Inclusion in the workplace has been a continuous conversation in the insurance community over the past few years, with leaders turning their attention towards creating diverse work environments.
Allyson Goffney (pictured), VP and underwriter III at AmRisc Group, and panelist at the Women in Insurance New York summit, spoke to Insurance Business about the importance of making the industry look as diverse as the businesses and individuals that its service is provided to.
“The industry needs to be open to addressing some biases,” Goffney explained. “We can’t change individuals, but we can change the industry as a whole.”
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Being intentional in hiring practices and seeking out people who may not have been provided with the opportunity or exposure to hear about insurance on a commercial or individual level, is the first step to change.
“It’s a great industry to be a part of as far as working sustainability,” said Goffney.
Goffney is a part of AmRisc’s diversity, equity, and inclusion council and a member of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA), helping facilitate networking events and career fairs to promote growth within the industry.
AmRisc issues a diversity, equity, and inclusion newsletter monthly, covering topics such as Asian heritage, the LGBTQ+ community and historic figures who have fostered significant change.
The diversity, equity, and inclusion council has also created points of contact for employees to facilitate communication.
“One strategy is called ‘connectors’,” Goffney explained. “We welcome and invite all the new hires to be paired with someone within the company to introduce them to the AmRisc culture to make sure their transition is comfortable and easy.”
With offices in Houston, Atlanta, Alabama, and Florida, connecting new talent with different divisions within the organization helps foster a sense of community and inclusion.
“We have a lot of little touchpoints within our company to try and keep diversity at the forefront of people’s minds,” Goffney added.
“I am realistic in the fact that the changes may not happen overnight but as long as we keep the conversation going, keep our minds and our hearts open, I think overall we can make some lasting change,” said Goffney.
Goffney will be going into more detail about diversity and inclusion on September 14, 2021, at the Women in Insurance New York virtual summit.
