In2Leadership keynote speaker Dale Porfilio, FCAS, MAAA, is the Chief Insurance Officer for the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and President of the Insurance Research Council (IRC). In these roles, he leads the research and education activities of both organizations, working closely with Triple-I and IRC subject-matter experts to develop data-driven industry insights and analyses. Dale previously worked at Genworth Financial, Kemper, and Allstate for a total of 29 years. Dale is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and Dale discuss climate change, legal system abuse, and some of the topics that Dale will be addressing as the keynote speaker at April’s In2Leadership conference.

Key Takeaways

• Dale grew up knowing that insurance was always a career option.

• Actuarial sciences allowed Dale to apply his strengths to insurance organizations.

• The 2025 insurance industry is in a dynamic state.

• The outstanding response of the insurance industry to climate change.

• Risk-based pricing is a critical consideration for carriers’ actuarial goals.

• The importance of allowing market competition and less regulatory restrictions.

• The name “legal system abuse” does matter.

• Developments in the legal system abuse sphere.

• The impact of third-party litigation funding on the commercial sector.

• Strategies for improving the practice of third-party litigation funding.

• Dale’s pragmatic take on the five-year future of the insurance industry.

• Embracing technology in ways that are helpful to the future of insurance.

Quotes

• “For me, I always knew that insurance was an option.”

• “The 2025 insurance industry is in quite a dynamic state.”

• “Allowing market competition and less regulatory restrictions is helpful overall.”

• “How can we make the practice of third-party litigation funding as healthy as possible?”

• “Insurance companies are here to make people whole. We don’t always need to have attorneys involved at the level they are today.”

As Vice President of Operations at BLISCare, Maia Jarvis provides executive leadership for the company’s MGU activities, spearheads product development, and oversees the ever-evolving BLISCare insurance management platform. With over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry (focused on creating innovative, niche solutions) and more than two decades of leadership under her belt, Maia has mastered the art of problem-solving and resource-wrangling. A key player in the launch of the BLISCare captive, Maia now serves on its Board of Directors. Maia earned her BA from the University of Portland and her MBA in IT Management from Western Governors University. She holds CPCU and ARe designations along with several Salesforce certifications; she is working on her ACI (Associate in Captive Insurance) certification. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and Maia explore the niche products offered at BLISCare, how this captive was formed, and the many exciting careers that can be found in the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• Maia’s insurance career started, like so many, somewhat unintentionally.

• The offerings at BLISCare began with a problem that needed to be solved.

• Lessons learned as this niche bariatric program launched.

• Marketing this targeted product started with word of mouth and has expanded with the help of medical provider referrals.

• The benefits behind the decision to create this captive product.

• Maia’s journey from executive assistant to establishing a captive product with alternative risk financing was successful, in part, because of her mentors.

• An overview of the benefits of earning CPCU, ARE, and ACI certifications.

• Maia’s IT Management MBA helps her understand how to cultivate solutions in the insurance industry.

• The exciting role of IT in navigating industry pain points to find solutions.

• Maia’s message to anyone who is considering an insurance career.

• A promising look at the five-year future of the insurance industry.

• Maia’s motivating advice to her early-career self.

Ben Boas is an Underwriting Trainee for Markel Specialty’s Environmental team in Richmond, VA. He graduated from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business in 2023 with a degree in Risk Management and Insurance, with a concentration in Business Analytics. Throughout his academic career, Ben completed various internships with Wholesale & Specialty groups as well as the Philadelphia Insurance Companies. He served as the University of South Carolina’s Gamma Iota Sigma chapter president and was a CPCU Society student member. He currently holds an ARM designation from The Institutes and is pursuing both his CPCU and ASLI designations. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Ben discuss his internship opportunities, how writing has impacted his career, and his experiences as a member of Gen Z entering the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• Ben’s interest in golf led him to explore Risk Management and Insurance.

• The internship and full-time position offerings of Gamma Iota Sigma.

• Ben’s experience with WSIA internships was an experience like no other.

• Key takeaways regarding networking in the insurance industry.

• A Philadelphia insurance internship allowed Ben to learn more about the marketing aspect of the industry.

• The role that networking played in Ben securing a position at Markel.

• The value of earning designations throughout your career.

• As a CPCU scholarship recipient, Ben began working on his designation before he graduated.

• Attracting Gen Z talent to the insurance industry by effectively marketing the opportunities.

• A look at the growing future of the insurance industry.

• Ben’s goals for his career trajectory include emerging trends and an MBA.

• A five-year look at the growth of technology use within the insurance industry.

• Ben’s advice for his early-career self.

Quotes

• “I felt I needed to give back and show students all of the internship and full-time positions Gamma Iota Sigma has to offer.”

• “My internship with WSIA was an experience like no other.”

• “I quickly learned how important the networking aspect is in the insurance industry.”

• “Always continuing your education really can never hurt.”

• “I was motivated by people with their CPCUs encouraging me and giving me advice to get mine.”

• “The CPCU Society offers amazing network opportunities and a whole new community outside of your company.”

• “Insurance is a lot more fun than it sounds… You can do a million different things in the industry.”

• “The insurance industry utilizes every industry in business.”

• “As long as you trust your connections and the people around you and the industry as a whole, you’re going to be where you want to be.”

Connor Thomson is a second-year law student at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. After graduating summa cum laude with University Honors from Saint Joseph’s University’s Maguire Academy of Insurance and Risk Management in 2022, he matriculated to Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. In March 2023, at the age of twenty-three, Connor earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and began his tenure at Stickley Law, LLC, a boutique insurance defense firm that specializes in fighting fraud. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Connor consider what Gen-Z is looking for in the insurance industry, what compelled Connor to earn his CPCU designation at such a young age, and what the future of the insurance industry could look like.

Key Takeaways

• Connor is a law student and one of the youngest CPCU designations ever.

• Claims is the aspect of insurance that most appeals to Connor.

• The value of earning a CPCU designation at an early age.

• The impact of internships on a successful start to the insurance industry.

• Volunteer work during law school has helped Connor identify his future.

• Connor’s experience on the stage at In2Risk.

• Ocular disability has impacted, but not limited, Connor’s determination to succeed.

• Writing and researching are key elements of Connor’s continued education.

• Connor’s message to Gen Z about a future in the insurance industry.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• Connor’s advice to his early career self.

Quotes

• “I didn’t know much about insurance at the time, but I did a lot of research and learned that insurance is about more than selling policies.”

• “Claims is the perfect intersection of the law meets business.”

• “To me, it was an easy choice to pursue the CPCU designation at a very young age.”

• “There is clearly a dire need for young talent in the insurance industry.”

• “I think the one strategic business unit that is not getting that much attention is claims.”

• “The insurance industry has done a great job of investing in the next generation of insurance talent.”

• “When we get back together in five years, I don’t think we’ll be discussing this talent shortage anymore.”

• “There are more people today than ever before making a conscious decision to study risk management and insurance in college.”

April Rinne is the opening keynote speaker at the upcoming In2Risk event and is a trusted advisor to well-known startups and companies, financial institutions, nonprofits, think tanks, and governments worldwide. For over two decades, she’s been known for seeing emerging trends early, understanding their potential, and helping others do the same. April is a bridge-builder between stakeholders, priorities, business models, markets, and those excited about change and those resistant to it. Not only is she a guide to developing a “flux mindset,” she’s also ranked one of the 50 Leading Female Futurists in the world by Forbes. She is a Harvard Law School graduate, a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, a member of the Silicon Guild and Thinkers50 Radar, a Fulbright Scholar, and the author of the international bestseller Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and April explore the flux mindset — what it is, how it differs from a basic approach to change, and how it can enhance your career. April touches on the 8 superpowers for thriving in constant change, from seeing what’s invisible and getting lost to knowing you’re enough and letting go of the future.

Key Takeaways

• April dives deep into the exact moment that secured her passion for a flux mindset.

• April’s perspective on change and how to more effectively approach it.

• How can we learn to show up better for impending change?

• An overview of April’s 8 superpowers for thriving in constant change.

• Tackling technology changes in the insurance industry.

• The alarming role of AI in creating greater uncertainty in the world today.

• Addressing the industry talent gap through a focus on career growth and evolution.

• April recalls the advice she would give to her early career self.

Quotes

• “When it comes to change and uncertainty and how we manage risk and figure out where the world is heading, we have to account for the human experience in all of this as well.”

• “We often treat change like one thing, but change is messy and hard and scary and we hate it. And change is amazing and life-changing and we love it.”

• “Flux is not just change. Flux is continuous, relentless change.”

• “If there is going to be more change in the future, how can we learn to show up better for it?”

• “The more reliant people are on technology, the more people struggle to navigate at a very personal level all of these uncertainties.”

• “Reconsider how you see the shape of your own career development and evolution.”

Welcome to the 100th episode of the In The Know podcast! Today’s guest Bruce McEwan is the principal of PROMANCON, an insurance and risk management consulting organization specializing in management, risk management, conflict management, and related organization change projects. Based in Hawaii, Bruce is a retired executive manager for Young Brothers, Limited, a Marine freight transportation company. During his 29-year career as a risk manager, Bruce identified, analyzed, and evaluated risks and developed plans for mitigating and managing risks of many types. In this milestone episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Bruce discuss his life as a risk manager, his current work in the consulting world, and his thoughts on the future of the industry, including ways to attract new talent.

Key Takeaways

• Bruce recalls his entrance into the insurance world and CPCU Society.

• The impressive responsibilities that Bruce oversaw in his early years.

• Unique challenges of working in the insurance industry in Hawaii.

• Recognizing the value of the CPCU designation and recruiting employees who hold it.

• The importance of sharing industry knowledge with others, especially in retirement.

• Bruce’s motivation behind writing his article regarding the CPCU code.

• Being a professional means upholding the responsibility to develop and maintain needed skills.

• Tactics for attracting and developing talent to the insurance industry.

• Bruce’s networking advice to his early career self.

• Key elements of successful risk management programs.

Quotes

• “I recognized that if I was going to be successful as a risk manager, then I best take advantage of the associate courses offered by the institute.”

• “The Institutes really helped me better prepare myself, not only in insurance but in the other fields I now had responsibility for.”

• “Students need to be educated about the value of the insurance industry and the roles that they can play and participate in.”

• “I’m a professional. I have the responsibility to keep abreast of everything and develop and maintain the skills I need to be good at those things.”

