Vertafore’s Kelly Maheu joins the educational arm of the Big “I”

The Invest Program, administered by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (The Big “I”), educates, prepares, and attracts diverse new talent to exciting insurance opportunities and career paths. Vertafore is a long-time supporter of the Big “I” Invest Program, with our very own Doug Mohr, VP of industry relations & partnerships sitting on the board over the past several years.

“The continued support from Vertafore has been instrumental in helping Invest provide young people with their first introduction to insurance and the many career opportunities available in the independent agency channel and beyond,” said Whitnee Dillard, executive director with the National Invest Program. “They have significantly contributed to helping Invest reimagine how we better support our next generation of insurance leaders.”

Now, we are excited to announce Kelly Maheu, Vertafore’s VP of industry relations & partnerships, will also be joining the education program’s board of directors. Kelly has more than 15 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry and focuses on strategic partnerships, industry alliances, and market strategy for our insurance carrier and MGA products.

As a new Invest board member, Kelly will work alongside insurance industry groups to strengthen the future of the entire insurance industry.

What is Invest and how is the program making an impact on the insurance industry?

Invest started more than 50 years ago with a goal of educating students to become better insurance consumers. As time went on, it expanded to teach insurance agency and company operations, as well as encourage students to pursue insurance careers.

Invest is a unique national program that focuses on educating high school and community college students about insurance and risk management topics. Educational materials include a combination of hands-on curriculum, agency simulations and classroom presentations presented by local insurance industry professionals.

How do you see Invest playing a role in the predicated upcoming insurance talent shortage?

According to Vertafore’s 2024 Insurance Workforce Report, more than half of insurance professionals surveyed said they are having trouble finding qualified candidates to fill vacant roles. Finding the right candidates continues to press on agencies of all sizes.

Invest is working to solve this challenge by preparing and attracting diverse new talent to the insurance industry. The program helps to shape the next generation of insurance professionals with academic programs, online courses, and scholarships. They make it easy for schools across the country to launch insurance education programs by providing all the materials and tools needed to get started.

How did you start in the insurance industry and what drives your passion for helping others do the same?

I never thought I would join the insurance industry. My dad was an independent agency principal, and his career helped provide a great life for our family. I just didn’t see that career path as a fit for me. The insurance industry has had a certain stigma for a long time, and I certainly bought into the idea that insurance sales was boring or unfulfilling.

After college I started working with a carrier, and the rest is history. Now, having been in the insurance and financial industry for most of my professional life, I’m deeply passionate about helping educate the next generation and showing students the number of options this industry has for a successful long-term career.

Being an insurance agent can be an amazing career—but it’s far from the only option for newcomers to the industry. There are so many opportunities for people that specialize in marketing, legal, data science, IT, data analytics, software engineering and development, tech support, operations, HR, and so much more. Not only is the insurance industry a stable career, but people tend to stay in the industry longer once they find their niche. They can also move around and grow within the industry until they find that niche.

How do you see the ongoing digital transformation impacting insurance industry job opportunities over the next 20 years?

The insurance industry’s ongoing digital transformation is driving demand for roles in IT, cybersecurity, technology leadership, and more across agencies, carriers, and MGAs. Rapid advancements in automation, data analytics, and AI are reshaping how policies are written, serviced, and delivered, requiring skilled professionals to guide these innovations effectively.

As the industry evolves to meet consumer needs with speed and accuracy, building a robust talent pipeline has become a shared priority.

With over 60% of the workforce set to retire within the next seven years, programs like Invest are critical for showcasing the wide-ranging opportunities in insurance to the next generation. In 20 years, I envision a thriving workforce filled with passionate professionals ready to continue this essential work. While the industry landscape goes through changes just like any other, insurance will always be a necessity in every household.

What is Vertafore’s history of involvement with the Invest Program?

Vertafore has been a long-time supporter of the Invest Program to help bring more young people into our industry. Most recently, we proudly honored Brent Rineck—a visionary in the industry who dedicated 35 years to this community—by making a meaningful donation in his memory to continue his incredible impact.

With this donation, Invest launched their largest scholarship award of $10,000. The very first recipient of this award, Samantha Snider, graduates from Lansing Community College next spring. The Invest scholarship covered her entire associate degree tuition. Samanta is currently in her second year at Lansing Community College while working for a local insurance agency. She has set her sights on owning her own insurance agency in the future!

How can others get involved with Invest?

Invest is solely funded by contributions from insurance agencies, insurers, vendors, organizations, and individuals.  Find out what the insurance industry can offer at www.independentagent.com/Invest.

Kelly Maheu
VP of Industry Relations and Partnerships

Kelly leads strategic partnerships, industry alliances, and go-to-market strategy for Vertafore’s insurance carrier and MGA suites of products. Maheu’s career in insurance and financial services spans nearly 15 years and includes serving as Vice President of Professional Publishing and Training at The National Underwriter Company and as Executive Director at The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA).