From 27 Women to a Six-Figure Impact: How the Women in Insurance Walk Became a Movement

A Simple Idea That Turned Into Something More

Twenty-seven women showed up at the 2022 PLRB Claims Conference with no sponsors, no signage, and no real plan beyond taking a walk together.

The idea itself was simple. Jessica Hamilton and Michelle Licht wanted to create a new kind of moment within the conference - something that felt more human. A chance for women in the industry to step away from the constant pace, get outside, and connect in a way that didn’t revolve around meetings, booths, or business cards. Something active. Something intentional. Something real.

So they stepped outside and walked. What happened next is the part no one planned for.

The conversations were different. More open. More honest. Titles didn’t matter. Company logos didn’t matter. It was just women in the insurance industry connecting in a way that doesn’t usually happen between sessions or across a booth.

That moment became the foundation for what is now the Women in Insurance Walk, an annual gathering held during the PLRB conference that brings the industry together not just to connect, but to give back.

Five years later, that small group has grown into hundreds of women, dozens of companies, and a community that shows up for each other and for something bigger than themselves.

The walk now supports Girls Give Back, a nonprofit initiative that extends that impact beyond the industry. What started as a simple idea has become something far more meaningful - a shared purpose, a growing movement, and proof that sometimes the most important conversations happen when you step away from the noise and just start walking.

Where the Impact Goes

What sets the Women in Insurance Walk apart isn’t just the growth. It’s where that energy goes.

Through Girls Give Back, the walk has become one of the few initiatives in the insurance industry that gives back directly to the industry itself. Not in theory. In a very real, measurable way.

The funds raised support the Spencer Educational Foundation, an organization that has been shaping the future of risk management and insurance since 1979. Over that time, Spencer has awarded more than $11 million in scholarships and another $11 million in grants, impacting more than 135,000 students pursuing careers in the field.

That impact is real.

Because for an industry that depends on talent, leadership, and long-term expertise, the pipeline doesn’t build itself. It has to be supported, funded, and continuously developed.

The Women in Insurance Walk takes place during the PLRB Claims Conference, one of the most established and respected gatherings in the industry. It’s where carriers, service providers, and partners come together every year. And within that setting, the walk creates something different. It turns presence into participation, and participation into impact.

It also aligns with broader efforts across the industry to support emerging professionals. Organizations like RISE are focused on attracting and advancing the next generation of talent, creating opportunities for young professionals to enter and grow within insurance.

Together, these efforts are starting to connect.

PLRB brings the industry together.

The Women in Insurance Walk creates a moment of connection within it.Girls Give Back channels that energy into action.

And Spencer along with organizations like RISE, help carry that impact forward into the future workforce.

It’s a full-circle effect that didn’t exist five years ago. And it’s a big part of why this has become more than just a walk.

Designed to Be Remembered

There’s also a level of intention behind the experience that’s easy to miss at a glance.

Each year, the Women in Insurance Walk introduces a new theme and visual identity, carefully curated to reflect both the moment and the message. It shows up in the details - the logo, the campaign, and most visibly, the neon pink walk shirts worn by participants across the event.

What might seem like simple event swag has become something more recognizable.

It’s a signal.

At PLRB, those shirts stand out. Not just because of the color, but because of what they represent - a shared experience, a sense of belonging, and a moment people chose to be part of.

That consistency, paired with a fresh theme each year, has helped the walk build something most events never do - a visual identity people connect with. It’s part of what keeps people coming back. Not just to attend, but to participate.

Because the experience feels intentional. Thought through. Designed to be more than just another event on the schedule.

Why the Industry Is Showing Up

There’s a reason the Women in Insurance Walk continues to grow, even in a year when much of the industry is operating more cautiously.

After a slower catastrophe season, many companies are navigating tighter budgets and more measured spending. Attendance at industry events reflects that. Priorities shift. Decisions get scrutinized.

And yet, companies are still showing up here. Not because they have to. Because they want to.

What Jessica Hamilton and Michelle Licht started as a simple way to bring women together has evolved into something the industry now recognizes as meaningful. The walk is now raising six figures annually through Girls Give Back, making it one of the fastest-growing nonprofit initiatives connected to the insurance space.

That kind of momentum doesn’t happen by accident.

It reflects a shift in what people value. In an industry built on relationships, there’s a growing recognition that how those relationships are built is changing. People are looking for something more genuine than a logo on a banner or a handshake in a crowded exhibit hall.

They’re looking for connection. For purpose. For a reason to engage that goes beyond business as usual.

As Hamilton shared in the early days of the walk, the goal was never just to gather a group. It was to create a space where women could come together, build meaningful relationships, and continue pushing for greater visibility and opportunity within the industry. That intention still shows up in how the walk feels today.