• “We need to get the message across that the insurance business is a service business.”

• “As you are connecting with other people, take advantage and cultivate relationships that can be helpful in your career.” 

• “Enterprise risk management is a potential game changer because it is a holistic way of implementing risk management into an organization.”

Janet Coffey is the Enterprise Risk Global Manager of Michaels Stores, one of the largest arts and craft retailers in the United States. With over two decades of risk management experience, Janet is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and has served as a director of risk management and a risk management consultant. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Janet explore the world of risk management, Janet’s experiences within the retail sector, and her thoughts regarding the future of the industry and talent development.

Key Takeaways

• Janet’s unexpected entrance into the world of risk management.

• The appealing and evolving nature of risk management and claims.

• Key changes in the evolution of the insurance industry over the last two decades.

• Janet’s experience as a female leader in the insurance industry.

• The encouraging and needed evolution of the industry.

• Successful strategies for attracting new talent into the industry.

• The value and impact of AI in the future of safety, culture, and the bottom line.

• The importance of getting involved in professional networking opportunities.

• The evolving role of risk management over the course of Janet’s career.

• Changing exposures in the retail space in a post-pandemic world.

• Utilizing information and technology data to make strategic business moves.

• Janet’s advice for anyone considering the risk management track.

• A look to the five-year future of the insurance industry.

• Janet’s advice and insights from the early years of her career.

Quotes

• “I do believe that the insurance industry is evolving and growing, more on the domestic side than the international side.”

• “I’ve seen growth in the insurance industry in my lifetime, and I’m continuing to see it grow.”

• “When the industry started marketing at the college level, we saw a different level of talent come in.”

• “I’m excited for the new college graduate to come in and be mentored, especially on the customer service side and the growth side.”

• “I think we’re going to be talking about AI for a long time, and the value it’s bringing to organizations.”

• “I would tell people to touch as many things as you can because I think there is a miss in the industry of too much specialization.”

Paul Roderick is a digital product owner and operations manager at Midwest Employers Casualty (a WRB company), where he’s deeply involved in digital transformation and process improvement initiatives, as well as bringing technical and business colleagues together. Previously, he led a public entity risk management and insurance program, using a technology-forward approach to streamline operations. He is a current member of the CPCU Society’s Technology and Innovation Committee. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Paul discuss the current state of the carrier side of the insurance industry, Paul’s experience with working for a public entity, and what he sees happening in the future of risk management.

Key Takeaways

• Working in a family business gave Paul early exposure to a wide variety of aspects of business.

• Key differences in Paul’s transition from the public entity sector to the carrier sector.

• The wide variety of skill sets required in insurance is what keeps him engaged in the industry.

• Paul’s approach to the need for digital transformation systems in the insurance sector.

• Tactics for recruiting new talent to the technology facet of the industry.

• Overcoming common stumbling blocks when leading a digital transformation project in insurance.

• The benefits of increasing involvement in the insurance community beyond just in your workplace.

• Paul’s experience expanding his knowledge and helping others in the CPCU society.

• The potential future impact of the digital side of the carrier transformation.

• Paul’s time with a public entity helped to prepare him for his role at a carrier.

• A look at changes in the future of the insurance industry as a result of AI, coverage and claims, and blockchain offerings.

• Paul’s encouraging advice for his early career self.

Quotes

• “In the carrier space, we like processes, we have procedures, but it’s another level in the public entity. You have to satisfy the process before you can do anything else.”

• “I don’t think there are many industries that offer such an opportunity to exercise such a variety of skills on a day-to-day basis.”

• “When you work in the insurance industry, you’re enabling daily life.”

• “Change management is a huge stumbling block that we as an industry don’t pay enough attention to.”

• “I don’t think it’s possible to remain competitive in a lot of areas of this industry if you don’t successfully adopt technology into all aspects of your operating model.”

• “It was absolutely critical to my success to make relationships with other individuals and not just make it about an analytical or numbers approach.”

• “Anytime you can bring in trust and efficiency, everybody’s happier.”

Dr. Shirley Davis is the President and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises, Inc., and will be the closing keynote speaker at the In2Risk Conference this fall. Dr. Davis brings a unique background as a seasoned HR and Diversity & Inclusion global thought leader, a senior executive, a certified leadership coach, and a former Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for several major Fortune 100 companies. She has worked in more than 30 countries on five continents and delivers more than 80 speeches a year. She is the former Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Workplace Strategies for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and earned the highest designation in the speaking industry as a Certified Speaking Professional, bestowed by the National Speakers Association. She holds a Bachelor’s in Pre-Law, a Master’s in HR Management, a Ph.D. in Business and Organization Management, and is a former Ms. America United States. She is also a featured author for LinkedIn Learning’s online course, entitled “Inclusive Leadership.”

In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Dr. Davis explore innovative strategies for attracting the best talent, developing future leaders, and enhancing inclusiveness and involvement in the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• A lifelong learner, Dr. Davis started in banking and has worked in a wide variety of industries.

• As a woman of color, Dr. Davis has earned her place at the table as a credible voice and now shares her empowering strategies with others.

• Bringing your best self to work starts with working at an organization that values great talent.

• Developing a meaningful life starts with the internal work of finding your personal power.

• The power of analyzing the “what if” questions that plague all of us.

• Dr. Davis’s advice on the best way to attract new talent to the insurance industry.

• Developing talent and clearly defining the career path starts with closing the leadership gap.

• Best practices to enhance inclusiveness and encourage involvement in insurance.

• Tactics for effectively messaging the value of the insurance industry from a humanitarian perspective.

• Dr. Davis shares her journey from the corporate sector into her own independent consulting business.

• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who are going to push you into your destiny.

• The writing process for Dr. Davis started with her successful speaking endeavors.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry and the demand for entrepreneurship.

• Dr. Davis reflects on the risk-taking approach she wishes she would have taken in her career.

Quotes

• “It has certainly been a journey to get a seat at the table, becoming that person that is heard, seen, and perceived as credible.”

• “[Bringing your best self to work] starts with working at an organization that really does value great talent.”

• “In order to get a seat at the table, I’ve got to do some things for myself first.”

• “Every one of us wants meaning and significance. Every one of us wants to feel like we are being fulfilled and living our best life.”

• “Understanding what this next generation of talent needs and what their expectations are and understanding what they are asking for is very, very important.”

• “Relationships are the new currency. You’ve got to get around people who are not afraid of your BHAG.”

• “We want to hear from people who are going to push us into our destiny.”

Kristine A. Fox, CPCU, AIC-M, ARM, AIC, API, AINS, SCLA-Gold, is the Midwest regional claims manager for the Property Americas Division of Sedgwick, where she organizes deployment of field resources and oversees client accounts. Fox has over 20 years of experience in property-casualty claims, ranging from homeowners and auto losses to general liability, and has also supervised commercial trucking liability claims. She is a past president of the Omaha CPCU Society Chapter. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Kristi discuss all things claims, from the onset of Kristi’s career to the future of claims, how she has pivoted to become an engaging resilience speaker in the industry, and how to more effectively attract talent to the claims space.

Key Takeaways

• A help-wanted ad evolved into Kristi’s 20-plus-year career in insurance.

• The helpful aspects of the insurance industry that first appealed to Kristi.

• Kristi’s message of caution and encouragement for anyone who is considering a career in claims.

• The evolution of training tactics in the industry.

• Offerings that currently have the biggest impact in the claims space.

• Major technology initiatives that are enhancing the claims experience.

• Defining resilience as a critical component of the insurance industry.

• Claims handling and adjuster expectations as they have evolved over the years.

• The impact of involvement in the CPCU Society on Kristi’s career.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• Kristi’s long-view advice to her early career self.

Quotes

• “What a lot of people don’t think about with insurance is that we are in a helping world.”

• “I know that I’m having a positive impact on people and helping them through something really difficult.”

• “There is a place for technology, and the more we can utilize it in the right ways, we’ll become more efficient, but there is still the human component that is going to be needed.”

• “I’ve really appreciated the consistent focus on growing, developing, and learning as our careers progressed.”

• “The human component is still going to be essential in the future of the industry.”

Matt Swafford is Senior Litigation Counsel at Shelter Insurance Companies, where he manages litigation across the United States for Shelter and affiliated companies and provides general counsel to Shelter’s claims branches. He practiced law in Kentucky for over ten years with a focus on insurance, business, and employment litigation, clerked for Justice Will T. Scott at the Supreme Court of Kentucky, and was a Staff Attorney for Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Barry Willett. At Northern Kentucky University – Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Matt graduated in the top ten percent of his class; was a member of the NKU Law Review’s Editorial Board; and interned for William O. Bertelsman, Federal District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. Matt is licensed to practice in both Kentucky and Ohio (inactive), holds the Institutes’ Chartered Property Casualty Underwriting CPCU designation, and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Insurance Management at Columbia University in the City of New York. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Matt consider the pros and cons of litigative problem-solving in the insurance industry, how it differs from the law firm environment, and what the future of the industry may look like from a legal perspective.

Key Takeaways

• Matt recalls how much he had to learn about insurance in the early days of his career.

• Transitioning from a law firm to in-house counsel at an insurance carrier.

• Appealing offerings from the Columbia Master’s Degree in Insurance Management.

• The self-serving reason behind and benefits of Matt’s CPCU designation.

• Networking opportunities that have resulted from Matt’s CPCU designation.

• Key differences between a carrier and a law firm environment.

• Hallmarks of an effective outside counsel-carrier relationship.

• What Matt wishes other departments knew about the carrier legal group.

• Best practices to mitigate the impact of social inflation.

• Key takeaways from Matt’s time working outside a traditional law firm.

• Addressing the talent gap in the insurance industry.

• A five-year look at the future of the industry.

• Matt’s advice to his early career self.

Quotes

• “The thing I learned when I first started practicing [insurance defense] was how very little I knew about insurance.”

• “I really wanted a business background and felt like I needed it to move forward in an in-house role.”

• “Communication is number one. You want to keep open lines of communication and communicate often.”

• “I can see how these kinds of cases play out and still not be the one who is carrying the pressure and the weight of trying to reach a successful resolve.”

• “Sometimes law firms can be a very competitive, dog-eat-dog environment, and it’s just not like that in-house.”

• “Learning how technology works in the insurance industry is going to be absolutely critical moving forward.”

