Her Story
About Sharon
I've been in voluntary insurance for 35-plus years, basically my whole career since I was 17. I started with a part-time job in high school paying coal miners' claims for Provident Life and Accident in Bristol, Tennessee. I was always a straight-A student, so complexity didn't bother me. Throughout my 39-year career with that family of companies - which became Health Source of South Carolina, then Unum Corporation, and Colonial Life - I migrated all over and held probably every role you could hold: claims processing, quality assurance, training claims adjusters, being over their quality audit program, supervising the mailroom, pre-claim unit, customer service, billing, and accounting. I just loved everything that I learned. After retiring from Colonial Life in 2021, I joined Chubb, working for their division called Combined Insurance Company of America. It's a phenomenal company with an awesome culture, awesome people, and excellent pay. Last September, I was selected as one of only about 150 employees out of 100,000 worldwide to attend Chubb's Leadership Academy in Miami, Florida, which was a big honor. I got to interact with leadership across the globe from other divisions of Chubb, and it was an unforgettable experience. I've always been a servant leader who leads from behind - I think of myself like the breath beneath the wings of others because I like to elevate others so they can be their best self. Every employee I've ever managed, I've had lots of people get promotions that reported to me because that's where they wanted to go, and I helped them get there. My passion is helping people, and I really enjoy that no matter what job I was in, it resulted in me helping someone.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sharon
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my values and beliefs and work ethic. Those three things have been the foundation of everything I've accomplished throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from one of my leaders, Bridget Bennin-Litton. It was during one of my reviews, and she said, 'Sharon, you're the type of person that operates at this level' - and her hand went real high in the air - 'because you operate at a very high level. And so, you expect that level from everyone. But Sharon, everyone doesn't work at that level. So, from your perception, you need to see others for where they are and not demand high expectations, or perceive them as doing exactly what you would do, because they're their own person. They're not going to perform. Everybody's not going to perform like you.' That was like a curtain reveal. The curtain dropped, and I was like, wow, that's pretty profound. Ever since then, I've always looked through those lenses, and it's been a blessing for her to have shared that with me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'll go back to what my mom used to tell me: you can do anything you set your mind to do. I've always been a firm believer in that. So you have to have belief in yourself. No matter what the job - whether it's this industry, or a mechanic, or a doctor, or the janitor, or a president, or a CEO - if you have a will to want to do something, you can do it. Perseverance is number one. Always do your best, put in the hard work, and you will achieve your goal. I don't think there's ever been a goal that I've ever set that I've never achieved or exceeded. Ever. Now, have I had failures? Yes. We all have failures, but we learn from those, and that's what helps us to grow. So you have to look at failures as opportunities for further growth. That's what you have to do.
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