Get to know the individuals that ignite the insurance industry as they answer our icebreaker questions. 

Karnina Szymanski leads all aspects of customer experience for Bold Penguin, a digital solution platform dedicated to simplifying business insurance. Her organization includes agency distribution, strategic partners, carrier integrations, wholesale operations and compliance. These teams support the thousands of agencies, carriers and other strategic partners that rely on Bold Penguin's products and services to optimize their commercial insurance operations.

Karnina resides in Solana Beach, California, and is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. She graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in accounting, following an internship at Progressive Insurance. She enjoys hiking, writing and traveling. Her personal and professional mission is to elevate the next generation of leaders within the insurance industry, ensuring its continued path of innovation and growth.

Hi, Karnina! Thanks for joining us! What is your coffee order?

Hot soy latte. At coffee shops, I use an alias, “Gabby," because it's more accessible. Karnina is a unique name, and it is brutal to hear baristas try to pronounce it. I often get distracted and forget I am Gabby when they call it out. 

Sorry to hear that, but now I feel like I need a coffee shop alter ego too. Speaking of coffee, tell us about your morning routine.

I work from home in California, but it's better professionally to work East Coast time, meaning I'm online by 5:30 a.m. PT. My morning is coffee-fueled with lattes from my espresso machine to make it through early morning meetings. Being ready before sunrise prevents me from sleeping in and wasting time.

What is your favorite book?

This changes for me, because I love books. My current favorite is “Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson, a fantastic piece of research and lovingly told. I learned so much about the Great Migration of my African American ancestors from the Jim Crow South to the West and North.

So, what fictional character do you relate to most?

Barbie. Not only did I grow my love of stilettos because of the iconic doll, but I also feel like I've had a dozen careers. I have always been excited about taking on new challenges and have many interests. Because of that, I have sought new opportunities in various roles.

Who else can pull off “rocket scientist" and “fashion icon" in the same day, right? What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics?

The high heels competition. I was a distance runner through school and dreamed of running in a high-heeled race. I would love to show how fast a person can move in a stiletto.

Look out, Los Angeles 2028! If you could travel back in time to see a band play live, who would it be and why?

Last year at Coachella, I had my first opportunity to see No Doubt. They were fun and energetic. I always loved '90s music. If I could see any of these original groups together at their height, it would be a toss-up between TLC and Nirvana.

And what film have you watched the most times and will probably keep watching over and over again?

I have seen “Mean Girls" more times than I can count, but I laugh each time. It is well-written and hilarious, it has a happy ending and the characters evolve. I am optimistic and always expect everyone to win in the end.

Lastly, if you had to do karaoke, what song would you sing?

I absolutely cannot sing, but if I could, it would be “Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" by Lauren Hill.

Can't sing? Please, that's what karaoke was made for! Thanks, Gabby … I mean, Karnina!

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