October 28, 2025 — Baltimore, MD— Maryland Auto Insurance hosted its 4th Annual Women’s Conference for female insurance professionals on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Senator Pamela G. Beidle served as the Keynote speaker, and Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant returned to the conference for her second year to provide opening remarks.
The event, which was held in Severna Park, Maryland, celebrated women in the insurance industry and was planned and executed by female team members at Maryland Auto.
Senator Beidle serves as the Chair of Senate Finance Committee. Beyond the General Assembly, Senator Beidle is also a leader in the insurance agency, having served as President of Beidle Insurance Agency for nearly 40 years. “I am very grateful to have an insurance background,” she said. “In the Finance Committee we deal with all kinds of insurance, including auto, health, life, and annuities.”
The Senator shared her personal career story and background with the attendees, noting how her approach led to success as a woman in the insurance agency and in State Government. “I think bringing diversity to the table, whether it’s gender, or geography, or ethnic, or culture – we need to have everybody at the table to make a decision,” she said.
Senator Beidle called for attendees to support other women in their careers and journeys. “I’ve helped a lot of women. I’ve mentored a lot of women. And I think that’s really important. If you can help someone else, a coworker, somebody from church, or whatever, and mentor them to help them get to where they want to be or accomplish their goals, it’s really important.”
She also encourages attendees to have a voice in their own counties and to take the time to find out what districts they are in and who their representatives are. “Believe it or not, you do influence us,” she said. “Hearing from people, particularly stakeholders on the bills that are being considered, is important for us. Phone calls, emails, come to testify, whatever – to give us input is important.”
Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant has over 20 years of experience in policy, regulation, and health care systems. She shared her insights on some key insurance issues including the affordable care act, consumer protection, and affordability of private passenger auto insurance. She also noted that we are currently in, “very interesting times with a lot of uncertainty, which makes it a challenge for insurance regulation and the business of insurance – a business that is often built on predictability. if not complete certainty.”
Commissioner Grant shared that the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) and Maryland Auto are working together as part of a legislatively created work group to explore rate-setting practices and identify steps that can be taken to ensure affordability. “In the property and casualty world, we’ve been talking about the affordability of private passenger auto insurance. Our hope is to see if there are policy options we can take for the future to make things more affordable.”
She also shared some good news. “Our teams have recovered $40 million in the first six months of this year. We have really dedicated folks who are working to make sure Maryland consumers are well protected and kept whole.”
Commissioner Grant closed her remarks sharing that being married to a music teacher, music plays a large role in her family life. She recently had the opportunity to see Hamilton in New York but has been inspired by a particular lyric since first hearing the music over a decade ago. She shared this lyric from the song, The World Was Wide Enough, “What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see. I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song someone will sing for me.” Commissioner Grant shared that she takes these lyrics to heart when approaching her work at the MIA. “I will not be in this role forever,” she says. “What are we building to last? How are we supporting our teams to build directionally for the future? How are we setting up regulations, laws, policy, and transparent information to protect Maryland consumers for the future. Those are the goals I keep at the top of my mind as we build toward that future together.”
Maryland Auto also welcomed back Ayana Johnson, Esq. from Johnson Legal PLLC, and Suzanne Thompson, Vice President Advisor of the Employee Benefits Division at PSA Insurance & Financial Services, as speakers. Ms. Johnson spoke about estate planning and building wealth and Mrs. Thompson presented on business development and working in a hybrid environment. New additions to this year’s lineup included Veronica Purcell Crosby, Program Manager at the CASH Campaign of Maryland, and Janine Horne from Zen Well Studio, who led a session on holistic wellness and women’s health.
Conference attendee Tori Brown, an insurance agent with Roadway Insurance in Laurel, Maryland, has attended all four of Maryland Auto’s Women’s Conferences. She shared her appreciation of Maryland Auto’s efforts in supporting and inspiring women in the insurance industry. “I’ve learned a lot about women in leadership roles and that actually, the sky is the limit for women,” she said. “I’ve seen the conference grow over the past four years. I see some new people in the crowd this year and would love to see the conference expand to include more health topics and reach even more female insurance professionals.”
About Maryland Auto
Maryland Auto Insurance, an independent agency of the State of Maryland, is a mission-driven organization dedicated to reducing the number of uninsured drivers on Maryland roadways. Maryland Auto provides access to insurance for drivers who currently are unable to obtain coverage from standard carriers. Maryland Auto was established in 1972 by the State of Maryland to protect its citizens from the risks and costs associated with uninsured driving. For more information, visit www.MyMarylandAuto.com.
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Media Inquiries
For media inquiries about Maryland Auto, please contact: Dan Franko, 667-210-5189, Dan.Franko@MarylandAuto.Net
