Meet the New ACT Executive Director: 10 Questions with Kasey Connors
Q: Welcome to ACT, Kasey! Can you give us a quick snapshot of your journey here?
A: Absolutely! I’ve been with the Big “I” for the past eight years, working with the Trusted Choice brand and marketing resources, promoting the brand and supporting independent agents through products like the Hard Market Toolkit, the AI Toolkit, and various digital marketing resources. I’ve spent years helping agents with their marketing, and I saw firsthand how confusing and overwhelming tech can be. ACT is the place where we address topics to make those tools and trends more accessible.
Q: What drew you to ACT?
It’s a wild time with the pace of change in technology. We’re seeing major shifts—agentic AI, embedded insurance, digital ecosystems, real-time data and advanced analytics—and yet, technology adoption across the channel is still uneven. Agents want to move forward, but they need support, direction, and clarity.
Q: Fun fact—this isn’t your first rodeo with tech focused workgroups, right?
A: Haha, true! Years ago, I led workgroups around connectivity, internet standards and cybersecurity in the hospitality industry. It feels like a full-circle moment to now do this in insurance, with even bigger implications for our industry and customer experiences.
Q: What’s your vision for ACT’s future?
A: Elevate, amplify, connect. We want to enhance awareness of ACT, spotlight our brilliant partners and thought leaders, and make sure the incredible work happening in our workgroups reaches more people. ACT’s strength is in the collective—bringing together insights across the independent agency ecosystem.
Q: What’s your take on the future of InsurTech?
A: We’re entering a new era. AI can help with efficiencies—like automating tasks or saving time in operations—but that’s just the beginning. AI can support more personalized service, smarter workflows, and better decision-making. But adoption won’t be easy. We’re a risk-averse industry, and barriers like poor data quality, governance concerns, and lack of clarity are real. That’s why ACT’s current workgroups are so critical.
Q: What makes independent agents uniquely positioned for this tech wave?
A: Relationships are their superpower. Always have been. Tech should enhance that—not replace it. We have access to more data than ever before. The question is: how do we use it to show up in more personal, human, and meaningful ways to enhance those relationships. From remembering client birthdays, predicting buying needs or improving service with less friction? And how do we make sure everyone—from the smallest agency to the largest carrier and the multitude of tech partners—is aligned?
Q: What’s your leadership style?
A: I’m a connector. My background is in marketing, so I love telling stories, building brands, and helping people see what’s possible. I like bringing people together across silos and helping everyone row in the same direction.
Q: Let’s shift gears—tell us a bit about life outside of work.
A: I have two boys: Chase (6 years) and Cole (6 months), both named after players on the 2008 Phillies World Series team because my husband and I met right after that win. I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, so I’m a spicy food fan and have a hot sauce collection. I love SoulCycle, my Peloton, wine and I’m always reading something—usually a mix of leadership, marketing or tech, and fiction for fun.
Q: Favorite leadership quote or mantra right now?
A: “We are the strength in the collective.” Technology moves too fast for any one of us to go it alone. ACT is about learning, evolving and moving forward—together.
Q: Last words to the ACT community?
A: Thank you for the warm welcome! I’m thrilled to be here and can’t wait to keep building something meaningful with all of you. Let’s write the future—collectively.