What happens when an industry known for caution and tradition dares to put belonging at its core? The annual Dive In Festival, a global event championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, answers this with striking clarity, showing how transformative it can be. Held this year under the theme “Belonging Builds Tomorrow,” the festival gathers leaders, employees, and advocates from across the insurance sector to explore how feeling valued at work can transform not just individuals, but entire organizations. This gathering isn’t just a conversation—it’s a movement pushing for a future where everyone has a seat at the table.
Why Belonging Matters in Insurance
The insurance industry, often seen as a bastion of stability, faces a pressing need to evolve. Amid rapid technological shifts and changing demographics, fostering a sense of belonging emerges as more than a nice-to-have—it’s a linchpin for innovation. Companies that prioritize inclusive cultures report up to a 60% increase in employee engagement, according to recent industry studies, directly linking personal value to professional output.
Beyond numbers, the human impact is undeniable. Employees who feel they belong are more likely to contribute bold ideas, challenge outdated norms, and stay loyal to their firms. The festival highlights this through real-world examples, showing that a workplace where differences are celebrated can unlock untapped potential in a sector hungry for fresh perspectives.
This focus on belonging also addresses a deeper issue: trust. As customers demand more personalized and empathetic services, insurers must reflect the diversity of the populations they serve. A workforce that feels included is better equipped to build that connection, making belonging a strategic asset for long-term relevance.
The Stakes of Inclusion in a Changing Landscape
Today’s insurance landscape grapples with fierce global competition and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence. In this high-stakes environment, inclusion becomes a critical tool for resilience. Firms with diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their peers, as noted in recent business analyses, proving that varied perspectives drive smarter decision-making.
Yet, challenges persist on a personal level. Many employees, especially from underrepresented groups, still encounter barriers rooted in systemic biases or rigid corporate traditions. These obstacles not only stifle individual growth but also limit the industry’s ability to adapt to complex, modern risks.
Addressing these gaps is vital for building a workforce ready for uncertainty. The festival underscores that inclusion isn’t just about fairness—it’s about equipping companies to navigate an unpredictable world by harnessing the full spectrum of human experience and insight.
Key Insights from This Year’s Festival Themes
The Dive In Festival this year delivers a powerful array of ideas on how belonging reshapes insurance. One standout theme is the direct link between inclusion and business success, with leaders like Katherine Conway from Aon asserting that engaged, valued employees drive measurable innovation. This perspective frames belonging as a competitive edge, not a peripheral concern.
Personal stories add depth to these discussions, such as Sonia Caamaño from Howden Broking sharing her journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming an executive through sheer determination. Meanwhile, voices like Mollie Brentnall from Crawford & Company champion neurodiversity, urging firms to see unique cognitive traits as strengths that enhance creativity. Themes of intersecting identities—whether faith-based needs or LGBTQ+ challenges—also emerge, alongside critiques of systemic barriers that still hinder diverse talent, painting a nuanced picture of an industry at a crossroads.
Voices of Change: Stories That Inspire Action
The festival’s strength lies in its authentic voices, blending personal narratives with expert insights. Lloyd’s CEO Patrick Tiernan emphasizes, “Culture isn’t a side project; it’s the foundation of performance,” positioning inclusion as a top priority for leadership. Such statements resonate with attendees, reinforcing that change starts at the highest levels.
On the ground, stories like Indhira Mani’s from RSA strike a chord—she turned a hurtful comment into fuel for purpose-driven success. Similarly, Crispin Marsland-Roberts of Hive highlights how neurodiversity can be a workplace asset, while AIG’s focus on trans inclusion demonstrates corporate allyship in action. These accounts humanize the broader push for belonging, showing its tangible impact on lives and careers.
Each narrative ties back to a shared truth: fostering an environment where everyone can thrive isn’t abstract—it’s built through real experiences and deliberate efforts. These voices collectively challenge the industry to move beyond words and into meaningful transformation.
Building Belonging: Practical Steps for Impact
Translating festival inspiration into reality requires actionable strategies, and this year’s event offers a clear roadmap for insurance leaders and teams. Adopting flexible policies, such as faith-based accommodations or caregiver-friendly schedules as seen at Zurich, ensures diverse needs are met with respect and practicality.
Active listening also stands out as a powerful tool—Hal Shaw from Aon suggests leaders pause to truly hear marginalized voices, fostering trust. Other steps include developing targeted resources, like Cheryl Barker’s maternity returner guides, and committing to visible allyship through initiatives akin to AIG’s trans inclusion efforts. Challenging structural norms by addressing cultural rigidity, as critiqued by Shannan Fort of Marsh, remains essential for lasting progress.
These strategies form a practical blueprint for embedding belonging into daily operations. By prioritizing such actions, insurance firms can shift from aspirational goals to concrete outcomes, ensuring that inclusion becomes a lived reality across all levels of the organization.
Reflecting on a Transformative Gathering
Looking back, the Dive In Festival stood as a pivotal moment for the insurance industry, bringing together diverse voices to confront the urgent need for belonging. Personal triumphs and expert insights alike illuminated the path toward a more inclusive workplace, while stark reminders of systemic challenges underscored the work still ahead.
The event challenged leaders and teams to take bold steps—whether through flexible policies, active listening, or structural reform—to ensure every employee feels valued. It also highlighted the undeniable link between inclusion and innovation, proving that a workforce united by belonging could tackle even the toughest industry disruptions.
Moving forward, the momentum from this gathering must translate into sustained action. Insurance firms are encouraged to invest in cultural shifts over the next few years, from 2025 to 2027, by piloting new inclusion initiatives and measuring their impact. Only through such commitment can the vision of a truly inclusive tomorrow become a lasting legacy.
