From 180-Year-Old Startup to Surrender: Nancy Newmister on Leading Frederick Mutual with Faith

Nancy Newmister didn't set out to rebuild a 183-year-old insurance company during a pandemic. She started at 19 in the industry, spent 42 years climbing through progressive roles at Harleysville, Liberty Mutual, and Berkeley, and in 2015 said yes to what she calls her dream job: President and CEO of Frederick Mutual Insurance Company. But the dream came with a price. A super commute for five years. A company that needed everything rebuilt. A year in a wheelchair after vacuuming stink bugs off the ceiling. And more than a few spiritual attacks along the way. But this conversation isn't really about insurance. It's about a woman who learned to stop white-knuckling spreadsheets at 3 AM and start surrendering to the God who had been leading her all along. It's about speaking the name of Jesus in boardrooms where people quietly told her not to. It's about leading a 174-year-old startup through COVID, a reinsurance crisis, a technology overhaul, exiting a major line of business, and ultimately finding the right partner to preserve the mission, the brand, and the people she loved. Leaders On Tap is brought to you by C12 Maryland, where Christian CEOs and business owners come together to build great businesses for a greater purpose. ABOUT THE GUEST Nancy Newmister served as President and CEO of Frederick Mutual Insurance Company from 2015 through its strategic partnership with Northern Neck Insurance Company. With over 42 years in the insurance industry across four companies, Nancy led Frederick Mutual through a complete operational rebuild, a pandemic, a technology transformation, and a mutual holding company transition. She is a champion of Proverbs 27:17 leadership, a mother of two, grandmother of two, and a believer in business as ministry. Nancy now serves as Strategic Advisor helping integrate Frederick Mutual and Northern Neck Insurance. CONNECT C12 Maryland: https://c12md.com Take The More Audit: https://themoreaudit.com SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with Christian leaders building great businesses for a greater purpose. #LeadersOnTap #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #InsuranceIndustry #BusinessAsMinistry #Surrender #Proverbs2717 #KingdomBusiness ⏱️ CHAPTERS Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to Leaders On Tap: Meet Nancy Newmister 00:05:24 From 19 to CEO: Nancy's Faith Journey & Career Path 00:07:30 The Dream Job & The Super Commute: Saying Yes to Frederick Mutual 00:10:02 Baptism by Fire: Rebuilding a 174-Year-Old Startup 00:14:46 COVID, Quick Decisions & The Power of Great Leaders 00:17:24 Speaking His Name: Bringing Faith Into the Boardroom 00:20:19 The Cost of Leadership: Marriage, Super Commuting & Spiritual Attacks 00:27:52 Kurt's Conversion & Business as Ministry 00:30:13 Prayer Warriors & Wednesday Morning Intercession 00:38:19 Stink Bugs, Surrender & A Year in a Wheelchair 00:42:22 White Knuckling It: From Spreadsheets at 3 AM to Letting Go 00:52:21 Hard Decisions: Exiting Personal Lines & Protecting People 00:55:42 The Mutual Holding Company Structure & Opening New Options 00:58:41 The Perfect Storm: Reinsurance Crisis & Finding a Partner 01:01:46 Northern Neck Insurance: Preserving the Mission & The Brand 01:05:38 Ephesians 3:20 & Immeasurably More Than We Imagine 01:08:42 What God Is Doing: Slowing Down, Seeking Him First & Celebrating Small Wins 01:12:26 Advice for Women Leaders: Protect Your Heart, Your Faith & Your Body 01:14:49 Be Who You Are: Confidence, Clean Eating & The Power of Self-Esteem 01:24:05 The Fruit of Faithful Leadership: Lisa, Kurt & A Legacy of Prayer 01:26:25 Proverbs 27:17 & Sharpening Each Other in Love 01:29:10 Final Words: Stay the Course, Keep God Close & Seek Godly Counsel