I’m still riding the high from being the emcee at the NABIP National Convention in Miami: sunshine, palm trees, and some seriously sharp industry minds. If you weren’t there for the witty banter, my push-up contest, hallway laughs, or the moment Mark Cuban dropped an f-bomb in record time, you definitely missed out. There’s something electric about being surrounded by people who are fired up about making a difference — and doing it with a sense of humor and purpose.
That same energy is fueling this month’s spotlight. The stories below feature two women who’ve each leaned into change in their own way. One stepped out of the industry completely, only to return with a renewed sense of purpose and impact. The other is using her legal background to lead boldly in both corporate compliance and national advocacy.
Their wins over the past year are impressive, but what’s even more powerful is the intention behind them. These women are aligned, energized and pushing the rest of us to do better.
Meet Julie Triepke of BPA Health and Samantha Malovrh, Esq., of OneDigital.
“My biggest business accomplishment in the past 12 months has been finding a role that genuinely aligns with my experience, strengths and commitment to mental health and employee wellbeing. I left the industry at the end of 2023 feeling overwhelmed and had no intention of returning until the opportunity at BPA Health presented itself. With over 15 years of experience, including roles at an insurance carrier and a brokerage agency, I’ve been fortunate to build strong relationships and see early success, averaging one new client per week since starting in January 2025. I’m passionate about helping companies and employees understand the value of EAPs and how early support can help prevent more serious challenges down the road. As an advocate for mental health, my personal goal is to make sure that anyone who needs support knows where to turn. It means a lot to be doing work that feels truly meaningful.”
"If you had asked me 14 years ago, fresh out of law school, where I’d be today, I’m not sure I would have imagined myself in such an influential role, driving real change across our industry. Over this time, I’ve experienced tremendous growth both professionally and personally. Most recently, I had the opportunity to chair the NABIP Capitol Conference in Washington, D.C., where I took the lead in ensuring the event represented our industry’s voice on Capitol Hill.
In my corporate role, I lead a team of compliance experts that deliver impactful solutions in response to the ever-evolving regulatory landscape impacting employee benefits and employment issues, including helping launch a federal legislative tracker to keep our clients informed and empowered.
Leveraging my legal background has been instrumental in both advancing my advocacy efforts along with building a dynamic, responsive team which not only understands the regulatory landscape, but also drives meaningful change. I’m excited to continue this work as I take on the new challenge of overseeing NABIP's federal legislative committee this year."
Know someone doing big things behind the scenes or boldly stepping into their moment? I’m always looking to highlight women in our industry who are making waves, shifting perspectives, and lifting others as they lead. If someone comes to mind, send them my way at scombs@combsandc.com - I’d love to hear their story.
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