Sharon Henzler - PIR Ep. 753

·34 min·3 clips

Sharon Hensler shares how a chance meeting at her first insurance conference radically changed her view of networking and career growth.

This episode of Profiles in Risk features host Tony Kanyas interviewing guest Sharon Hensler, a rising insurance professional. Tony opens with a promo for InsureTech Connect Las Vegas and introduces Sharon, noting this is her first podcast appearance. Sharon shares her background: she graduated from Gonzaga University with a math and economics degree, interned at Liberty Mutual in Seattle, and later took a full-time role in Boston through an analyst development program with rotations in distribution, claims, and product. She spent three years in product management at Liberty. Tony praises rotation programs as a key investment for companies and talent, contrasting how economic conditions affect graduate placements. Sharon explains her move to ClearCover in 2021, driven by a hot job market and a desire for quicker management opportunities, where she was promoted to VP of Insurance Product. She then transitioned to her current marketing role after a former Liberty boss recruited her. Tony emphasizes the importance of good managers over companies. Sharon discusses never attending insurance conferences before due to role constraints, and Tony advises on affordable options like regional CPCU days or Rice Leadership Summit. Sharon attended IB FutureFest after being nominated for an award by ClearCover, with her current company covering costs. She describes arriving with low expectations, meeting Tony early, and realizing networking was more valuable than planned speakers. They talk about balancing personal and professional conversations, business card etiquette, and adding contacts on LinkedIn. Sharon's post-conference takeaways include wanting to attend more conferences like ITC, seeking female mentors, considering CPCU exams, and viewing networking as essential beyond job searches. Tony stresses 'digging your well before you need it' for career stability. Sharon advises bosses to support conference attendance and join if possible, and she recommends first-time attendees stay open to networking over rigid speaker schedules.

As heard by us

A first conference opens into a clear lesson on networking, leadership, and staying open to career detours.

Profiles in Risk follows Sharon Hensler through her first insurance conference and uses that experience to frame early-career growth, networking, and the quiet influence of good managers.

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Why you'd press play

Want a practical first-conference game plan and a candid look at how managers shape an insurance career?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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