Her Story
About Ashanda
Ashanda R. Dunigan is a Senior Operations Manager, organizational leadership strategist, speaker, author, and mentor based in the Greater Indianapolis area. With more than 17 years of experience in the insurance industry, she has built a successful career advancing from an entry-level position into senior leadership. In her current role, Ashanda oversees large-scale operations of approximately 300 employees, leading strategic initiatives, driving performance improvements, managing key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensuring operational excellence through data-driven decision-making and process optimization.
Ashanda is passionate about developing people and creating environments where individuals can grow and succeed. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong ability to transform underperforming teams by mentoring employees, strengthening leadership capabilities, and applying root-cause problem-solving strategies to improve processes and prevent recurring challenges. Her areas of expertise include operational leadership, organizational strategy, leadership development, team management, business analysis, and continuous improvement. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Business Management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Institute of Technology. She is also pursuing a Six Sigma Black Belt certification to further enhance her process improvement expertise.
Beyond her corporate leadership role, Ashanda is dedicated to empowering women and making a positive impact in her community. She is the founder of the Women of Prosperity Network, a co-author of The Female Leader: Empowerment, Confidence & Passion, and a Certified Women’s Empowerment Coach and speaker. She actively supports leadership and community initiatives through organizations including the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the National Council of Negro Women. Through her work as a leader, mentor, and advocate, Ashanda continues to inspire others to embrace confidence, growth, and purposeful leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my journey to success in insurance, which began in 2007 after transitioning from nursing into business. Over nearly a decade in senior leadership, I have focused on strategic growth, developing teams through coaching and mentoring, and driving results through problem-solving. I also credit my success to the values my mother instilled in me, the guidance of my mentors Dr. Carla and Donna Wilson, and opportunities such as becoming a certified empowerment speaker and co-authoring The Female Leader, where I shared my leadership journey alongside 14 other women.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that hard work will always guide me toward the future that God has designed for me. This belief has shaped my career journey, supported by my education, including a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to always have a mentor who can guide, encourage, and recognize your potential. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have influential mentors, including Dr. Carla from State Farm and Donna Wilson from the National C, who supported me during moments when I lacked confidence and helped shape my leadership journey.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity in my field right now is being able to mentor and support others who need guidance. Through my leadership role, I have the privilege of developing people, sharing my experience, and helping others grow professionally while continuing to strengthen my leadership abilities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are growth, continuous learning, and helping others reach their potential. I am passionate about mentoring and developing employees, especially those who need additional support, and I take pride in transforming challenges into opportunities for improvement, such as turning around a struggling department. My education, including a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and my pursuit of a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, reflects my commitment to strengthening operations and developing my skills. Outside of work, I value spending time in nature, enjoying DIY projects, and creating meaningful memories through travel with family and friends.
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