A Conversation with Kate Armfield

Kate Armfield of AHT Insurance, a Baldwin Risk Partner, inspires us. In her insurance career, Kate has experienced a lot of change, but one notion has remained the same: relationships matter. From weekday lunch meetings to large industry events, Kate reminds us that you never know just where the smallest interactions could lead.

What is one thing you do each day that contributes to your success?

“We all struggle with the level of busyness we have in our days and it is hard to step away from the endless stream of emails and messages to think about work from a more strategic perspective. I have a couple of tools that I use, not every day but throughout the week to help. First, I set aside blocks of focused work time and stick to them and second, I pick up the phone and call people rather than emailing. It’s more effective and energizing to engage over the phone.”

What advice would you give your younger self?

“One of the things I value most about the insurance business has been the opportunity to network and learn from so many smart and interesting people. I would tell my younger self to accept every invitation that came my way - to have a lunch, attend a meeting, go to a networking event, speak on a panel, participate on an insurance company council. Each interaction leads to something else and when I look back after 30 years I can really see how all of those small decisions helped create a network that had a significant impact on my career.”

What are words you live by?

“During a graduation speech at a school I attended, the speaker said ‘Don’t ever give up and when you find your place in the world, remember to help others find theirs.’ This is a simple but powerful statement I try to live by at work and in my personal life. Whether it’s setting up networking opportunities for a colleague or mentoring someone, it’s a reminder to be intentional when working with others, to really listen and be supportive.”