Happy International Women's Day!

Today is the perfect time to celebrate women's accomplishments, recognize the challenges they face and inspire further progress. These three women embody the spirit of International Women's Day, and their remarkable careers have been characterized by hard work, determination and a commitment to breaking down barriers for women in the workplace.?

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Emily Koch - Account Executive Team Lead, Employee Benefits??

Emily Koch had always been passionate about helping others, so when she graduated college, she went into HR for a non-profit organization. After five years in Kansas City, she and her husband decided to move back to Wichita, KS, where she grew up. She started researching top consultants in the area and landed an interview with IMA. She was hired as an Account Manager and quickly moved up to an Account Executive position. Most recently, she took on a new leadership role in the Employee Benefits unit, where she is responsible for the client service teams.??

Emily loves helping clients and internal team members solve problems. She is constantly being challenged to think differently and find creative solutions. She also loves the people she works with at IMA. She believes they are the most talented, hard-working and fun people to work with.??

Emily's advice for someone interested in pursuing a similar path: go for it! She believes that building trustworthy relationships with clients is key to success in the insurance industry.??

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Andrea Kidwell – Account Manger, Alternative Energy and AG/Cannabis Accounts?

After earning a degree in Social Work and completing an internship, Andrea found herself looking for other options and stumbled upon an opportunity at a Salina Agency as an Account Technician. She quickly moved into an Account Manager role, and then she gained experience on the carrier side at Columbia Insurance Company as an underwriting assistant.??

Six years ago, after some major life changes, she decided to boomerang back to Wichita -she has been with IMA ever since. Andrea started in the aviation department and moved over to the energy department a year later.? She’s currently an Account Manager servicing alternative energy and AG/Cannabis accounts.?

Over the years, Andrea has grown and developed her skills as an insurance professional. She has found a career that she enjoys and that provides her with opportunities for growth and development. And even though she never imagined herself working in the insurance industry, she now can't imagine doing anything else.?

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Heidi S. Shippy – Account Executive, Commercial Lines Team Leader?

Heidi's career in the insurance industry began at the young age of 16 when she was looking for a part-time job to help her save up for her first car, the 88 Volkswagen Fox. She landed a job at a small State Farm office near her hometown of Bergen Park, Colorado. At the time, she didn't know much about insurance, but she was eager to learn.?

Over the years, Heidi gained more experience and knowledge about insurance coverages, life insurance and auto insurance and eventually obtained her Property/Casualty and Life/Health license in October 1998. She held multiple opportunities at a variety of Insurance companies. Once she joined IMA as an Account Manager in May 2019, she never looked back.?

Since joining IMA, she has been an Account Manager, a Senior Account Manager, an Account Executive, and most recently was promoted to Commercial Lines Team Leader/Account Executive for their HPIEx team.?

Throughout her career, Heidi has worked hard, been inquisitive and kept pushing towards her next goal. She has become a sponge and soaked it all in, which has benefitted her along her career path. She has obtained experience in a variety of industries and has found a specialization that she is truly passionate about. Heidi's career in the insurance industry has been an exciting journey filled with ups and downs, but she has persevered and is now in a leadership role that she loves.??