International Women’s Day, marked annually on March 8, is a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also a day to raise awareness of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done. In many countries worldwide, groups come together to celebrate fantastic and competent women and highlight the important work towards a world free from stereotypes and discrimination.
At Lumera, we value difference and always welcome and nurture more diverse talent. We’re proud of all 78 women working at Lumera and that 58% of our managers are women. Looking ahead, we hope to continue to attract and retain women in technology and leadership roles and to be sustainable for the long term. This particular day, we want to take the opportunity to focus on some of the amazing women at our working place. Ingrid Notø, Head of the Actuarial Department, Pernilla Sund, QA Strategist, and Linn Rönnols, Test Engineer, at Lumera, underline why they think it’s important for more women to join the insurtech industry and give some great advice to younger women entering the workforce, among others.
Ingrid Notø, Head of the Actuarial Department.
What first sparked your interest in working in the insurtech industry?
My interest in the insurtech industry started the final year of my bachelor’s degree. What initially attracted me to the insurtech industry, and more specifically Lumera, was the opportunity of combining in depth-knowledge of insurance, where my skills in mathematics and statistics were useful, and programming and digitalization as a powerful tool for improving efficiency and accuracy in all calculations and processes.
Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the insurtech industry?
I think diversity is important in any business whether it is gender diversity, racial or other aspects of who a person is. I believe that a good balance in gender, backgroundand knowledge is key to a successful industry. Where suggestions and different viewpoints are addressed and discussed and result in thoroughly thought out decisions.
What advice would you give to younger women just entering the workforce today?
My advice to younger women just entering the workforce is to believe in yourself and jump into it. There is no limit to what you can accomplish as long as you dare to voice your opinions and participate in discussions. Your ideas and thoughts are as good as any other. The best way of learning is by doing. As Head of the Actuarial Department at Lumera AS I always appreciate initiative and any idea brought to the table.
Do you think enough is done to help women get into the insurtech industry? If not, what would you recommend?
Yes! My impression in Norway is that all genders have equal opportunities to start the education necessary for the insurtech industry. I think what needs to be done is to inform women of the insurtech industry, so that they have knowledge about the opportunities available and which careers that can be pursued.
Pernilla Sund, QA Strategist.
What first sparked your interest in working in the insurtech industry?
I joined Lumera by recommendation. It was the fact that Lumera was a great place to work rather than the industry which made me choose Lumera as my workplace. Three and a half years later, I can say that it was the best decision I could ever make. Now, when I’m here, I find the insurtech industry interesting because of the complexity both in the system and in the industry.
What advice would you give to younger women just entering the workforce today?
Believe in yourself and your ability to do great things. Cliché, yes maybe – but also true! Get eyes on the prize and work hard to get there.
Do you think enough is done to help women get into the insurtech industry? If not, what would you recommend?
Yes, I do think that. Personally, I have never felt any career setbacks because I am a woman.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?
Once, I had a boss whose leadership I did not appreciate, and the advice was to quit my job and find another place to work. At that point, it did not feel like good advice. But in retrospect, I agree with that. If there is something in your workplace that makes you feel bad and you can’t change it, there is no reason to stay.
Linn Rönnols, Test Engineer.
What first sparked your interest in working in the insurtech industry?
It was not the industry per se that first sparked my interest, it was Lumera as a company – with a great culture where everybody is so helpful and really work together as a team, and I like that. As a Test Engineer you need to learn a lot of new things and really understand the system, but you also have to be a bit creative to come up with test scenarios, so I like that mix between creativity and logic.
Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the insurtech industry?
I think diversity is important in every industry. A diverse team is more creative because you have many different perspectives.
What advice would you give to younger women just entering the workforce today?
You have to actually try a job to see if you like it. I did an internship in a very different industry that I thought would be my dream job, but I didn’t like it at all. So try different things until you find something you really like.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?
Probably to apply for the job I have today. It was my dad who suggested it. He works at Lumera as well and he has been working here since the company was founded – so he knew it was a good place that would fit me.
