Catherine Wolford, MSPA, CPC, FLMI, CPIW- Assistant to the Region IV RVP Vikki Angelo , AIC, ITP, CLP, CPIW, CCA, CLC
Catherine Wolford; Cleveland Insurance Professionals; 39 years. Region IV.
What inspires you to be part of Insurance Professionals and what prompted you to join?
I have made lifelong friendships through Insurance Professionals and that keeps me actively engaged in the organization. When I first moved to Cleveland in early 1986, my first friend was a member of Insurance Professionals. She invited me to a meeting and I had so much fun that I joined the next month, April 1986.
Describe a memorable collaborative effort, such as a committee, task force, or program, where you worked effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
The Ohio Council hosted the 2001 Regional Conference in downtown Cleveland. Our association did much of the onsite planning and sponsored the awards banquet. Our president was the banquet chair; another member was hotel liaison and I was food coordinator. Everyone worked so smoothly with the Conference Planning Committee for over two years and when the big day came, the Conference was well attended and a huge success.
What is one of the most memorable experiences you’ve had as a member, whether it was a meeting, a specific project, or a challenging situation you encountered?
There were many fantastic trips to International Conventions all around the country, but the 2005 Convention in Reno, NV really stands out. My family had a week of vacation in Las Vegas before the convention where we enjoyed lots of sightseeing, then we travelled to Reno. The convention hotel, keynote speaker, entertainment and food were amazing. At the awards banquet, I was seated with eight other contestants for an award. When Joanna Mahoney, International President-Elect at the time, got up to announce the winner and began reading an excerpt from my essay, I experienced an incredible rush of excitement – I won the National Insurance Professional of the Year award!
What is a good tip on how to share the benefits of membership with an employer?
Share what you learned at Regional conferences and International Conventions by volunteering to make a presentation to the broader working team on a Leadership or Insurance Industry topic.
What Insurance Professionals programs have you taken that you would highly recommend to another member?
CWC is one of my favorite programs. It teaches confidence, speech writing and delivery, improvisation and use of props. I highly recommend it to all IAIP members.
Our organization’s vision statement includes: Insurance Professionals is the leading provider of education, skills enhancement and leadership development to members and partners of our industry. Which part of our Vision statement do you feel has had the biggest impact on your personal or professional growth?
Leadership development has had the greatest impact on my personal growth. IAIP has provided and continues to provide me many opportunities to be a leader in a safe and supportive environment. Having served as local association President and State Director, I am now running for Regional Vice President and am looking forward to learning more about leadership in IAIP.
What are your hobbies, interests, or a particular cause you are most passionate about?
I enjoy music, sing in my church choir and am President of the Cleveland Alumnae chapter of a national music fraternity. Also, I listen to many audiobooks, mostly fiction, about police detectives, spies, historical novels and anything John Grisham.
The Hidden Heroes of Insurance Professionals is a collaboration of the Member Engagement and Services and Marketing and Publications Task Forces.