Give to Gain: Advancing Women in Insurance
An International Women’s Day Event 

Presenters: Shannon Totten, CPCU (Moderator), Atinuke Adedeji, AINS, AIS, API, Traci Adedeji, CPCU, ARM, A-CSPO, Emily Cox, CPCU, AFSB, and Celeste Somera, CPCU, AFSB  

March 12, at 11 a.m. ET

Join The Institutes CPCU Society for a special LIVE event in honor of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year's theme is Give to Gain, recognizing that when we give generously through mentorship, advocacy, and resources, everyone benefits. 

This conversation explores how established professionals and emerging talent can support each other through reciprocal exchange, setting both themselves and the insurance industry up for lasting success. Moderated by Shannon Totten, CPCU, executive vice president and chief underwriting officer, Casualty, North American Region at Sompo and current CPCU Society Leadership Council and Executive Committee member, panelists include past Global CPCU Society president Traci Adedeji, CPCU, ARM, A-CSPO, founder and president of Positive Paradigm Group, and her daughter Atinuke Adedeji, AINS, AIS, API, assistant sales and client services supervisor at Amica Insurance, along with 2025 Share Your Story winners and twin sisters Emily Cox, CPCU, AFSB, and Celeste Somera, CPCU, AFSB, both surety underwriters at Liberty Mutual Surety. 

Through their discussion, panelists will unpack how the landscape has evolved, what barriers persist, and concrete actions to overcome them and address the insurance talent gap. Whether you're an established professional or just entering the field, you'll leave with fresh perspective on your value and actionable steps to strengthen support systems for women in insurance.  

This webinar is open to the public. Registration is free and easy. Simply create an account and add the webinar to your cart. There will be no charge at checkout. We can't wait to see you there!

 

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Shannon Totten, CPCU (Moderator)

Executive Vice President, Chief Underwriting Officer, Casualty 

Sompo, North America 
 

Shannon Totten has served as chief underwriting officer (CUO) for casualty, North America at Sompo since June 2025. With over 30 years of experience, she leads a team of technical underwriters, shaping casualty strategy across the insurance organization in the North American region. Joining Sompo in 2003, Shannon has held progressively senior roles, including head of retail umbrella/excess liability, North America, and head of Bermuda excess casualty. She began her career as a broker at Sedgwick Global in New York before transitioning to excess casualty underwriting. Shannon serves on the risk management and insurance advisory boards for the University of Georgia and Bermuda College and recently joined the CPCU Leadership Council and Executive Committee as the presidential appointee. Her previous volunteer roles include chair of the Bermuda Insurance Institute (BII), president of the Bermuda Chapter of CPCU, and International Interest Group Leadership Committee member. 

Atinuke Adedeji, AINS, AIS, API

Assistant Sales and Client Services Supervisor 

Amica Insurance
 

Atinuke Adedeji is an accomplished insurance leader and management professional currently serving as Assistant Sales and Client Services Supervisor at Amica Mutual Insurance in Rochester, New York. Known for her strong coaching mindset and commitment to excellence, she brings a dynamic blend of underwriting expertise, customer engagement, and marketing experience to her role. 

An alumna of Clark Atlanta University with a degree in fashion merchandising, Atinuke has earned several insurance designations, including Associate in General Insurance, Associate in Insurance Services, and Associate in Personal Insurance. She has built a career at the intersection of customer experience, brand storytelling, and leadership, with professional experience spanning insurance, marketing, fashion, and creative strategy. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Atinuke is deeply committed to community impact and serves on the Associate Board of the Center for Youth in Rochester, New York. She is passionate about empowering people through mentorship, integrity-based leadership, and education, bringing a unique perspective on navigating non-linear career paths, advocating for yourself in the workplace, and using creativity as a strategic advantage. 

Traci Adedeji, CPCU, ARM, A-CSPO

CEO & President 

Positive Paradigm Group
 

Traci Adedeji, CPCU, ARM, API, AIDA, A-CSPO, is an insurance executive, educator, entrepreneur, and industry thought leader committed to transforming how individuals and advisors think about risk. She serves as Vice President of Advisory Services at Litmus Risk Solutions, where she leads advisor-facing strategy and helps advance AI-enabled, fee-based insurance advisory services for wealth management firms and their clients. 

Traci is also the founder and president of Positive Paradigm Group LLC, an insurance consultancy and brokerage focused on empowering individuals, families, and small businesses to make stronger risk management and asset protection decisions. In addition to her executive and entrepreneurial work, she teaches insurance courses designed to prepare students for professional designation exams, helping to develop the next generation of insurance leaders. 

A passionate advocate for leadership development and inclusion, Traci is a past president of the CPCU Society and currently serves as chair of the Society's IDEA Committee. She is a frequent speaker on insurance innovation, leadership, and building inclusive professional communities.

Emily Cox, CPCU, AFSB and Celeste Somera, CPCU, AFSB

Surety Underwriters

Liberty Mutual Surety 
 

Identical twins Emily Cox and Celeste Somera bring double the energy, heart, and inspiration to their roles as surety underwriters at Liberty Mutual Surety. Both earned a finance degree (financial planning track) with a minor in risk management and insurance from Sacramento State University, then launched their careers through Liberty Mutual's 15-month Surety Underwriting Development Program. Cox and Somera trained with a cohort of peers, traveled to meet leaders across the company, studied for and earned their AFSB designation and later the CPCU designation. The twins focus on contract surety—underwriting contractors for bid and final bonds—and enjoy helping clients grow and succeed. They are active members of the National Association of Women in Construction, where they serve as committee co-chairs for Women in Construction Week. Their careers are driven by faith, perseverance, and community.