A Long, Strange Journey: My IAIP Presidential Farewell
By Lisa R Hardin, CPCU, CPIW, AIC, AIS, ACS, AINS, SCLA, CLP. DAE$ (2025-2026 IAIP International President)
What a long, strange journey this past year has been.
When I began this chapter with IAIP, I was filled with hope and possibility. Like so many of us, I started with optimism—believing that with passion, hard work, and a little courage, anything was possible. I felt like a “Girl on Fire,” energized by opportunity and fueled by the privilege of serving this incredible organization. “That is why it is my Walk‑Up Song.”
Along the way, I learned that leadership isn’t a greatest‑hits album. It’s a playlist—upbeat, slow, joyful, painful, even angry—but powerful in every track.
There were moments when I had to remind myself, and all of us, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” There were victories worth celebrating, friendships worth cherishing, and accomplishments that reminded us why we do this work.
But there were also days that could only be described as a “Bad Day.” Days when plans unraveled. Days when criticism stung. Days when leadership felt lonely. Days when I had to admit, “I am ‘Not Okay,’ and that’s okay.”
There were moments when the pressure felt overwhelming—moments that echoed the lyrics of “Under Pressure” and made me wonder how much more could be asked of any of us.
Some seasons felt endless. Times when challenges piled on top of challenges, when every storm seemed to be followed by another on the horizon. Those were the moments when “Wake Me Up When September Ends” felt a little too real—not because I wanted to miss the journey, but because some chapters were especially long.
At times, the journey felt like a “Crazy Train.” At others, like I was barreling down a “Highway to Hell” toward yet another unexpected challenge. And somewhere in the middle of it all, I realized I had checked into “Hotel California.” You know the place—you can check out anytime you like, but once Insurance Professionals becomes part of your heart, you never really leave.
There were moments when all I wanted was to say, “I Want to Be Sedated,” maybe with a little help from “Alcohol,” from a “Hole in the Bottle,” or perhaps some “Wine, Beer, Whiskey.” But reality always reminded me that leadership isn’t about escaping. It’s about persevering.
There were times when difficult decisions had to be made—times when I wanted to hand over the steering wheel and say, “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Moments when criticism came from places I least expected, when I felt compelled to say, “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice.
” And yes, there were occasions when my internal dialogue sounded a lot like “Kiss This.” Not because leadership is about anger, but because leadership is about conviction.
Sometimes you must stand your ground. Sometimes you have to defend what’s right. Sometimes you must protect the future of an organization you love.
There were battles that felt like “Gunpowder & Lead,” and moments when “My Give a Dam is Busted.” Not because anyone was an enemy, but because change, growth, and progress often come with conflict and discomfort.
Yet every challenge taught me something valuable. Every disappointment strengthened me. Every setback revealed a new source of resilience.
And through it all, I discovered that leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about showing up anyway.
The truth is, I didn’t take this journey alone. Somewhere along the way, Insurance Professionals became more than an association—because “We Are Family.” Not the kind that always agrees. Not the kind that never argues. But the kind that shows up.
Whenever I stumbled, someone would say, “I’ll Be There for You.” Whenever the burden grew heavy, someone reminded me to “Lean on Me.” Whenever the road became difficult, I knew I would make it “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
Growth rarely comes from the easy days. It comes from the setbacks, the disappointments, the criticism, the moments when you question yourself and wonder whether you have what it takes to keep moving forward.
But pain has a way of teaching lessons that success never can.
Every challenge forced me to grow. Every obstacle demanded resilience. Every difficult conversation strengthened my resolve.
And somewhere along the way, I realized the struggles weren’t breaking me—they were building me.
That’s when I became a “Believer.” Not because the road was easy. Not because everything worked out perfectly. But because I learned that I could endure more than I ever imagined. That setbacks could become steppingstones. That adversity could become strength. That the fire didn’t consume me—it refined me.
As I pass the gavel and close this chapter, I do so with gratitude, pride, and hope.
Gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Pride in what we have accomplished together. And hope for the future of Insurance Professionals.
