Young Agent Spotlight: Alaina Cespedes

This month's Young Agent Spotlight features Alaina Cespedes of Jones Insurance Agency, who shares how she has built a fulfilling career by combining her passion for serving others with the meaningful work of protecting clients. 

During the interview, Alaina discusses her role at Jones Insurance Agency, the agency culture that makes it a special place to work, and her passion for serving nonprofit organizations. She also shares memorable experiences from her career, reflects on what she enjoys most about her day-to-day work, and offers valuable advice for young professionals looking to build a successful career in the insurance industry.

Interested in being featured in a future Young Agent Spotlight? We'd love to hear your story! If you'd like to volunteer for an upcoming spotlight interview, email CJ Hennighausen at chennighausen@iianc.com. It's a great opportunity to share your career journey, highlight your agency, and connect with fellow young agents across North Carolina!

Discover How the Insurance Marketplace Works with iNAP 

Join fellow young agents for the next iNAP (New Agent Power Hour) on Monday, July 27^th, at 2pm, facilitated by Andrew Mastromanolis. This interactive discussion will explore how the insurance ecosystem works and why placement decisions are made. Learn how carrier appetite, underwriting, brokers, wholesalers, and reinsurance all influence the marketplace, while gaining practical insights into creating stronger submissions, thinking like an underwriter, and building relationships that support long-term success. Bring your questions and connect with other young agents during this collaborative virtual session designed to help you grow your industry knowledge.

Thank You for Making a Difference During GIVE Week

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Pop Tabs for a Purpose collection during National Young Agents GIVE Week! Thanks to the generosity of North Carolina Young Agents and agencies across the state, we collected 7 pounds of pop tabs, roughly 8,500 tabs, which have now been mailed to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Triangle. Every tab collected helps support families with children receiving medical care, proving that even the smallest contributions can make a meaningful difference.

If you mailed in pop tabs or participated in GIVE Week in any way, be sure to complete the Big "I" GIVE Movement Submission Form by July 17^th. Whether you volunteered, organized a collection drive, supported a local nonprofit, or participated in another community service activity, the submission form is your opportunity to share how your agency gave back. Include photos for a chance to be featured on the Big "I" Young Agents LinkedIn page!

Build Confidence in Flood Insurance Conversations 

Choosing the right flood coverage can be challenging, especially with multiple policy options available. Join Charlotte Hicks on Tuesday, July 28^th, from 11am-12pm for a practical webinar comparing the National Flood Insurance Program, North Carolina's Department of Insurance-approved flood policy, and Excess and Surplus market coverage. You'll learn the key differences in policy provisions, quoting and application processes, claims handling, and best practices for reducing errors and omissions risk while helping clients identify the coverage that best fits their needs.

Invest in Your Career. We'll Help Cover the Cost!

Continuing your insurance education is one of the best investments you can make in your career - and iLEAD is here to help. Eligible Young Agents can apply for the iLEAD CE Scholarship to receive up to $500 toward approved insurance education courses (or the full course cost, whichever is less). Priority is given to first-time applicants, so if you're planning to register for an upcoming class, apply early!

Coming Soon: Top Gun for Young Agents

This October, the IIANC Governmental Affairs program will launch iLEAD Top Gun, a new program designed to help young agents better understand the impact politics and the making of public policy have on the insurance industry.  

Through three sessions in October - one in-person session in Raleigh and two held virtually - young agents will hear from political professionals and governmental agency insiders, gaining valuable insight into insurance regulation, the legislative process, and the important role independent agents must play in advocacy.

The program is limited to 25 participants. Young agents can apply to participate in the inaugural iLEAD Top Gun class starting September 1^st, running through September 18^th, with the 25 selected participants announced on September 25^th.

Graduates will be recognized at the Young Agents Development Conference on October 29-30. Watch for application details coming soon!