InsurTech Hartford Community Spotlight: Cathy Peoples

Cathy Peoples: A Visionary Business and Technology Leader with a Passion for Empowering Success

Introducing Cathy Peoples : a dynamic business and technology leader embarking on her next chapter. With over 25 years of experience in sales leadership and organizational development, Cathy has been a driving force in the technology and insurance industries.?

With a comprehensive understanding of business development strategy, program development, and technology operations, Cathy has recently begun engaging as an independent consultant and advisor. In this role, she strategically engages with both corporate leaders and startups to define growth strategies and implementation approaches with her collaborative style and extensive experience.?

What sets Cathy Peoples apart? In a recent interview, we went beyond the surface to answer that and more.?

1. What experiences and expertise have shaped your career?

I’ve lived most of my life in Hartford, having worked with various insurance and technology companies including Dell and HP. I also worked at Travelers in Strategic Planning for both IT and Personal Insurance and at Futurity First, a midsize-startup Life and Annuity distributor as the Chief of Staff to the CEO.?

Growing up, I watched my dad as a Sales Executive at IBM who covered the Insurance Industry and I was curious about his work. He would bring me to his office, show me various IBM Systems and his work ethic and success influenced my career over the years.?

2. What inspires you to deliver your best work consistently?

Helping teams thrive inspires me. Bringing people together to collaborate on developing a common vision and then facilitating progress to accomplish results is both challenging and rewarding. I have always gravitated towards roles where organizations are in the midst of major change, and I am able to help them bring clarity and join them in their journey.?

In my interactions with customers, I focus on understanding their goals and challenges, and then help them envision how to best apply their resources.? In technology selling roles, I incorporate this approach to position how our solution or service will contribute to specific outcomes.

As I progressed in my career and assumed leadership and consulting roles, my passion for connecting with people has only grown stronger. I enjoy learning about their perspectives on what is possible and guiding them in developing strategies and plans to accomplish their goals.

3. What industry trends are you following? How do you see these shaping the future of insurance?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) fascinates me from every angle - from its processing capabilities to its vast access to knowledge. The human nature of fear surrounding AI only fuels my curiosity further. Will it be disruptive or evolutionary?? AI will transform how we live and work, and that brings so much opportunity and caution to every industry including Insurance.?

The impact of AI in the insurance industry is significant and continues to evolve, both in the present and future. Organizations like InsurTech Hartford play an important role in bringing together various perspectives to explore what’s possible and show continued progress in areas such as Underwriting, Claims, Customer Experience, Actuarial Modeling, etc..

4. What are your current career goals? How has InsurTech Hartford contributed to this journey?

As I began transitioning from a global sales leader role earlier this year, I have found InsurTech Hartford to be an invaluable resource for reconnecting with former colleagues and staying informed about the advancements, progress, and challenges in the industry. InsurTech Hartford has created a community for Carriers, Startups, Investors, and Customers to learn, collaborate, and innovate.? I am building my network and engaging in new opportunities that would not have been as accessible without this community.? I look forward to getting more involved.?

6. What advice do you have for people transitioning between careers or people considering a career change?

My advice would be to pay attention to changes in your life and career, and be open, curious, strategic, and patient as you consider what could be next. Be mindful and take stock in what aspects of your various roles you enjoy most and that highlight your strengths.? And ask for help - from your leadership, close confidants, community members. They will provide perspective and they are your best advocates to help support you when considering a career change.? ?

Finding ways to engage and connect with others is important, especially through large conferences and events. When attending these events, make time to explore and learn about new topics, meet new people, and discover new solutions.? Notice what’s changing. For example, I noticed a significant presence of younger people at The InsurTech Hartford Symposium and I enjoyed meeting many people new to the industry in the last decade. Taking the time to follow up afterwards will enhance your efforts to broaden your community and possibly reflect on your career progression.??

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Cathy's career journey continues to evolve as evidenced by her recent work in the Insurtech community. Here, she incorporates best practices from Insurance Carriers with solutions from emerging technologies, equipping organizations with evolving capabilities to thrive in the modern era.?

With exceptional leadership qualities, a transformative mindset, and strategic insights, Cathy is a remarkable figure who authentically embodies the support she offers. Her ability to translate her dedication into meaningful impact sets her apart as a catalyst for change.

As our monthly series continues, we eagerly look forward to the inspiring stories and insights that individuals like Cathy will bring, driving innovation and leaving a lasting impact.

Learn more and stay up to date with Cathy on LinkedIn.

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