For Pam Carpenter, her experience is a springboard to mentoring opportunities and the chance to teach future leaders. Changes throughout her career have taught her about growth and confidence, and she hopes to pass on these lessons to women business owners just like you. Read on to find out how she’s inspiring the change at this year’s National Women’s Business Conference hosted by NAWBO next week..
Q: Tell us a little bit about you.
I am Chief Operating Officer for National Accounts, a division of Travelers that helps protect large businesses. I’m responsible for managing the Residual Markets Division and Risk Management Services, as well as working with the National Accounts team to lead strategic initiatives. I joined Travelers as an account executive in 1977 and later served as a manager in Commercial Lines in the Hartford field office. In 1990, I became underwriting officer for the National Accounts Northeast region. In 1998, I became one of the company’s chief underwriting officers, and in 2005, I was appointed to lead underwriting and field marketing for the Commercial Accounts unit. I serve as Chair of the Women’s Diversity Network at Travelers and served as the Chair of the Board of Hartford Habitat from 2008-2013. In 2006, I was profiled by Business Insurance in their report on “Women to Watch” in the industry.
Q: What’s next for you and your business, and how will you get there?
It is important to me to identify opportunities to mentor, encourage and empower our future leaders. As the current Chair for the Women’s Diversity Network at Travelers, I enjoy creating opportunities to help other women to succeed. I am also very passionate about and actively involved in non-profits that empower women and families, such as Habitat for Humanity.
Q: What are some things you’d like to see changed for women entrepreneurs?
Over the years, women in business have faced many challenges, such as juggling the responsibility of raising a family while they climb the corporate ladder, or building their business. It’s important that women entrepreneurs are taken seriously and have greater access to sponsors that can help make their visions a reality.
Q: We live and work in an environment of constant change…how have you learned to embrace change?
Change is constant, and resisting it is often futile. While change can be hard, it often means opportunity. Being resilient and thoughtful and having a positive attitude can make all the difference.
Q: What’s one change you’ve recently made or been part of, and how have you been positively impacted by it?
As a result of being so passionate about my work, throughout my career, I’ve been fairly hands-on. Through career growth and increased responsibilities, I have learned to delegate more effectively and to trust. In the end, doing so allows me to think more broadly and perform more strategically.
Q: If women walk away from your presentation with one thing, what do you want it to be?
Have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Don’t apologize for mistakes…and don’t agonize over them. Learn from them!
You won’t want to miss Pam and all the other amazing speakers who will be at the National Women’s Business Conference, September 27-29 (Leadership Boot Camp on the 27th and the Conference on the 28th-29th), in San Antonio, Texas.
View complete conference agenda here.