The Women in Insurance Walk delivers that in a way few other moments do.

It creates space where titles fall away. Where competitors walk side by side. Where conversations happen naturally, without an agenda. And where participation itself contributes to something bigger through Girls Give Back.

It also reflects something broader.

While the walk was created to support and elevate women in the industry, it’s embraced across the industry as a whole. Men show up, walk alongside their colleagues, and wear the same neon pink shirts with pride. It’s a visible reminder that this isn’t about drawing lines - it’s about building something together.

For companies, that shift is hard to ignore. It’s a chance to support their people. To be part of something that reflects their values. To show up in a way that feels authentic, not performative.

And increasingly, those are the moments that stand out. Because while the industry may shift from year to year, one thing hasn’t changed - relationships still drive everything.

The difference now is that the strongest relationships are being built in environments that feel real. And sometimes, that starts with something as simple as stepping outside and walking together.

What Started as a Walk Didn’t Stay One

What started with 27 women and no plan has become something the industry now shows up for. Not because it’s expected. Because it matters.

Each year, the Women in Insurance Walk continues to grow not just in participation, but in purpose. Nearly six figures are raised annually through Girls Give Back, directly supporting the future of the industry through scholarships and education.

This year, the walk heads to National Harbor with a new theme: Inspire. It’s a fitting reflection of what the walk has become.

A moment that inspires connection. A community that inspires action. And an industry that, when it comes together like this, has the ability to inspire what comes next.

Because sometimes the most meaningful change doesn’t start with a strategy or a plan. It starts with a few people willing to show up, step outside, and take the first step forward.

Why Giving Back Isn’t “Just Nice” - It’s Smart Business

Let’s be honest. If corporate giving were only about warm fuzzies and social media posts, most companies would treat it like optional dessert. Nice to have if there’s room. Easy to skip when budgets get tight.

But what if giving back isn’t just a “nice to have” at all? What if it’s one of the smartest strategic decisions a business can make?

Picture a company that customers feel good choosing. A workplace employees are proud to represent. A brand that communities actually root for. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when charitable involvement and community engagement are treated as priorities, not afterthoughts.

Being purpose-driven isn’t charity dressed up in corporate branding. It’s a measurable business advantage. It shows up in loyalty. It shows up in retention. It shows up in reputation. And yes, it shows up in revenue. In fact, research indicates that 43% of companies report higher profits linked to their corporate social responsibility efforts.

So if you’ve ever thought sponsorships, volunteer days, or events like the Women in Insurance Walk were just feel-good extras, think again. The data tells a different story.

Money Matters: Purpose and Profit Play Well Together

So let’s talk about what really matters in service-based industries like insurance, restoration, and engineering. Does giving back actually influence business outcomes?

It does. Just not in the way most people think.

In industries built on trust, reputation isn’t marketing fluff. It’s currency. Research shows 77% of consumers prefer companies that actively engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives. That preference doesn’t just apply to retail brands. It influences who people trust, who they refer, and who they’re willing to do business with long term.

In service industries, customers are choosing partners, not products. They’re asking: Who shows up? Who’s credible? Who aligns with our values? When a firm is visibly invested in its community, that signals stability, leadership, and long-term thinking.

And then there’s your team. A 2024 Deloitte-backed study found that 87% of employees say workplace volunteer opportunities are important when deciding whether to stay at a company or look elsewhere. In industries where experience and relationships matter, losing good people isn’t just inconvenient. It’s expensive.

When your adjusters, engineers, project managers, and executives feel proud of where they work, they represent you differently. They stay longer. They build deeper relationships. That stability becomes part of your value proposition.

This isn’t about slapping your logo on a banner. It’s about what participation communicates. In a relationship-driven industry, showing up for your community sends a message about who you are as a partner.

And in service businesses, that message matters.

Reputation Isn’t a Line Item. It’s the Thing Everyone Is Quietly Judging You On.

In any kind of service industry, nobody impulse buys you.

No one’s standing in a grocery aisle deciding between “Consultant A” and “Consultant B.” Your clients are choosing partners. People they trust when buildings flood, roofs fail, lawsuits hit, or regulators call.

That choice is emotional before it’s logical.

Research consistently shows a positive relationship between corporate social responsibility and customer loyalty through stronger brand perception and satisfaction.

Translated into our world, that doesn’t mean someone clicks “add to cart.” It means:

• You get the referral.

• You get invited into the RFP.

• You get renewed instead of replaced.

• You get the benefit of the doubt when something goes sideways.

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There’s also evidence that companies investing in CSR reduce brand and reputational risk, essentially building trust before they need it.

