Jul 15, 2026
Ruth Phillips is a Learning and Development Specialist with Higginbotham, where she develops and delivers training programs that help insurance professionals build technical expertise and advance their careers. She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and has earned 17 insurance and professional development designations, including the CPCU and Insurance Training Professional (ITP) designations. Here she joins Chris Hampshire on In The Know for a conversation about learning and development in an era of telework and AI.
Key Takeaways
● Ruth’s early career dreams were those of a fighter pilot.
● Key changes to online learning and development.
● Effective online versus in-person training.
● Tracking understanding and comprehension in students.
● The ROI to carriers and brokers when investing in new hires.
● Successfully spreading training resources out.
● AI tools that effectively assist in training.
● Fundamentals of a successful training program.
● Ruth’s message to anyone considering a career in insurance.
● A five-year look to the future of the industry.
● Ruth’s advice to her early-career self.
In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then.
To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org.
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Quotes
● “Today’s technology has completely changed the way that I look at training people.”
● “AI has been a lifesaver for me when training.”
● “No matter what you love, we can find you a job in the insurance industry.”
● “Tech isn’t going to replace us, but if we’re not using it, then we will be replaced.”