Growth isn't about learning new things. It's about letting go of who you were. Shifting from solving problems alone to building people and systems changed my career.
Stella Lemberg · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Stella
Stella Lemberg serves as Vice President of Operations at Enterprise Risk Associates, where she leads operational strategy and post-acquisition integration for a growing portfolio of insurance agencies.
Her career in operations began in 2008 in the commodities industry, where she developed expertise in logistics, process improvement, and business operations. In 2017, she joined her mother's independent insurance agency with what was meant to be a one-year commitment. Instead, she spent nearly a decade helping scale the business, leading to its successful acquisition in 2023.
Today, Stella helps integrate newly acquired agencies by aligning people, processes, technology, and carrier relationships to build stronger, more scalable organizations. She is passionate about developing future leaders, embracing innovation, and proving that great operations are built by empowering people, not just improving processes.
Stella credits her mother, who immigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1990, with teaching her that resilience, hard work, and lifelong learning are the foundation of meaningful leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Stella
01What do you attribute your success to?
Without question, my mother. We immigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1990 with my brother and our extended family, all searching for a better future. As a single mother, she learned English, earned a college degree, worked three jobs, and raised us while helping our family build a new life. She taught me that resilience isn't something you talk about, it's something you practice every day. Everything I've accomplished is rooted in the example she set.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't take yourself so seriously.
I'm naturally an overthinker, and early in my career I believed I had to know everything before taking the next step. I've since learned that growth comes from action, not perfection. Some of the biggest opportunities in my career came long before I felt ready. Looking back, every one of them helped shape the leader I am today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wait for permission.
Too often, women believe they need to have every qualification before raising their hand. The truth is, confidence comes from doing, not waiting. Be curious. Ask questions. Take on challenges that stretch you. Some of the best opportunities in my career came before I thought I was qualified enough to say yes.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The insurance industry is at a turning point. AI isn't replacing people, it's changing how we work.
The real opportunity is using technology to eliminate repetitive tasks so people can focus on what matters most: solving problems, building relationships, and advising clients. At the same time, we have to invest in developing the next generation of insurance professionals. Technology should make us more human, not less.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Lead with transparency. Keep learning. Leave things better than you found them.
Whether I'm integrating an acquisition, mentoring a teammate, or solving an operational challenge, I believe people do their best work when they understand the mission, feel supported, and are trusted to grow. At the end of the day, success isn't just about building great businesses. It's about building great people.
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