Think of it as reputational reserves. You don’t want to start building those the week you’re in the headlines.

Your People Are Watching. And They Talk.

Let’s talk about talent.

Every carrier, restoration firm, and engineering group says they’re struggling to hire and retain great people. Everyone wants experienced adjusters. Strong engineers. Project managers who can juggle chaos without losing their minds.

Here’s the part that gets overlooked.

Your employees are paying attention to what your company stands for.

Not what’s written in the handbook. Not what’s printed on the website. What you actually show up for.

When your team sees leadership investing in the industry and the community, it signals something bigger than optics. It says this company is thinking long term. It says we’re building something, not just billing something.

And that changes how people show up.

They talk about it at conferences.They mention it to recruits.They defend it in competitive conversations.

In service businesses, culture walks out the door every evening. If people don’t feel connected to something bigger than their workload, they’ll eventually find somewhere else to feel it.

That’s not idealism. That’s retention reality.

This Isn’t Charity. It’s Signaling.

Now let’s address the elephant in the room.

Some leaders think sponsorships and charitable involvement are “nice but optional.” Something marketing handles. Something to trim when budgets tighten.

But showing up publicly or sponsoring initiatives like the Women in Insurance Walk isn’t random generosity. It’s signaling.

It signals that you support leadership development in your industry.It signals that you invest in community.It signals that you’re playing the long game.

And in service businesses – signals matter.

Because when a client is deciding who to trust with a multi-million-dollar loss, they’re not just comparing fee structures. They’re subconsciously asking, “Who are these people?”

Your involvement answers that question before you even speak.

The Bottom Line, Without the Corporate Spin

No one is saying you should sponsor every event with a logo opportunity. That’s chaos, not strategy.

But when giving back becomes consistent and intentional, it stops being a feel-good expense and starts functioning as:

• A retention strategy.

• A reputation builder.

• A relationship amplifier.

• A quiet growth lever.

  
  

And in industries built on trust, long sales cycles, and referrals, those levers matter. The data tells a different story than the old assumption that philanthropy is just PR. It turns out, doing the right thing might also be one of the smartest business moves you can make.

Join the companies stepping forward at this year’s Women in Insurance Walk. Walk with us. Sponsor. Volunteer.  If you believe giving back is smart business, don’t just agree with it. Lead with it.

Because in this industry, how you lead matters.

INSPIRE: The Story Behind the 2026 Women in Insurance Walk Design

Behind every great design is a story of purpose. For the 2026 PLRB Claims Conference in Washington, D.C., we didn’t just want a logo. We wanted a visual anthem. Something bold enough to reflect the women reshaping the insurance industry and intentional enough to carry meaning far beyond the walk itself.

The Inspire: Women in Insurance Walk design is more than artwork. It’s the heartbeat of our mission to elevate female voices, celebrate progress, and make leadership visible.

The Vision: Bold. Bright. Unapologetic.

The insurance industry is evolving. What was once viewed as traditional and male-dominated is now being reshaped by innovation, collaboration, and diverse leadership. This year’s design captures that shift through symbolism, contrast, and confidence. Every element was chosen to reflect where we are now and where we’re headed.

The Silhouette of Confidence

At the center of the design stands a modern, unmistakable figure. She represents today’s woman in insurance. Grounded in expertise. Clear in purpose. Unafraid to lead. Her upward gaze speaks to forward momentum and ambition. The top-knot hairstyle blends professionalism with authenticity, a nod to the reality that women no longer need to choose between who they are and how they lead. This silhouette is intentional. It’s strength without apology.

The Pink Lens: Seeing the Industry Differently

The bright pink sunglasses are more than a style statement. They symbolize a fresh perspective.

Women bring a distinct lens to claims, risk, leadership, and innovation. One rooted in empathy, precision, collaboration, and resilience. The pink lens represents the ability to challenge norms, see opportunity where others see obstacles, and reimagine what leadership can look like in insurance.

It’s a reminder that perspective is power.

Inspire Is a Call to Action

The word INSPIRE sits boldly above the design for a reason. This walk isn’t just about showing up. It’s about showing what’s possible.

Women make up nearly 60 percent of the insurance workforce, yet representation at the executive level still lags behind. The Inspire theme acknowledges progress while reinforcing that visibility matters. Leadership matters. And collective momentum is how change happens.

When women see themselves reflected in leadership, the future shifts.

More Than a Walk

By wearing this design, participants aren’t just joining an event. They’re standing for representation, mentorship, and opportunity. They’re helping turn inspiration into impact.

As we gather at PLRB 2026, we do so with a shared belief:

Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we lift each other higher.

We’ll see you in D.C. for the walk, the conversation, and the future we’re building together!