About Coastal Shield Insurance

​I am the owner and active agent at Coastal Shield Insurance. Originally from the Baltimore/Annapolis area of MD, I remember touring lots of homes with my realtor father when I was little. Most kids would have been bored, but I LOVED it. I moved to NC to attend UNCW in 2000. I graduated with honors from the Cameron School of Business and started out working as a loan processor for Wachovia Mortgage. From there, I decided I would follow in my dad's footsteps, and obtained my real estate and then my broker's license in 2005. Loving real estate, but not loving an emotional sale, I gravitated towards the insurance side of things, and obtained my property, casualty, life and health insurance licenses in 2006. I started working as an associate agent at Nationwide and after 5 years wanted to further my career and became an agent at NC Farm Bureau Insurance in 2011. After 7 years at Farm Bureau I wanted to be able to offer my clients more choices for insurance, and better premiums, so I opened Coastal Shield Insurance in 2017. I love my job and my clients, and believe that everyone should be treated with kindness and compassion, and try to instill that into my agency on a daily basis. Outside of the office, I love spending time with my husband Andrew, and our 3 children, Austin, Alexandra and Alaina. I also enjoy running, surfing, pilates, am a Reiki II trained practitioner and love coaching children in gymnastics.

I graduated with a B.A. from Salisbury State University in Salisbury, MD in 1998. My wife and I relocated to Kure Beach in 2003 and I obtained my property & casualty license in 2006. While I don’t consider myself a typical salesperson, I find my strengths in having a firm grasp on guidelines and underwriting, which helps me quickly find the most competitive company to meet my client's needs. Outside of the office you can find me on the beach with my wife and daughter surfing, playing music or in my garage woodworking and tinkering with classic cars.

I was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina and I graduated from UNC Wilmington with my B.A in Communication Studies. After graduating I obtained my Property and Casualty License in North Carolina and began working for Coastal Shield. During my time in school I learned about digital marketing, sales, and branding. I love incorporating my knowledge of marketing and sales into Insurance and Customer Service, it makes me so happy knowing that I am helping others! During my free time I love to watch movies/tv shows, cook, go for walks outside, and be with my family. I would definitely call myself an extroverted introvert!

I completed my bachelor's degree in 2001 and have been working for over 15 years in the fields of administration, office management and customer service. I joined Coastal Shield Insurance in September 2022 as a full time CSR and since then I am living the insurance life, riding the wave of learning, and loving every moment of it! I am so lucky to work with the best team in this industry! During my spare time, I am an adventurous soul, exploring different places, one destination at a time. I enjoy karaoke nights with friends and family as well as binge-watching movies and tv shows.

Mande Barden, a proud Wilmington, NC native (and Tarheel), brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and is now channeling her expertise into the insurance sector. Passionate about building relationships, Mande is dedicated to helping others protect what matters most and providing peace of mind through tailored insurance solutions. Outside of work, Mande enjoys spending time on the water, whether boating or relaxing at the beach, with her husband, Chris, and their son, Hayes. With a commitment to service and a personal touch, Mande is excited to help you navigate your insurance needs.

I was born and raised in Northern New Jersey. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, I began my career in insurance working as a commercial general liability adjuster with Greater New York Mutual Insurance. I then transitioned into the field of property adjusting and investigations based out of Philadelphia. I moved to Wilmington in 2013 to begin a career in the golf industry. I worked in various management roles for the PGA Tour Superstores in Myrtle Beach and Orlando. I also spent three years working in sales and operations for a golf supplies distribution company in Charleston. Following my stint in the golf business I went back into claims working for Progressive auto and State Farm field property claims for the past 6 years. After working in various roles in claims departments, I decided to combine my knowledge of insurance with my customer service focus by transitioning into the agency side. I love helping people and have a passion for knowledge. Outside of the office you can find me spending time with my dog, playing golf, spending time outdoors and learning new hobbies!

Erin is a licensed insurance professional with over 20 years of experience, earning her license in 2004 after graduating from UNC Wilmington. She specializes in homeowners and flood insurance and is known for her commitment to personalized service and genuine care for her clients. Her career includes time with Nationwide, where she gained a strong reputation for her industry knowledge and dedication to helping families protect what matters most. Outside of work, Erin is a certified yoga instructor and licensed hairstylist, reflecting her passion for creativity and wellness. She’s also a proud mother of two daughters and shares her home with her husband—a musician—their two lively dogs, and a relaxed cat. Whether she's running, reading, cooking, or spending time with family, Erin approaches everything she does with heart, balance, and dedication.

I recently moved to Wilmington looking to gain more experience in the insurance industry. I stumbled into this career path, gaining my Property and Casualty Insurance License during my time as a personal assistant within an agency where I lived. When I found Coastal Shield, it seemed like a perfect fit because there is so much emphasis on customer service and building relationships with our clients. This is special to me because I come from a restaurant management background and built so many relationships with regular customers throughout, it was always my favorite part of the job. At Coastal Shield, I get to apply that to insurance and live the best of both worlds! When I’m not working, I enjoy baking, puzzles, and spending time with my adorable tabby cat Bennie Boo.