Sarah Limanya-Balila: From Delivering Babies to Delivering Financial Security
Life has a way of leading us to unexpected destinations. For Sarah Limanya-Balila, the journey began in the healthcare sector, where she dedicated herself to becoming a midwife. During her studies and internships, she assisted in bringing 67 newborns into the world, an experience that shaped her deeply. However, as she approached graduation, she faced a difficult realization while she loved caring for others, she couldn’t see herself building a long-term career in midwifery.
Insurance is about Trust.
The long hours, underpaid work, and understaffed hospitals made it difficult to provide the personal care she believed each mother deserved. As she made the tough decision to step away from healthcare, she found herself at a crossroads, unsure of what the future held.
A New Path: Entering the World of Banking
With no concrete plan in mind, Sarah confided in a friend, who saw potential in her beyond the medical field. Her friend encouraged her to apply for a role at KBC Bank, assuring her that she had the necessary transferable skills to thrive in the banking industry.
At first, Sarah was hesitant. After all, her background was in healthcare what did she know about banking? But as her friend pointed out, she had:
- Multilingual skills – Fluent in French, Dutch, and English, a major asset in customer service.
- Stress management abilities – Having handled high-pressure situations in the medical field, she knew how to stay calm under pressure.
- A strong client-focused mindset – In healthcare, patient care is the priority. In banking, customer satisfaction is just as essential.
With an open mind, she decided to take a leap of faith and applied. To her surprise, she successfully navigated the recruitment process and landed a job at KBC Bank.
From Banking to Insurance: Merging Past and Present
KBC provided Sarah with extensive training and mentorship, equipping her with the knowledge she needed to succeed in the financial world. But her journey didn’t stop there. After completing her training, she chose to branch out into Insurance, a sector that unexpectedly brought her back to her roots in healthcare.
In her role, Sarah now helps clients protect themselves and their families from unforeseen circumstances, offering them financial security and peace of mind. Just as she once cared for new mothers and newborns, she now provides guidance and reassurance to individuals seeking protection for their loved ones.
Her transition from midwifery to insurance is proof that skills can be applied in different industries, and that a background in one field doesn’t limit your success in another.
Advice for Those Interested in Working in Insurance
When asked what advice she would give to someone looking to enter the world of insurance, Sarah shares a powerful insight:
“Insurance is about trust. Your job is to care for the people that you serve. Once you focus on that, the numbers will follow.”
At its core, insurance isn’t just about policies and contracts it’s about people. Just like in healthcare, building relationships, offering guidance, and prioritizing clients’ well-being are the key ingredients to success.
From Uncertainty to Purpose
Sarah Limanya-Balila’s story is a testament to the idea that career paths are not always linear. Sometimes, the best opportunities come when we step outside our comfort zones.
From delivering babies to delivering financial protection, her journey highlights the power of adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to embrace new challenges. Whether in healthcare or finance, Sarah’s mission has remained the same: to help people feel safe, secure, and cared for
