October 4, 2024
Featuring Stephanie Tanner—Chief Administrative Officer, Tanner Insurance
How did you get into insurance?
After my first year of university, I spent my summer working in our Support Department reviewing and mailing documents. After that summer I realized how much I liked it—I worked every summer until I graduated and then started fulltime at the brokerage. It’s been a whirlwind. So many positive changes in my role at our brokerage. I’m now the Chief Administrative Officer working in an operations role and I love it. I’m getting more involved in the industry. I just joined the Board of Directors for the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association.
What career did you envision for yourself when you were a kid?
I thought I was going to be a teacher, but as I got older I wanted to be a victims support worker. I did my first year of university in Social Work. I realized it wasn’t the field for me, so after my summer working at the brokerage, I started my Business Degree in my second year of university. Things can change so quickly.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
#1 I work with the most amazing team.
#2 My great-grandfather started Tanner Insurance over 100 years ago and to see it grow and evolve over the years while being part of it has been incredible.
#3 I’m always learning and changing to make sure that individually and as an office we’re always improving.
#4 Over the years I’ve had the chance to learn from my dad in this business—it’s been extremely rewarding—he’s helped me grow immensely in what I do.
What’s the most interesting thing about you?
I foster dogs through an Ottawa-based dog rescue, giving them a place to stay while we search for their forever homes. It’s great getting to know their personalities, I really enjoy helping them adjust and feel comfortable. Each dog brings something special. It’s rewarding to play a small part in their journey of finding a loving family.
What’s your experience been as a young female in the insurance industry?
I think in any industry it can be tricky to navigate as a younger female. As my confidence grows in what I do, I’m continuing to learn from other women in the industry—the support, resources and representation in insurance are super helpful. At our office, a large portion of our Management Team are women. From what I see, women are becoming much more prominent in management and high-level roles in the insurance industry, which is really exciting.
Why should people consider the broker channel as their chosen career path?
Because it has endless opportunities. Some people might think it offers only cookie cutter roles, but there are so many possibilities to carve your own space. People say insurance is boring but the broker channel is just the opposite—it brings constant challenges and change to look forward to, whether someone’s working as a licensed broker or in another capacity.