Talent, commitment and integrity. On the double

Against this backdrop, it’s all the more refreshing to meet two young people who embody commitment, integrity, and respect and see no conflict between getting ahead professionally and making a positive social contribution to the world they share with others.  

As I chatted with my two colleagues Melina and Janina in Germany via Teams, I was struck by a maturity that belied their years. Another positive aspect I noted was how they saw the world around them in glorious color but at the same time were distinctly black and white in terms of their personal values and how they influenced their approach to work – these young ladies were very clear about the right and wrong way to do things.  

So, without further ado, meet Melina and Janina Sonnek, two young professionals at Verti in Germany. (Verti is MAPFRE’s 100% digital insurance solution, operating in Spain, Germany and Italy.)  

What area of Verti do you work in? 

Melina: “I joined Verti in 2018 and studied Business Administration with a focus on insurance. After graduating, I worked as a coordinator for trainees and students. For almost a year now, I’ve been a Team Leader in the Contact Center for Claims.” 

Janina: “I also studied Business Administration with a focus on insurance at Verti. I started in 2020, and even during my dual studies, Human Resources was my home base. After graduating in 2023, I transitioned seamlessly into a full-time role as an HR specialist.” 

How is it that both of you ended up working in an insurance company? Does the sector hold some special attraction for the Sonnek family? And why Verti? 

Melina: “Yes, indeed. Our mother works in the insurance business as well as our grandfather did back in the day.”  

Janina: “Exactly, and our uncle too! You could say it runs in the family. I’m really glad I chose Verti, because of the size of the company: large enough to operate with modern processes and offer attractive benefits, but still small enough that you don’t get lost in the crowd. Good ideas and commitment don’t go unnoticed – they’re valued and appreciated.” 

Melina: “Verti has some truly unique traits within the industry. Almost all employees are based at the same location, creating a strong sense of unity and community. My sister and I also studied here, and in a way, we also grew as people at Verti. That creates a special bond with the company.” 

MAPFRE is justifiably proud of its global volunteering program, at home in Spain and overseas. Have you had the chance to participate in a volunteering activity? 

Melina: “Yes, we’ve both volunteered already. It was a great experience, one I absolutely recommend.” 

Janina: “For example, we supported a local child and youth welfare organization around Christmas, making holiday crafts with the kids. We felt like we were giving them something meaningful, but in truth, they gave us just as much in return with their joy. Verti supports a variety of initiatives, and the whole team is involved. I’d definitely encourage others to join in.” 

The German economy has been a European powerhouse for so long, but now it’s lagging behind some of its peers. What impact is that having on job opportunities for young people and graduates? 

Melina: “Of course, young people and graduates are feeling the effects of the economic changes – entering the job market has become more challenging in some areas. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging, especially in digitalization and sustainability. At Verti, we invest heavily in training and education. I’ve supported many young people in my previous role as a training coordinator and see great potential to develop talent here.” 

Internships help students to gain confidence, learn about the realities of the workplace, explore career paths and even earn academic credit. They also boost people’s future employability, as was the case with both Melina and Janina, who were offered permanent contracts after completing their internships at Verti. I asked the two of them to talk a little about this period, given that MAPFRE is justifiably proud of its global intern program, which in 2024 saw more than 1,000 students from 24 countries complete internships at the company.  

Tell me a little about your experience being a student while working at Verti. Did you feel you were given the opportunity to participate actively in projects and feel like you were part of an authentic professional experience? 

Janina: “I have to say that from day one I was made to feel like a full-time employee of the company. It was great. I was given real work to do and treated the same as my colleagues.” 

And what about when you joined the company as full-time employee after completing your studies? Did you ever get the sense that some people were maybe still treating you as an intern and maybe not trusting you with more complex tasks?

Janina: “Absolutely not, I never felt that way. From the very beginning, we were seen and treated as equal team members. People trusted us right away, and we were allowed to take on responsibility and contribute to more demanding projects.” 

Melina: “Agreed. I hardly noticed the transition from student to employee in that sense, because the way I was treated didn’t change from one stage to the next – it was all based on respect and professionalism.” 

As you know, MAPFRE has a Diversity and Equal Opportunity Policy in place that applies worldwide, which was first ratified in 2015. But as two young women entering the workforce, did you have any concerns about the topic of gender equality in the workplace? 

Melina: “I didn’t have any concerns really, to be honest. We were raised to believe that we have the same rights and abilities as men to do any job. Gender roles were never an issue in our home, and that carried through into our education. I’m now in a leadership position myself, working alongside two other female team leads and a great female manager. This company values performance and commitment, regardless of gender.” 

Janina: “I agree. We see many women around us in leadership positions in the company every day. I’ve never experienced any gender-related issues. It’s never even come up during my time at the company – and that’s a great thing.” 

What about role models? Who do you look up to, to motivate you and keep you on the right path? 

Melina: “I’ve always found the term ‘role model’ a bit tricky, because everyone has to find their own way. But if I had to pick someone I look up to—it would honestly be my sister. If we stick to the topic of work, she’s hands-down the best person to collaborate with. She’s my HR advisor, so we often work together. I observe her a lot, and I’m always impressed by how confidently, professionally, and calmly she does her job. She’s structured, focused, and always has a clear direction. In recruiting interviews, she has this way of uncovering the little secrets and sticking points in a candidate—while still making them feel welcomed and comfortable. Sometimes I sit there and think, ‘Where did I take a different turn?’” [Melina laughs.] 

Janina: “Yeah, I wonder that too sometimes [Janina laughs]. No, seriously – I can only return the compliment. I often find myself thinking, ‘What would my sister do in this situation?’ We know each other inside and out, and especially in interviews, sometimes just a glance is enough to know what the other is thinking or where they want to go with a conversation. That’s incredibly valuable and makes our collaboration especially effective.”  

As we’re talking now, I can really feel the connection both of you have with Verti. Can you talk about that a little bit? Where does it come from? 

Melina: “I think our connection to Verti is so strong because this isn’t just where we work – it’s where we’ve grown, both professionally and personally. We both studied here, took our first steps in the working world here, and over the years, we’ve continued to develop.” 

Janina: “Yes, that’s it. 100%. We know the company, the people, and the culture – and for me, that creates a deep sense of trust, belonging, and connection.” 

Germany has been one of the European markets hardest hit by post-pandemic inflation, an imbalance that has affected the entire market, but especially motor insurance. In Verti’s case, this impact has been greater because it is a single-line insurance company. How do you see things there? 

Melina: “There’s no doubt the past few years have been challenging – not just for us as a company, but for the entire motor insurance sector. The high combined ratio has definitely been a concern, but at the same time, we recognize that the root causes lie in the broader market environment, not in a lack of dedication or expertise within the company. In 2024, we saw the first signs of stabilization, even though we were still operating at a loss. But in 2025, according to current industry data, motor insurance in Germany is technically profitable again for the first time in years. The situation remains tense, but these positive developments are helping to keep morale steady.” 

Janina: “Yes, absolutely. Despite the difficult conditions in recent years, we’re looking ahead with confidence. We promise security to our customers – and the same trust they place in us, we place in our company. We’ve got some great projects underway, like the optimization of our core systems, as part of the New Horizon initiative – and I think the name fits. We can feel that things are moving forward, that we’re working as a team to ensure Verti’s future viability. That’s motivating, and our focus is always on what lies ahead.” 

And on that positive note, we conclude our conversation. As I review my notes from our conversation, I come to the conclusion that Melina and her sister Janina represent the best of MAPFRE people around the world: they have talent, commitment and integrity. On the double.

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