Employee Spotlight: Lauren Olson

Please join us in congratulating Lauren Olson, our Employee Spotlight for the month of August!

Here at Inszone, one of our missions is to make sure that every employee is appreciated, acknowledged, and recognized for their achievements. This series aims to celebrate success and highlight the talented individuals we have at Inszone, Cover Cannabis, and California Pool Association. Each month we’ll be featuring Inszone employees on our website, blog and social accounts.

Lauren Olson, a Commercial Sales Team Manager, entered the insurance industry seeking long-term stability, meaningful career opportunities, and inspired by watching her father build a successful career in the field. She believes that success comes from embracing both achievements and setbacks, using each experience as an opportunity to grow into a stronger leader, teammate, and problem solver. Lauren’s resilient mindset and commitment to continuous learning have helped her adapt to challenges and lead with confidence.

Lauren describes her approach to teamwork as genuine, intentional, and growth-focused, emphasizing trust, thoughtful leadership, and empowering others to succeed. Known for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to learn, she strives to foster a supportive team culture where people feel encouraged to develop and do their best. She believes that while talent is valuable, resilience, consistency, and a positive mindset are what drive lasting success.

Lauren credits her husband, father, and mother as the greatest influences in her life. From them, she has learned the importance of optimism, integrity, professionalism, and maintaining perspective while enjoying the journey. She is especially proud of being invited to join the PNW Leadership Team, an opportunity that has strengthened her leadership skills, broadened her perspective, and reinforced the value of learning from others. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, skiing, mountain biking, hiking with her Australian Shepherd, Rocky, and reading daily as a way to continue growing both personally and professionally.

Lauren has been a fantastic addition to our regional leadership team. She is thoughtful, genuine, and always looking for ways to help others succeed. In addition to leading the Bend office, she also helps lead our Oregon operations, keeping our teams connected and moving in the same direction. What stands out to me most is the depth of her experience. She has worked across nearly every part of an insurance agency, giving her a well-rounded perspective and tremendous credibility. Being recognized as Oregon’s Agent of the Year is a reflection of the respect she has earned and the commitment she has to her clients.

As our Commercial Lines Sales Lead for the Pacific Northwest, Lauren plays an important role in helping shape the direction and success of our region. She genuinely believes in what we are building, is a great ambassador for Inszone, and is always looking for ways to make the organization stronger.

Lauren makes the people around her better, and our region is better because of her.

Hauke Hansen
Regional Leadership

From the very first conversation Lauren and I had, even before her agency joined Inszone, I knew we were lucky to be gaining someone with such a genuine heart for her team and for this industry. Lauren has a gift for educating both her team and her clients, and she brings an upbeat, positive energy to everything she does. You can see it in the culture she’s built in our Bend, OR office, it truly shows.

Sara Evans
Inszone Leadership

IN HER WORDS:

Q: What initially brought you to the insurance industry?

A: Three things drew me to the insurance industry: stability, opportunity, and family. After a career in retail, my father transitioned into insurance, and I had the opportunity to see firsthand the rewards that came from hard work and building a career in this industry. Later, after starting a family of my own, finding a career with long term stability became a priority. I also recognized the tremendous opportunities the insurance industry offers for growth and development, which made it an exciting path to pursue.

Q: In what ways do you think your unique background or experiences contribute to your success in your role?

A: I believe everyone brings a unique background and life experiences to the table. What truly shapes success, though, is the willingness to learn from both your successes and your failures. I’ve been fortunate to experience my share of both, and each has taught me valuable lessons that have made me a stronger leader, a better teammate, and more resilient. Those experiences have helped me approach challenges with perspective, embrace continuous learning, and recognize that growth often comes from the moments that test us the most.

Q: Can you share a particularly challenging situation you faced in your career and how you overcame it?

