Her Story
About Kaneesha
Kaneesha Heath serves as a Data Strategist and Business Process Analyst at AmeriLife in Tampa, Florida. She rejoined the insurance industry in October 2025 after prior experience from 2013 to 2017 and eight years in consulting at PwC, where she transitioned from invoicing to data strategy roles. Heath earned a bachelor's degree in film and media arts with a minor in communication in 2012 and a master's degree in professional communication in 2021, along with an Alteryx certification. She attributes her success to mentors Dina Rossetti, who empowered her in data storytelling and context, and Nicole Norton, who taught workshop facilitation and confident communication. Heath values integrity, work ethic, and clear communication, focusing on data integrity and simplifying terminology to avoid misinterpretation. She advises self-advocacy through networking, such as requesting brief meetings with respected leaders, and encourages young women to pursue creative passions like design and storytelling even within corporate insurance roles.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kaneesha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've had a couple of great mentors, especially when I was working at PwC. One is Dina Rossetti who empowered me and put me in the room where context matters for data stories. Another is Nicole Norton who taught workshop facilitation and communicating with confidence even without knowing the content. I also learned to see something and say something with a solution, taking initiative rather than waiting on the sidelines.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Advocating for yourself because if you don't do it nobody else will. Befriend people without being afraid of titles, ask for 15 minutes a month to learn from those you respect, as that networking changed my trajectory from PwC to AmeriLife.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Figure out what you're passionate about and stick to what you're good at and enjoy, because that keeps you happy. Find paths that touch those areas like creativity even in insurance through marketing, advertising, dashboard design, or PowerPoints. There is usually a path in corporations for skills you enjoy, even artistic ones.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Communication is the biggest challenge because terminology and acronyms are used differently across teams, leading to misinterpretation. I focus on simplifying communication, telling accurate data stories, and ensuring data integrity so numbers aren't misused, such as in decisions affecting people's jobs.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and work ethic go hand-in-hand. I don't commit to what I can't do and communicate scope issues in advance. I value communication highly, preferring quick calls over emails for feedback to avoid misinterpretation. Feedback is like watering plants differently for each person and should be given promptly to prevent bad habits.
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