Donna Aguilar, CISR Elite
Donna Aguilar, CISR Elite, is a seasoned insurance professional with over 27 years of experience in the industry, building her career from a clerical assistant role into leadership. She currently serves as a Team Lead at Inszone Insurance Services, a role she assumed in November, where she manages a multi-million generalist book of business across Arizona and Nevada. Donna holds both CISR and CISR Elite designations, reflecting her advanced technical knowledge and commitment to professional excellence in insurance service and risk management. Her diverse portfolio includes coverage for dealerships, contractors, manufacturers, small businesses, and various emerging sectors. She initially entered the insurance field by chance through a clerical position but quickly developed a passion for the industry through client service and problem-solving opportunities. Donna is known for her collaborative and supportive leadership style, serving as both a mentor and motivator for her team. She describes her leadership approach as being a “cheerleader” for her staff, prioritizing trust, encouragement, and professional development over a heavy-handed management style. She currently leads six team members and has a long-term vision of expanding her team to as many as 15 professionals. Donna is especially passionate about empowering women in the traditionally male-dominated insurance industry and is dedicated to helping her team build confidence, expertise, and long-term career success through guidance and support. Her management philosophy emphasizes leveraging specialized team expertise while fostering a positive, growth-oriented work environment. Throughout her career, Donna has witnessed major shifts in the insurance industry, including significant increases in insurance costs over the past two decades across both personal and commercial lines. She has also observed the rapid growth of niche business markets, particularly food truck businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic, and understands how rising costs across insurance and other industries impact both businesses and everyday lifestyles. Outside of her professional work, Donna is passionate about dance and is deeply committed to breast cancer awareness and early detection advocacy. Her advocacy is personal, inspired by the loss of a close friend to breast cancer at a young age, and she actively uses her professional platform to promote awareness, education, and community support initiatives.
• Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR)
• Women of insurance
• Breast cancer awareneess
What do you attribute your success to?
I can attribute my success to the determination to not wanting to fail. I have had some very hard truths over the last 30 years, and all it does it makes me what to be a better person and better leader.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advise I have ever received was to show up and do the work. Keep all the nonsense on the back end and leave your troubles at the door. I still use show up and do the work with my team. Sometimes just acknowledging that we need to show and work makes a huge difference.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would be, be open to learn, insurance can take you far, but learning and listening, will help you succeed.