Milestone moment: CICA’s Amplify Women celebrates its fifth anniversary

What does it take for a mission to become a movement? When the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) launched Amplify Women in 2020, it started with a simple but powerful mission: to connect women in captive insurance with opportunities for education, networking and influence. 

Five years later, that mission has become a veritable movement—one that’s shaped careers, broadened the industry’s horizons and is helping define the future of captive leadership.

“I’ve seen so many CICA Amplify Women members excelling in their careers and being recognised by peers in the industry, and I don't believe that's a coincidence,” said Cheryl Baker, current chair of Amplify Women and the former head of insurance at Stellantis. “Statistics show that diversity in the workplace leads to a stronger bottom line, so increasing opportunities for women to develop their careers, network, learn and grow is a win-win for women and the captive industry as a whole.”

The results speak volumes. Since its founding, Amplify Women, together with another CICA initiative aimed at young professionals called NEXTGen, has facilitated over 40 educational events—both in-person and online—hosted 25 networking events, and helped boost the share of female speakers at the CICA conference to nearly 50% in 2024 and 2025. 

That’s well above the industry average of around 30%, and a tangible sign that momentum is building.

But at its core, Amplify Women is about more than metrics—it’s about empowerment. “I have personally experienced the empowerment CICA Amplify Women has given to professionals who are entering or are new to speaking roles, leadership positions and service opportunities,” said CICA chair Heather McClure, CEO of Helio Risk & Insurance. “Seeing women pivot between engaging as a learner to becoming a teacher, for example, has been one of the most rewarding highlights of my career in captives.”

That transformation is happening across all levels and roles. Committee member Courtney Claflin, a veteran of the captive industry, highlighted the structural change the initiative has been addressing: “I’ve witnessed over 40 years of my career how underrepresented women are in leadership positions and how they can have limited opportunities. Amplify Women has the resources to help women get to where they want to be, and I’m extremely pleased with the results we have seen and the lives we have changed with our efforts.”

Importantly, the initiative is inclusive, and welcomes allies, such as subcommittee member Mike Posko, assistant vice president, Old Republic, who said: “I joined Amplify Women along with many others to make the industry better tomorrow than it is today. It has been enriching in my participation to hear the different perspectives and experiences that my fellow members have walked, giving me a better understanding of others, both personally and professionally.”

The sense of community and belonging offered by this initiative has been a game-changer, and former chair Anne Marie Towle, CEO of Hylant’s Global Captive Solutions unit, noted the way Amplify Women supported professionals throughout all phases of their lives and careers: “From a professional perspective, it’s that networking aspect and knowing who to go to with technical questions; having support as you’re going through your career and being able to call people in the industry you’re comfortable with asking those questions. 

“From a personal perspective, if you’re starting a family or have teenagers or parents that you’re taking care of, we’re able to share those stories and go through the day-to-day change that happens within our lives as well as our companies. That support is pretty incredible.”

For Anjanette Fowler, prior chair and managing director at PNC Institutional Asset Management, the bonds formed through Amplify Women are transformative: “It really becomes a community to the extent that you often don't feel as though you're working. We are conducting business, but we’re doing it with some of our best lifelong friends that we've met through Amplify Women.”

She added: “Amplify Women has really become the voice out there of what are the possibilities in your career as a young woman entering the insurance industry, where you could go and what exciting opportunities could await you here, and that's what I'm most proud of. Just creating that awareness has really made all the difference in the world. I’m seeing that play out in younger professionals coming into the industry with an enthusiasm and excitement that is so palpable.”

Amplify Women’s legacy is still evolving, but its foundation is solid, with meaningful relationships, visibility for women, and a realignment of what’s possible in the captive space.

CICA president Dan Towle is proud of the accomplishments of the initiatives. He added: “Contributing to CICA NEXTGen and Amplify Women has been rewarding, with noticeable industry impact through networking, education, and development opportunities. These programs will significantly influence the future generation's personal and professional success.

“Many volunteers have collaborated to advance these initiatives. Their support and dedication contribute significantly to the success of these programs, demonstrating that positive changes in the industry are achievable.

“CICA is very proud to spearhead these initiatives for the captive insurance industry.”

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