Kathy Davenport, CLU, ChFC

My Life Before New York Life
With this early start, it's not surprising Kathy gravitated to a career in real estate. She found she "didn't like selling a used product nor working weekends." While overseeing the construction of her new home, Kathy realized how much money was paid out in insurance premiums and how little service the agent offered. "I knew I could do a better job of explaining what we were buying than our agent did."

My Partnership with New York Life
After inquiring about a career in casualty insurance, her neighbor, a New York Life agent, encouraged her not to become "an order taker" but to consider a creative career selling insurance and financial products. "It seemed like a natural progression from selling investment real estate and growing up in a family-owned business."

Kathy chose New York Life because it offered freedom and control. "I could set my own schedule, be my own boss. The income potential was unlimited, with no worry of my territory being cut. Once I started a family, I appreciated the flexibility of working at home and planning my time to meet their needs."

Because she married at 19 and hadn't finished college, Kathy felt it would "give me an edge and build my self-confidence to pass the CLU and ChFC exams." Applying her customary focus and self-discipline, she took 12 tests in 12 months and was granted both credentials in 1987.

When Kathy began her career as an agent, she hoped to eventually become a member of the Agents' Advisory Council, the "unofficial board of directors," that represents agents across the country and brings their clients' changing needs to the attention of corporate New York Life. Her peers elected her to this prestigious Council for the 1998 term.

Kathy is also working on behalf of other women agents as Chairperson of the West Central Zone's Women's Forum, where she and her committee are entirely responsible for designing a program that is "cost and time efficient, provides world-class speakers, and offers the opportunity for women agents and managers to share ideas and stories. When I was new in the business, a Women's Network meeting impacted me more than any other. I met most of my long-time friends and mentors there."

Her ability to form close relationships became crucial when she was temporarily disabled with two difficult pregnancies. Even though Kathy wasn't able to visit clients, she called them from home or "received them" in her living room. "I am both my customers' consultant and friend. They tell me things no one else knows. Their coming to my home seemed perfectly natural to both of us."