Joe Paduda is the principal of Health Strategy Associates and the author of the thought-provoking Managed Care Matters blog. He is also the president of CompPharma, LLC, a research and consulting firm dedicated to improving pharmacy programs in workers’ compensation. In 2012, Joe received IAIABC’s President’s Award for his efforts to address the opioid problem in workers’ compensation. He currently participates in the “Comparative Effectiveness of Two State Payer Strategies to Prevent Unsafe Opioid Prescribing” research project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Before starting his consulting business in 1997, Joe held executive positions with major insurers, including Travelers, United Healthcare, and Liberty Mutual, and earned a Master of Science degree in Health Management from American University. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Joe dive into the current state of the workers' compensation space, positive changes that have already been made, and where the industry needs to go from here to remain relevant and successful.

Key Takeaways

• Joe highlights his career path in the workers’ comp sector.

• Appealing aspects of the workers' compensation space.

• The role of functionality is the efforts of workers’ comp.

• Three primary sectors that turn to workers’ comp and what they are looking for.

• Insights into the current positive state of the workers' compensation industry.

• The dangers of underinvesting in technology in insurance.

• Major post-pandemic changes to the workers' comp industry.

• The current climate of activity in the regulatory environment.

• Insights from the evolution of the Managed Care Matters blog.

• Joe’s thoughts on the pros and cons of workers’ comp conferences.

• The future of workers' compensation, according to Joe.

• Strategies for attracting quality talent to the insurance industry.

• A five-year look at the future of the industry.

• Joe’s advice to his early-career self.

Quotes

• “Workers’ comp is the only healthcare system that cares about functionality.”

• “In workers’ comp, we care about the health part of healthcare.”

• “Good medical care drives positive outcomes.”

• “The more there is honest debate around a lot of topics, the better off we’re going to be.”

• “I hope people will get more conversant with and invest more intellectually in what’s driving the healthcare system.”

Nick Hentges is CEO of Captive Resources, which represents over 6,700 shareholders in 48 member-owned casualty and medical stop loss group captives, with a total annual written premium of $4.7 billion. He has an extensive background in insurance company, brokerage, and captive consulting and management operations. As Captive CEO since 2022, Nick has presided over unprecedented growth in the company’s casualty and medical stop loss group captive business. He has been instrumental in supporting the further development and expansion of the Risk Management and Insurance program at the University of Iowa. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) since 2021, and he holds a BBA degree with majors in Finance and Insurance from the University of Iowa and an MBA from Drake University. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and Nick discuss the captive space and alternative risk transfer, the evolving buyer’s journey, and the future of the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• Nick’s career journey from small-town Iowa to global captive leader.

• Opportunities that can be found in the captive space.

• Insights into the evolving buyer's journey.

• Growth at Captive Resources can be attributed to the education of both insurance buyers and brokers.

• Hiring and retaining great new talent starts with assembling a team that wants to serve the client.

• Questions that leaders ask when approached with new opportunities.

• The importance of planning for future transitions years in advance.

• Nick’s take on addressing the retirement issue in the insurance industry.

• Possibilities in the five-year future of the insurance industry.

• Nick’s encouraging advice to his early career self.

Quotes

• “Captive is an exciting and growing, dynamic field… that is going to change insurance.”

• “Growth at Captive Resources can be attributed to the education of both insurance buyers and brokers.”

• “The captive industry has exploded, and more and more people have heard of or know of captives.”

• “We have a retirement issue in the insurance industry. We’ve got to get young people into this industry.”

• “We cannot accomplish what we’re hoping to do unless we are willing to change.”

Melissa Burt DeVriese is the President at Security First Insurance Company. She has been with Security First Insurance Company since 2009 and has been President since March 2020. Before serving as President, she held a variety of roles, including Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel. Melissa holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown Law Center and is a licensed attorney in Florida, Washington D.C., and California. Before working at Security First, Melissa held a variety of legal and regulatory roles in Washington D.C. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Melissa discuss the state of the homeowners market in Florida, attracting more talent to the industry, and unique challenges Melissa faces in her role.

These onsite episodes of the In The Know podcast are brought to you by Gallagher Bassett.

Key Takeaways

• Melissa recalls her journey from law to insurance.

• Overcoming shortcomings in marketing the insurance industry.

• Melissa’s experience as a female leader in the industry.

• Effectively keeping up with technologies from a small carrier’s perspective.

• Industry evolutions in recent years, including diversity and attracting talent.

• Tactics and strategies for attracting and retaining personnel.

• The evolution of distribution strategies for both direct and agents.

• The current state of the unique Florida insurance marketplace.

• Key differences in approaching the Florida marketplace.

• Technology’s role in the future from the underwriters' standpoint.

• Melissa’s experience with the CPCU, insurance board, and education involvement.

• Messaging that needs to be shared with the rising generation of talent.

• Hiring insights and career progression from a president’s perspective.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• Melissa’s advice to her early career self.

Quotes

• “There are many similarities between the law and insurance.”

• “Unfortunately, I think insurance is viewed as very stale and old and probably male. And the fact of the matter is, that’s not the case.”

• “We have so much innovation in the industry space.”

• “If we find the right person with the right aptitude and the right attitude, we teach them insurance.”

• “From an insurance marketplace perspective, Florida is incredibly unique.”

• “The most important thing you can stress to someone who’s looking for a career at any stage of their career life cycle would be what insurance does in society.”

Sandip Chatterjee is the Executive Vice President of Client Management & Innovation at MedRisk, leading the Account Management organization. He also leads the Product & Innovation for MedRisk where he is responsible for the creation of new solutions to drive improved experiences and outcomes for MedRisk Customers and Partners. Prior to joining MedRisk, Sandip was a Managing Director at Marsh McLennan leading the Analytics Delivery Organization for North America. Sandip has 20-plus years of experience in insurance and building and launching disruptive solutions to drive business growth and profitability.

In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Sandip discuss analytics, highlight the impact of advanced technology in the insurance space, and offer updates on managed medical in the workers' compensation segment.

Key Takeaways

• Sandip highlights the background of his insurance career.

• The appeal of the data analytics sector of the industry.

• Key data interpretation differentiators between a TPA, broker, and managed medical provider.

• Sandip’s advanced approach to analyzing data.

• The evolution of “Big Data” analytics in the insurance industry in recent years.

• The role of generative AI in using existing data to create new data.

• Strategies for effective partner collaborations that drive better business decisions.

• Sandip reflects on his experience as an analytic expert in the insurance industry.

• Analytics is a powerful tool, but it is only one of many tools available.

• Sandip addresses the talent shortage in the insurance industry.

• A five-year look at potential changes to the data analytics aspect of the insurance industry.

• Sandip shares the advice he would have liked his early insurance industry career self to know.

Quotes

• “Each of these industries within insurance is answering different types of questions.”

• “The data is good, but it only tells you part of the story.”

• “There are more tools and solutions available… and better ways of analyzing the data itself.”

• “It is becoming easier to use existing data to create new data.”

• “There are a lot of different things that are happening in the data world today that are very, very exciting.”

• “Analytics is a very powerful tool, but it is one of many tools.”

• “There is a very strong purpose behind the insurance industry. We are trying to put life back together.”

Michael Koscielny, MBA, CPCU, CIC, ARe, AIC, API, AIS, AINS, is chief executive officer and founder of Born2Lead, LLC. He has over 40 years of experience creating effective teams and innovative processes for underwriting and pricing for various insurance companies. He currently serves as Director of Marketing for Graduate Programs at The University of Olivet. He is an instructor for The National Alliance CISR and CIC designations and a Facilitated CPCU Study Group Leader for The Institutes. Koscielny has held many roles for The Institutes CPCU Society, including 2017 global president of the CPCU Society Leadership Council, 2017‒2018 President of the Underwriting Executives Council, and 2023 President of the Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators. He has written numerous articles and given many presentations. He published his first book Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership, in 2023. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Michael discuss his new book, the importance of training the next generation of leaders in the insurance industry, and the many mentorship and training experiences that led to success throughout his career.

These onsite episodes of the In The Know podcast are brought to you by Gallagher Bassett.

Key Takeaways

• Michael shares his unexpected journey into the insurance industry.

• Insurance became his calling when Michael realized that insurance serves as the next responder in natural disasters.

• An overview of the unique demands of the Florida insurance market.

• The “why” behind Michael’s short-lived retirement from the insurance industry.

• Writing a book successfully starts with not telling anyone that you’re writing a book.

• Michael shares additional steps to effectively writing and publishing a book.

• Born2Lead highlights 13 attributes that address the reality that behaviors are not natural, they are learned.

• Michael shares his experience with trust, one of the essential attributes that is outlined in his book.

• Strategies for effectively training people and developing leaders.

• Instilling leadership qualities in others starts with giving them opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.

• Benefits of membership and active participation in the CPCU Society.

• For Michael, initial leadership opportunities were met with hesitation but additional training and mentorship led to success.

• Michael reflects on what he wishes he would have known at the onset of his career.

Quotes

• “When there is a natural disaster, the first people there are the first responders. And when they leave, who’s next?”

• “Most of the people I know in this business really care about the people they serve.”

• “There is a real need in our marketplace today for teaching leadership skills to emerging leaders.”

• “Acknowledge people, and not just the negative things they do.”

• “When someone does a great job, I want everyone in the organization to know.”

• “We’re all born to lead, it’s just a choice we have to make.”

• “As I made those steps in my career, more opportunities came to me in my work life.”

Rosa Royo is the Director of Worker’s Compensation and Loss Prevention at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. A graduate of Barry University, Ms. Royo has been a Risk Manager for over 30 years and has specialized in Worker’s Compensation for the last 20 years. She is employed by Miami-Dade County Public Schools and supervises a high-volume customer-service-driven worker’s compensation program. In 2016, she relaunched the Rebuilding Me program to include providing athletic trainers, meditation, and cooking demonstrations to the district’s transportation yards, resulting in a reduction in claims of 61% over three years. In 2018 and 2022, Ms. Royo was recognized by Risk and Insurance magazine as a Risk All-Star. In 2019 she was a Comp Laude honorable mention and a Business Insurance Woman To Watch. She was awarded the Rosa Royo Legacy Award in 2023 by Bloom magazine. Under her leadership, the program was honored with its second Theodore Roosevelt (Teddy) award in 2023. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Rosa discuss the role that effective risk management plays in one of the nation’s largest school systems, the importance of incentives and education in employee engagement, and key components of the bright future of the insurance industry.

