
ONE NATIONAL SUMMIT. RAISING THE BAR FOR INSURANCE LEADERSHIP.
SEPT 16, 2026 | CHICAGO, USA
Bring ideas. Bring your team. Build your advantage.
TACKLE CHALLENGES.
CONNECT NATIONALLY.
LEAVE SHARPER.
We have brought all four of our regional summits — Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles — into one national event: Women in Insurance Live, the summit where the women shaping U.S. insurance come together. This is the one forum where leaders driving real change, navigating complex decisions, and raising the bar for what leadership looks like in this industry are all in the same room.
One day, one room, the people you want around you and the conversations you cannot get anywhere else. Leave knowing how to lead more effectively, retain the people who matter, and own the room — with a national network to call on when it counts.
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InsuranceFest was a ‘wow’ experience – after more than 600 conferences, I’d rank the networking and social interaction on the Santa Monica Pier in my top five.
INSURANCEFEST AT A GLANCE
Network Like You Mean It
1,000+ insurance leaders, founders, and innovators in one place. Brokers, MGAs, agencies, insurers, InsurTechs. From C-suite to NextGen, they’ll all be on the pier.
Join the Conversation
60+ industry voices you actually want to hear from—from Aon to Marsh McLennan to InsurTech founders. Interactive sessions across every zone where you’re invited to jump in, ask what you really want to know, and steer the discussion. This isn’t sit-and-listen; it’s speak up and be heard.
Hands-On Marketplace
30+ exhibitors and interactive InsurTech demos you can actually touch and test. A buzzing marketplace of ideas, solutions, and collaborations where you discover new tools, products, and partners to tackle your biggest challenges.N ot just watching — finding what you’ll take back to your work.
Discussion Table Real Talk
50+ exclusive, 1-hour Discussion Tables for senior brokers and decision-makers. Small-group, facilitated conversations on Cyber, Digital Transformation, Construction, and E&S where everyone leans in, swaps war stories, and pressure-tests ideas in real time.
Bring Your Crew
Team experiences and group sessions designed so your whole organization goes back energized with shared insights and new connections. Build your own festival lineup as a team, join collaborative workshops together, tackle live challenges side by side, and turn the pier into your offsite — complete with shared moments, fresh ideas, and stories you’ll still be talking about back at the office.
Festival Energy on the Pier
From sunrise yoga to sunset sets, food trucks, cocktails, and ocean air — the pier turns every coffee break into a moment.
- Content
- Networking
- Experiences
- Discussion Tables
Sessions built around the decisions and challenges that define leadership in insurance right now — M&A, high-stakes decisions, AI investment, talent retention, and executive presence. Hear from those leading the way, those still figuring it out, and those carving their own path. Diverse voices, honest conversation, and content that reflects the full range of what leadership looks like in this industry.
Women in Insurance Live is more than an event — it is a community. A room where the women shaping U.S. insurance come together to support, challenge, and champion each other. Carriers, brokers, MGAs, and specialist firms — 600+ leaders from across the country. Morning coffee, networking lunch, peer exchange, and evening drinks, all designed to build the kind of connections that don't end when the day does.
From the Architecture & Networking Cruise on the Chicago River the day before to small-group dinners across the city right after the event, every part of the experience is designed to matter.
Ten topics. One hour. Peer-led conversations on cyber, AI, talent, climate, distribution, and leadership — where the real exchange happens. Senior leaders talking honestly about what they are navigating, with people who understand exactly what that means.
BRING IDEAS. BRING YOUR TEAM. BUILD YOUR FUTURE.
WHAT ATTENDEES ARE SAYING



SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Wearing the Crown: Sustaining Performance, Resilience, and Leadership in Times of Change
The weight of leadership does not let up. This keynote explores how the industry's most effective women stay sharp, lead with clarity, and keep performing when the pressure is constant and the expectations are high.
Claiming Your Story: Building Influence, Presence, and Pathways to the Top
The panel that gets honest about what it actually takes to reach the top. How to make your value visible, own the room, and build a path to the roles that matter — without waiting until you feel ready.
Discussion Tables: The Conversations You Actually Want to Be In
The most valuable conversations at any event happen between peers. These structured tables put you in the room with senior leaders facing the same decisions you are — no presentations, no panels, just the real discussion.
What I Know Now That I Didn't Then
Senior leaders, rapid-fire questions, no scripts. The session that closes the day with the kind of candid reflection you rarely hear on a stage — what they would do differently, what they wish they had known sooner, and what actually matters.
HIGHLIGHT SPEAKERS
Jodie Kaufman Davis
Jodie Kaufman Davis is the Group Co-President of H.W. Kaufman Group and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. A leader in developing and executing company strategy and management-driven initiatives, Jodie advises on best practices and expertise to drive the company’s global growth strategy.
As part of her leadership role, Jodie serves as Vice Chair, Atain Insurance Companies and oversees RB Jones, the Kaufman subsidiary that serves as a destination for highly specialized insurance solutions.
