Innovation and Empowerment: A Conversation with an Industry Trailblazer

In this article, Monica Adwani shares how BRZ balances purpose and strategy and highlights the transformative role of technology and advocacy in their mission.

Monica Adwani is a Puerto Rican native and an accomplished leader committed to diversity and empowerment. Her accolades include being named Young Agent of the Year in 2019 and earning the title of LatinX Amplifier in 2021. Notably, she was recognized as one of Massachusetts's Top 50 Women Leaders in 2022. Monica is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for women and entrepreneurs, where she champions their success. Her core mission is to provide opportunities for all and amplify voices, empowering women to embrace their strengths and share their stories.

"We're not just here to grow as a company; we're on a mission to address a pressing social problem within our industry."

TenStep: How do you manage the delicate balance between staying true to your purpose while adapting to industry changes, and what strategies do you use to ensure that your projects reflect this balance?

Monica Adwani: In the fast-changing insurance industry, staying true to our purpose while adapting to industry changes is a delicate balance. We continuously monitor industry trends, regulations, and consumer needs to adapt effectively. To ensure that our projects reflect this balance, we implement a "Purpose-Driven Adaptation" framework. This approach involves regular assessments of how our actions align with our core purpose while remaining flexible to adapt where necessary. It also includes seeking input from our team, clients, and partners to ensure our strategies align with the evolving landscape while still serving our higher mission.

"In the fast-changing insurance industry, staying true to our purpose while adapting to industry changes is indeed a delicate balance."

TenStep: Can you share a specific example of a strategic initiative where leading with purpose played a crucial role in its success, and how did you ensure that purpose was integrated into every aspect of the project?

Monica Adwani: One specific example of leading with purpose at BRZ is our recent initiative to expand services to underserved communities. Our purpose was clear: provide affordable insurance options for marginalized individuals, ensuring their financial security. We involved our entire team in understanding our mission, holding regular meetings to reinforce our purpose and encourage creative contributions. This approach, centered on community engagement and support, influenced our marketing, client interactions, and internal processes. Emphasizing the "why" behind our actions allowed us to connect our purpose to this successful strategic initiative.

TenStep: How do you handle challenges and setbacks that may test your organization's alignment with its higher mission during strategy implementation?

Monica Adwani: Challenges and setbacks are inevitable and can test an organization's alignment with its higher mission. When these situations arise, we don't compromise on our core values. We remind ourselves of our purpose and use it as a compass to navigate through difficulties. It's important to communicate openly with the team, clients, and other stakeholders about our challenges and how we plan to overcome them while staying true to our mission. We use setbacks as opportunities to strengthen our commitment to our purpose and improve our strategies to serve our community better.

TenStep: Can you describe the role of leadership and organizational culture in ensuring that strategy aligns with BRZ’s purpose? How do you inspire your team to embrace the organization's mission when implementing new strategies?

Monica Adwani: Leadership and organizational culture are vital in ensuring that strategy aligns with BRZ's purpose. As a servant leader, I lead by example and encourage our team to embody our values of kindness, service, and hard work. I inspire the team to embrace our mission by fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, and shared ownership. Our culture reinforces the idea that no one is better than another, and this sense of equality drives our shared commitment to protecting clients and serving the community. By consistently reinforcing these values and setting a positive example, we ensure that our strategies align with our purpose and that our team remains motivated and dedicated to our mission.

"When we commit to helping, we wholeheartedly deliver on that promise."

TenStep: How does BRZ maintain strong client relationships?

Monica Adwani: Our unwavering commitment to our clients is at the core of our approach. We're deeply involved in the community, engaged in politics, and have meaningful partnerships with nonprofits to demonstrate our dedication. However, the most critical element in our culture is keeping our promises. Trust is paramount. When we commit to helping, we wholeheartedly deliver on that promise. In our communities, one person represents everyone, and if we were to break trust, it wouldn't affect just one client but their entire network. We treat our clients like family, offering support and even providing coffee and cake in our office. We're there to assist with their questions, whether it's about insurance or buying a car. Our clients understand that they're not just a number but an integral part of our extended family.

TenStep: What advice would you give to individuals or organizations looking to positively impact underserved communities or navigate significant transformations within their industries?

Monica Adwani: I believe independent agents must recognize the immense buying power of the growing Latino community, which now boasts a $1 trillion market. Ignoring this market potential would be a missed opportunity. Companies like BRZ aim to serve as the face of this market, and the future belongs to those who embrace it. Latinos are the fastest-growing buying market and business owners in America, and their buying power is too significant to overlook.

"The future belongs to those who embrace it."

About BRZ Insurance

BRZ is a pioneering tech-driven independent agency dedicated to serving LatinX communities in America. Founded in 2017, they provide a unique blend of trilingual services (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), transparent education, and seamless insurance processes. With over 26 carriers and expanding nationally, BRZ is at the forefront of the LatinX insurance industry.

About TenStep

TenStep is a 23-year-old global project management consultancy that enables organizations to implement their most ambitious strategies—through effective project management support. To complement our enterprise-wide project management consulting and training services, we offer unrivaled staffing solutions.