Vertafore Insurance Podcast Vertafore

Dawnyel Smink is a force to be reckoned with in the insurance industry. As the founder and CEO of Canyon Lands Insurance (CLI), she has revolutionized the way insurance services are delivered, fostering growth across multiple states and establishing CLI as a powerhouse in the field. Her entrepreneurial spirit and keen insight have not only propelled her company to new heights but also paved the way for women in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Dawnyel’s leadership extends beyond business acumen; she is a visionary who actively shapes industry practices, advocating for the empowerment and fair treatment of women. Her voice is a beacon of change, resonating through her participation in regional and national carrier councils.  Dawnyel Smink is not just a leader; she is an innovator, a philanthropist, and an inspiration to many.
Listen in as Dawnyel talks about:
Her journey as an entrepreneur in this industry, and how she came to where she is todayLeadership principles she has learned along the way, and how she has used those to empower so many othersHow her active participation in regional and national carrier councils has propelled her career forwardThe transition from Canyon Lands Insurance to Keystone and the impact for her agentsWhat's next on the horizon for her agents at CLI and Keystone and her excitement for it. Buckle up folks, because this one is a powerful episode

Jack Gibson is a distinguished leader in the insurance and risk management industry, renowned for his role as the President and CEO of the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI). With a career spanning over four decades at IRMI, Jack has been instrumental in steering the company’s strategic direction and expanding its educational resources. His expertise is also reflected in his authorship and editorial contributions to numerous industry publications. He was also instrumental in the partnership between IRMI and Reference Connect.

Christopher Frankland is an award-winning influencer in the InsurTech space, and the Global Head of Product & Innovation at Cover Desk. He has been serving in this role since April 2021. With a rich background in the InsurTech industry, Christopher has founded InsurTech360. His expertise extends to mentoring roles in various organizations, including Lloyd’s Lab, Hartford InsurTech Hub, gener8tor, and the Global Insurance Accelerator. Cover Desk, under his leadership, aims to lead global innovation efforts, including new product and service development, and identifying new market opportunities. This aligns with cultivating a culture of innovation across Cover Desk and the insurance industry.
Listen in as Christopher talks about:
His journey from across the pond to where he has become an award-winning influencer in our industry How he became the founder of Insurtech360 The trends that he sees in the insurance industry as well as future trendsHow Cover Desk is deploying incredible virtual employees trained in the technology used by your agencyThe emergence of Artificial intelligence and how agencies could be using itThe use cases for artificial intelligence from a audio and visual standpoint using generative AIYou may want to bookmark this one.
There is a lot to unpack in this episode.

Mikaela Dittbrenner, Vertafore's Agency Demand Generation Marketing Manager, brings a diverse background in lead generation, campaign marketing and conversion path optimization for both B2B and B2C programs.  Her relentless drive to boost demand generation and amplify brand visibility through strategic initiatives has propelled Vertafore's Agency Marketing presence to new heights within the industry.
Listen in as Mikaela talks about:
Her Journey through her marketing career and how she landed at Vertafore
What suprised her the most about the insurance industry
What demand generation marketing is and why it is so important
The importance of having good culture
How to use demand generation marketing strategies to gather more opportunities for your sales team
How to deploy a solid marketing campaign in your agency
What is on the horizon for the Vertafore Demand Generation team through 2024.

Navigating this hard market takes extreme intentionality. Prioritizing mental health and having a great culture in your organization are just as important as having a solid foundation of process and procedure in your agency. Both lead to finding success in these times and today we have 2 great guests to talk more about this. Scott Howell is more than an insurance agent; he’s an educator, a thought leader, and a trusted advisor. His dedication to the industry and his clients is unmatched, making him a true “insurance guy” in every sense of the word. Scott is owner of iprotect Insurance and financial services and the co-host of the Insurance Guys Podcast. The podcast has become a go-to resource for insurance agents seeking guidance on everything from sales and hiring to the day-to-day operations of running a successful agency. Kenneth Williamson is the Director of Operations at Portal Insurance. He is a breath of fresh air as a voice in our industry. He leads his team with compassion and intentionality. 
Listen in on this conversation as they talk about:Scott Howell and the Insurance Guys Podcast as they celebrate 1 million downloads and what that means to himScott Howell and Kenneth Williamson as they introduce themselves to the audience The importance of having a good culture in your agency and leading with compassion and mindfulnessKenneth's approach to managing a service team during the hard marketScott discusses his agency's tech stack, and how important it to the success of his agencyHow important it is to have a solid foundation build on solid processes and proceduresThe creation of their new company Mind Your Agency, and how it came to be.
You may want to bookmark this one

Alexis Cierra Vaughn was recently named "Women to Watch in InsurTech 2023', "Insurance Business America" as one of the top 85 trailblazing Elite Women in Insurance for 2022", Litghitco named her a top "Influencer" on the "Top 100 Insurance Innovators" list & ACORD and Alchemy Crew named her "Top 14 Global InsurTech Leaders of 2022 Globally.”  
In other words, if you want a guide to identifying the right insurtech partner, start here.  
Meet Alexis and learn: 
how she grew Cowbell Cyber agency appointments from a few hundred to 23,000
the genesis and early successes of her new consulting company, off-course
the difference between a great insurtech CEO and an ego-driven one
bleeding-edge technologies to consider when building your tech stack
questions to ask in your insurtech interview process