Step inside Leavitt Elite Insurance Advisors and what may appear to be an ordinary office quickly reveals itself as something far more remarkable—a place where quiet heroics unfold daily. With over 80 percent of the team made up of women, this isn’t just a workplace; it’s a close-knit community built on resilience, purpose, and heart. Each woman brings a unique story, yet they move as one, working independently while supporting one another like family. Their clients become more than policies; they become part of that extended family, cared for with deep commitment and compassion.
As we spotlight two members here (April Helgeson and Lisa Houston), it is with profound recognition we celebrate all the incredible women who are leading with heart and protecting dreams.
“We’re just a tiny slice of an amazing pie,” Lisa says. “Most of the talent here is powered by women—sharp, compassionate, unstoppable. We just do our part.”
Lisa never planned to make insurance her life’s work, and she certainly didn’t anticipate doing it with a persona straight out of an action flick. But her nickname—“The Insurance Bounty Hunter”—sums her up perfectly.
“I’m relentless about tracking down the right protection,” Lisa laughs. “It started out as a funny moniker, but it became a promise. I will find the best coverage for you … period.”
Lisa was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, and raised in North Carolina, where she built a career, a family, and a legacy of dependability. “I still say I’m a Michigander at heart, but North Carolina shaped me.”
Her journey into insurance began when her husband decided to start an agency and asked her to test the waters. “I jumped in—no lifejacket, no floaties—and I haven’t looked back. Every policy is a promise,” Lisa continues. “Handing a grieving spouse a check so they can focus on healing instead of bills … that’s the hardest, holiest part of my work. I always say, I’d rather bring a check than a casserole.”
Lisa starts each day the same way: “Before my feet hit the floor, I thank God for His many blessings.” She says her tombstone could simply read: She tried. “It began as a joke because my kids didn’t like my answers,” Lisa explains, “but it stuck because it’s true. I try with all I’ve got!”
Similarly, April Helgeson’s journey into insurance began not with a dream, but with her dad. “My father applied for a job he was underqualified for,” she recalls, “but he told the hiring manager that his daughter was looking for work, too. She hired me temporarily, and I never left.”
Born and raised in Somerset County, New Jersey, April says growing up as “the poor kid in a wealthy town” taught her resilience and humility. “We had government cheese and donated clothes,” she shares. “It taught me to work harder, to be grateful, and to never forget where I came from.”
April’s introduction to insurance was humble, but she quickly fell in love with the pace, the challenge, and the opportunity to help others. Twenty-five years later, April has built a career she’s proud of. “I love my team,” she smiles. “They are my family. I’ve watched clients grow up, get their driver’s licenses, buy homes, and have families. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
April and Lisa are just two of the many women behind the success. Their stories full of grit, grace, and unwavering care mirror a greater truth about the company. “We are all strong, smart, and compassionate,” Lisa relays proudly. “We have each other’s backs, and we show up for our clients and each other every single day.”
April echoes the sentiment: “I learn from everyone. It’s not just one person who inspires me. It’s all the people I encounter, at work and in the community. That’s what drives me … to do good, to make a difference, and to give back.”
Both women acknowledge the demands of the job, but neither regrets the path they’ve chosen. “This work is emotional,” Lisa admits. “It’s not just numbers on paper; it’s people’s lives and livelihoods. When something bad happens, and you can tell a client, ‘You’re covered,’ that moment means everything.”
At the heart of this amazing team of women, there is a shared belief: protect what matters and do it with heart. Because insurance isn’t just about risk. It’s about reassurance. It’s about showing people that, even when life gets stormy, someone’s there for you … and these women show up. Fully. Fiercely. Every day … leading with heart and protecting dreams.
