Determination in the face of adversity
By Grace Meek, Homesite Underwriting Managers President and CEO, part of the American Family Insurance group of companies.
As a child of immigrant parents who didn’t attend college, I was taught the importance of hard work at an early age. I was encouraged to always give it my all at whatever I chose to do, but I was never warned that as a woman, this might be harder.
Often the only woman in the “room,” it took more time and effort to have my voice heard, prove my value and not just be considered a pretty face.
My career path has been a bit winding, and like many in the industry, I didn’t set out for a career in insurance. With an engineering degree in applied math and statistics, a male-dominated field at the time, I started as an actuary but soon learned that I enjoyed the business side — creating partnerships and being innovative.
When tragedy struck in 2010 with the passing of my husband and the sale of the company I worked for, within a one-month span I was left alone with twin infants, a four-year-old, and no job. I quickly learned resilience, determination, and ultimately, the strength and ability to manage change.
To read the full article, visit the American Family Insurance Medium page.
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About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 12th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 251 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has nearly 13,000 employees nationwide.