Her Story
About Sophie
Sophie Appler serves as a health insurance consultant at Marsh McClendon Agency, where she has worked since graduating from college over three years ago. In her role, she partners with businesses to manage their group health insurance needs, covering major medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disabilities. She collaborates with CFOs to optimize healthcare spending in a challenging environment and with HR leaders to align benefits for talent attraction and retention. Her typical day involves meeting new clients to advise on wellness programs, resolving issues for existing clients such as billing and renewals, and ensuring leaders support healthy workplaces. Sophie earned her undergraduate degree from LaSalle University with a double major in finance and marketing, including a sales program certification, while competing as a Division I varsity women's water polo athlete. She holds a life accident and health and annuities license as well as a property and casualty insurance license. She attributes her success to surrounding herself with supportive and challenging people, staying involved in activities like sports for time management and connections, and benefiting from strong resources and mentorship at her agency. For young women entering the male-dominated healthcare and sales fields, she advises maintaining confidence, making oneself seen and heard, staying humble, and remaining curious and committed to learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sophie
01What do you attribute your success to?
The biggest thing is who you surround yourself with. In college making sure you're around people that will keep you up but also challenge you. Being involved outside of school like sports or community activities develops you more as a person through time management and gets you better connected. In my professional career the people around me at Marsh McClendon Agency have been awesome with resources and I have a great manager and support army that I feel comfortable asking questions. Being comfortable with the people who are around you and making sure they're the right people to help you grow.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
In the healthcare industry which is very male-dominated and sales role also male-dominated, keep your head high and do everything with confidence. It can be scary to be sometimes the only woman in the room but make yourself seen and heard. Grounding the room is super important. Don't get intimidated and just keep grinding, keep your head down, be humble like confident and humble. And never stop being curious and learning.
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