Omari Aarons-Martin is the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the National African American Insurance Association, a 2,100-member 501c6 organization that works to diversify the insurance industry and provides professional development programming to its members. A champion of workplace inclusion and equity, Aarons-Martin has received recognition from Insurance Business America, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Business Equality Magazine for his leadership and volunteerism. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts and common cathedral, an outdoor congregational community for the unhoused, and serves on the Board of Trustees at Roxbury Community College. Aarons-Martin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and Master of Divinity cum laude in Global and Community Engagement from Boston University School of Theology where he was a Howard Thurman Fellow and served as President of the Association of Black Seminarians. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Omari discuss the current and possible future state of DEI in the insurance workplace, the role that NAAIA is playing in training and connecting African American members of the industry, and the need for increased collaboration and connection across all facets of the insurance industry.

These onsite episodes of the In The Know podcast are brought to you by Gallagher Bassett.

Key Takeaways

• Omari recalls his personal invitation into the insurance industry.

• The most appealing aspect of the industry was his transferable skills.

• The role that seminary theology training has played in Omari’s career.

• Inclusion in the insurance industry is increasing at a promising rate.

• DEI at the C-suite level is still a work in progress.

• At NAAIA, members have access to extensive training and development.

• Attracting new talent through professional development offerings for African Americans.

• Tactics for better supporting and fostering professional DEI relationships.

• Benefits of the accessibility of in-person versus virtual meetings.

• The importance of collaborating and sharing ideas with your professional circles.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• Omari shares a few of the many things he would have liked to know at the onset of his career.

Quotes

• “I now understand central motivation, what brings people to the table and what they really care about.”

• “We’ve seen a lot of activity around diversity, equity, and inclusion — more conversations and more transparency.”

• “There is still much more [DEI] work that we need to do as we look at CEOs, C-suite, senior manager roles to see inclusion really take hold.”

• “We know that the way people move through the industry is in relationships.”

• “Starting with an audit and assessment of the [DEI] environment where you are is key.”

• “Finding the right solutions to close the [DEI] gap is really important.”

John M. Howard is chairman and CEO of Truist Insurance Holdings where he oversees the retail and wholesale insurance businesses. He has three decades in financial services and currently serves as executive sponsor of the SERVE (Supporting Emergency Responders & Veterans Engagement) Business Resource Group at Truist. He is chairman of the board of both The American College of Financial Services and The Institutes, board officer secretary for the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, an overseer of the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science at St. John’s University, and a member of the Insurance Policy Committee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Additionally, he is a prior chairman of the board of trustees of Gill St. Bernard’s School, and recipient of the Hall of Fame Award from the Tri-County Scholarship Fund. Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Columbia University and an MBA from Duke University and is a U.S. Navy veteran. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and John discuss the transformative retail and wholesale market, the changes that have impacted the insurance industry, and how an unconventional path has benefitted his career, from his days in the Navy to his current role as CEO.

These onsite episodes of the In The Know podcast are brought to you by Gallagher Bassett.

Key Takeaways

• John shares the unconventional career path that led him to his current position.

• Doing deals was initially more interesting to John than insurance itself.

• John’s approach to transitioning from carrier to broker.

• A CEO’s perspective on effectively building company culture.

• Evaluating whether an insurance brokerage company is a good cultural fit.

• Characteristics for new hires don’t have to follow a conventional path.

• The CEO role has not always been what John initially anticipated.

• Key communication and education skills that apply to a wide variety of constituencies.

• John’s involvement at the Institute professional organization at the volunteer level.

• “Never stop learning” – John’s advice about continued education.

• Attracting new talent to the industry starts with embracing diversity and highlighting opportunities.

• The value of mentors in crafting a successful career.

• John’s view on the transformative advent of technology in the insurance industry.

• The impact of technology on the brokerage community.

• Insights into current and future changes in the wholesale space.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• The advice that John would have benefited from in his early career.

Teresa Chan is the Director of the Master’s in Insurance Management program at Columbia University. She launched the program in 2019 after 27 years of insurance industry experience in legal, product, and business development. Prior to joining Columbia, Teresa was an advisor on the formation of MGU start-ups funded by Willis Group that leverage emerging technological capabilities to underwrite specialized markets on digital platforms and a consultant for energy performance warranty insurance. Teresa has a J.D. from Fordham University and a B.S. in Operations Research from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University. She has been recognized by Business Insurance as one of “25 Women to Watch” and by ReActions Magazine as one of the “Top Insurance Women.” In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Teresa take a look at the value of giving back through insurance education. Teresa highlights her experience with transitioning from the corporate world to starting up an educational program at Columbia, the current state of the industry DEI, and her satisfying experience as a female leader in insurance.

These onsite episodes of the In The Know podcast are brought to you by Gallagher Bassett.

Key Takeaways

• Teresa highlights her career path from engineer to law school and eventually insurance.

• Characteristics of the insurance industry that appealed to Teresa initially.

• Teresa’s approach to learning about a new topic, including product development.

• Top learning experiences from 27 years of experience.

• Bringing innovation to the new Insurance Management program at Columbia.

• Transitioning from a stable corporate job to starting up an educational program.

• The current state of DEI in the insurance industry compared to the onset of Teresa’s career.

• Teresa’s experience as a female leader in the insurance industry.

• Strategic tactics to address the talent gap in the industry.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

Jen Cogbill is the Senior Vice President of the GBCARE Advisor Team at Gallagher Bassett. With over 28 years of experience in the insurance industry, Jen currently directs GBCARE Advisor team strategies and training initiatives for the Gallagher Bassett Client Services and Claim Operations team. Her responsibilities include client engagement, industry presentations, data analytics, and review of integrated products and services. She acts as a liaison between the client servicing team, the product development team, and managed care operations to optimize products and service offerings. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Jen discuss the role of medical management in the workers’ compensation sector, the evolving state of the medical management sector in a post-pandemic world, and other key issues that are impacting the medical space in today’s insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• Jen reflects on her early career goals and the opportunities that led her to her current position.

• The appeal of workers’ comp in supporting a company’s brand, reputation, and financial success.

• An overview of the role of medical management in the workers’ compensation sector.

• The evolving state of the medical management sector in a post-pandemic world.

• Defining evidence-based medicine support and the role it plays in workers’ comp.

• Recent changes in the world of medical management data.

• Top issues that are currently impacting the medical space nationwide.

• Jen’s advice for new managers as they begin leading teams.

• Jen shares her experience as a female leader in the industry.

• Tactics for attracting future talent into the insurance industry.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• Jen shares what she wishes she would have known at the onset of her career.

Traci Adedeji is the incoming 2024 President and Chair of The Institutes’ CPCU Society and works as a Vice-President at JP West, Inc., where she heads the firm’s personal and small commercial lines insurance operations. Her insurance career began in 1984, and her experience includes leadership roles with several national carriers. Her professional affiliations include membership in the Society for Insurance Trainers & Educators (SITE) and the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) — Boston chapter, where she serves as a board member. In addition to CPCU, Traci holds the Institutes’ ARM, API, and AIDA designations, and IRMI’s TRIP designation. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Traci discuss the current state and future possibilities of the CPCU Society, the challenges facing the insurance industry, the power of diversity in a successful career, and the vision Traci has for the CPCU Society in the coming year.

These In2Risk 2023 onsite episodes of the In The Know podcast are brought to you by Gallagher Bassett.

Key Takeaways

• Traci highlights her career journey toward becoming the 2024 President and Chair of The Institutes’ CPCU Society.

• Traci’s “selfish” vision for the CPCU Society in 2024.

• An honest assessment of the post-pandemic challenges of the society.

• Addressing the talent gap in the insurance industry.

• Traci’s message regarding the benefits of involvement in the CPCU Society.

• The value of networking within the CPCU Society.

• Diversity of thought has been a key component of Traci’s successful career.

• The state of diversity in the insurance industry.

• Traci’s vision of success as the 2024 CPCU Society president and chair.

• Students play a critical role in the success of the future of the insurance industry.

• The value of mentoring and service in a successful career.

• Traci’s daughter has joined the industry and has opportunities to grow as a leader.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• The advice Traci would offer her early career self.

John Smith is President and Chief Executive Officer at Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM). With more than 40 years in the insurance business, he was a property underwriter at Aetna Casualty, a branch manager at CNA, and the Northeast Regional Vice President at General Accident. John has served on the Board of Directors of both PLM and Indiana Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (ILM) since the companies affiliated in 2013 and has served on many boards of directors including the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), the Insurance Society of Philadelphia (ISOP), The Institutes, and the Hardwood Federation. John was awarded the 2018 Distinguish Leadership Award from the Insurance Society of Philadelphia (ISOP), the 2019 Chairman's Award from the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), and a 2020 Franklin Award given by ISOP and The Institutes CPCU Society. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and John discuss the steps to building a career you love, the importance of team building and diversity, and what it takes to succeed in today’s insurance industry.

Special thank you to the Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM) for being a generous annual partner of The Institutes CPCU Society.

Pennsylvania Lumbermans Mutual Insurance Company

Key Takeaways

• John started his prestigious insurance career not knowing what an underwriter was.

• Transitioning from a stock company to a smaller mutual company.

• A great team, hard work, and a lot of luck are John’s keys to success.

• The skills John looks for when he’s hiring a new member of his team.

• Creating a clear career path through training, education, and mentoring.

• Instilling a company culture from the CEO's perspective.

• Working for a smaller company can have a big impact on a career.

• The state of technology in the insurance industry today.

• A look at where the industry is heading in the future.

• Taking charge of your career to craft the story that you want to tell about your work.

• John’s advice to his early career self was to get to the corner office.

• The importance of diversity in a successful company.

This episode of In The Know features incoming 2025 CPCU President Sherry McFadden. Sherry recently retired from her position as Director of Enterprise Customer Care in Phoenix, AZ. Throughout her 34-year career with State Farm, she held various leadership roles in human resources, personal lines underwriting, and claims. Ms. McFadden has completed several insurance designations including CPCU, CLU, ChFC, and FLMI. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resources from the University of North Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Tougaloo College, MS. Sherry has served as a member of the executive board of the CPCU Society Leadership Council. She held leadership roles as the past Mountain States governor, past president, and vice president of the AZ CPCU Chapter. She has also served as the current board chair of the Greater Phoenix Urban League, the Western Region Board Trustee with the National Urban League, a member of the National Urban League Council of Board Chairs, and president of her local chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Together with Chris Hampshire, Sherry highlights her progressive career roles and leadership experience, the opportunities that her CPCU designation has provided in her career, and her vision for the CPCU Society in the coming year.

