5 Questions with Carole Sharp, Lena Lini on WRMC, Mentorship, Purpose

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Talk of the talent shortage across the insurance industry, including in workers' compensation, has been everywhere, but who's doing something about it? One organization that's looking to shore up the future of the industry is Workers' Compensation, Risk, Managed Care & Claims. To get a sense of WRMC and its worker, we caught up with board members Carole Sharp of Broadspire and Lena Lini of Ametros.

Q. For those who may be unfamiliar, can you briefly explain what WRMC is and the mission it serves? 

Lena: Workers’ Compensation, Risk, Managed Care & Claims is a non-profit founded on the mission to empower and encourage youth to explore careers and opportunities in the Insurance Industry.  Given that the insurance industry faces a huge talent shortage – something around 400,000 openings due to retirement in the next few years – we knew there needed to be a mechanism to encourage individuals to seek out these openings.  Couple that with the cost of college education and competitive admissions environment over the past few years, future careers for young adults are not always promising.  WRMC offers a door to these lucrative opportunities in insurance.  Through our mentorship, apprenticeship, and scholarship pathways we can open doors for long term career development at an early age. 

Carole: WRMC  is a purpose driven organization that is committed to enhancing and cultivating the insurance industry with strategic pathways to success.  Empowering talent through mentorship, networking and education, WRMC stands to build a more diverse, forward thinking insurance industry.  By identifying talent early and supporting development during the formative years,  WRMC is shaping the future of leadership.  WRMC target population is granted access to various  industry professionals which is necessary to ensure long-term success and community. 

Q. What led you to join the WRMC Committee, and what motivated you to support the organization’s work? 

Lena: WRMC creates opportunities through its unique positioning with industry leaders for the next generations.  Students today face so many obstacles to start a career let alone find their “path” and WRMC solves both of those issues.  Because of the whole design of the organization around the students and the energy of the board members and founders, I was more than excited to jump on board. 

Carole: One cannot be impactful standing on the outside looking in.  When I began my career in claims, there were no mentorship programs.  There were no initiatives to elevate my career, and I thought that I would always be in a support role.  But through hard work, integrity and commitment to excellence, someone saw in me what I did not see in myself and created a pathway for me.   We all know that a good leader develops other leaders.  And, as leaders, we have a duty to recognize and develop talent.  That is why it is so important to be a part of this organization.  To share my story.  To share my success. 

Q. Can you share your personal “WHY” and how it reflects the impact of WRMC’s programs? 

Lena: I personally have been involved in mentoring for years.  I believe that kids need all the support we can give them. I have had mentors throughout my college years and career and give all of them credit for where I am today.  Kids need these individuals to provide feedback and support in today’s crazy world.  Students – particularly young women – need to know that they have a right to have a seat at the table.  Minorities and disadvantaged students need to know that they have a seat at the table.  There is a chair there and it is up to them to reach for it and sit down.  But with a strong support system it is easier for them to see a path to even get into the room where the table is located.  As a leader in my community and industry it is up to me help them find that path and encourage them to open the door.  At the same time, mentees have also opened doors for me – encouraging me to continue in my own pursuits and my own education to continue to support those coming up behind me. 

Carole: Where do I start? Youth often need someone to look up to—someone to learn from and model themselves after. That is exactly why it’s so important they have access to positive role models. We don’t always know who is watching us or how our actions influence the choices they make. 

If I can be a positive example—and help shape someone’s career in this industry—then I am fulfilled. 

When we speak about providing access, we can’t just talk the talk. We have to walk the walk. I’m proud to work with an organization that allows me to do exactly that—supporting new talent by creating pathways for upward mobility. 

Q. From your perspective, what is WRMC’s greatest need as the organization continues to grow ? 

Lena: WRMC’s greatest need is funding for scholarships and volunteers to mentor and support apprenticeships.  We have such an opportunity  to share with educators and students, that story will do the work of engaging them – but we need the boots on the ground and financial support for these kids.  Volunteers to mentor, volunteers to go into the schools and tell their story, volunteers to support and guide the kids, volunteers willing to open up doors for them. 

Carole: Funding, mentorship and access.  Access to organizations that welcome and include the youth in our communities through mentorships, youth to work initiatives.  And frankly, leaders that look like the target population and are passionate about creating pathways to success for those who would not otherwise have access to opportunities.  We need organizations that understand that investing in our youth is investing in the future of their organization.  The sooner we start, the better the outcome. 

Q. For those interested in getting involved, what opportunities exist to support WRMC’s mission—whether as a volunteer, mentor, sponsor, or partner? 

Lena: All of them exist!  As I said above, we need volunteers to go into schools, tell their career story and present the opportunities in the industry.  We need mentors to engage with the students and have the meaningful conversations. We need sponsors to ensure programs continue and scholarships are funded.  And we need industry partners willing to open doors and make meaningful connections for the students.  It takes the whole industry to thrive and with young adults engaged in the future, we can all be successful. 

Carole: All of the above is essential to ensure the long-term success of this program. But we also need visibility in the community so the work being done is recognized—and so youth can see that there are welcoming opportunities for them in this industry. That level of impact requires more than individual support. It requires sponsors, especially corporate sponsors, because the youth we are mentoring today will become the leaders of tomorrow. 

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