She is also responsible for all Kaufman companies outside North America.
Jodie was previously named to the Insurance Business Global 100 and Business Insurance Women to Watch.
Outside of the workplace, Jodie is a board member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Motor City chapter, a Director on the Insurance Supper Club (ISC) Group Global Advisory Board and serves on the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) International Board of Governors.
She is also a member of the national board for Jewish Federations of North America as well as CLAL, an international learning organization.
Prior to joining Kaufman, Jodie worked for the law firm Dorsey & Whitney where she advised Canadian and U.S. companies on mergers & acquisitions, capital market financing and regulatory issues. Jodie earned a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) and graduated cum laude from Michigan State University and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Margaret Milkint
Margaret Resce Milkint is a talent strategist, inclusion champion, and evangelist for talent innovation, transformation, and excellence, serving as the Global Insurance practice leader, a member of the Board practice and Co-Head of DSG Global's Chicago office. From CEOs to Chief Medical Officers, her expertise spans across the C-suite and boardroom.
Katie Flynn
experience, 15 of which have been spent at Safety National. Katie joined
the company in 2008 and has played a key role in financial reporting and
accounting operations, ranging from financial reporting to controllership
functions. Katie has also played a significant role in steering enterprisewide
operational initiatives while serving on the Operations Committee
between 2019 and 2024, and serving as Co-Chair between 2021 and
2024. Katie has participated in professional development and leadership
programs, including the Tokio Marine Emerging Leadership Program, has
served on panel discussions on leadership and mentoring, and currently
serves as a member of the University of Missouri – Columbia School of
Accountancy Advisory Board.
Jasina Morris
Jasina serves as a Senior Vice President, Account Executive-Lead in Alliant’s Healthcare Specialty Practice. She plays a key role in strategically managing and placing commercial insurance coverages for large integrated hospital systems and physician groups. She specializes in handling complex reinsurance, captives, and traditional commercial insurance programs. She also oversees and collaborates with all service teams working alongside her.
Recognized early as one of Alliant’s Emerging Leaders and an active member of Women at Alliant, Jasina is now widely regarded as a core executive leader within the organization, known for her strategic influence, leadership depth, and sustained impact. Jasina serves on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Chapter of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA), where she contributes to shaping the chapter’s strategic goals and initiatives. She also serves on insurance advisory panels, where her expertise and perspective help shape broader industry dialogue. Her ongoing commitment to volunteering, mentorship, industry panels, and guidance highlights her exceptional leadership and dedication to developing the next generation of insurance professionals.
Jasina holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) from the University of Mississippi and has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.
Jen Scales
Jen Scales partners with high-powered CFOs and executives to navigate the complex world of Directors & Officers and Corporate Insurance. Through collaboration and insightful guidance, she ensures their professional and personal assets are fully protected, enabling them to lead their businesses towards sustainable growth.
Expertise:
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Crafting tailored D&O and corporate insurance solutions based on individual needs and industry risks.
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Educating and empowering leaders to understand their coverage and make informed decisions.
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Partnering with clients to achieve their long-term financial goals with clarity and peace of mind.
Jen is the founder of Confidante, Gallagher's Women CFO Network. Through intentional and intimate events, this private network cultivates a supportive and inspiring community for women leaders to connect, learn, and grow - both personally and professionally.
Neha Thaker
Neha Thaker is Chief of Strategic Initiatives & Transformation (COSIT) at HSB, reporting to the CEO and serving as a senior enterprise leader and trusted strategic advisor. Based in Hartford, Connecticut, Neha is responsible for translating CEO‑level strategy into clear priorities, disciplined execution, and measurable value creation across the organization. She plays a central role in strengthening governance, decision‑making, and operating rhythm across the CEO Office and Executive Leadership Team.
THEMES AT A GLANCE
Digital Transformation & Innovation
Cyber, Risk & Underwriting
Nat Cat & Climate
Regulation, Legal & Compliance
Next Gen
E&S Unfiltered
Construction & Specialty Reports
Market Capacity, M&A & Economic Headwinds
DISCUSSION TABLES
Step into action with our all-new themed discussion tables—built for leaders who want results now. These fast-paced, interactive sessions go beyond theory, delivering tactical conversations and proven takeaways you can put to work immediately.
Cyber
How do you keep up with rapidly evolving cyber policies while driving client education on emerging risks and solutions?
Digital Transformation
What are the transformational benefits of implementing AI effectively across your business?
Construction
What are the biggest hidden builder’s risks brokers and clients need to watch for, and how can you identify them early?
Excess & Surplus Lines
How do you build and maintain client trust in E&S placements, especially in a volatile market?
Cyber
How are you leveraging AI to outpace cyber threats, and what challenges are you facing in the cyber arms race?
Digital Transformation
How can brokers turn data into actionable insights that drive revenue and growth?
