Ashley ODell

I attribute my success to resilience, perseverance, and having a purpose greater than myself. I became a mother at a young age, and from that point forward, I knew I wanted to create a life my children could be proud of and learn from. Life has brought challenges, including the loss of my brother and moments when continuing forward would have been easier to postpone than pursue, but those experiences strengthened my determination rather than diminished it. I learned that success is not about having a perfect path, it is about continuing to grow, even when the path is difficult. My children have been one of my greatest motivations, and I decided that if I wanted them to believe they could overcome adversity and accomplish difficult things, I needed to become that example for them. I also attribute my success to remaining committed to learning, taking opportunities seriously, and never allowing where I started to determine where I could ultimately go.

Two pieces of advice have always stayed with me: “If you don’t build your dreams, someone else will hire you to build theirs,” and “Feed your soul with knowledge. You can lose a job and you can lose material things, but no one can ever take away your knowledge and education.” Those words shaped the way I approach my career. I’ve learned that titles, positions, and circumstances can change, but the knowledge, skills, and experience you gain become part of who you are. I believe in continuously learning, challenging myself, and building toward something greater rather than becoming comfortable simply because I’ve reached one milestone.

My advice to young women entering the insurance industry is to never underestimate the value of your voice, your knowledge, or your ability to grow. Ask questions, find mentors, and never stop learning, because confidence often comes from preparation and experience. Don’t be afraid to take up space in rooms where you may be one of the youngest or one of the few women present. Build a strong foundation of knowledge, advocate for yourself, and remember that your career does not have to follow a perfectly straight path to be successful. Every role, challenge, and opportunity can teach you something that prepares you for the next level.

One of the biggest challenges in the insurance industry right now is keeping pace with how quickly risk is evolving. Technology, changing regulations, economic pressures, severe weather, and new types of exposures are constantly reshaping how companies evaluate and manage risk. At the same time, those challenges are creating tremendous opportunities. The industry is becoming more data-driven and technology-focused, which creates room for professionals who are willing to keep learning, adapt, and bring both technical knowledge and strong judgment to the table. I also see a real opportunity for more women to step into specialized, leadership, and decision-making roles and help shape the future of the industry.

The values that guide me most are integrity, resilience, compassion, accountability, and purpose. I believe character is revealed most in the moments when doing the right thing is difficult, inconvenient, or unseen. Resilience has taught me that hardship does not have to define your future; it can refine you, strengthen you, and give you a deeper sense of purpose. I did not grow up with a roadmap for the life I wanted, so I decided to become one for my children. That mindset influences everything I do. Compassion reminds me that behind every title, decision, and responsibility is a person with a story that deserves to be treated with dignity. Accountability keeps me grounded, because growth requires being willing to own both your successes and your mistakes. Above all, I want my life and career to mean something beyond personal achievement. I want my children to see that success is not simply about how far you rise, but about who you become along the way, how you treat people when no one is watching, and whether you use what you’ve learned to help create a clearer path for those who come after you.