Diary of an Insurer: WBN’s Olga Collins

Monday

I have a busy week ahead, starting with a flight to London. I’m based in Atlanta, Georgia, where I live with my husband and two children. 

WBN is a global organisation, and cultural intelligence is a core strength of our network, so I travel a lot! I appreciate working from my home office when I’m in Atlanta, balancing my career with family life.

Sometimes my family joins me during school vacations, but not this time. I’ll be away for nearly two weeks, with meetings in London, Istanbul, and several locations in India.

Tuesday

Jet lag means an extra cup of tea before heading to WBN’s London creative agency to film promotional content and prepare for our European conference in Istanbul. 

We hold two global conferences and one regional event annually, rotating across six continents to connect with clients and members.

Today’s schedule is packed with seven video shoots, including introductions to WBN for clients and strategic partners. 

Despite the tight schedule, we squeeze in a PR meeting with a UK publication. It’s great to connect with journalists following our growth. 

After a late finish, I grab dinner, check in with my family, and hope for a good night’s sleep to combat jet lag.

Wednesday

Another packed day focused on our 2025 brand-building strategy. We review brand messaging, visual identity, and training materials for headquarters and members. 

WBN has grown significantly, continuously evolving to meet client needs in both property and casual and employee benefits spaces.

I also film a podcast discussing the talent crisis in insurance. We need to attract and retain young talent. This passion led me to establish the WBN Catalyst program, designed to fast-track young professionals through global connections, collaboration, and leadership development. 

We provide leadership coaching, industry training, client sessions, and international projects to help participants step into senior roles while building a strong global network.

Graduates of the programme are matched with a board member mentor from another country, gaining real-world insights from top industry leaders. Catalyst is about building a stronger, inclusive leadership network that ensures the future of the insurance industry.

In the late afternoon, I meet with WBN members to discuss new product development. 

Thursday

Istanbul! I feel energised about the upcoming event. Meeting clients and members from around the world is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. I love building relationships and experiencing new cultures.

Born and raised in Poland before moving to the US as a teenager, I initially experienced culture shock. 

However, I soon realised that, despite our cultural differences, people are more alike than we think. This belief shapes my leadership approach – seeking common ground and valuing shared principles and values that connect us.

Friday

As a fully remote, global organisation, our headquarters team maximizes in-person opportunities for strategy discussions, development, and conference preparation. 

This morning is filled with meetings to finalise the details for our conference, which begins on Sunday.

In the afternoon, I take a walk with our team around Istanbul, exploring the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern. The blend of ancient architecture and the historical significance of East meets West in Istanbul mirrors WBN’s vision – respecting the past while embracing the future.

The evening sees us putting together the final touches for our gala dinner, taking place on Sunday. 

One of the highlights will be presenting a donation to our local charity partner, The LÖSEV Foundation, which supports children with leukemia and their families.

WBN is committed to fostering a culture of care – not just within our network but also in the global insurance industry and local communities. Each conference includes philanthropic efforts that make a tangible impact in the host region. Supporting LÖSEV is a small way we can contribute to their meaningful work.

I end the day with a call to my family. Catching up in a few minutes is never enough, but I enjoy sharing the lessons learned from my day. It’s been a busy and fantastic week. Who says insurance isn’t cool?