In late September, I had the honor of moderating a panel that served as the U.S. introduction to the ninth Festival for Diversity & Inclusion in Insurance.

With me were Rachel Perry, chief innovation officer, commercial risk solutions for Aon; Karen O’Leonard, head of innovation at WTW; Rose Hall, SVP and head of innovation, Americas for AXA XL; and Mojgan Lefebvre, EVP and chief technology and operations officer for Travelers.

The four executives served up a rattling testimonial to how the wider application of inclusion in insurance can only be a good thing.

Each of these women has had to navigate a tricky path to success.

Lefebvre, originally from Iran, forged a path to success that included being the graduating valedictorian at the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Sciences and an MBA recipient from Harvard University.

Hall got her start in the male-dominated field of construction. She talked about how consciously building a panel of mentors has served her well.

O’Leonard launched her work life in Silicon Valley, so she also knew what it was like to serve in a male-dominated sector — how to not only survive but thrive in it.

Perry, who has now led two major practices at Marsh and Aon, talked about her experiences being so many times the only woman of color in the room.

The accomplishments of these women and their collective intelligence are too vast to list here.

But be sure that they are bringing other women along with them. Watch their numbers in this industry grow, and be thankful. &