This organization has taught me that leadership is not about a title. It is about service. It is about showing up. It is about believing in others before they believe in themselves. It is about finding your voice, helping others find theirs, and knowing when it is time to pass the microphone to the next performer.
To my IAIP family—thank you for being part of this long, strange journey. Thank you for helping me through the days when I was not okay, through the pressure, through the crazy‑train moments, and through every September that seemed like it would never end.
Because of you, I found my “Fight Song.” Because of you, I learned to “Roar.” Because of you, “I’m Still Standing.” And because of all of us—we are family. And yes, “We Are the Champions.”
As I take my final bow as your International President, I leave you with these words that feel fitting for this moment:
Carry on, my wayward sons and daughters. There’ll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest. Don’t you cry no more.
Thank you, IAIP. The journey continues.
Message From the Incoming President
By Jonel Thames Leake, CPCU, ASLI, AAI, CPIW, DAE, CLP-A, ACR is an account executive at an independent agency on the Maine coast. She has served in leadership positions at all levels of our organization and is our 2026-2027 International President.
As I start my journey as your International President, I am pinching my arm to make sure I am not sleeping. The idea of serving as your President it not something I ever dared to dream about. I remember sitting in the audience at my first few local association meetings over 40 years ago and looking at the members sitting at the head table and thinking “I could never do that”. I was so shy that I would be anxious every time we went around the room and introduced ourselves.
How did that shy young lady end up being installed as your international president? I grew and evolved thanks to this organization. The first step of my journey started because I raised my hand and asked a question. I got an answer and somehow ended up on the nominating committee. Yes, I was volun-told! As a member of the nominating committee, I got to make connections and work with other members and the next thing I knew I was chairing the safety committee. As things often happen in this organization, a few short years later, I ended up sitting at that head table. Part of me still believed I couldn’t do it but other members let me know they had confidence in me, and they knew I could do it. They were right. I could and I did.
I took advantage of the opportunities our association offered. I took CWC, I chaired committees and I served as an officer. Was my journey from that new member a smooth road that I skipped merrily along? No. There were bumps and detours and times I stopped and rested. What remained constant was the support of the members around me. Insurance Professionals is a great place to grow and evolve. We are a safe place. When I try something outside my comfort zone, I know that I have people cheering me on and saying you can do it. If I struggle, people are there to assist and guide me. If I fail, those same people help me get up and move forward. I hope you all have your crew of people who will do that for you. My growth over the year has made me a better member, a better employee and a better person;
As I evolved and grew, so did IAIP. When I first joined, we were the National Association of Insurance Women, and we were very local association focused. That was because we didn’t have cell phones, text messages and video chats. Most of our time was spent with our local members and we might see other members outside our group a few times a year – if we were lucky. I remember meeting other members at my first regional conference. The members showed me the value of an extended network. My network has now grown to members across our country.
Over the past 10 years, IAIP has evolved and changed in ways we never imagined. Our connections are unlimited. You can take a class with an instructor in Maine while sitting in your office in California. You can ask a member in Arizona about coverages in their state, and you can go on vacation and make dinner plans with friends all around the country. The opportunities for connections are endless. Isn’t that wonderful? Because of this new technology, we are evolving into a more internationally based group.
Like my journey, the evolution of IAIP isn’t always as smooth as we would like. There are highs and yes, there are lows. I want to give you a visual. Weare all climbing a staircase in the IAIP evolution. Because we are insurance pros, we can multi-task and we are using a yo-yo as we climb those stairs. Things sometimes go up and things sometimes go down – just like that yo-yo. But, because we are continually climbing that staircase, our lows today are higher than the lows that came before and our highs are higher than ever! The other thing to keep in mind is that you are not on this staircase alone. You have members ahead of you to inspire you or to reach down and give you a helping hand. You have members behind you waiting for your helping hand or ready to give you a boost up if you need it. Change and evolution are inevitable and we can fight it or we can embrace it. Please join me in embracing it.
It is truly an honor to serve as your international president for this year. I am humbled by your confidence. I look forward to working with you all as we evolve today for a better tomorrow.