Danielle Burch
Danielle Burch is a Regional Vice President for Bank Partnerships at Franklin Madison, where she partners with financial institutions nationwide to strengthen customer engagement and drive noninterest income through strategic insurance and protection programs. In this role, she focuses on aligning product solutions with bank culture and customer needs, using data-driven insights to help institutions build deeper, more meaningful client relationships. She is also a speaker and best-selling contributing author of Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity, where she shares perspectives on leadership, purpose, and professional growth. A U.S. Army National Guard veteran, Danielle brings a strong foundation of discipline, accountability, and mission-focused leadership to every aspect of her work.
Her career in financial services and insurance spans more than a decade and includes leadership roles across sales, operations, and agency management. She has held key positions such as Sales Supervisor at GEICO, Insurance Operations Manager at GreenState Insurance, and General Manager of Insurance & Vice President at Lone Star National Bank. She later served as Director of Enterprise at BackNine Insurance and Financial Services, where she led strategic partnerships with financial institutions and managed large-scale operational improvements. Across these roles, she has consistently driven growth, built high-performing teams, and implemented systems that improved efficiency, customer experience, and revenue performance.
Danielle earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Illinois University, where she also developed her foundation in communication, leadership, and critical thinking. Her early career began in the Army National Guard, where she served for eight years and rose to the rank of Sergeant, shaping her leadership philosophy centered on resilience, service, and teamwork. Today, she combines her military background, financial services expertise, and passion for storytelling to inspire others, build impactful partnerships, and support innovation in the banking and insurance industries.
• Sales Navigator Best Practices Certificate Course
• Leading Forward-Leading Development Program
• Life, Accident, Health, & HMO Insurance License
• QCLS-Qualified Commercial Lines Specialist
• Writing Emails People Want to Read
• Leading When You're Not in Charge
• Improving Your Listening Skills
• Become a Super-Collaborator
• One-Minute Habits for Hybrid and Remote Working Success
• Property and Casualty Insurance Licenses
• Aquaponics Greenhouse Management Certified
• Western Illinois University- B.A.
• Black Hawk College- A.A.
• Best-Selling Co-Author of 'Brave Women at Work' on Amazon
• Best Practice Agency Awards (as Operations Manager)
• BISA
• American Bankers Association
• Financial Institution Insurance Council
• Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy
• Chains Interrupted (Iowa)
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say one of the things that I'm most proud of in my career was when I was the operations manager for an insurance agency from September 2017 to April 2023. I helped them create processes that just streamlined everything that was happening in the agency across sales and service, and because of those processes, we were able to be way more efficient. We started winning best practice agency awards, and we tripled in size in 3 years. Even though I've been gone from that agency for years, they're still using those same processes I created. What I love most about what I do is that I work for a company that's passionate about what we do, and the people I work with love their jobs, so that really makes life worthwhile. I'm a mom too, so I take care of my kids, and they get to see that I love my work because we're helping mostly families and individuals get something that they normally wouldn't afford or think that they could get on their own. The way that we do it, they're getting a much better rate for it, so they can afford it, and a lot of times they didn't even know that they could have it. I love that I get to help families have something they need, and they can afford it in a time that's really difficult right now. I mean, everybody's finances are probably strained, and so thinking about getting insurance is the last thing they want, so if we can help them, I love that we can.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I received was to stop trying to control everything and instead focus on what I can execute well. Early on, I wanted to have everything figured out before making a move. But I learned that progress comes from action, not perfection. That shift, from overthinking to executing, changed everything for me. It allowed me to grow faster, take on bigger opportunities, and lead with more confidence
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, don't wait until you feel completely ready, because you won't be. This industry rewards people who are willing to learn quickly, take initiative, and build relationships. I would say learn the business beyond your role - understand how revenue is generated, how decisions are made, and how different parts of the organization connect. That's what moves you from being good at your job to really becoming a leader. Finally, don't underestimate the power of consistency. The women who succeed long-term aren't always the loudest, but they're the ones that are going to show up, improve, and execute every single day.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field is that many families are financially strained and often view insurance as a lower priority despite its importance in protecting their financial stability. The key opportunity is leveraging data segmentation through financial institution partnerships to deliver affordable, relevant coverage options that meet customers where they are and make essential protection more accessible.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important in my work and personal life are service, leadership, consistency, and reliability, along with a strong commitment to helping families prepare for and navigate life’s uncertainties. I also value maintaining flexibility so I can show up fully for both my professional responsibilities and my family.