Diary of an Insurtech

EP5 · Intelligent Simplicity with John Higginson, Tech Advisor at Rival Insurance Technology

In this episode of Diary of an Insurtech, we sit down with John Higginson, tech leader and strategic advisor at Rival.
John shares how his early love of science fiction led to a career in software, how he thinks about AI’s real-world impact, and why simplicity and focus are key to making innovation work in insurance.
From product strategy to the future of voice interfaces, it’s a grounded conversation about what makes technology actually useful.
Hosted by Ellen Quinn, Stephanie Plangger, and Ashley Clouthier.

EP4 · Value Over Hype with Caroline Schweppe, Principal at Carosch Inc.

In this episode of Diary of an Insurtech, we’re joined by Caroline Schweppe, Principal at Carosch Inc., to talk about what makes innovation meaningful in the Canadian insurance ecosystem.
Caroline shares her journey from filing clerk to broker to strategic advisor, how her family legacy in insurance shaped her perspective, and what she looks for in insurtech partners. From execution over hype to the value of strong relationships, it’s a candid conversation about what moves the industry forward.
Hosted by Ellen Quinn, Stephanie Plangger, and Ashley Clouthier.

EP3 · Product Mindset with Stephanie Plangger, VP of Product at Rival Insurance Technology

In this episode of Diary of an Insurtech, we flip the mic and sit down with one of our own—Stephanie Plangger, VP of Product at Rival.
Stephanie shares her journey into the insurance world, how her background in design shapes her approach to product leadership, and what she sees on the horizon for insurtech in Canada. From user experience to strategic tradeoffs, we dive into what it takes to build products brokers actually want to use.
Hosted by Ellen Quinn and Ashley Clouthier.

EP2 · Selling the Future with Bob Juracka, VP of Business Strategy at Rival Insurance Technology

In this episode of Diary of an Insurtech, we sit down with Bob Juracka, VP of Business Strategy at Rival, to talk about his transition from selling insurance software to shaping the future of it.
With decades of experience across some of the industry's leading vendors, Bob shares his perspective on how insurance tech has evolved, what product strategy looks like in a modern platform, and how to stay focused while navigating a complex, legacy-heavy ecosystem.
Hosted by Ellen Quinn, Stephanie Plangger, and Ashley Clouthier.

EP1 · Rivaling Expectations with Greg Purdy, CEO at Rival Insurance Technology

The future of insurance is mobile, smart, and voice-activated. How is the industry evolving to meet these changes?
In the first episode of Diary of an Insurtech, Greg Purdy, CEO of Rival, shares his journey from a family of insurance brokers to leading an insurtech company.
Hosted by: Ellen Quinn, Stephanie Plangger, and Ashley Clouthier.