Pamela Shealy
Pamela Shealy is Vice President and Agency Development Manager at Preferred Specialty, LLC, based in Columbia, South Carolina. With nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Pamela specializes in commercial insurance, agency development, marketing, and life and health insurance. In her current role, she oversees multi-state initiatives, traveling regularly to educate independent agencies, prospect new clients, attend trade shows and conferences, and manage all marketing and social media efforts to expand the company’s footprint. Her hands-on approach and dedication to agent relationships have made her a trusted advisor in the industry.
Pamela began her career in insurance in 2004, initially focusing on life and health insurance, before transitioning to commercial insurance in 2013. She has held progressively senior roles in business development and marketing, including Senior Business Development Manager at Jencap, where she led strategic growth initiatives across the Southeast. Her career is marked by a strong emphasis on authenticity, relationship building, and going the extra mile for clients and colleagues. Pamela’s efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including Industry Person of the Year from the South Carolina Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers (2022) and IAIP Region 3 Insurance Professional of the Year (2022).
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Pamela holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and is a licensed life and health agent. Beyond her professional achievements, she is actively involved in philanthropic work, supporting children’s shelters, women’s programs, and local community initiatives in South Carolina. Pamela attributes her success to her authenticity, caring nature, and strong personal brand, emphasizing honesty, integrity, and a commitment to doing what is right. She is a passionate advocate for mentoring young professionals and encourages aspiring insurance professionals to bring their true selves to their careers.
• Licensed Life and Health Agent
• University of South Carolina – Bachelor of Arts in English
• Influential Women 2026
• Marquis Who’s Who Inductee, 2024
• Industry Person of the Year, South Carolina Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers, 2022
• Insurance Professional of the Year, IAIP Region 3, 2022
• South Carolina Insurance Professional of the Year, 2021
• Rookie of the Year, Insurance Professionals of South Carolina, 2017
• International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP)
• IAIP Region 3 (Southern States)
• Insurance Professionals of South Carolina
• Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina
• Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Georgia
• Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Tennessee
• Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of North Carolina
• Christmas projects for children's shelters and children in need through professional associations
• Women's shelter programs in South Carolina
• Local food and clothing collection for the needy in Chapin
What do you attribute your success to?
I definitely attribute my success to just being a caring person. Even though I'm selling a product, I just treat agents like my friends. I have really put myself out there to be at every networking event that I can be at, so I've just really built my brand. I think that's what I attribute it to - people just knew me because they would see me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and I'm just constantly doing things for agents and just really going the extra mile. Building my brand has attributed to my success. People knew that I was gonna do the job, and I knew so many agents that it's just been easy - you just go out and be yourself.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Last year when I went through all of these changes and had so many good companies coming to me, somebody looked at me and said, you know, you do what is going to make you happy and what's best for you and your family. I mean, that's simple, but I just still think it holds true. You have to do what makes you happy. If you go take a job for money and you're miserable, it amounts to nothing. I think you have to do what your heart tells you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just go out and be yourself. I mean, don't try to be someone else, don't try to act like someone else - be yourself. And have a good time. I mean, sure, there's seriousness to everything we do, but I mean, my biggest advice, and it just sounds so cliche, but it truly is, just go be yourself. Young people today think they have to live up to somebody else's expectations or be like somebody else, and it's all just about going out and being yourself. I mean, that's how I've been successful. I'm a South Carolina girl, born and raised in the South. I'm a Southern girl, and I just go out and be my southern self. That's what has gotten me where I am. So, be yourself!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges I would say is just balancing a lot at once, because I do travel 3 days a week. Being in a car and traveling and seeing agents is what I love about the job, but then there's a lot of back-end work that goes with that. Trying to balance everything at one time - when you have a day in the office trying to catch up, trying to follow up with agents, while still staying in touch with your underwriters in the office, and agency notes that have to be done after visits. I would say multitasking - I'm great at it, but it's the biggest challenge, just having to do a lot of things at once, wearing a lot of hats.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
To me, obviously, honesty and integrity. I mean, just always doing what's right. It's that saying, do what's right, even when no one's looking. It's just being on that side - integrity and honesty and showing up. I mean, it's just treating others like you want to be treated.