Key Takeaways

• Sherry’s path toward the role of 2025 CPCU President.

• The analytical side of insurance has always appealed to Sherry.

• Relocating seven times has offered challenges and rewards for Sherry’s career.

• Major changes to the industry over the last three decades.

• The importance of continuing education in Sherry’s career.

• DEI is an integral part of attracting new talent to the insurance industry.

• Sherry’s involvement in the CPCU Society started with a desire for career movement and a rewarding challenge.

• As the 2025 CPCU President, Sherry will focus on striving for excellence.

• Encouragement for anyone who is considering joining the CPCU Society.

• A look at the future of technology and talent in the industry.

• Sherry’s self-reflective advice to her early career self.

Quotes

• “My CPCU designation has helped me grow professionally, academically, and also as a leader.” 

• “When there’s change, there’s always risk, but there’s also opportunity.” 

• “My CPCU designation is all about career movement and the opportunity to prove my intelligence and my abilities.” 

• “In the CPCU Society, the one thing we all have in common is the pursuit of our designation.”

Brian Chance is a Senior Vice President, Claims and Risk Manager in the Cost Based Efficiency division at Stephens Insurance, LLC. In this role, he engages with clients to develop strategies to eliminate hidden costs inside their workers’ compensation programs. Brian has 30+ years of experience in the insurance industry with a focus on large employer self-insured workers’ compensation programs. He specializes in developing processes to identify, quantify, and eliminate hidden costs in large workers’ comp programs. Brian holds an MBA from Drexel University in Philadelphia and a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University as well as CPCU and AIC designations. He currently serves as Past President of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Brian take a look at the workers’ compensation and claim spaces and the broker’s perspective on all that is currently happening in workers comp.

Key Takeaways

• Brian reflects on the decisions that led him to working in workers’ compensation.

• Transitioning into the broker and claims side of the business.

• Crafting an effective workers’ comp program with each client.

• Details of a cost-based efficiency approach to workers’ comp.

• Key improvements to the workers’ comp industry over the last decade.

• Mitigating the costs of medical workers’ comp claims.

• Steps of a brokerage perspective on approaching claims.

• Brian’s decision to become an instructor in risk management.

• Utilizing AI data to improve decision-making and increase desired results.

• Ideas for articulating the value of the insurance industry to new talent.

• Advice for anyone who is considering a career as a claim rep.

• A five-year look at the future of workers’ compensation technology.

• Brian’s kind advice to his early career self.

Quotes

• “Having those physical labor relationships in my life and growing up doing those things myself, I really appreciated what it must be like for an injured worker to basically have their livelihood at risk.”

• “The most important component of any workers’ comp program is the focus on the injured worker.”

• “We’re in the position to make sure the injured worker doesn’t make decisions out of fear or worry.”

• “We have developed metrics that evaluate the cost of a workers comp platform.”

• “The incentives to do the wrong thing have started to go away in the industry.”

• “I became an instructor because I wanted to impart the knowledge I’ve gained growing up in the industry. Because it’s a great industry.”

• “Claims handling is as much an art as it is a science.”

Description: Ann Mason, WCLA is TruGreen’s National Workers Compensation Manager. With 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, Ann began her career in 1988 as a claims adjustor. She quickly rose through the ranks and enjoyed roles in claims support, office administration, and human resources. Ann played a pivotal role in establishing quality control standards for an independent medical exam company and helped a private investigation team achieve prominence. In 2008, she began a four-year term with the New Hampshire Adjustors Association, culminating with serving as president and on their board of directors. Ann joined TruGreen in 2009, became their national workers’ compensation manager in 2014, and now works to develop strategies that create a healthier workforce and decrease claims volumes and higher claims-closed ratios. Ann is a 2023 Teddy Award recipient.

In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Ann explore the workers’ compensation aspect of the insurance industry, her strategic advice for vertical movement in insurance, and a look at the possibilities of the industry’s future.

Key Takeaways

• Ann highlights her passion for working in workers’ compensation.

• The best parts of workers’ compensation, TruGreen, and injury exposures in their program.

• Ann’s approach to assembling an effective workers’ comp program.

• The initial challenges of creating a workers’ comp program and their creative solutions.

• Ann’s experience as a 2023 Teddy Award recipient.

• Strategic advice for vertical movement in the insurance industry.

• The value of working with a mentor in the industry.

• Working as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

• The changing role of data in workers’ compensation.

• Addressing the talent shortage by highlighting opportunities at a high school level.

• Ann’s five-year look at the impact of AI in the insurance industry.

• “Hard work pays off” — Ann shares the key to her successful career.

Quotes

• “I’ve always had my hand in the workers’ comp arena because I love it. I love helping people.”

• “We talk about injuries all the time to determine how we can eliminate those kinds of injuries moving forward and what we missed.”

• “I never saw myself as a person winning an award because I just did my job.”

• “I watched along the way and aspired to be the next person on the next step up.”

• “I don’t always consider myself a leader, I just do my job.”

• “If I’m helping people, that’s just part of the job and it comes naturally.”

• “Being able to leverage data in coming years is going to be phenomenal.”

• “Hard work pays off. It really does.”

Shannon Totten is the Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Excess Casualty Insurance, Sompo International, North America.  She joined the Excess Casualty department of Endurance Specialty in 2003, later acquired by Sompo in 2017, as a Vice President and took on increasing responsibilities including Bermuda Business Unit Leader. Prior to joining Endurance, she worked for AIG as an excess casualty underwriter for Starr Excess Insurance Bermuda as well as American Home in New York. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Risk Management and Insurance program where she currently serves as an advisory board member.

In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Shannon discuss Bermuda and its impact on insurance, Shannon’s volunteer work, and key issues that are impacting the excess space.

Key Takeaways

• Shannon highlights the early years of her career path from small-town Georgia to Bermuda.

• “A small town on steroids,” Shannon describes her Bermuda insurance experience.

• Considerations for those who are facing the expat life.

• Life in Bermuda offers a global marketplace with a beach in the backyard.

• Shannon shares what led her to the excess markets field.

• Factors for those who are considering a career in the excess markets sector.

• Key issues that are impacting the excess space.

• The future of exposures and how to approach them in the excess space.

• Shannon’s experiences as a female executive in the insurance industry.

• Addressing the talent gap starts with more creativity in recruiting talent.

• The importance of being actively involved in professional organizations and leadership roles.

• A five-year micro-level look at the excess markets in Bermuda.

• Remote working is an excellent option for those who don’t want to work in the city.

• Shannon’s advice to her early career, technical skills oriented self.

Megan Angus is the Western Senior Claims Manager for Sodexo, a worldwide industry leader in food service and facility management, where she is responsible for managing the oversight of the workers’ compensation claims. Megan has over 11 years of experience in workers’ compensation with an emphasis on California and is an ambassador for the Alliance of Women in Workers’ Compensation. She has a bachelor’s from The University of Alabama and an Associate in Risk Management (ARM). In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Megan converse about what it takes to become a risk and insurance all-star. Megan was named a 2023 Risk and Insurance All Star, an honor given to risk managers who display perseverance, creativity, and passion in building solutions that affect lives and bottom lines.

Key Takeaways

• Megan highlights her career path and the jagged line that led her into insurance.

• The decision process of transitioning from insurance carrier to risk manager.

• The complexity of the workers’ compensation realm appeals to Megan.

• Megan’s approach to assembling an effective workers’ comp program at Sodexo.

• Details of Megan’s strategies to mitigate cumulative trauma claims.

• Metrics for measuring the success and impact of a settlement.

• The process of becoming a 2023 Risk and Insurance All Star.

• Megan’s experience with diversity as a leader in the insurance industry.

• Tactics for attracting new talent into the industry.

• Possibilities in the five-year future of workers’ compensation and the industry as a whole.

• Megan shares her forward-thinking advice to her early-career self.

As Pie’s first Chief Claims Officer, Dimitrius King is responsible for leading and implementing the company’s claims strategy. Over the past 15 years, Dimitrius has held various strategic and claims leadership roles in both personal lines and commercial lines at Liberty Mutual and The Hartford. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Dimitrius discuss his shift away from one of the largest insurance organizations in the world into insurtech, claims, and Dimitrius’s commitment to improving DEI in the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• Dimitrius shares the career path that gave him exposure to several aspects of the industry.

• Transitioning from a large, established organization to a smaller company.

• Questions to ask yourself when approaching a major transition.

• Tactics for effectively enhancing a company culture.

• Building a foundation for an organization that can expand into the future.

• The current state and future of the role of insurtech.

• Dimitrius shares his message for people who are considering a career in claims.

• The impact of new technology in the claims space.

• Strategies for better communicating the insurance industry’s value proposition.

• The importance of DEI efforts in the insurance industry.

• Dimitrius’s advice for attracting new talent to the industry.

• Micro to macro level, a look at the future of the insurance industry.

• Dimitrius shares his advice to his early-career self.

Description: After 39 years on the carrier side of the industry, Greg Massey retired from Zurich and launched GJM Advisors, LLC in 2022. Now he provides Property & Casualty product, strategy, portfolio management, education, and leadership advisory & consulting. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire welcomes Greg for a conversation about the post-career phase of life. As soon as he retired, Greg found himself entertaining offers for consulting, advising, and staying active in the insurance industry. He highlights the variety of work that he has done, how the industry can better attract and retain talent, and his advice to take more risks in the earlier stages of a career.

Key Takeaways

• Greg highlights his career and his experience with post-retirement job offers.

• Career growth opportunities in the program space.

• Market changes in the capital that is going into the program space.

• Addressing the talent gap across the insurance industry.

• Industry adaptations to talent over the years of Greg’s career.

• Greg’s dedication to the CPCU Society has impacted his career in positive ways.

• Stepping back from a main career and into a consulting role in the industry.

• Tactics for attracting new talent into the insurance industry.

• Greg’s recommendations for effectively training new talent.

• A five-year look at changes and improvements in the industry.

• Greg’s early career advice and assurance to himself.