A: Rather than pointing to one specific situation, I try to approach every challenge with the same mindset. I’m a big believer in mental toughness and view challenges like a muscle — the more you work them, the stronger you become. Whenever I’m faced with a difficult situation, I remind myself that I’m capable of finding a solution and that I’ll come out stronger on the other side. That perspective has helped me stay resilient, adapt to change, and continue growing throughout my career.

Q: If you could describe your approach to teamwork in three words, what would they be and why?

A: Genuine — I believe the best teams are built on trust, and trust starts with authenticity. Being my genuine self is the only way I know how to lead, and it allows me to build meaningful relationships and create an environment where others feel comfortable doing the same.

Intentional — I strive to be thoughtful in my decisions, communication, and planning. Being intentional helps ensure my actions align with my team’s goals and that every interaction has purpose.

Growth — I believe continuous growth is a responsibility I owe to my team. The better I become as a leader, the better I can support, develop, and empower the people around me. I never want to stop learning or improving.

Q: What do you think sets you apart, and how does it benefit your team?

A: When I was in high school, I was a cheerleader, but I wasn’t the most naturally talented one. I struggled with stunts, gymnastics, and even staying on beat during routines. Twice a week, I stayed after practice so my coach could help me improve. Despite my technical abilities, I was eventually named captain of our varsity cheer squad.

That experience taught me a lesson I’ve carried throughout my career: I’ve never been chosen to lead because I was the most naturally gifted person in the room. I’ve been given leadership opportunities because of my work ethic, willingness to learn, and positive attitude.

I believe those qualities are contagious. They help create a team culture where people feel supported, encouraged to grow, and motivated to give their best. Talent is important, but hard work, resilience, and a positive mindset are what truly drive long-term success.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your life, and what valuable lessons have you learned from them?

A: I’m fortunate to have three incredible influences in my life: my husband, my father, and my mother. Each has shaped me in a unique way and continues to influence both my personal life and my career.

My husband is an entrepreneur and an exceptional leader with endless energy. He inspires me to stay positive, keep moving forward, and find fulfillment in my team’s successes. His optimism and drive have taught me that leadership is about creating an environment where others can thrive.

My father and I are incredibly close. He introduced me to the insurance industry, and the time we’ve spent working together has been invaluable. Throughout his career, he has built an outstanding reputation in our community and serves as an example of what integrity, professionalism, and a successful insurance career should look like. I feel fortunate to learn from him every day.

My mother is my voice of reason and unwavering support. She’s the person I can always turn to for honest advice and encouragement, and she reminds me not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the journey along the way.

Without these three people, I would be a completely different person. Their guidance, example, and support have shaped the leader I strive to be every day.

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career so far, and what did it teach you?

A: One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is being asked to join the PNW Leadership Team. I must have had some good karma in a past life to have the opportunity to work alongside Hauke Hansen, Courtney Ruane, and Laura Poole. Being part of this team has challenged me to grow as a leader, broaden my perspective, and continually learn from people I deeply respect. We’ve also shared plenty of laughs along the way, which has made the experience even more rewarding. It has reinforced for me that great leadership is about learning from one another while building strong relationships.

Q: What are some hobbies you do outside of work that you enjoy?

A: Outside of work, you’ll most likely find me enjoying the simple things, starting with my 13-year-old Australian Shepherd, Rocky. You would never know he is 13! He looks and acts like a pup, he just can’t hear and sleeps more than he used to. This fantastic fuzzball is one of the lights of my life.

I love spending time outdoors with my family, especially in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Whether we’re skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer, or finding a new trail to explore, being outside together is where I feel most recharged.

I also read about an hour every day. Calling it a hobby might be an understatement, it’s probably closer to a healthy addiction. I love learning, exploring new ideas, and continuing to grow, and reading has become one of my favorite ways to invest in myself both personally and professionally.

Congratulations, Lauren!

Your genuine leadership, intentional approach, and commitment to growth make a lasting impact on every person and team you touch.

We’re grateful for all you do and are proud to celebrate you this month.