stage, you’ll find lessons every day if you look hard enough. Pay attention to the habits of high performers and learn from mistakes, whether they’re yours or others’. Ask questions, and when you identify problems, seek to offer solutions. Once you’re confident in your own role, ask how you can do more to help the organization overall. Believe in yourself and your abilities and help others grow along the way.

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