Conversations with the Inspiring Sabrina Timmins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Timmins.

Sabrina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been a natural worrier from a young age, always asking “what if?” and have always loved helping others so when I found an industry where I could help others solve their “what ifs”, I knew I discovered my future career in risk management. Most people at first glance think risk management and insurance is boring but it’s actually quite the contrary. I’ve been fortunate that it’s allowed me to travel the world, learn continuously and offer flexibility in defining my career path.

I fell into Risk Management & Insurance (RMI) during my collegiate years at Temple University. I’ll spare the details but I never imagined my career would be in commercial insurance, though I couldn’t be happier it did. Fast forward, I started my career as a construction insurance broker with Aon, moved to the insurance carrier side at AIG within the distribution and am currently at Honan Insurance Group. Each of my transitions was a result of opportunities arising from relationships I developed. At AIG, I was managing the relationship of an independent brokerage network for international business of which Honan Insurance Group was a member. Honan is an Australian-domiciled insurance broker in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, and they wanted someone to lead their Global Risk practice, focusing on strategic expansion and growth. Given my experience and knowledge of the market, they approached me for this role. It has been incredible ever since. I am so fortunate that I am able to travel the world, helping others reduce their risks and answer their ‘what ifs’.

This is my story though I wouldn’t be where I am without so many supportive people in my life. Whether it was my husband pushing me to take this role, my family, friends or the many mentors I’ve been fortunate to have, each of them played a vital role in shaping who I am today. For this, I am incredibly grateful.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. Sadly, I’ve lost a lot of people in my life, too soon – my stepmother when I was ten, my brother when I was 20 and my father when I was 30. I’ve been working since I was 14 years old, worked two jobs during college and just as anyone else, have had my fair share of other curve balls life throws at you. I often felt I was failing and some days wished things would be “easier” but I’ve learned life isn’t always fair and that’s just the way it is. I believe you should work hard, be kind, give back to others and everything else will fall into place as it should. Adversity has played a huge role in who I am today and I don’t know who I’d be without it. Overcoming adversity makes you stronger.

For any woman, my biggest piece of advice is to take the risk. I was told a statistic that men go for an opportunity when they feel 50% ready, women wait until they feel 80% ready. We need to decrease this percentage and support each other as women. I used to be scared to take risks but then I started thinking, “what is the worst thing that will happen?” Taking my current role at Honan was a risk but I thought the reward regardless of how the job worked out, was greater than the risk of regretting what would have happened if I didn’t go for it. Be confident in yourself.

The other piece of advice I would give is to always stay true to yourself, embrace your strengths and weaknesses and trust your instincts. I work in a male-dominated industry and at first, I wanted to be ‘one of the guys’ as I thought that would help me succeed but I then realized, being yourself is what truly makes you succeed.

What should we know about Honan Insurance Group? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am in the business of managing global risk. I help companies assess and determine the best way to mitigate risk which ultimately impacts their company’s bottom line. I specifically lead the Global Risk division for Honan, specializing in companies with operations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region of the world, assisting them with their Property & Casualty insurance and Employee Benefits programs. I am the only U.S. employee with my 200+ colleagues throughout our 6 other offices in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I most often work with brokers outside of our countries who have clients in the APAC region to help them and their clients understand the differences in Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits from one country to another. For instance, if a U.S. domiciled company has an office in Sydney, Australia, they will need an insurance broker to explain the differences between the U.S. and Australian markets in terms of coverages, program structures, regulatory environments, and cultures. I am able to assist our clients through this process and my incredible team in each of our countries put together programs to meet our clients’ needs. Every country is different making it critical for companies to have a broker they trust, who is knowledgeable and truly an expert in a given area.

Honan’s global team is known for our stellar service, depth of knowledge, innovation, and passion to assist our clients, all of which I am very proud. We are the only company in our industry with our global model and I am proud to be part of an organization with such innovation.

I love giving back to others. As such, I am on the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for Gamma Iota Sigma, am the President of Gamma Iota Sigma’s Alumni Council which I co-created, still very involved in the Risk Management & Insurance program at my alma mater, Temple University, and am getting involved in Northwestern Kellogg’s DFW Alumni Club.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Genuinely cultivate relationships with others. Treat them to coffee to get to know them on a professional and personal basis, learning from the knowledge they have accumulated from their experiences and lessons learned.

Always, always, be humble. C.S. Lewis says it best, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.honan.com.au/
• Phone: 469-207-5849
• Email: sabrina.timmins@honaninsurance.com and sabrinahtimmins@gmail.com
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinahanitz/

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