KAIT JOVEN | Age: 31 Director, product delivery

Carpe Data

Santa Barbara, California

Kait Joven didn’t intend to build a career in the insurance industry when she joined a technology startup in 2012, after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara. But her early work as a social media analyst for the company that is now Carpe Data led to the development of software for injury-related claims. Less than a decade later, Ms. Joven leads a team of 20 product delivery engineers.

 

What’s a lasting effect of the pandemic on the way you work?

I already worked remotely when the pandemic hit, so one of the nice things is I was able to be a resource to my coworkers as they figured out how to do this — and how to stay sane while working from home. The biggest impact has been using my voice at work … and I have more to offer than just my work experience.

 

What’s your advice on navigating the current insurance market?

With data and insurance, it’s making sure we aren’t playing into people’s unconscious bias. There’s so much that you can do within insurance to make it equitable for people and accessible.

 

What’s a problem that needs fixing in your sector?

Specifically in technology, there is a lot of bias in writing algorithms. The more diverse your team is in working with data the more we’ll be able to avoid accidentally writing bias into the programs and the products that we’re creating.

 

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am really into “Dungeons and Dragons” and tabletop games. I just had a high fantasy-themed wedding — “Dungeons and Dragons,” “Lord of the Rings,” stuff like that.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

An actress or ballerina or be on Broadway.

 

Favorite song?

“My Universe” by BTS and Coldplay.

 

 

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