Her Story
About Genita
Genita Hayward serves as a Claims Supervisor and Claims Leader at Progressive, managing a team of five to six representatives. She began her career in the insurance claims industry in 2018 after earning a bachelor's degree in business administration from Florida A&M University and working as an operations manager at Bank of America. Hayward transitioned into claims at Allstate, then joined Progressive as an adjuster on the injury side before becoming an onboarding coach and advancing to her current leadership role. She previously served as ambassador for the Progressive African American Network for two years. Hayward is actively involved in community service, including volunteering with Feed My Starving Children, participating in street cleanups, supporting her local church with Thanksgiving turkey distributions, and organizing give-back events. She attributes her professional success to her upbringing in a family that values education and hard work, noting that as a child of immigrants she witnessed her parents' sacrifices and strives to honor them by pursuing growth and education. Hayward emphasizes the importance of balance between work and family, remaining fully present in each role.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Genita
01What do you attribute your success to?
My upbringing in a family that values education and hard work. As a child of immigrants, I saw my parents sacrifice their dreams to give us opportunities. I push myself to honor their sacrifices and make them proud by taking advantage of every chance to grow and deepen my education.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Luck (L-U-C-K) is when preparation meets opportunity. Always be prepared so that when opportunities come your way, you are ready. You are never going to get anything by doing nothing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Roll up your sleeves and be willing to get the job done. It's not going to be an easy industry, however, it can be very rewarding if you put in the work. There are a lot of opportunities to grow, and if you do the job well, it will be rewarding.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Volume spikes and consistently high claim volumes due to organizational growth require hiring more people. The challenge is balancing hiring with ensuring new representatives perform the job accurately and efficiently, especially during peak seasons.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family and community. Finding balance so that work does not negatively impact presence with family and children, and vice versa. Being fully present in each role without letting one spill over into the other.
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