Carolyn Fanning, AFE, APIR

I attribute my success to perseverance, resilience, and the mindset I was taught early on in life by my father to see mountains as something to move, not obstacles to fear. He instilled in me the belief that anything a man can do, I can do too. That perspective gave me the confidence to grow and lead in the accounting industry, a field that has traditionally been male-dominated. Along the way, I’ve learned from other mentors that success comes not only from hard work and determination, but also from staying authentic, continuing to learn, and never allowing limitations, whether societal or self-imposed, to define what’s possible. It’s a mindset that continues to guide how I lead, grow, mentor others, and pursue meaningful impact today.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to stop waiting until I felt completely ready. Growth usually happens before confidence catches up. This advice has also helped me learn how valuable mentorship is, having people who are willing to guide you, challenge you, and share their experiences can accelerate both personal and professional growth. Another lesson that has stayed with me is to never be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Some of the greatest opportunities and insights come from being curious, advocating for yourself, and being willing to learn in real time. Consistency, curiosity, and resilience matter far more than having all the answers from the start.

Don’t underestimate the value of your perspective or your voice. Insurance accounting is a complex, highly analytical industry, and historically it has been male dominated but expertise, integrity, and leadership are not defined by gender. My advice to young women entering this field is to become deeply knowledgeable, stay curious, and never stop asking questions. Confidence comes from competence, and the more you learn, the more you realize you belong at the table. Build strong relationships and seek out mentors who challenge and support you. At the same time, don’t wait for permission to lead. Speak up in meetings, take on difficult projects, and trust your ability to solve problems. Some of the most successful people in this industry are those who combine technical excellence with emotional intelligence and collaboration. Most importantly, remember that your career does not have to follow someone else’s blueprint. There is room for women to lead authentically, bring fresh perspectives, and help shape the future of the industry for the next generation.

One of the biggest challenges in the insurance accounting industry right now is navigating rapid change while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and trust. Regulatory requirements continue to evolve, technology is transforming traditional workflows, and companies are being asked to do more with greater speed and transparency. At the same time, many organizations are balancing legacy systems with new AI-driven tools and automation, which creates both opportunity and complexity. On a personal level, one of the biggest challenges for me is continuing to stay relevant and ensuring I have a seat at the table as the industry evolves. I see this as an opportunity to constantly refine my skills by being able to take highly complex insurance accounting concepts and translate them into clear, simple terms that everyone in the business can understand. The ability to bridge that gap between technical detail and practical business understanding is critical for better decision-making and stronger collaboration across teams. It’s important to continuously adapt, grow your expertise, and demonstrate strategic value beyond technical knowledge alone.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, transparency, and effective communication. Trust is the foundation of any meaningful relationship or collaboration; it allows people to rely on one another and creates a sense of stability. Transparency matters because it builds accountability and reduces misunderstanding. I highly value being honest and clear, even when conversations are difficult. Effective communication ties everything together, helping ensure that ideas, expectations, and feedback are shared in a way that is respectful and easy to understand. Alongside those, I also place a high value on integrity, which guides me to do the right thing even when it’s not the easiest path. Respect is equally important, as it shapes how I treat others and how I expect to be treated in return. Finally, continuous growth is something I try to carry into both areas of my life which helps with staying open to learning, adapting, and improving over time.