Danielle Sternisha
Danielle Sternisha is a seasoned Commercial Insurance Specialist with nearly 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. She currently serves as an Underwriting Specialist at CNA Insurance, where she is responsible for evaluating complex commercial risks, guiding underwriting strategy, and supporting portfolio performance across multiple markets. Danielle began her career from the ground floor with no prior industry experience and steadily advanced through a wide range of operational and leadership roles. Her career philosophy centers on the value of lateral growth embracing sideways moves to gain a deeper understanding of the business. By working across different departments and functions, she developed a comprehensive view of the insurance ecosystem that continues to inform her strategic decision-making today.
Throughout her career, Danielle has built a reputation as a thoughtful leader and trusted advisor within the commercial insurance space. After years in management, she made a deliberate transition into underwriting as an individual contributor to focus on personal mastery and technical expertise. Encouraged by senior leaders, including the president and vice president of underwriting, she embraced the opportunity to apply her broad organizational knowledge in a specialized role. Today, Danielle operates as a commercial underwriting leader without direct reports, mentoring underwriters, providing consultative guidance, and serving as an escalation point for agents and internal teams. She holds dotted-line influence and performance responsibility for underwriting activities across 11 branches nationwide.
In her role, Danielle spends much of her time mentoring underwriting professionals, negotiating with agency partners, and helping identify solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients across multiple industries. Working within a multi-line carrier environment, she balances analytical underwriting with relationship management and strategic communication. Her ability to understand both the technical and human sides of the business allows her to build trust, facilitate negotiations, and drive profitable outcomes. Danielle’s career reflects a commitment to continuous learning, strong mentorship, and a deep understanding of the commercial insurance landscape.
• American Public University System - Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
• Hospice of the Comforter (volunteer and Vice President of Volunteer Advisory Board)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters (application in process)
• Epilepsy Foundation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to three main things. First, great mentors I've sought them out, I'm not afraid to ask for help or guidance, and I follow them, watch them, and observe. Mentorship is so important. Second, having support from my family and friends in me changing my roles and pursuing my goals. And third, I have a strong need for self-worth and understanding my need to satisfy myself and be good enough to myself. I want to feel like I add value. I need to feel good about what I do. I want to be good enough to myself and feel like I add value to what I'm doing.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was: You'll never know if you stay afraid. Take the leap. Always try, believe in yourself. This came when I was transitioning into underwriting and I said I wasn't a salesperson and couldn't do it. My mentor told me I was a salesperson and did this every day, but I was afraid. He said, you'll never know if you stay afraid, you're afraid of selling but you're not afraid - take the leap. We second-guess ourselves too much. We think we can't do something because we don't have the history, the skills, or the training, so we automatically think we can't be great at it. But we can't be afraid. You gotta take the leap and believe in yourself. Don't be afraid. Give yourself the chance. Sometimes we miss opportunities because we're afraid, so don't let the fear take over. Believe in yourself.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are enjoying the simple things in life and being present in the moment. I love exploring new places, but that doesn't always mean getting on a plane - it means learning where I live, traveling to small towns in Texas, working remotely from different places, and getting to know the folks that live there. I love meeting new people, learning new cultures, and understanding new areas even in the state I live in. I love music because I think it's grounding. I love enjoying life every day, even where I'm at, whether that's driving on peaceful country roads, seeing acres of tulips and sunflowers, or watching sunsets in the evening. These simple things are my favorite things. I also believe strongly in volunteering and staying humble - I think volunteering keeps you humble and helps you in your career. After my severe head injury last year, I've become even more grateful for the little things, and I'm so glad I've always enjoyed the simple moments around me rather than needing material things.