From the disruption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to shifting customer expectations and tightening competition for talent, the insurance workforce is facing unprecedented changes.
At the same time, traditional levers such as compensation and career progression are no longer enough on their own. Employees today are seeking something deeper: a sense of belonging.
For Jhan D. Doughty (pictured), vice president and head of global belonging and engagement at Everest Group, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) is more than a trendy buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of thriving workplaces and sustainable business growth.
Her nearly two-decade career journey, which began in vocational counselling and spanned academia, government, non-profits, and corporate HR leadership, has given her a multifaceted perspective on inclusion.
“For me, diversity, equity and inclusion go far beyond representation metrics or checking boxes,” Doughty told Insurance Business. “It’s about creating opportunities for belonging and cultivating an environment where differences are deeply valued and essential to success.”
Doughty’s conviction was drawn from years of working with individuals at every stage of their careers. She began her professional life as a vocational counsellor for individuals with disabilities, supporting them through mental health counselling and employment services.
That formative experience led her to pursue higher education, where she taught psychology and developed initiatives focused on inclusion and belonging. For the past 15 years, Doughty has dedicated herself to Human Resources, specializing in learning, talent development, change management, and DE&I initiatives. “Every milestone shaped my career and was an honor,” she said.
It was during her early HR work developing programs for university students that she fully grasped the transformative power of inclusion.
“The majority of students I worked with had never stepped foot in a corporate setting,” she said. “Through paid employment, mentoring, professional development and exposure to various experiences, I was able to witness over 100 students go on to graduate school and begin industry careers who may not have otherwise done so without the programs – that is the power and influence of inclusion.”
That belief in belonging as a force for change aligns perfectly with the 2025 Dive In Festival’s theme: Belonging Builds Tomorrow. For Doughty, the theme is both a call to action and a roadmap.
“Tomorrow’s progress won’t happen magically; it’s built through the work we do today,” she said. “Dive In 2025 is an opportunity to come together, to learn, and to commit to building environments of belonging.”
In this sense, fostering a sense of belonging requires leaders to integrate inclusion into strategy, culture, and daily operations. “It’s an ongoing practice,” Doughty pointed out, “that requires leadership support, metrics that matter, and continuous improvement to be truly impactful.”
Effective, inclusive leadership, according to the Everest executive, is grounded in humility, openness and small gestures. It’s advice she extends to every insurance leader: start small, but start now.
“Take just one opportunity each day to engage with something new,” said Doughty. “This can be a colleague you’ve never spoken with before, reading an article or listening to a podcast discussing a topic around inclusion and belonging, creating space or an opportunity for someone, or attending an event or meeting sponsored by a community that differs from your own. If you do any of these, trust me, it will be rewarding.”
The Dive In Festival, returning for its eleventh year from September 16-18, 2025, will once again gather professionals and leaders from across the global insurance industry to explore how belonging drives business success.
This year’s theme, Belonging Builds Tomorrow, shines a spotlight on how organizations can create environments where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. The sessions span five key focus areas: business performance, innovation, leadership, culture, and collaboration.
For Doughty, success at Dive In is measured in impact, not scale: “If attendees leave having learned something new, discovered a community, or simply felt connected and valued for who they are, then Dive In has done its job.”
Register today to be part of the global conversation shaping the future of insurance. Learn more at diveinfestival.com.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are the author’s personal perspective and are not on behalf of Everest Group, Ltd.
