03/09/2026
For Rachelle Alba Cobarrubias, insurance was never just a career choice. It was a calling.
This month, we're proud to feature her as our September Agent Spotlight.
Rachelle grew up watching her mother build a thriving insurance in a traditionally male-dominated industry. That front-row seat helped Rachelle find her own purpose. More than 30 years later, she leads MEA & Associates Inc., an independent brokerage in Southern California serving more than 10,000 clients across 39 states.
"Don't be afraid to take up space," she says. "You earned your seat at the table." That sentiment shapes how she leads her team and mentors newer agents:
She encourages them to focus on relationships, not transactions. "Your reputation is your greatest asset," she says. "Take care of your clients and treat every opportunity as a chance to build a long-term relationship."
MEA is the only agency to have earned First Connect President’s Club recognition for five consecutive years, an achievement Rachelle says more about her team than any production number. First Connect has been part of making that possible, giving the agency broader market access, a more efficient quoting and submission process, and resources that have helped her agents grow in confidence.
Outside of work, Rachelle organizes Coffee and Connections gatherings for local business owners and leads Empower Her, a women's event built around igniting passion and lifting others up. She says her family anchors it all.
Rachelle, thank you for sharing your story with the First Connect community.
