Lisa M Smith

Much of my success is a reflection of the incredible people who have supported me along the way. I am especially grateful for my husband, whose constant encouragement, belief in me, and unwavering support have given me the confidence to pursue opportunities and continue growing both personally and professionally.

I have also been fortunate to have mentors who challenged me, shared their knowledge, and helped me recognize strengths and accomplishments that I might not have seen in myself. Their guidance has played a significant role in shaping my career and pushing me to reach new levels of growth and confidence.

Working at Garnet has been another important part of that journey. The company's supportive and empowering culture creates an environment where people are encouraged to learn, take on new challenges, and reach their full potential. Having the opportunity to work alongside talented colleagues and leaders who genuinely invest in the success of others has made a meaningful impact on my development.

Looking back, I am grateful for the combination of personal support, mentorship, and professional opportunities that have helped me get to where I am today. Those experiences have reinforced my belief in the importance of surrounding yourself with people who encourage growth, celebrate success, and inspire you to become the best version of yourself.

Don't let self-doubt hold you back from pursuing opportunities or taking on new challenges. Early in my career, I often underestimated my abilities and spent too much time questioning whether I was ready. With the advice and guidance of many mentors, I realized that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and trusting yourself, even when you don't have all the answers.

Have confidence in the skills, experiences, and strengths you've developed. Be willing to take calculated risks, speak up, and pursue opportunities that may seem just beyond your reach. More often than not, you're far more capable than you think. Believe in your potential, stay open to learning, and remember that the only person who can truly limit your success is yourself. With determination, resilience, and confidence, you can achieve far more than you imagine.

My advice to young women entering the insurance industry is to focus on progress, not perfection. It's easy to spend time overthinking your career plan, questioning whether you're making the right moves, or comparing your journey to others. While it's important to have goals and a vision for where you want to go, don't let the pursuit of the "perfect" path prevent you from moving forward.

Once you've identified a direction that excites you, commit to it and keep taking purposeful steps forward. Be patient with the process and understand that career growth doesn't always happen according to your timeline. Some opportunities may take longer than expected, and some of the most valuable experiences come from unexpected detours. Trust that your hard work, dedication, and willingness to learn are building a foundation for future success, even when the results aren't immediately visible.

Most importantly, believe in yourself and your abilities. Self-doubt can be one of the biggest obstacles to growth, especially early in your career. Don't let that inner voice convince you that you're not ready or qualified enough. Be willing to raise your hand, take on new challenges, and step outside your comfort zone. Confidence isn't about having all the answers—it's about trusting yourself to learn, adapt, and succeed.

The captive insurance industry is at an exciting crossroads. While challenges such as social inflation, nuclear verdicts, rising medical costs, and emerging risks like cyber and climate exposures continue to pressure traditional insurance markets, they are also creating opportunities for captives to play a larger strategic role in risk financing. Organizations are increasingly using captives not just to manage insurance costs, but to gain greater control over risk, leverage data and analytics, expand into new coverages, and create long-term financial stability. For group captives in particular, strong member engagement, a proactive safety culture, and disciplined underwriting remain the keys to turning these challenges into sustainable competitive advantages

In my professional life, I value open and honest communication, integrity, and a positive culture where people feel respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work. I believe strong relationships and trust are the foundation of successful teams and organizations. I also value continuous learning and growth - both for myself and those around me - and appreciate environments that encourage development, new challenges, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

In my personal life, my family and friends are my greatest priorities. I value the relationships that provide support, encouragement, and perspective through every stage of life. Health and well-being are also incredibly important to me, as they allow me to be present and engaged with the people and experiences that matter most. I value trust - being someone others can depend on and surrounding myself with people who share that same commitment to honesty, loyalty, and authenticity.