Owning your voice: visibility, reinvention, and careers after 50

There was something genuinely special about this year’s 100 Women in Insurance Summit 2026, and a huge part of that is down to Sandra Lewin, who has built a community that feels open, supportive and full of momentum. The conversations were real, energising and, in many cases, long overdue. 

I was lucky enough to host a panel on visibility, reinvention and what comes next – especially for those navigating careers beyond 50. 

For many people later in their careers, there comes a point where it stops being about the next promotion and starts being about impact, recognition and being seen. 

Am I visible enough? 
And what actually comes next? 

Joining me on stage were Bernadette Hackett from Zurich and Deborah McBrearty from Accenture, who brought honesty, wisdom and plenty of lived experience to the discussion. 

Being seen matters 

One theme came through strongly: visibility doesn’t just happen – you have to build it. 

As Deborah shared, doing great work is not always enough if people don’t see it. Relationships matter. Showing up beyond your day job matters. Being known for how you think, not just what you deliver, matters. 

I agree wholeheartedly. The strongest networks are the ones you build long before you need them (a key lesson I learnt from the amazing Katherine Bryant, Insurance Breakfast Club). 

We also explored something many people feel but don’t often say out loud: the mid-career shift. That moment where careers feel less linear, less structured and, sometimes, less visible. 

Berni made a really important point here: this stage is often where professionals bring the greatest value. By this point, you’ve built years of experience, you understand how the industry works, and you’ve developed the judgement that only comes with time. 

That perspective is powerful. 

The challenge is recognising that value in yourself – and continuing to show up with confidence. 

Berni also spoke about how careers naturally evolve over time, and continue to evolve. Early on, progression can feel quite defined, but later in your career it often becomes about making more intentional choices: stepping into new opportunities, moving sideways, or recognising when something is no longer the right fit. 

The “squiggly” career 

Reinvention came up again and again. Careers are rarely linear; they are, as many of us now say, “squiggly.” 

Redundancies, pivots, unexpected turns – these aren’t necessarily setbacks. Often, they are the moments that reshape what comes next.  

Deborah shared how moments of change earlier in her career pushed her to think differently about visibility and the importance of building strong networks. 

Berni echoed this, reflecting on how some of the most valuable career moves come from stepping back and reassessing what you really want to do next. 

One piece of advice that particularly stayed with me came from Berni: build your own personal board of directors. A trusted group of people around you who can offer perspective, challenge your thinking and support you through different stages of your career. 

Whether you are building that network, taking a sideways step to move forward, or simply staying open to change, the message was clear: stay visible, and stay connected. 

Confidence, health and openness 

It was refreshing to have such an open conversation about confidence, health and the realities of balancing senior roles with life outside work. 

Deborah spoke candidly about the impact of menopause on confidence, and how simply talking about it can make a huge difference. 

That honesty opened up a wider point: we need far more openness in our workplaces – full stop. 

Because confidence, health and career decisions are often deeply connected, especially in the later chapters of our careers. 

Owning your next chapter 

Yes, AI got a mention too – but not as a threat. As Deborah put it, it’s about freeing us up to focus on what really matters: relationships, judgement and decision-making. 

Or, in Berni’s words: Don’t fear it. Own it. 

The session wrapped on a high note with advice to our younger selves: embrace the twists and turns, know your value, and don’t be afraid to ask for more. 

If there was one lasting feeling in the room, it was this: The later chapters of your career should never be viewed as slowing down. 

They are about stepping into your confidence, owning your voice, and shaping what comes next on your own terms. 

Sarah Sutton 
CMO, Send 

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn here.