ACORD’s Vice President of Standards Engagement Yolanda Austin joined the InsHER Podcast to discuss the Women in Insurance Initiative’s new Insuring the Future handbook, which provides insurance professionals with guidance and practical tips for mentoring emerging talent.
Speaking with host Megan Bell and guests Candace Duncan, Assistant Vice President of Claims at Security First Insurance, and Katie Hughes, Data Governance Manager at Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, Yolanda discussed the significance of mentorship in building confidence in future leaders.
“If you’re a manager… it’s important to see what other people don’t necessarily see (in themselves) — hints of leadership, hints of growth,” Yolanda said. “That’s what helped me.”
The Insuring the Future handbook is geared toward developing an inclusive and future-ready pipeline of talent that addresses gender equity while helping insurance professionals actively engage the next generation.
It offers a practical, step-by-step framework for outreach and mentorship, including sample presentation agendas, conversation starters, talking points, and ready-to-use email and social media templates to support engagement with students and early career professionals. The resource also highlights emerging insurance career paths, the role of technology in reshaping the industry, and the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in driving innovation and long-term growth.
“The future of insurance depends on the talent we cultivate today. Insuring the Future is more than a toolkit — it’s a call to action,” the handbook says. “By sharing your experience, building awareness, and becoming a spokesperson for insurance, you can help shape a more dynamic, diverse, and resilient industry for years to come.”
The Insuring the Future handbook can be accessed here.