After graduating from FSU’s Risk Management/Insurance program, Tom Budz began his insurance career at AmTrust, where he held several underwriting positions including Specialty Practice Underwriter working with specialty verticals and national brokers. Tom currently works as a Middle Market Underwriter for Chubb and works part-time at the local fire department and as a volunteer with the Big Brother Big Sister program. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire sits down with Tom for a look at the lessons that firefighting can teach insurance about safety and success. He highlights his decision to join the insurance industry, what he sees as a middle-market underwriter, and how his role as a firefighter contrasts with his work as an underwriter.

Key Takeaways

• Tom’s career in insurance began with a simple interview.

• How insurance programs can better promote themselves to close the industry talent gap.

• Tom’s experience as an underwriter hasn’t been anything like he expected.

• Firefighting keeps Tom plenty busy outside his day job hours.

• Perspectives that Tom has gained as he has surveyed fire damage.

• Trusting the insurance experts allows things to get done faster.

• The counterintuitive lessons learned from lifting equipment and fire extinguishers.

• Tom’s training experience in the fire department translates to his work in the insurance office.

• Whether relocating for work or working remotely, attracting new talent to the industry requires options and flexibility.

• Tom’s take on the value of a hybrid work schedule.

• Life lessons from Tom’s work as a firefighter that apply to anyone.

• Tom’s success and progress encouragement for his early-career self.

Manohar Pradhan is Vice President and Chief Technology Officer with responsibility for Insurance Products and IT operations at Cabrillo Coastal. He joined Cabrillo as a systems analyst in 2009 and grew his career through a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including Assistant Vice President, Applications and Technology, Vice President, Applications, and Infrastructure Operations. In 2017, he was named Chief Information Officer and today he holds both CPCU and ARe designations. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Manohar joins Chris Hampshire for a look at what it means to work for a coastal company in the insurance industry, the role of technology, data, and analytics, and what exactly the evolving future of the insurance industry might look like.

Key Takeaways

• Manohar’s first exposure to insurance was at a consulting firm in India.

• The intersection of the business and technology sides of insurance attracted Manohar to the industry.

• The motivation behind Manohar earning his CPCU designation.

• A day in the life of a Chief Technology Officer.

• Factors that contribute to the current crisis state of coastal property insurance.

• The data and analytics tactics that are driving better results in coastal property insurance.

• Proactive steps in resolving claims are made possible by data and analytics.

• A five-year look at the future of coastal property insurance, technological advances in insurance coverage, and mitigation standards.

• Manohar’s business and technology advice to his early career self.

Doug McElhaney is a Partner at McKinsey & Company and will be the opening Keynote Speaker at In2Risk 2023. Doug is the global leader of McKinsey’s dedicated group of AI practitioners serving P&C and life insurance companies. In this role, Doug leads a global team of data scientists, AI experts, and data engineers that help leading insurance companies build next-generation analytics solutions and centers of excellence, helping insurers expand their use of external data in their AI models and solutions. He has also helped both life and P&C insurers develop innovative new pricing and underwriting capabilities using third-party data and machine learning. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire sits down with Doug for a discussion about the application of AI, the advancement of data analytics, and other timely topics in the insurance world.

Key Takeaways

• Solving a variety of problems has been the aim of Doug’s career journey.

• A lagging utilization of innovation in insurance has presented opportunities for growth.

• As a consultant, Doug has found an excellent alternative way to apply his skill.

• Doug’s definition of the potential and hype of artificial intelligence.

• An overview of the positive and potential negative applications of AI.

• Could AI help address the talent gap in the insurance industry?

• Advice and sources for keeping up with technological innovations.

• Tactics for preparing the future workforce with needed skills.

• Appealing to people who might be considering a career in the insurance industry.

• A five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• Doug’s wise advice to his early career self.

Amanda Sulkosky is a senior analyst for the business, planning, and analysis department at NJM Insurance Group. Amanda earned the CPCU designation in 2022 and is actively involved in the Central Jersey Chapter of the CPCU Society, where she assists with volunteer recruitment and development. She is also a member of the Emerging Leaders Committee and Tech & Innovation Committee, where she brings her expertise and insights to help drive innovation and progress within the organization to the global CPCU society. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire welcomes Amanda for a conversation about the finance side of the insurance industry, why Amanda chose the insurance industry, and her insights into attracting new talent to the industry.

Key Takeaways

• The family and career path that led Amanda to the insurance industry.

• A comparison of Amanda’s experience with an insurance carrier to other finance fields.

• A typical week in the life of Amanda’s accounting work.

• Accounting work contributes to the overall health of an organization in a variety of ways.

• Reasons anyone should consider a career in the insurance industry.

• Strategies for attracting the next generation of talent into the industry.

• Considerations when deciding between a global or regional entity.

• The value of Amanda’s CPCU designation in her career and efforts for continued education.

• Involvement in both global and local committees has benefitted Amanda’s career.

• A five-year look at the evolving role of technology in the insurance industry.

• Amanda’s encouraging advice for her early career self.

Rajesh Narayan is a seasoned insurance industry leader with experience in driving technology innovation, operations transformation, and business agility. In his early industry roles at Majesco, IDP, and ValueMomentum he has architected and deployed core insurance systems across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS environments. In the last decade, he has taken on global roles at Genpact (AVP, Underwriting Transformation), RMS (Sr. Director, Analytical Services), and Gartner (Senior Director Analyst). In these roles, he has led teams in underwriting transformation, digital-first operational transitions, and new product and distribution strategies and authored research on climate risk, IoT, and emerging technologies in P&C insurance. To help other career seekers in insurance follow a path of continuous education that leads to career building, Rajesh wrote Unlocking Insurance Careers. Today on In The Know, Chris Hampshire and Rajesh consider his career in the insurance industry, his experience with international programs, why he authored a book, and his role at the intersection of technology and insurance.

Key Takeaways

• Rajesh’s journey into insurance began with a curiosity about technology.

• A desire to help people develop their careers led to Rajesh’s first book.

• Key features that drew Rajesh into the risk management and insurance sector.

• The rapidly evolving role of technology in the insurance space.

• The globalization of insurance and technology from the viewpoint of a native Indian.

• The CPCU provides opportunities to continue education and stay relevant.

• Rajesh shares his motivation to write a book.

• The potential impact of GenAI on the insurance industry in coming years.

• Unique offerings for anyone who is considering joining the insurance industry.

• Possible five-year changes to the future of the industry.

• Rajesh shares advice for his early-career self.

Quotes

• “All of this was shaped by my early quality experiences with the CPCU.”

• “This is a thrilling time to be in the execution space where the inflection point of technology is making insurance so much more democratized.”

• “It’s not just the skills or knowledge, it’s also the aptitude and the network that you build that defines how far you take your career.”

• “I just wish I knew about the CPCU Society earlier in my career.”

Justice Peprah Agyei is the Regional Manager of the National Insurance Commission in Ghana, a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of the United Kingdom and Ghana (ACII, ACIIG). He holds an MPhil in Enterprise Risk Management and Business Consulting from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Justice discuss insurance in Ghana and Africa and the positive ways his CPCU designation has impacted his career.

Key Takeaways

• Highlights of Justice’s professional journey into the insurance industry.

• An overview of the insurance landscape in Ghana.

• Two main contributors to the growth of personal insurance coverage in Africa.

• The motivation behind Justice’s app-technology approach to offering insurance.

• Highlights of the commercial insurance growth in Ghana.

• Justice details the impact of his letter to the president of Ghana regarding unemployment insurance during COVID.

• The motivation behind Justice’s articles and how he is benefitting the industry.

• Justice outlines the ways his CPCU designation has benefitted his career.

• The early career advice Justice wishes he would have known years ago.

Quotes

• “Insurance is something interesting. It’s something I can think of as my profession.”

• “Insurance education has grown very well in the past years.”

• “Penetration is still low, around 2%, but the coverage has gone up.”

• “This approach has made it easier even for those who are not educated in insurance.”

• “My CPCU designation is one of the great things that has happened to me in my insurance career.”

• “When I joined the CPCU, that’s when the magic started.”

Description: Dr. Simi George is the Chief Data Scientist and Product Officer at NeuralMetrics, which enables actionable and transparent risk-assessment intelligence for P&C carriers, brokers, and agents. She has more than 20 years of experience in data science, descriptive statistics, and analytics, delivering global impact via cutting-edge products and data-driven management. Previously, she headed the Data Science and Applied AI organization at AXA XL. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Chris Hampshire and Simi sit down for a conversation about how data science is driving decision-making in the insurance industry today.

Key Takeaways

• Simi knew by age 10 that she wanted to be a scientist but only entered the insurance industry six years ago.

• The elements of the insurance industry appeal most to Simi.

• Simi’s message to data scientists who might be considering the insurance industry.

• Innovations and ideas are driving the industry forward today.

• A snapshot of data analytics in the current insurance industry.

• Data analytics needs from various segments within the marketplace.

• Defining unstructured versus structured data.

• Simi’s predictions for the next stage of data analytics in the insurance industry.

• The future of the insurance industry is going to include improved interpersonal interactions.

• Simi’s experience as a female leader in the industry.

• What has surprised Simi in the six years she has been involved in the industry? 

• Simi’s advice to her past self includes earning her CPCU designation.

Eric Hubicki is a Senior Vice President of Underwriting for North Carolina-based Topsail Reinsurance Underwriters, LLC. He has more than 25 years of experience in primary and reinsurance underwriting operations. After spending time on the primary side in underwriting and management roles, Eric started his reinsurance career with SCOR Reinsurance. He was an integral member of a specialty lines unit at Munich Re and BMS Intermediaries. Before joining Topsail Re, he was a Director at Arch Reinsurance Company. Eric’s reinsurance responsibilities included marketing, underwriting, and account management for national, regional, specialty, and niche insurance companies. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Eric sits down with Chris Hampshire for a conversation about the world of reinsurance and fronting and the importance of insurance education and involvement in professional organizations in the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• Eric’s accidental entry into the insurance industry.

• Questions Eric asked himself when transitioning into reinsurance.

• The importance of creating connections across the industry.

• A top-down approach attracted Eric to reinsurance.

• What does a fronting carrier do and how do they approach the marketplace?

• Eric’s forecast on the future of the fronting space.

• With six insurance designations, Eric appreciates the value of continued education.

• Eric’s roles and responsibilities as a mutual board member.

• The career benefits of involvement in professional organizations.

