Networking in Practice: MGAA Next Gen Panel Champions the Power of Connection at Annual Conference

At the Managing General Agents’ Association (MGAA) Annual Conference on 3rd July, a dedicated Next Gen session brought together early-career professionals and industry leaders for a practical and insightful discussion on the importance of building meaningful professional relationships.

The session was hosted by Zoë Parsons, Head of Marketing at REG Technologies and MGAA Next Gen committee member, and took place at Old Billingsgate. Designed to go beyond the typical panel format, the 45-minute session combined personal insight with practical tools for confident, authentic networking, a critical skill in today’s insurance landscape.

The interactive format began with a networking exercise where attendees were asked to sit next to someone they didn’t know and introduce themselves. The structured conversation focused on names, roles, fun facts, and what individuals find challenging about networking. This hands-on activity aimed to help participants feel more comfortable in networking environments, turning theory into immediate practice.

The panel discussion featured three professionals who have each built their careers through intentional relationship-building:

• Sandra Lewin,host of the 100 Women in Insurance podcast and founder of the Collective, a women’s networking community
• Samantha Lydon (Ridgewell), Managing Director at Empower Development , known for her work supporting the development of young talent across the sector
• Eden Comins, Community Marketing Executive and Presenter at Insure TV

The panellists began by reflecting on how they themselves had come to be part of the session — each connected through their own individual networking efforts, reinforcing the power of relationship-building in action.

Sandra spoke about the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces for underrepresented professionals in the industry. Founding her network and podcast came from a desire to foster genuine connection. “It’s not just about who you know — it’s about who feels seen and supported,” she explained, encouraging attendees to build their network intentionally and with confidence.

Samantha shared insights from her training work across the industry, highlighting how structured support can transform how young professionals approach networking. “Confidence isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you build through practice,” she said. She emphasised the importance of small rituals, such as preparing a few thoughtful questions before attending events, to make networking feel more manageable.

Eden spoke about the power of curiosity in career development. “I’ve always seen myself as a sponge for information,” she said. “Even in rooms where I was the least experienced, I leaned into learning rather than trying to impress.” This mindset, she explained, has been instrumental in her current role at Insure TV, where building relationships is part of daily work.

The panel addressed key themes, including how to avoid transactional networking, how to feel confident in rooms where you may be the least experienced, imposter syndrome should be viewed as fuel for growth and how small habits — like consistent follow-ups or offering help — can lead to long-term, valuable connections.

Following the panel, attendees reconnected with their original partners and reintroduced themselves using a revised version of their initial introduction. This reflective exercise encouraged participants to incorporate something new they had learned, something they now felt more confident about, or a clearer career ask — helping them build confidence and authenticity in real time.

The session closed with a Q&A, where audience members explored practical questions around navigating networking challenges, building confidence, and creating lasting professional relationships in a competitive market.

As Zoë noted in her closing remarks, relationships are critical in today’s insurance market — not only for individual career growth but for strengthening collaboration, inclusion, and innovation across the industry.

This session exemplified what the MGAA Next Gen initiative aims to achieve: empowering the next generation of insurance professionals to build their networks, develop authentic confidence, and actively shape the future of the market.