Building Confidence from the Inside Out — Sharilyn Tanaka

In this Connected Conversations episode launching season four on women in insurance, co-host Carrie Thornbrugh interviews Sharilyn Tanaka, Executive Vice President and Unit Manager for Business and Personal Insurance at Atlas Insurance in Honolulu. Inspired by a YWCA Oahu women’s leadership program, Tanaka explains that confidence can be built and shares five practical strategies: build expertise through education and designations, track successes and impact, act before you feel fully ready, use your voice consistently, and build a supportive “village” including mentors and sponsors who advocate for you when you’re not in the room. She discusses navigating self-doubt—especially as an introvert in male-dominated rooms—by focusing on preparation, speaking up, and accepting imperfection, particularly for working mothers.