Construction
What strategies help brokers navigate high-risk construction projects in a tightening market?
Excess & Surplus Lines
How do you stay ahead of volatility in the E&S market and make confident placement decisions?
Cyber
What strategies have helped you convert cyber skeptics into loyal, proactive clients?
Digital Transformation
How do you design a digital-first client experience that truly delivers value and loyalty
Construction
How do you evaluate and implement jobsite technologies that deliver real value for clients?
Excess & Surplus Lines
What creative strategies help brokers secure E&S coverage when traditional markets say no?
Cyber
What digital threats are most concerning for your clients, and how are you helping them prepare?
Digital Transformation
What lessons have you learned from your digital transformation journey—both successes and failures?
Construction
How do you identify and negotiate contract clauses that can make or break a construction deal?
THEMES AT A GLANCE
Digital Transformation & Innovation
- Turning AI from hype to ROI in real brokerage workflows
- Building a digital client journey that wins (and keeps) business in a virtual world
- Choosing InsurTech and RegTech partners that accelerate real transformation
Cyber, Risk & Underwriting
- Turning cyber risk into a client‑value conversation, not a fear pitch
- Cyber crisis playbooks: who does what, when it hits
- Underwriting the next wave of cyber and personal cyber exposures
Nat Cat & Climate
- Rethinking nat cat models for a world that won’t sit still
- Helping clients understand climate‑driven pricing and coverage shifts
- Placing and structuring nat cat and climate‑exposed risks when volatility is the norm
Regulation, Legal & Compliance
- What new rules really mean for AI, cyber, and everyday brokerage workflows
- RegTech that actually simplifies audits, file reviews, and reporting
- Staying compliant on claims, E&S, and specialty without killing broker speed
Next Gen
- Career playbooks: what rising brokers wish they’d known earlier
- Mixing veteran experience with new ideas in
- Finding your lane as a NextGen broker in a consolidating, tech‑driven market
Diversity & Inclusion
- Real stories from women and under‑represented leaders on breaking through and bringing others with them
- How brokers can sponsor others, share opportunities, and use their voice even without a hiring title
- Where inclusion has changed client relationships, ideas, and outcomes – not just internal messaging
E&S Unfiltered
- Winning in a capacity‑tight, appetite‑shifting E&S market
- Designing E&S solutions for “wild risks” the standard market won’t touch
- Broker, MGA, and carrier partnerships that unlock specialty placements
Construction & Specialty Reports
- Managing construction risk under climate, cost, and regulatory pressure
- Spotting breakout niches across specialty lines before the market crowds in
- Claims and coverage lessons from large, multi‑party and specialty projects
Market Capacity, M&A & Economic Headwinds
- Broker playbooks for navigating consolidation and staying relevant
- Positioning your firm for sale, scale, or strategic partnership
- Competing when capacity, pricing, and client demand all move at once
Digital Transformation & Innovation
- Turning AI from hype to ROI in real brokerage workflows
- Building a digital client journey that wins (and keeps) business in a virtual world
- Choosing InsurTech and RegTech partners that accelerate real transformation
Cyber, Risk & Underwriting
- Turning cyber risk into a client‑value conversation, not a fear pitch
- Cyber crisis playbooks: who does what, when it hits
- Underwriting the next wave of cyber and personal cyber exposures
Nat Cat & Climate
- Rethinking nat cat models for a world that won’t sit still
- Helping clients understand climate‑driven pricing and coverage shifts
- Placing and structuring nat cat and climate‑exposed risks when volatility is the norm
Regulation, Legal & Compliance
- What new rules really mean for AI, cyber, and everyday brokerage workflows
- RegTech that actually simplifies audits, file reviews, and reporting
- Staying compliant on claims, E&S, and specialty without killing broker speed
Next Gen
- Career playbooks: what rising brokers wish they’d known earlier
- Mixing veteran experience with new ideas in
- Finding your lane as a NextGen broker in a consolidating, tech‑driven market
Diversity & Inclusion
- Real stories from women and under‑represented leaders on breaking through and bringing others with them
- How brokers can sponsor others, share opportunities, and use their voice even without a hiring title
- Where inclusion has changed client relationships, ideas, and outcomes – not just internal messaging
E&S Unfiltered
- Winning in a capacity‑tight, appetite‑shifting E&S market
- Designing E&S solutions for “wild risks” the standard market won’t touch
- Broker, MGA, and carrier partnerships that unlock specialty placements
Construction & Specialty Reports
- Managing construction risk under climate, cost, and regulatory pressure
- Spotting breakout niches across specialty lines before the market crowds in
- Claims and coverage lessons from large, multi‑party and specialty projects
Market Capacity, M&A & Economic Headwinds
- Broker playbooks for navigating consolidation and staying relevant
- Positioning your firm for sale, scale, or strategic partnership
- Competing when capacity, pricing, and client demand all move at once


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