Page 42 - San Diego Woman Magazine POWER WOMEN ISSUE
P. 42
Power Women
It is rare that we as a very young lady and and I learned that early and ended up spending Kelli to discuss working
know immediately set out to learn every- in my career." 15 years working and together again. We talk-
what career path we thing I could about it.” Kelli took off a short excelling in her relation- ed, and he recruited me
choose to take, but for Kelli loved her job time while pregnant and ships and business. to join HUB and created
Kelli Yount, it happened and knew she had while her two daughters Before too long a position for which
to be her very first selected the right career were young, and then Kelli was working with she could do what she
job, right out of high path. "It's easy to go to moved to an insurance commercial accounts loved to do, which is
school. Kelli grew up work in the morning firm in Vista. She wasn’t some having upwards of bring in good clients
in Southern California, when you love what there long when Rancho 4,000 employees. Kelli on both the business/
and after graduat- you are doing and are Santa Fe insurance knew that this was more commercial side and
ing high school, she passionate about it." This recruited her to work than one person could the personal/high net
obtained a position as passion has lead Kelli with them. This is where handle, so she brought a worth side. Clients that
a clerical assistant at a on a journey to the top she learned what it team together, and they really value good rela-
meant to work with were extremely suc- tionships with a broker
high net worth clients. cessful with these large that can bring quality
Kelli Yount
"I love people, and I love accounts. insurance programs
sales, but perhaps most “I was more of the with very competitive
important is the fact that quarterback of the pricing. So, I was back in
I love to listen. Before I business development my dream job again, as
would provide any sug- arena. I learned to go Vice President, Business
gestions to my clients, I into these really big Development focusing
would first take the time accounts, and quickly on Private Client and
to get to know them and assess what their needs High Net Worth clients.
learn about their needs. were, and pull togeth- In this position, I meet a
I think that the ability er the right people to lot of really great people
to listen is the most im- make sure their experi- on the high net worth
portant element that an ence was seamless. This side and also handle
Insurance representative was how I advanced my commercial insurance.
can possess” business development I bring the resources
It was at this position talents.” that large clients in San
that Kelli learned how Kelli remained with Diego and all over the
important network- this broker up until they country require.
ing was to her career. were sold to another Out of curiosity, I had
“I learned to work in firm at which point she to ask Kelli what were
tandem with realtors, took some time off to some of the most un-
attorneys, mortgage evaluate her options. usual items upon which
companies and wealth Several other co-work- she was called to insure.
advisors. I began to ers went over to HUB "One of my big fun
build relationships and International to grow successes was a large fit-
became very good at the Property/Casualty ness equipment manu-
it.” In 1997 Kelli got a division since they had facturing company who
call from one of San an established employ- was paying over $2M in
firm that handled per- of her field. Kelli started Diego’s largest brokers ee benefits division. premium a year for the
sonal insurance lines. in the administrative with an offer that she "Dan Kabban, who liability and workers'
“When people talk area of insurance, but couldn’t pass up! Kelli was one of my former compensation on the
about insurance, they through the mentoring was thrilled to accept colleagues, was leading company. I offered to
generally don't make it gained from her first running the sales of the the property/casualty do an audit to see if I
sound fun or glamorous, position in the insurance High Net Worth division department and I really could recommend how
but I've always made it field, she decided she of this large broker, and admired his work at my to save money with
fun. When you consider clearly wanted to move she loved it. She was prior brokerage. Dan claims, loss control,
that everyone needs in- into the producing, busi- always encouraged and went over to HUB to and different carrier
surance, you realize that ness development, and mentored to grow by create and cultivate an approach. They let my
it is an important part of customer relations side some of the leadership, even better culture then team in, and we saved
life and I always knew I of insurance." Building and had an opportunity the previous employer them over $600,000 the
was doing good by ed- relationships with cli- to move to the commer- had back in the day. first year. Then contin-
ucating and protecting ents and with insurance cial side of the business. Over the next couple of ued until the company
my clients. I engaged in carriers are the key to Being a lifelong learner, years, he was successful was sold. “ I have written
the insurance industry success for both sides, Kelli thrived in this area in doing that and called insurance policies on
42