Angela White is committed to recruiting diverse talent into the insurance and financial services industry and making sure they have the resources they need to succeed.

Getting Started

After several years in sales, White took a job recruiting agents and fell in love with the industry. She’s motivated by a genuine drive to connect with people and have meaningful conversations. She seeks out underrepresented talent—women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals—and finds ways to set them up for success.

White started a recruiting firm a few years ago. She had grown frustrated recruiting diverse talent only to watch them leave the industry not long after, so she decided it was time for a change. “When you've got diverse talent, they want to picture themselves at your organization,” she says. “When there's not an opportunity for mentorship with somebody that looks like them, it leads to people not feeling heard and seen and appreciated, and they turn around and walk right out the door.” Now, White only works with organizations that can show a clear path to success for their diverse talent.

Becoming a Resource

Soon after joining NAIFA, White was asked to join the board of NAIFA-Indianapolis and became a chair for the Young Advisor Team (YAT). Now, she co-chairs NAIFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council with NAIFA Trustee Christopher Gandy, LACP. She also serves on the Board of Directors and as Membership Chair for the Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce in Indianapolis, IN. Through the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), she earned the LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBT BE) certification, recognizing businesses that are majority-owned by LGBT individuals. 

In February, White started holding monthly virtual recruiting sessions with the goal of taking corporateness out of the recruiting conversation. “We wanted to relate with the audience and really connect in an authentic way,” she says. “[Diverse individuals] really want to know that you're a real human being, that you have hobbies and interests outside of your profession.” 

With this mindset, White met for coffee with one of the virtual session attendees, Samantha Hayton. Hayton was happy with her position, but White explained that recruiting isn’t her only goal. “I'm all about helping each other,” she began. “If I can help facilitate success for you and introduce you to the right people, I don't need anything from that. I just know that I'm giving back to the community.” White told Hayton about the resources NAIFA offers professionals in the early stages of their careers—product training, resources on keeping your practice successful, and the support network of others in the industry eager to help in any way they can. Hayton was impressed and joined NAIFA not long after.

The Value of NAIFA

White says NAIFA has helped her meet new people and build relationships across the country. NAIFA also offers invaluable educational resources to support members, says White. “The work that we've done on the DEI Council provides a lot of training and a lot of resources for diverse talent,” she begins. “They know they want to be in the industry. They need support, and NAIFA provides that.” 

Earlier this year, White was a featured speaker at NAIFA’s 7th Annual Diversity Symposium. She embraces opportunities to reach a wide audience with her message. “Anywhere I can use my voice and help people that are afraid to use their voice, that's what I want to do,” she says. 

Outside of the Office

When she’s not working, White does competitive Olympic weightlifting. She's goal-oriented and likes to win and found her passion in training and competing. She also enjoys spending time with her family, her dog Pipsqueak (Pip), and her cat Gemini. By all accounts, Pip makes an excellent office companion and is a very good girl.

Thank you, Angela, for your service to your community and our industry and association. We’re #NAIFAproud to have you as a part of our NAIFA family.