Q&A with Danielle Shearer

Danielle Shearer is Vice President and General Manager of Howard Hanna Insurance Services, a full-service independent agency headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.

Q. It’s always fun to learn how people get their start in the insurance industry. Tell us about your career path!

A. I was a Performing Arts major in college. My resume consisted of Giselle, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker, so you can assume how that went over when searching for employment in the business world. After graduation, while I continued to perform and teach ballet, I pursued opportunities to break into the business world by taking on temporary employment. Howard Hanna Insurance brought me on as their secretary in 2005. Thus, my career in insurance began. I was licensed by 2006 and promoted to Division Operations Manager in 2007.

Q. What does your typical workday look like? And what’s your favorite part of your job?

A. I’ll start with favorite part of my job. I feel most accomplished and gratified when I am helping people. That help could be to a fellow colleague, a client, a carrier, whoever reaches out in need. It’s a “bucket filler” for me. The more I can support, the fuller my “bucket” becomes. Helping others is the very nature of the insurance business, and it is in giving and helping that I feel most content and complete.

As far as my workday, I usually have carrier and leadership meetings scheduled because agency growth is a fundamental part of our strategic plan. It is also critical that we work to provide a great client experience. That said, I review and respond to comments from our clients in an effort to determine our weaknesses and continue to find ways to improve upon them. My goal each day is to do whatever is needed to set the wheels of success in motion for the business. Of course, that begins with making sure others in the agency have what they need to be most productive and efficient. I work to be available and attentive. I strive to make sure others know I am here to support them. I look for opportunities within the day to listen, to understand, to give, and to acknowledge. The best days are the ones when I have empowered those around me.

Q. Howard Hanna is a well-known name in the real estate industry. How does the insurance division fit into the company?

A. The Insurance Division of Howard Hanna was established in 1985. The agency was formed to help facilitate the home-buying process and allow our homebuyers a one-stop shopping experience. As a result, we are here to service and support our real estate agents and real estate clients. Our insurance agents are multistate licensed and have the knowledge and expertise to deliver a proposal suitable for the homebuyer. Our team works in tandem with Howard Hanna’s core financial service teams, including Mortgage and Title.

Q. Your agency’s support of the Ronald McDonald House has earned recent accolades, including the 2023 Dan Fulwider Award for Community Service. Congratulations! Tell us about your agency’s support of the charity.

A. We began our agency partnership with the Ronald McDonald House back in the fall of 2018 by providing two home-cooked lunches for the families. The Ronald McDonald House charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown have been incredibly welcoming to our staff, which has made it that much easier to volunteer. Over the years we have written cards to the families; sponsored an apartment; organized a pamper party; conducted a bake n ’decorate, PJ drive, and door décor drive; and donated hot meals, toys, toiletries, spick n ’span bags, welcome bags, and items for their pantry. We found ways during the pandemic to continue our support from a distance by donating funds to keep meals in front of the families. Last year we immersed ourselves in the Red Shoe Ball, which is a charity event raising money for the families at the House.

The Ronald McDonald House provides comfort, care, and support to families that span across the United States and abroad. The families that we have met and supported have made our time spent there so rewarding. By providing the support this charity needs, we play a supporting role in helping a child and family heal. Our company and agency continue to support these very families and children through our own charity, The Howard Hanna Children’s Free Care Fund. We find joy and opportunity in this gift of giving.

Q. Obviously your agency’s volunteer work and donations make a huge difference to the families who rely upon the Ronald McDonald House. But what benefits have you seen for your own team?

A. It is such a gift to be able to help. Every one of us has contributed to our efforts in some way, and it has allowed us to connect with one another in such a meaningful way. I do notice a difference in the way the team members interact after having completed a volunteer project together. There is a different level of respect and connection. It really has been the best use of our time. There is a sense of fulfillment that I have not been able to replicate otherwise.

Q. You accepted the Dan Fulwider Award during the Big “I” Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Tell us about your experience at the event!

A. I was thrilled to accept the award on behalf of everyone who puts work into our community service. I am but a cog in the wheel and happen to be blessed with great support from those who are by my side no matter what the ask is.

I was most excited to continue giving back through the award’s $3,000 donation to our charity of choice. And I am grateful for the opportunity to bring awareness to The Howard Hanna Children’s Free Care Fund, as well as to our friends at the Ronald McDonald House.

Accepting the Dan Fulwider Award in front of industry colleagues was surreal. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing stories from others, making new connections and friendships, and sharing in the passion of helping our communities.

Q. Beyond volunteering, what keeps you busy outside of work?

A. My other full-time job is being a role model and supportive mother to my children, Francis (11), ClareMarie (9), and Ignatius (7). This is perhaps the role that is most important to me and for which I strive to fulfill all needs. Most days I fall short of my own expectations but not for lack of trying. Perhaps that’s why I yearn to help families and other mothers, so that they too can concentrate on their children’s’ needs rather than their worries.

Danielle Shearer (right) and Katie Zurawka, of Howard Hanna Insurance Services, represented IA&B at the Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia’s 20th Annual Grapevine fundraiser in May 2023.