• Eric’s best practices for effective mentoring and attracting talent to the industry.

• Eric’s message for anyone considering a future in the insurance industry.

• What Eric knows now that he wishes he had known at the beginning of his career.

Quotes

• “In the insurance industry, I’ve never stopped learning and it’s always challenging.”

• “I’ve always been impressed in the insurance industry with just how good the people are.”

• “CPCU has always been the gold standard of my insurance designations.”

• “Insurance may not be the sexiest industry on this earth, but it is a wonderful place to be.”

Erin Dop is a multi-line insurance producer and third-generation insurance professional at Fullenkamp Insurance, the agency her grandfather started in 1963. She is the latest CPCU designee in her family and is active in the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa (IIAI) association. Erin was the recipient of the C. Daniel Fullwider Young Agents of the Year award for the state of Iowa in 2021. She continues to promote the industry through her efforts with the IIAI on various committees including the education committee and as the current young agent committee chair. In today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Erin joins Chris Hampshire for a conversation about growing up in the insurance industry, how digital evolutions affect small agencies, and the value of Erin’s CPCU designation and involvement in the CPCU Society.

Key Takeaways

• The motivation behind Erin’s decision to follow the family path into insurance.

• An average day in the life of Erin’s work at Fullenkamp Insurance.

• Business acquisition and retention for a regional agency in the age of digital insurance.

• Erin’s team educates clients with newsletters, in-person meetings, and a personal connection.

• A look at digital evolutions on the small agency front.

• Attracting and retaining talent starts with a robust compensation package.

• Erin’s message to new talent is to just give it a shot.

• The social impact aspect of the insurance industry is an attractive feature for the next generation.

• Erin highlights her scholarship opportunities and the professional and personal importance of her CPCU designation.

• The impact of involvement in the CPCU Society on Erin’s career.

• A five-year forecast for the future at Fullenkamp Insurance.

• Erin’s advice to her early-career self.

Quotes

●       “It’s tough to move completely to a digital standpoint when the relationship is so key.”

●       “It can be tough to get people excited about working in the insurance industry if they’ve never had a conversation with their agent.”

●       “Why insurance? Why not! Why not give it a try?”

●       “If I have questions or concerns… I know I can reach out to someone in the CPCU Society.”

●       “We are all after the same goal of doing what’s right for the insured.”

Tony LaRocca is a claim specialist for FCCI Insurance Group who specializes in handling litigated commercial auto and liability claims. Tony is a lifelong learner who works diligently to handle claims with compassion and empathy. Tony is also a self-proclaimed coverage nerd. Tony obtained his CPCU in 2014, has volunteered and served the Dallas Chapter CPCU in various volunteer roles including as the 2021 Dallas Chapter president and he currently serves the Claims Interest Group as the vice chair. On today’s episode of the In The Know podcast, Tony joins Chris Hampshire for a conversation about the state of litigation, how the approach to handling claims has changed over the years, and how technology will continue to impact the insurance industry in the future.

Key Takeaways

• The recommendation from a friend that led to Tony’s enriching insurance career and CPCU designation.

• Tony highlights a week in the life of a litigation specialist.

• The step-by-step compassion approach to claims handling.

• The evolving role of a claims adjuster requires a collaborative approach to each case.

• Why should more people consider claims as a career path?

• How Tony became a coverage nerd and what exactly that means.

• The benefits of Tony’s CPCU designation to his career.

• Tony’s involvement in the claims interest group and the lessons he has learned from it.

• How is technology impacting the world of claims?

• A look at the future and growth of the insurance industry.

• Tony’s advice to his early career self is to take more risks.

Quotes

• “Litigation is a collaborative approach. What is the best strategy for each case?”

• “There is an unlimited amount of opportunity to learn new things in a claims career.”

• “I’ve been amazed at all of the knowledge I’ve been able to get from being professionally involved in the CPCU.”

• “We are seeing the use of technology helping us, but I don’t know if we’re letting it help us enough.”

• “Don’t be afraid to fail. You have so much to learn when you fail.”

Fela Abioye has spent the last 13 years working in the commercial insurance industry, mostly for The Hartford. From workers’ compensation claims representative to general property and casualty production underwriter, Fela also continued his education, securing a Senior Claim Law Associate, SCLA designation, and a Chartered Property Charter Underwriter and CPCU designation. Fela is currently a Managing Director responsible for the profit, loss, and growth of a middle market book of business while leading a team of production underwriters. In 2021, Fela launched The How to Corporate podcast, a show dedicated to helping working professionals advance their careers. Fela joins Chris Hampshire in today’s episode of the In The Know podcast to discuss career development, crafting your personal brand, and the questions you need to ask yourself when considering a major career move.

Key Takeaways

• Fela’s professional journey from life insurance to The Hartford.

• Underwriting appeals to Fela because no two risks are ever the same.

• The impact that the CPCU designation has had on Fela’s career.

• The motivation behind the How to Corporate podcast.

• Topics covered in Fela’s podcast range from talent shortage to career growth.

• Extracurricular activities help Fela give back to the insurance industry and the community.

• Why does Fela think more people should consider a career in the insurance industry?

• Fela’s methodology for decoding why you might feel held back in your career.

• Navigating office politics when you’re not in the office full-time.

• Tactics for building a personal brand that speaks for itself.

• Creating career opportunities for yourself starts with intentional relationship building.

• Consider your long-term “why” when looking at making a major career move.

• A five-year look at the changes within the insurance industry.

• Fela’s thoughtful advice to his early career self.

Quotes

• “I fell into the insurance agency, but it’s been one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

• “I wouldn't be here if it wasn’t for other folks looking out for me… and I find it my duty to do the same for others.”

• “There are so many opportunities within this industry to do so many different things, it attaches to nearly every single skill set out there.”

• “Be the owner of your own career. Development doesn’t start with your manager, it starts with you.”

• “What do you want people to think of when they think of you? Decide that first, then act accordingly.”

Adam Carmichael is the President of The Institutes Knowledge Group, where he leads strategic development and delivery of courses and associated exams for the Institute’s Risk Management and Insurance Designation programs, including the CPCU program. With over 20 years of experience at The Institutes, Adam is highly experienced in the Risk Management and Insurance industry as well as in public policy research related to property, casualty, and insurance issues. As a holder of the CPCU designation, Adam has joined the podcast today to discuss with Chris Hampshire the CPCU, The Institutes, and the future of professional development.

Key Takeaways

• Adam’s career journey and CPCU designation.

• The evolution of CPCU exam testing.

• Comparing the challenges of current online versus old-style in-person testing.

• The gold standard value of the CPCU designation and what it denotes in the marketplace.

• Insights from Adam’s role on the CPCU Ethics Council.

• Recognizing people who are “in good standing” with their designation.

• Research and data that highlights the adaptation of the designation.

• Maintaining the integrity of the online testing process.

• The future of the CPCU program.

• Ideas for getting the word out about the CPCU certification program.

• Promoting ethics within the insurance industry.

• A five-year look at the future of the CPCU designation.

• Adam’s advice to his early career self.

Quotes

• “The exams are ultimately that measure that you’re going to have to pass in order to earn your designation, and that designation has meaning.”

• “The CPCU designation means so much to so many of us.”

• “We will continue to develop and evolve the course content to match the skills that are needed for each generation of leaders.”

• “The CPCU program and designation is going to keep growing in the future.”

Paul Rosner, J.D., CPCU, is a managing shareholder with Soha & Lang who has worked in the property and casualty field since 1989. He is a former casualty adjuster, large loss property adjuster, claims supervisor, and claims manager. As an attorney, he focuses his practice on property and casualty insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. He has also served as an expert witness on insurance bad faith and claims handling. Together with Chris Hampshire, he dives into the attorney’s role in insurance law, the increase of litigation in today’s climate, and the impact that insurance has on every aspect of law.

Key Takeaways

• From liability adjuster to coverage attorney, Paul highlights his career journey.

• The motivation behind earning a CPCU designation.

• An overview of the benefits of CPCU involvement to Paul’s career.

• What attracted Paul to the claims aspect of the industry?

• Surprises about claims that Paul only discovered as an attorney.

• Advice for identifying a specialty within risk management.

• Paul’s methodology for solving problems on a case by case basis.

• A look at the why behind litigation claims in today’s climate.

• Getting more comfortable with presenting starts with just doing more presentations.

• The impact that increased inclusion has in addressing the talent gap in insurance.

• Improving the message inviting people to join the insurance agency.

• A five-year look to the future of risk management.

• Paul’s message to new talent considering the insurance industry.

Quotes

• “Having a background in claims was really helpful to working as a coverage lawyer for insurance companies.”

• “My CPCU designation has been fantastic for my career for many reasons.”

• “I enjoy trying to help find a solution that will help the insured get the insurer case resolved with as little litigation as possible.”

• “Together as a firm we are stronger by having diversity in all areas.”

• “As an attorney, not matter what area you work in, insurance is going to touch on what you do.”

Rachel Perry is the chief innovation officer for Aon’s North America Commercial Risk Solutions. In this role, she leads risk innovation and works closely with key external and internal stakeholders to meet unmet client needs and growth. Together with Chris Hampshire, she offers a look at the future of innovation and technology in risk management, including increased diversity and inclusion, attracting the next generation of talent, and the many areas where the industry is working to innovate and improve.

Key Takeaways

• Success for Rachel began as a first-generation college graduate.

• Rachel’s motivation behind going to college and the support she found there.

• Diversity in risk management and insurance through the University of Georgia.

• The impact of an MBA and CPCU on Rachel’s career trajectory.

• Rachel’s experience as a woman of color and executive in the insurance industry.

• Ideas for industry efforts to improve inclusiveness and attract diverse talent.

• The importance of mentorship in bringing up the industry’s next generation.

• Improving the message that the risk management industry sends to the world.

• The current state of innovation and technology in today’s insurance industry.

• A 3‒5 year look to the future of focused areas of improvement, including climate risk, intellectual property, and digital assets.

• Additional areas of focus in the industry that are not yet at capacity.

• Major improvements that are coming to the risk management industry in the next five years.

• Rachel’s advice to her early-career self.

Quotes

• “Having my MBA, my CPCU, and my Risk Management degree have all been instrumental in my career, no question.”

• “Our industry is making progress, and there is a lot more work to be done.”

• “If there is a talent we want to invest in, then there need to be sponsors to help do so.”

