Juli Vaupell joined National Real Estate Insurance Group (NREIG) in 2010 as a client service representative. Since then, she has earned promotion multiple times as client relations manager, vice president, and in 2017, she became executive vice president. Prior to her ascent at NREIG, Vaupell was a small business owner. Her business and client relations experience makes Vaupell a valued leader within one of the largest national real estate companies serving real estate investors.

As AAPL continues to spotlight women leaders who are climbing the ranks, Juli was gracious enough to give us her perspective on female leadership and how gender affects this traditionally male-dominated industry.

AAPL: Do you have daily practices that lend to your strengths?

Juli Vaupell: I am very organized, keep an active “to-do” list, and do my educational reading in the morning when my mind is fresh and I am not distracted. I begin each day updating my to do list and prioritizing the items that are most important. My list is often in addition to the daily requirements of my job, so being efficient and organized is a must. Once my list is created I read anything from the day before that is educational or requires critical thinking. I aim to have my reading done before 8 a.m. each day when the office tends to come alive. This enables me to thoroughly digest the information and make decisions in the best interest of all stakeholders.

AAPL: What motivates you to get out of bed and face your industry on a daily basis?

JV: Honestly, I love what I do. I love the industry and the Program that we operate. Additionally, I work with some pretty great people who make each day interesting.

AAPL: Do you think the gender gap still exists? Please explain.

JV: I do. The insurance industry has long been a male dominated world. Women are becoming more prevalent in leadership positions, but men still outnumber women. I often find myself at a table with six males and I am the only female. I’m comfortable in that situation, but we need to allow time for women to gain industry knowledge and climb the corporate ladder.

AAPL: How do you think the gender gap has affected or not affected your career?

JV: The gender gap has affected my career in the sense that I have to work harder than my male peers to gain the same respect and privileges. Over the years, I’ve gained confidence to speak up about the differences in how I am treated, which has provided my employers the opportunity to rectify the situations and in most cases they do.

 AAPL: Is the Equal Opportunity Act enough?

JV: The Equal Opportunity Act is not enough. As women, we need to speak up and advocate for equal rights when we see an inequality. Not just a male/female inequality, but any inequality based on race, religion, or sexual preference. Sitting back and hoping that “it will all work out” most often doesn’t lead to the outcome we hope for. Be your own advocate.

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