Her Story
About Ciera
Ciera Askew Byers is an accomplished insurance industry professional currently serving as Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast at Convelo Insurance Group. She began her career in 2009 shortly after graduating college, starting in grassroots, door-to-door sales of senior burial insurance and Medicare supplement products. Those early experiences gave her a strong foundation in retirement planning concepts, including IRAs and long-term care, and shaped her practical, relationship-driven approach to the industry. Over time, she transitioned from retail sales into carrier-side leadership, seeking broader challenges and a deeper impact within the insurance value chain. Throughout her career, Ciera has held progressive leadership roles with Acceptance Insurance and TypTap Insurance Company, where she specialized in sales strategy, territory development, account management, and agency growth. Today, in her role with Convelo, she partners directly with agency owners and brokers serving the nonprofit and human services sector, including Religious Organizations, Senior Living, and Healthcare Workers Comp. In this highly specialized niche, she supports agencies in solving complex coverage challenges that directly impact community-based organizations and their ability to operate and serve the public. Ciera is also known for her academic achievement and perseverance, having earned her Executive MBA from the University of North Alabama in 2025 while balancing frequent work travel and raising two young children. As the first member of her family to pursue higher education, she views her academic journey as both a personal milestone and a source of inspiration. Recognized for her leadership in a traditionally male-dominated space she continues to advance her expertise with long-term goals of moving into actuarial work, further expanding her focus on risk assessment and insurance innovation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ciera
01What do you attribute your success to?
I credit my success to my parents. They worked incredibly hard and still managed to be fully present for three children. They protected us from the struggles they faced and made sure we never carried burdens that weren’t ours. Their discipline, their calm in chaos, and their ability to push through anything are what inspire me. They’re the ones who showed me the true meaning of resilience.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to push past my limits and never get complacent. Someone told me that you’re only as good as the potential you see in yourself, so I constantly aim beyond what I think I can do. If I hit a goal, I look for the next challenge. The idea that comfort means there’s still room to grow has stuck with me. I stay committed to stepping outside my comfort zone, learning new things, and refusing to settle.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To young women entering the insurance industry: know your worth. This field is male‑dominated, and that alone can be intimidating, but your value isn’t up for debate. My dad reminds me to show my worth every day through how I carry myself and the work I deliver. So here’s my advice: don’t just talk about your value—show it. Let your work speak for you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of my biggest opportunities is the fresh insight I bring from recently completing my MBA, especially the risk management component. It allows me to look at long‑standing issues with new eyes and offer solutions that might not have been considered before.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I value honesty, teamwork, transparency, and genuine camaraderie. Since I’m remote—based in Georgia while my company is in New York—it would be easy to feel isolated. But I appreciate the effort my company puts into creating connection and inclusiveness, even from miles away.
In my personal life, family comes first. We’ve always been close‑knit; I live twenty minutes from my dad and fifteen from my mom. I value being dependable, reliable, and present. My family supports each other and fosters an open relationship built on doing what’s right—not because anyone owes you anything.
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