Ellina Shinnick’s journey in the insurance sector is marked by a unique blend of cultural experiences and personal resilience.
As a first-generation Ukrainian immigrant, her upbringing and family’s bold choices have profoundly shaped her professional path. Now, as the chief marketing officer at HUB International and a speaker at IB’s Women in Insurance Chicago event earlier this year, Shinnick (pictured) shares how her background has influenced her leadership style and career trajectory.
Shinnick’s story is a testament to the power of cultural diversity, mentorship, and personal advocacy in shaping effective leadership within the insurance industry.
Her parents moved her to the US over 30 years ago, bringing with them hopes and dreams for their daughter’s future.
“They left everything,” said Shinnick. “Family, money, careers, and language behind and took a leap of faith for a future they believed would be better, without any kind of safety net or resources. As a young girl, I didn’t realize it then, but watching these leaps of faith instilled a sense of courage in me. It gives me a unique perspective as a leader, emphasizing the need to take bold moves. If you see an opportunity, don’t be scared. Go for it.”
And Shinnick has certainly gone for it. As a renowned leader in the sector, she has made significant strides.
“I also navigated dual cultures,” she told IB.
Growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, she looked and acted very ‘all American’, wearing braces, eating string cheese, and playing lacrosse. But at home, she was thrust back into a Russian-speaking environment, eating traditional foods, and celebrating holidays differently than her friends.
“At the time, it was embarrassing that I felt a little different – and I didn’t know how to navigate that,” she said.
But it was this exposure to different cultures and ways of doing things that helped Shinnick find her own distinctive leadership style.
“It shaped the spirit of open-mindedness in me,” she told IB, “welcoming new perspectives and seeking to understand people and where they’re coming from. I bring that unique perspective of acceptance to the way I show up as a leader, as a colleague, and to the way I think about marketing strategy.”
A part of this leadership style revolves around mentorship for Shinnick, something that’s gaining much-needed traction in the sector. According to a study published in the Journal of Vocational Behaviour, workplace mentors report greater job satisfaction, better quality relationships, and a greater commitment to the organization.
“It’s about advocacy,” Shinnick explained. “The nuance between mentorship and advocacy is taking action. When I think about advocates, it’s about people who are in the room when you’re not necessarily there, who have clout, who have the authority to make change happen. I’ve been fortunate in my career to have had a number of advocates who were instrumental in not just giving me guidance on things I should be doing or thinking about to continue to build my skill sets, but actually advocated on my behalf and helped me pursue my aspirations.”
Shinnick is also passionate about advocating for yourself, not just for others, as well as the younger generation.
“I advocate for young talent across the organization, young men and women wherever they are in their careers to the extent that I can,” she said.
Looking ahead to the future of diversity in insurance, Shinnick believes that it shouldn’t be about gender roles but rather the person beneath.
“I’m fortunate that I’ve never thought of myself as a woman in insurance or a woman in business, but rather as an ambitious and energetic person,” she said. “I entered the business world through gates opened by generations of women before me, and I’m very thankful for that.
“Great leaders aren’t great because of gender. I’ve worked with and for both men and women who were great teachers; because of them, I’ve developed a great interest in insurance and a desire to contribute meaningfully. Now I coach and inspire my team to do the same. What I appreciate about HUB’s culture is that it’s about the results. We encourage excellence in everyone.”
In her own future, Shinnick said she’ll be focused on empowering her team and those she works with indirectly to confidently make decisions.
“With specific advice for the future, it would be to ‘go for it’,” she said. “Be clear about your goals and put a plan together. And if you don’t know how to build a plan, reach out or find resources online. As I was building and shaping my career, I cold-called many individuals for informational interviews: they generously helped me shape my plan and journey. Focus on learning, building resiliency, and tapping into your unique skills to deliver impactful and memorable results.”