• “At Aon, we are working to do a better job of closing the relevance gap.”

• “We are focusing on new innovations to help meet the needs that we think are out there for our clients.”

• “There is a heightened awareness within our industry that we need to innovate more.”

• “Clients have started thinking about their risks differently, and how we can help them manage their risks.”

Danielle Stewart currently serves as the National Head of Wholesale Distribution for Everest Insurance. Prior to joining Everest, Danielle served over a decade at Liberty Mutual Insurance across multiple roles and geographies including Underwriting, Field Distribution, Leadership, and Corporate Strategy positions. Together with Chris Hampshire, she shares the benefit of saying “yes” in her career, the power of networking in the wholesale distribution market, the value of the CPCU designation, and what it means to be a woman working in today’s fast-changing insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• A successful career path includes a lot of saying yes and a lot of taking risks.

• Danielle’s approach to physical relocation for each new role.

• The benefits of earning an MBA at any stage in your career.

• Strategies for extending your network further than before.

• The motivation behind Danielle’s decision to earn her CPCU designation.

• Confidence, technical knowledge, and other benefits of the CPCU.

• Danielle’s decision to enter the wholesale distribution market was relationship-based.

• The benefits of the wholesale market to the entire industry.

• Working as an aggregator of business through strengthened relationships.

• Danielle’s experience as a woman in the insurance industry.

• Creating plans for gender equality starts with finding male allies and eliminating bias.

• A look at the five-year future of the insurance industry.

• Danielle’s advice to her early career self.

Quotes

• “My career path was a lot of saying yes and a lot of taking new risks.”

• “By stretching yourself geographically in roles, you have to approach situations with a lot less bias or assumptions.”

• “It has been invaluable to get that extended network; to be able to connect with people in a similar place in their career.”

• “The CPCU gave me earlier knowledge and quicker knowledge on the fundamentals.”

• “I can see the massive benefit that wholesale provides to our market.… it’s a lifeblood of the market.”

• “Wholesalers, from a distribution perspective, have a unique ability to serve as aggregators of business.”

• “You have to be strategic about what you do, who you do it with, and when you do it.”

• “As this business moves quicker, opportunities are going to come faster.”

James Pruitt is the Vice President of Risk Management for GFL Environmental and is responsible for the risk management strategy, insurance and captive programs, claims management, and Enterprise Risk Management across North America. He joined GFL in the Fall of 2021 and served as a consultant to the CFO in a risk management capacity from 2018 to 2021. Prior to joining GFL, James was the Vice President of Private Equity Strategy at Risk International, where he was responsible for new business creation within the Private Equity space and led all due diligence strategy and program optimization engagements across the portfolios. He specializes in insurance due diligence, carve-out program creation, and risk management department implementation. James holds an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a BBA in International Finance from the University of Akron.

Today on In The Know, Chris Hampshire and James discuss private equity risk management and due diligence as well as unique exposures in the environmental risk management space. 

Key Takeaways

• James’s initial exposure to risk management eventually led to his career of building out and formalizing an entire program.

• The exposures of private equity risk management and variations from traditional programs.

• Exciting and rewarding opportunities unique to the private equity space.

• Private equity can be the “perfect” model for program efficiency.

• Major constraints of private equity programs.

• Key considerations when accepting a new and different role.

• Who you work with makes all the difference in the success of any position.

• James highlights the process of assembling a new risk management program.

• The current state of unique exposures in the environmental risk management space.

• A strategic five-year look at the future of the insurance industry.

• James shares practical advice to his early career self.

Quotes

• “The private equity world is definitely different from either stand-alone public or private companies.”

• “The one factor I always weigh first is who I would be working with.”

• “The goal for everyone on my team is to make sure you have a conversation with at least one person every day about risk management.”

• “It takes a long time with a lot of renewals and bumps along the way to make sure that you don’t duplicate those errors along the way.”

• “At the end of the day, people are really there to foster relationships.”

Description: Elizabeth Kramer is the Chief Underwriting Officer for Munich Re Specialty Insurance, their primary specialty insurance operation for property, casualty, and specialty lines. Liz is also the president of the Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW) and a CPCU designee. She joins the podcast for a conversation with Chris Hampshire about inclusive leadership in insurance. They discuss Liz’s experience as a female executive in the insurance industry, what attracted Liz to reinsurance and specialties, and the advice that she has for attracting and retaining talent to the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways

• Liz shares the motivation behind earning her CPCU and ARe™ designations.

• The surprising move behind Liz’s MBA experience.

• What attracted Liz to reinsurance and specialties?

• Liz’s experience as a female executive in the insurance industry.

• Gender diversity, family planning, and career advancement breaks in industry.

• Advice for attracting and retaining new talent to the industry.

• Navigating the impact of technology and innovation in insurance.

• What stays the same in the industry and what has changed?

• The networking advice that Liz would give her younger self.

Quotes

• “Any continuous learning you have is going to help you in the next stage of your career.”

• “Reinsurance is a fascinating and critical part of the insurance industry.”

• “The insurance industry does a very good job at the entry-level, in particular, around gender diversity.”

• “We need to expand the reach of where we attract talent from universities.”

• “I would be careful that we don’t ignore all of the traditional information and knowledge that the industry has.”

• “We really need to focus on attracting strong talent to the insurance industry.”

• “We need to talk more about resilience and risk mitigation.”

Description: Beginning in 2023, Brett Clausen will serve as president and chair of the CPCU Society’s Leadership Council. He also works as the Government Relations and Process Improvement Vice President for Farm Bureau Financial Services. He has joined the podcast for a conversation with Chris Hampshire about the CPCU Society and his goals for the upcoming year. Together they address goals for the future and ways to overcome the current challenges of the CPCU Society, including engagement beyond retirement, expanding membership, learning from the pandemic and solidifying growth for the future.

Key Takeaways

• Brett’s journey from McDonalds to Masters Degree to CPCU Leadership Council president.

• The pivotal role that claims plays in the insurance industry.

• Brett’s goal is to bring insights from the legislative bodies and departments of insurance into the CPCU Society.

• Prioritizing awareness about the impact of the governmental affairs segment of the insurance industry.

• The importance of transitioning from seeking understanding to promoting advocacy.

• What does Brett contribute the longevity of his Farm Bureau career to?

• Brett highlights the value of earning your CPCU designation.

• A look at all of the training, education, and networking that the CPCU Society has to offer its members.

• Brett’s progression of leadership roles that prepared him for where he is today.

• Addressing the current challenges of the CPCU Society, including engagement beyond retirement, membership, the pandemic and growth for the future.

• Brett’s 3-year goals start with building on the success that we’ve already had.

• Advice from Brett’s early career self to the successful leader that he is today.

Keep Getting Better

IN2Risk 2022

Quotes

• “Once you’re in this industry you’re really sucked into it because it’s a really gratifying experience to help people out in their times of need.”

• “Having a voice at the table is really important to our companies and that’s really how I transformed into this new role that I currently have.”

• “The main goal that I have within this role is creating awareness within the company, our constituents as well as management.”

• “Being engaged in the CPCU Society really helped me develop the leadership skills that I couldn't get on the job or within my current organization.”

• “Our goals for 2023 really start with building on the success that we’ve already had.”

• “This industry has so much to offer and I don’t think we’ve done a good enough job of making that known.”

The insurance industry is incredibly resilient, and the future is looking bright. Even in the face of new and emerging risks within the property and casualty industry generally and legacy management more specifically, the industry continues to make significant strides. To shed light on the successes and challenges facing the industry, today’s podcast guest brings with him over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry with a focus on operations, claims, and workers’ compensation managed care. Rich Seelinger, Chief Executive and Claims Officer of Enstar’s U.S. Operations. Together with Chris Hampshire, he discusses the legacy marketplace as well as the insights that Rich has gained from his vast career in a variety of operational positions, as well as his advice for filling the massive industry talent gap and attracting the next generation of professionals.

Key Takeaways

• The career path that brought Rich to his current position.

• The practices and processes that attracted Rich to the claims sector.

• A current snapshot of the legacy market space.

• Four primary mechanisms used in the legacy management space.

• Drivers behind the increase of money moving into this space.

• Key partnership elements that benefit all involved parties.

• Four questions Rich asks himself before accepting a new role.

• What are hiring managers looking for across the industry?

• Action items for attracting the next generation of professionals.

• A five-year look at the future of the industry.

• Rich’s advice to his early-career self.

Keep Getting Better

IN2Risk 2022

Quotes

• “I was fascinated by workers’ compensation claims, not only the technical side of it but even more so the business side of it.”

• “The current state of the legacy market space is certainly large and growing.”

• “All along the way, part of our objective is to really understand what the customer is trying to accomplish and whether or not we’re capable of meeting those needs.”

• “The industry can do a much better job of marketing itself to new entrants.”

• “The insurance industry has been remarkably resilient over the years.”

• “The industry is just beginning to scratch the surface; a lot of good work is being done but certainly more can be done.”

With over 700 published articles and 10 books on claims, litigation, and risk management in his name, today’s guest is truly an expert in his field. Kevin Quinley, Principal of Quinley Risk Associates, LLC, has over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry. Kevin helps clients nationwide assess claims handling and improve outcomes through expert evaluation and testimony and high-stakes insurance disputes. Today, he joins Chris Hampshire for a conversation about claims, his journey in the industry, how he got involved in witness testimony, the benchmarks he uses to determine which claims he will get involved in, and his experience with writing.

Key Takeaways

• The origin of Kevin’s 40-year-career in the insurance industry.
• The inspiration behind Kevin’s focus on claims.
• A day in the life of an expert witness.
• How Kevin determines if a case is a good fit.
• The process of evaluating a claim on a case-by-case basis.
• Four benchmarks Kevin utilizes when approaching each claim.
• Kevin’s purpose and passion for writing about insurance.
• The downside of writing about insurance claims.
• What is impacting technology and the claims marketplace today?
• Kevin reveals what he wishes he would have known at the advent of his career.

Keep Getting Better

IN2Risk 2022

Quotes

• “What appealed to me about claims was the breadth of learning.”
• “If you want to be a lifelong learner, I think claims and insurance is an ideal area.”
• “If I can’t be the expert, I have a network of other experts I can turn to.”
• “The problem is not with AI, it’s with how it is used or misused.”
• “I wish I had known how important people skills are.”