Sometimes leadership sneaks up on us. It starts out with our volunteering on a committee or speaking up at a meeting. Someone may nudge us at first, giving us encouragement. Or perhaps we raise our voice out of frustration or in defiance, challenging conventions, shattering the established way of doing things.

As a woman who happens to work at the intersection of two fields historically dominated by men — insurance and technology — I know something about breaking down barriers. I take pride in a new generation of leaders who are solving problems, leading teams and making a difference with the confidence that I wish I’d had when I was starting out.