Her Story
About Sevda
Sevda Rivera was born and raised in Azerbaijan, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University. Before moving permanently to the United States in 2015, she was selected to teach Azerbaijani to American Peace Corps volunteers, an opportunity that reflected her passion for education, communication, and connecting with people across cultures.
Starting over in a new country brought both challenges and opportunities. With English as her fourth language, Sevda built a new career through perseverance, continuous learning, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone. She ultimately found her path in insurance, where her ability to build relationships, solve problems, and help others translated naturally into serving clients.
Today, Sevda is a Senior Advisor with Insurance Marketing Agencies (IMA), working with clients in industries including construction, real estate, and manufacturing. She holds the CIC, CRIS, and CLCS designations and is currently pursuing the CPCU designation as part of her commitment to continued professional growth.
What Sevda values most about her work is the opportunity to help businesses protect what they have worked hard to build while developing long-term relationships as a trusted advisor.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sevda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning. Starting over in a new country, learning a new language, and building a career in a completely different industry taught me that challenges can become opportunities for growth. I’ve learned that when you’re willing to work hard, keep learning, and build genuine relationships, opportunities often follow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop learning. Confidence comes from knowledge. The more you invest in yourself, the more value you can bring to your clients, colleagues, and organization. That mindset continues to motivate me to challenge myself and pursue opportunities for professional growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t be afraid to speak up, ask questions, and step outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to know everything when you’re starting out—be willing to learn and find mentors who will support and challenge you. Build genuine relationships, believe in what you bring to the table, and don’t underestimate yourself. Confidence grows with experience, so keep showing up and keep learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in insurance today is keeping up with a rapidly changing risk environment, from technology and cybersecurity to climate-related exposures and emerging risks. At the same time, I see that as a tremendous opportunity. Clients need knowledgeable advisors who can help them understand these changes and make informed decisions. It gives us the opportunity to be more than insurance professionals—we can become trusted partners who help businesses prepare for what’s ahead.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, family, and treating people with respect are the values that guide me both personally and professionally. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, being dependable, and treating people the way I would want to be treated. I also believe strongly in giving back and supporting others whenever I can. For me, success means not only growing professionally, but also making a positive difference in the lives of the people around me.
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