Empowering Women in Insurance: A Mission of BRZ
At BRZ Insurance we're passionate about empowering women in the insurance industry. As a Latina woman who has worked in insurance for 17 years, I've seen firsthand the barriers that keep women from succeeding and advancing to leadership roles. But I've also seen the incredible results that come from creating a more equal, diverse, and inclusive industry. In this article, I'll explore the challenges women face in insurance and how BRZ is working to overcome them—not just because it's the right thing to do but because it drives real business results.
The invisible barriers:
Walk into most insurance companies, and you'll see the faces of power and leadership are predominantly male. This is no accident but rather the result of systemic barriers and biases that prevent women from progressing, despite equal merit and capability.
Studies show women are less likely to be recommended for challenging assignments critical for career advancement, more likely to have their achievements overlooked, and face harsher judgment for assertive behavior that's praised in men. These invisible barriers push many women out of the industry altogether.
At BRZ, we're working to recognize and remove these biases. We provide unconscious bias training for all employees and managers to build awareness of the subtle ways women face disadvantages.
We also have a diverse slate requirement for all leadership roles to ensure women and underrepresented groups are given equal consideration. Still, we know real change will take time.
The business case for empowerment:
Empowering women in insurance isn't just a moral issue—it's a business imperative. Research shows that companies with more women leaders financially outperform those dominated by men. Women leaders can also better reflect the diversity of customers and bring unique perspectives that spur innovation.
A McKinsey article found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile.
In insurance, women are a fast-growing customer segment, so their leadership and input are increasingly vital to understanding and meeting evolving customer needs. At BRZ, our female leaders have pioneered new products, services, and partnerships tailored to women that have driven real growth.
A call to action:
While BRZ is committed to this mission, we can't act alone. We call on other companies in insurance and beyond to pursue a similar mission of empowering women. Making the industry attractive and fulfilling for women, and taking advantage of women's talent, will be crucial to an innovative, competitive future for insurance.
Only by working collectively to dismantle bias and barriers can we build a more just, vibrant sector that values the contributions of all.
Together, we can work to reform everything from recruiting and hiring practices to workplace cultures and policies. We can lift up women's voices, recognize their achievements, and create opportunities for their leadership. And we can build a talent pipeline of women as diverse as the customers and communities we serve. It's time for empowerment, not just for women, but for a stronger, more equitable insurance industry and society. The path ahead is long, but the future is bright.
The ripple effect of women's empowerment:
Empowering women in the insurance industry have a ripple effect beyond any company. As more women advance into leadership roles, they become role models who inspire other women to pursue careers in insurance.
Their diverse perspectives and experiences also influence how companies develop products and services and do business. This, in turn, makes insurance more welcoming and relevant to women as customers.
Uplifting women in the industry helps attract and retain top female talent, which strengthens businesses. But more broadly, it contributes to a cycle of empowerment that gradually helps dismantle the systemic barriers holding women back across industries.
Each woman in leadership is a victory showing what's possible for the next generation. The effects may start small, but together they can reshape the face of industries and power a more equitable society.
Looking ahead: A vision for true parity:
While progress has been made, the insurance industry still has a long road ahead to achieve full gender equality. The vision is an industry where women are represented, developed, recognized, and compensated on par with their male peers—not just in middle management but in the C-suite and boardroom. Concrete, measurable goals are needed to accelerate women's advancement and leadership at all levels, not just entry-level hiring.
Achieving this vision will demand continued focus, investment, and accountability across the industry. But as we get closer to true parity, the insurance industry and economy will reap the well-documented rewards of women's leadership—from greater innovation to financial growth to meeting the diverse needs of customers.
The future of the industry depends on the equal participation of all. It's time for empowerment, not just for women, but for a stronger, more equitable insurance industry and society. The path ahead is long, but the future is bright.