Age: 34
Manager, Commercial Lines Policy Administration, Jewelers Mutual Group
Kimberly Waterson has received multiple promotions since joining Jewelers Mutual Group 10 years ago. She says the company’s leadership believed in her before she fully believed in herself, and that has made a major difference in her career. Reading the book “The Leadership Pipeline” also had a significant impact on Waterson’s career trajectory.
“At the time, I was struggling,” she says. “I had always been the go-to person and took a lot of pride in that. I found myself trying to do it all, which quickly became overwhelming.”
The book gave Waterson a new perspective on leadership that has helped her to this day.
“Once I shifted my mindset from ‘doing’ to ‘developing,’ everything changed,” Waterson says. “It allowed my team to step up, and it freed me to focus on larger-scale, strategic work.”
Second career: If I weren’t in my current profession, I would love to work in the wedding industry, whether that’s owning my own bridal boutique or planning weddings. During COVID, I started working at a wedding dress shop to pass the time, and I fell in love with it. I loved helping women feel beautiful and confident on one of the most important days of their lives, and being part of that joy was incredibly rewarding.
Her personal theme song: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
Favorite cause: I’m passionate about supporting The Hope Highway Dog Rescue in many ways. I volunteer my time, foster dogs, help with fundraising, and organize their annual charity golf outing. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a community that makes a real difference for both animals and the people who care for them.
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