Event information

Thursday, September  17
10am – 4:00pm

JWS Harborside Campus
320 Harborside Blvd. Cranston

Join the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island for the inaugural Women in Insurance Leadership Summit, a one-day event designed to inspire, connect, and empower women at every stage of their careers.

Through interactive workshops, engaging speakers, and candid conversations, attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen communication, navigate difficult conversations, build confidence, establish healthy boundaries, and grow as authentic leaders. The day concludes with a networking reception featuring appetizers and drinks.

Agenda

10:00 AM – Opening Remarks

Sarah Ribera, Director of Meetings and Events, IIARI
Amy Vitale, President, The Beacon Mutual Insurance Company
Beth Dwyer, Director of the Rl Department of Business Regulation

10:15 AM – Workshop: Active Listening & Holding Difficult Conversations

Tricia Driscoll
Executive Director
Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI

Strong communication starts with knowing how to truly listen, especially when conversations get difficult. This interactive workshop will explore practical ways to listen with intention, communicate clearly, and approach challenging conversations with greater confidence.

11:00 AM – Keynote Speaker: No Permission Required: Building Influence, Visibility, and Leadership in Insurance

Traci May
Founder & President
Positive Paradigm Group

You don’t need the perfect title, invitation, or permission to lead. Discover how to recognize the value you already bring, use your voice with intention, and step confidently into the rooms where decisions are made.

12:00 PM – Lunch Program: Listen to Your Heart

Florence DuPerry
SVP, Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Starkweather & Shepley Insurance

Women spend so much time taking care of everything and everyone around them that it can be easy to ignore what their own bodies are telling them. In this powerful personal session, Florence shares why those warning signs matter.

1:00 PM – Featured Session: Thriving Amidst Impostor Syndrome

Tara McClary
Managing Vice President
Amica Insurance Company

Impostor syndrome can affect us at any stage of our careers, causing us to question our abilities and accomplishments. This session will explore how to recognize it, understand why it happens, and develop practical strategies to build confidence and move beyond self-doubt.

2:00 PM – Panel Discussion: Women in Rhode Island Leadership

There’s no single path to leadership. Hear from an accomplished panel of women as they share the experiences that shaped their careers, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and the lessons they’ve learned about leading with confidence and purpose.

Panelists:

• Melissa Darigan, Rhode Island Superior Court Judge
• Michele Streton, Chief Executive Officer, Providence Mutual
• Elizabeth Lowe, President, Starkweather & Shepley Insurance
• Betty Robson, Owner, JF Moran

3:00 PM – Connect & Unwind: Networking Reception

Wrap up the day with drinks, appetizers, and meaningful conversation. Connect with fellow attendees, continue the discussions from the day, and build new relationships in a relaxed setting.

Featured Speakers

Melissa E. Darigan, J.D.
Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Melissa E. Darigan has served on the Superior Court since 2019 and is currently assigned to the Providence Trial Calendar, handling civil and criminal trials.

Prior to her appointment, Judge Darigan spent 28 years with Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP and chaired the firm’s Litigation Practice Group for 15 years. She is a Past President of the Rhode Island Bar Association and has held numerous leadership roles in Rhode Island’s legal community.

A Providence native, she earned her B.A. from The George Washington University and her J.D. from The Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.

Tricia Driscoll is Executive Director of the Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI. With more than 25 years of experience, she helps individuals and organizations strengthen communication, leadership, and conflict-resolution skills. A trained mediator and Workplace Mediation specialist, Tricia facilitates professional development in mediation, de-escalation, leadership, communication, and navigating change. She holds a B.A. from Connecticut College and an M.A.T. from Rhode Island College. Tricia serves on the Bristol Health Equity Zone Steering Committee and the RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias.

Flo DuPerry, SVP, CPSP, MHFR,
Joined Starkweather & Shepley in 2012 and brings extensive insurance industry experience in Claims, Underwriting, and Human Resources. As Senior Vice President of Human Resources, she leads initiatives focused on talent, employee benefits, leadership development, and workplace culture. Flo is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and holds HR and training certifications from Bryant University and Brown University.

Elizabeth Lowe, J.D. is President and a member of the Board of Directors of Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage, Inc., and the first woman in the firm’s nearly 150-year history to serve in this role. A graduate of Suffolk University Law School, Elizabeth has built a career advising clients on complex insurance and risk management strategies. She leads strategic growth, operational initiatives, and industry-focused solutions while helping strengthen client relationships and carrier partnerships. Elizabeth is a member of the Federal Bar Association and Massachusetts Bar Association and a Licensed Insurance Advisor in Massachusetts.

Traci May, CPCU, ARM, API, AIDA, A-CSPO, is a nationally recognized insurance executive, educator, speaker, and leadership coach with more than 33 years of experience across the insurance industry.

She is Founder and President of Positive Paradigm Group, where she helps professionals and organizations strengthen leadership, confidence, and workplace culture. Traci also serves as Vice President of Advisory Services for Litmus Risk Solutions.

A passionate educator and facilitator, Traci develops and delivers insurance education, leadership programs, workshops, and coaching. She is a past President and Chair of the CPCU Society and made history as the first Black woman to serve in that role.

Tara S. McClary, ALM, CPCU, is Managing Vice President at Amica Mutual Insurance Company, where she oversees Claims Shared Services and serves on Amica’s Ethics Committee. During her 22+ years with Amica, she has advanced through numerous claims and leadership roles across several states.

Tara holds a B.A. in Economics from Vassar College and a Master of Liberal Arts in Management from Harvard University Extension School. She is also a dedicated mentor and has served on the boards of Sojourner House and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals.

Betty Robson is a strategic advisor, board member, attorney, and former CEO with more than 30 years of leadership experience in global trade, international business, and organizational transformation. As CEO of J.F. Moran, she led the company through significant growth and its acquisition by OIA Global. Betty is Chair of the Rhode Island District Export Council, Vice Chair of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, and a member of Rhode Island’s Freight Advisory Committee. She is also a longtime advocate for mentorship and women in business. Betty holds degrees from Bryant University, Stetson University, and Boston College.

Michele Streton is President & CEO of Providence Mutual, a position she has held since joining the company in 2021. With nearly 30 years of insurance industry experience spanning product management, claims, sales, and service, she has led teams ranging from 2 to 2,000 employees. Previously, Michele served as Chief Operating Officer for Personal Lines at The Hanover Group, overseeing policy operations, customer service, inside sales, and market consolidations. She is a resident of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and enjoys spending time with her family and their dog.