Fireside Chat with Telisa Yancy
Telisa Yancy, President of American Family Direct, joined Terry Young, CEO at sparks & honey, for a Fireside Chat. Telisa humbly reflected on her impressive journey as young girl from the south side of Chicago to helming a nationally-recognized category leader.
Learn about her leadership principles, her approach to corporate social responsibility and even the future of insurance in the Metaverse in the full Culture Briefing here:
Watch a short clip from the conversation about positioning diversity, equity and inclusion at the center of your organization.
About Telisa Yancy
Telisa Yancy is the President of American Family Insurance, a Madison, Wisconsin-based Fortune 300 company selling auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance. In this role, she oversees the American Family enterprise’s direct-to-consumer companies – Homesite, The General and CONNECT. Previously, Telisa served as chief operating officer of American Family’s agency business since 2019, with primary accountability for the personal, commercial- farm/ranch, and life lines of business, as well as the sales and claims operations. She joined American Family in 2009 as advertising director in the Marketing Division and was promoted to vice president of Marketing in 2013 and chief marketing officer in 2016. In her Marketing roles, Telisa oversaw all branding, marketing and advertising activities for the company, including launching the award-winning “Dreams” campaign in 2011 and its numerous extensions. She also introduced the concept of inspirational brand ambassadors to serve as “dream champions.” Prior to joining American Family, she served in sales, marketing and general-management leadership positions at several companies, including Ford Motor Co. and Burger King and Lincoln Mercury.
Telisa was named one of the most powerful women in corporate America by Black Enterprise in 2019, awarded with the GlobalMinED Inclusive leader in 2019, Adage Woman to Watch in 2017, honored by Ebony as part of its Power 100 in 2016, and recognized by Savoy Magazine on its 2016 Top Influential Women in Corporate America and 2014 Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America lists.
Telisa is a graduate of the University of Illinois and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business. She currently serves on the boards of National Public Radio (NPR) and Deluxe Corporation. She is married to jazz saxophonist and recording artist Yancyy. Together with their son, Robert, the Yancy family likes to spend time supporting and volunteering with organizations that help to close the economic and educational gaps among minority communities.