Because connection doesn’t stop when the episode ends.

This panel discussion brings the Connecting Women in Insurance community back together to reflect, reconnect, and look ahead. Julie and a group of familiar voices unpack what resonated most from the first season, the connections that carried on off-mic, and why these conversations matter now more than ever. Honest insights, shared momentum, and a reminder that when women in insurance connect, the impact doesn’t end when the episode does.

From the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to the private market, Leila Taha has seen it all. In this episode of Connecting Women in Insurance, Julie sits down with the Executive Director of the National Flood Association to trace a 25-year career built on innovation, resilience, and heart. Whether you are navigating the complexities of flood policy or looking for leadership inspiration, Leila’s journey offers a masterclass in building lasting industry relationships.

Leila Taha is Executive Director of the National Flood Association (NFA), Chief Operating Officer for Joe Flood Insurance Brokerage, Inc., and a 30-year veteran of the flood industry. Her experience spans a range of disciplines including flood data management, sales, and marketing, operations oversight, and compliance, supporting private companies in both the National Flood Insurance Program and private flood insurance arenas. For the NFA, Leila has served on the NFA’s Board of Directors since 2003, including as President for five terms. She has supported NFA’s communications, conference planning, and educational efforts as well as facilitated collaborative efforts with FEMA and other affiliated organizations across the industry.

Leila is a licensed Property & Casualty insurance agent and holds the Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI) designation. She earned her degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and a marketing certificate from Columbia University. Leila is a resident – and native! – of Los Angeles, CA and outside of work enjoys yoga, live music, and discovering great coffee wherever she travels.

Connect with Leila on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-taha-37211b2/

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Cayce E. Lynch, National Managing Partner and Equity Partner at Tyson & Mendes, joins Julie to talk about what it takes to lead in today’s evolving insurance defense industry. Under her leadership, the firm has quadrupled in size, launched groundbreaking programs for women, young professionals, and diverse talent, and reshaped how legal teams are trained nationwide.

Cayce shares how she balances high-impact decision-making with a people-first philosophy, why she champions work-life harmony over outdated notions of “balance,” and how authenticity fuels stronger organizations. She also discusses her work educating the industry on Nuclear Verdict® trends and social inflation.

Ms. Lynch has been recognized with numerous awards, including San Diego Business Journal’s “Business Women of the Year” Award (2017), “Top 40 Under 40” by both San Diego Metro and San Diego Business Journal (2018, 2019), and CLM’s inaugural “Phenoms Under 40” (2022). She has also been listed as a “Woman of Influence in Law” (2021-2023) and a “Leader of Influence in Law” (2023) by San Diego Business Journal.

🔔 Watch the full candid conversation and subscribe to our channel for more!

🌟 And check out Cayce's company at https://www.tysonmendes.com/

Thanks for watching!