Angela Kain joins West Bend Insurance as commercial enterprise training manager

Angela Kain will join West Bend Insurance on Sept. 28 as Commercial Enterprise Training Manager, expanding her work from agent education into enterprise-wide learning for internal teams and independent agents. The move underscores how insurers are investing in training to strengthen talent development, underwriting knowledge and agency relationships.

Why it matters: - West Bend Insurance is putting a people-development leader into a role that spans both internal training and agent education. - The move signals continued emphasis on learning as a tool for retention, performance and stronger client service across the insurance business. - Kain’s remit includes both Agency Training and Underwriting Training, which gives the role influence across multiple parts of the company.

What happened: - Angela Kain will join West Bend Insurance on Sept. 28 as Commercial Enterprise Training Manager. - Kain will oversee Agency Training and Underwriting Training. - Her work will support internal enterprise operations and external independent agents. - West Bend said the role expands Kain’s scope from agency education to broader enterprise training. - Sheri Weaver, CPTD, CISR, senior manager of Learning & Development at West Bend Insurance, welcomed Kain to the team.

The details: - Kain previously served as Director of Agent Education at SECURA Insurance. - At SECURA, Kain designed and delivered continuing education programs for independent agents across multiple states. - Kain said she is excited to support the growth of internal talent and agency partners. - Kain said West Bend has a strong reputation for prioritizing professional development. - Kain said she wants to create learning environments where employees and agents feel empowered, engaged and prepared to succeed in a changing industry. - Kain’s career in insurance began in 1997 at a part-time job in a local State Farm office. - Her experience later expanded across agency sales, service and carrier operations. - Kain joined SECURA Insurance in 2014 and moved through support, training and educational roles. - Her academic background includes a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University-Wisconsin. - Her professional credentials include the AINS General Insurance Certificate, Trainer’s Insurance Certificate, CPCU designation, Certified Insurance Service Representatives certification and advanced coursework in training effectiveness. - Kain is a member of the Association for Talent Development and SILA, the Securities of Insurance Licensing and Administrators. - Kain also mentors young women and emerging talent in the insurance sector.

Between the lines: - The appointment reflects a broader insurance-industry trend: technical expertise is being paired with structured learning and leadership development. - Kain’s focus on practical, approachable training suggests West Bend wants education tied closely to day-to-day performance, not just compliance requirements. - Her emphasis on mentorship and professional networks points to a leadership style built around talent pipeline development.

What's next: - Kain will begin shaping West Bend’s learning programs after her Sept. 28 start date. - West Bend and Kain are expected to work together on training that supports both employees and agency partners. - The company’s learning-and-development strategy will likely gain more visibility through Kain’s expanded enterprise role.

The bottom line: - West Bend is betting that stronger training across underwriting and agency channels will help sharpen performance, deepen relationships and develop future leaders.