Published by Katie Holt on January 5th, 2026



Before entering the insurance industry, I spent several years working in pharmaceutical sales. Like many of you, I loved the fact that I was selling something that felt meaningful and was contributing to the health and well-being of those we served.

But over time, I realized something important: while I was helping people, the work started to feel more about making the next sale. I found myself longing to build meaningful relationships — with clients, brokers, and partners — rather than simply moving products.

Over the years, I have seen firsthand what a relationship-driven career could look like. My stepfather, a tenured and successful broker in employee benefits, taught me how important it was to work with people who weren’t just clients, but with people he trusted who became lifelong friends. He was never just trying to make the next sale; he was always building trust, offering real protection, and forging long-lasting connections. I thought to myself: that’s the kind of career I want — and I went after it. When I got into the industry, I quickly saw just how important it is to work together to offer the right benefits to employees.

The Lasting Impact of Professional Relationships

I didn’t know it at the time, but one of the more meaningful relationships I formed was with a broker from a national firm who was working with a school district where my sister taught. I never thought I’d see the impact of the benefits we sell so directly, as later my sister passed away unexpectedly.

In an instant, I was experiencing firsthand the impact of the policies I was promoting. As I’m sure many of you know, losing someone you love is never something you expect to face, and it can make the world feel unrecognizable in an instant. Helping families prepare, protect, and support one another when life takes an unexpected turn had no greater meaning to me than in that moment. It’s something that will always shape the way I think about voluntary insurance.

I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this broker who, in a time of need for my family and me, provided personal and professional support. The fact that we worked together to deliver benefits that kept my sister’s family protected brought me peace and comfort.

What we do matters. It’s work beyond just being good for business; it can directly impact your life, the people you care about, and give you confidence that your career is making a real difference.

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Many of us can share a story that has personally affected us. Mine reinforced a reminder that voluntary benefits are not just about paperwork or quotas — it’s about people, protection, and peace of mind. That clarity is ultimately what drew me to Trustmark. Everyone here truly believes in the power of relationships and that the right product can transform not only how we serve clients, but how we help families prepare for whatever comes next.

Now, as a Regional Sales Director at Trustmark, my goals are just as strong as the day I entered this industry: to offer my brokers support, guidance, and long-lasting partnership, and to help provide families with something more than a policy, but a lifetime of protection, security, and trust.