Too Much? No Such Thing: Cristina Varner on Passion and Ambition

In this episode, I interview Cristina Varner, SVP and Life Science Practice Leader – West Region at Lockton, for a candid conversation about advocacy, leadership, and what it really means for women to take up space in the workplace. Cristina shares her unexpected path into insurance after originally pursuing fashion merchandising, and how she became known as an “activist” for speaking up about equity and inclusivity. I admire her refusal to shrink herself to make others comfortable, and her belief that when women lead authentically and visibly, it creates a ripple effect for everyone around them. We also talk about the realities many women still face in corporate environments: feeling unsafe speaking up, navigating competition between women, and the emotional toll of constantly proving yourself. Cristina opens up about co-founding DEI and women’s initiatives, the resistance that can come with challenging the status quo, and why community and female friendships are critical in moments of burnout and self-doubt.