Women in Worker’s Compensation Leadership: Navigating the Past, Embracing the Present, Shaping the Future

By: Debra Livingston , CEO & Founder at ReEmployAbility

With nearly three decades of experience in the insurance and workers’ compensation industry, Debra Livingston is a seasoned professional who has navigated the challenges of a traditionally male-dominated field. As a pioneer herself, she understands the resilience and determination required to carve out a path to leadership. Committed to championing diversity and inclusivity, Livingston advocates for mentorship, advocacy, and fostering environments where all professionals can thrive based on merit, not gender. By embracing diverse perspectives and empowering future generations, she is shaping a more inclusive and promising future for the insurance industry.

Women in Worker’s Compensation Leadership:

Navigating the Past, Embracing the Present, Shaping the Future

In the vast landscape of industries, few have been as traditionally male-dominated as insurance and workers’ compensation. For decades, women seeking leadership roles in this sector faced barriers, biases, and systemic challenges. However, as we stand looking at the future, all professionals in the field must collectively reflect on the journey that women were required to take. Women have shaped the Worker’s Compensation field in unimaginable ways, and it’s incredible to see us now being celebrated through so many companies and industry organizations in a way that celebrates our triumphs and charts a course where women feel supported within our industry.

Many women acted as pioneers within the insurance and workers’ compensation industry. At the beginning of my career, I was often discouraged by fellow colleagues, unfortunately, even including from women who I believed would be supportive. Due to this, I had to go out on my own, pushing to achieve the goals I was striving to make reality. Having personally spoken to multiple women in the field, across stakeholders, I know I wasn’t the only one who has confronted similar challenges. Blazing this trail required resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment from me and all the others who defied conventions to create their own mark of influence within companies, organizations, and more.

At the start of my career 30 years ago, RIMS and other professional conferences were filled with men, a sea of grey, navy, and black suits. It was a challenge being one of the only women in the field at the start of my career. I remember many times going into a boardroom to explain our services and being met with a room full of men. However, I was privileged to be surrounded by men who were mentors to me, pushing me to begin my company and believing in the vision that I had for the industry. At that time, I faced doubt from the industry but also professionals (men and women) who challenged what I was trying to create.  And while there were those that challenged what I was trying to create, it was those that supported me on this journey that gave me the confidence to continue when I was faced with questions from other industry professionals. It was those individuals that gave me confidence to have the resilience needed to keep moving forward.

Now, women who hold positions of influence and power across the industry are actively making a difference within their spheres. The industry has changed drastically within the past few decades precisely because of women’s advocacy and the natural empathetic approach that we take with injured workers. We have influential women in the field, such as Dr. Claire Muselman, who are advocates for person-centered claims and are actively trying to change the mindset of those in the field. She is just one example of hundreds more women stepping into power in their roles and using it to form a place of empathy and connection for injured workers.

Reflecting on the past, it’s impossible to ignore women’s obstacles throughout their careers. 30 years ago, the majority of positions of power were held by men. Despite the challenges we faced, we persisted—challenging the status quo and demanding a seat at the table. Change begins with just one confident woman walking into spaces knowing that they belong in that room. And the change continues as we use our positions of authority to highlight and support the new generation of women in Worker’s Compensation.

There’s so much hope for the future as women grow into leadership positions. Now we know that it’s not about asking for permission, it’s about creating your own career through dedicated hard work. ReEmployAbility would not exist if I listened to everyone who told me I couldn’t do it. In facing a world that said that women couldn’t do it all, we’ve come out in multitudes, showing time and time again that it’s possible and that we have. I am proud to see our industry making advancements in this area.  All industries and fields (including Worker’s Compensation) are starting to realize that workplace diversity is a key strategic advantage.

Carving out strategies to support women as they navigate the obstacles in the field and their career paths to success is paramount. Mentorship programs, networking, and advocacy are potent tools in fostering an environment where women feel comfortable enough not only to grow but also to feel confident expressing innovative ideas and taking on new challenges. Advocating for female leadership in the Insurance field starts with everyone understanding the significance of the female voice, especially in a field that caters to those in need and injured. Different perspectives and voices help us all become stronger and are a strong asset across all sections of the insurance industry.

Countless women actively champion the cause of gender equality and mentorship by participating in needed mentorship programs and groups. Through their leadership and advocacy, we are all paving the way for future generations of women leaders, ensuring the path we’ve forged together remains accessible for those behind us.

Looking to the future, the importance of mentorship and guidance cannot be overstated. It is vital for all women who hold a place of power within this field to show other women how much is possible. As new professionals enter the field, they will undoubtedly face their own set of challenges. However, armed with the wisdom and guidance of those who came before them, they can navigate these challenges with confidence and resilience.

Effective mentorship programs must be rooted in empathy, understanding, and mutual respect – creating an environment where aspiring leaders can thrive and grow. By fostering a culture of mentorship and inclusivity, organizations can harness the full potential of their talent pool and more importantly create a difference for someone’s career. We never know how someone’s career will take shape until after the years reveal it and we can see the impact that our small actions of support have made. That is why it’s so important for women to support each other throughout the distinct stages of their careers.

The role of diversity and inclusion initiatives cannot be understated. Organizations cultivate a rich tapestry of perspectives, experiences, and ideas in embracing diversity. By championing the inclusion of individuals from all backgrounds, we not only create a more equitable workplace but also unlock the full potential of our organizations.

I’m excited to see what the future of the Insurance Industry holds for women. As we work together to support women, we can see how necessary our efforts are to promote belonging. It’s worth all the difficulties that I and countless women encountered to create an industry where anyone can succeed, not based on their gender, but on their merit. We are seeing this change take place as we speak.

I am always overjoyed to see dedicated, hardworking, passionate women take charge as adjusters, nurse case managers, risk managers, doctors, lawyers and more across the field. It is a far different field than the one I entered so long ago. To this day, my greatest inspiration comes from women in the industry who can balance it all. It takes an incredible amount of inner strength and dedication to be able to make such a difference while also balancing the challenges of family and personal life.

Ideally, I would like anyone interested in this dynamic field to be in a role where their skills and talents can be used. Ultimately, we want to create an environment where women can say they belong and mean it. To do so we need women collectively to stand up and support each other in the industry.

Let’s commit ourselves to shaping a future where women feel supported to pursue this career from the onset, knowing they have the guidance and support of the women who came before them. Together, we can break down barriers, shatter stereotypes, and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.