Daniel Kaniewski is the Managing Director at Marsh McLennan and an American government official who served as the acting deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served as the deputy administrator of FEMA for Resilience. In this episode, Daniel recalls the impact that 9/11 had on his personal and professional life and how it strengthened his resolve to increase the country’s preparation for catastrophic events. He shares the hurdles he has faced along the way, the role of luck and risk in every step of his career, and highlights the opportunities that response readiness and resilience have to offer young professionals today.   Key Takeaways: Daniel highlights his role at Marsh and reveals his disaster resilience guru status. Daniel’s unusual pathway into risk management started with a volunteer firefighter paramedic who wanted to figure out how to reduce losses in the first place. After maxing out his EMT certifications and education, Daniel turned to a Ph.D. in public policy. An internship on Capitol Hill led Daniel to support the Gilmore Commission, where he worked to increase first responders' preparation for terrorist attacks. In a post-9/11 world, policymaker interest has shifted dramatically in favor of proactive training against acts of terrorism. The personal and professional impact of 9/11 on Daniel’s life and work. Watching the Pentagon take fire from the Capitol Building was a surreal moment, especially after learning that the Capitol Building was the likely target of Flight 93. Daniel’s “why” in the years following 9/11 only strengthened his resolve to continue the work he had been doing in the years prior. Hurricane Katrina swung the pendulum from terrorism directly to natural disaster relief. Federal departments and missions continue with their work, regardless of presidential administration changes, but their focus may change with each new president. Every dollar invested in disaster mitigation saves $13 in physical and economic costs should a disaster occur. Daniel was willing to help set up FEMA, as long as he was able to maintain a focus on disaster resilience. Local and national governments informing the public about key catastrophic exposure is critical for gaining support for investments in response readiness. What prompted Daniel’s shift from the public sector over to Marsh? Daniel recalls the professional relationships that have enabled him to take the risks that have made his career so fulfilling. Response readiness and resilience are top of mind across the country, and have a place for you!   Mentioned in This Episode: Daniel on LinkedIn Marsh McLennan    

Jenna Kirkpatrick Howard is the Senior Vice President for Lockton Companies. She is also a board member and treasurer for the Community of Hope, a non-profit focused on creating opportunities for low-income families in Washington, DC. In this episode, Jenna shares her journey from hesitantly stepping into a sales position to embracing her skills as a networker and people connector. She shares the truth behind the Lockton/Rolex legend and provides candid advice for young professionals navigating their careers.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Jenna and her role at Lockton Companies. Jenna, at first, didn’t see herself in the production role, but with a bit of encouragement and mentorship, she jumped into the position. Because of that training, Jenna doesn’t see herself as a salesperson, she sees herself as a communicator and bridge-builder. What was the first deal Jenna ever closed and what lessons did she learn from it? With any sales position, it’s important to talk with the client and be intellectually curious. What does Jenna love the most about being in risk management? Another project Jenna is passionate about is connecting accredited female investors to commercial real estate investment opportunities. Jenna won the 2023 Women to Watch Awards Americas EMEA and shares what it was like to win an award like that for the non-profit sector. Is it true that you are gifted a Rolex after ten years of working for Lockton? Jenna shares advice if you’re early in your career and you’ve been laid off and fired. Whatever happens, own up to your mistakes. Don’t try to bury it because it will make it so much worse. What other advice does Jenna have for young risk professionals? The insurance industry has so many options for you! Don’t underestimate the power of your young adult relationships in the industry. Everyone will be going on to do great things after 25-plus years in the industry and will become a wealth of knowledge, opportunities, and inspiration.   Mentioned in This Episode: RIMS — San Diego Event Jenna on LinkedIn Lockton.com Communityofhopedc.org  

Cheryl Reecher is the Vice President of Business Development at Cotton Holdings Inc. With a career spanning over two decades, across various high-profile roles in the insurance industry, Cheryl brings a rich wealth of experience from director of risk management to insurance broker, and now as a business developer. In this episode, Cheryl shares her journey from discovering insurance to mastering the intricacies of each major insurance role. Learn how Cheryl’s diverse experiences have enabled her to effectively bridge the gap between underwriters, brokers, and risk managers and how simple communication skills can go a long way in this field.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Cheryl and her role at Cotton Holdings Inc. What does a restoration company do? How does a restoration company gauge risk and calculate appropriate fees? How did Cheryl discover insurance? What interested Cheryl about the broker side of risk management? Shoutout to all the brokers out there. It is probably one of the hardest jobs in insurance. After learning about the broker side, Cheryl moved to the carrier side of the insurance business. She shares some of her key learnings from that experience. Through these different role transitions that Cheryl underwent, she ended up having an easier time bridging the gap between underwriter, broker, and risk manager. Sometimes the best solution is just to sit everyone down and talk it out. What surprised Cheryl the most about being in a carrier role? Sometimes being the only woman in the room, Cheryl shares some advice for the younger generation. What other advice would Cheryl give someone up and coming in their career?   Mentioned in This Episode: Cottonholdings.com Cheryl on LinkedIn  

Martin Drux is a Multinational Executive and is currently leading Marsh Multinational’s team in Europe, with a specialization in Asia Client Services. In this episode, Martin shares his experiences and the unique aspects of handling insurance across different continents. Martin also discusses the nuances of insurance practices in Germany versus the U.S., his role in vocational training insurance, and how he leverages his robust LinkedIn network to mentor and recruit talent from a multinational perspective.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Martin and what he does at Marsh. Does insurance get handled differently in Germany, where Martin is from, compared to the U.S.?  If you want people to get excited about the industry, you have to tell stories about how your specific field makes a difference. Martin explains his field and how he got his start in vocational training insurance. What does a global relationship manager do within the insurance industry? Martin has a really robust portfolio and LinkedIn profile and now has over 21,000 followers. Now, with a strong LinkedIn base, Martin can use his platform to recruit and mentor talent from a multinational lens. Martin loves being able to use LinkedIn and network. It gives you a completely different sense of networking.  Is there a difference between German brokers and U.S. brokers? How does Martin think about and structure mentorships? Very few people seem to know how to do this well. What advice would Martin give his younger self?   Mentioned in This Episode: Marsh.com Martin on LinkedIn  

Josh Levy is the CEO and co-founder of Document Crunch, an innovative company dedicated to explaining construction contracts as simply as possible. With a background in Construction Management from the University of Florida and an enriching experience as a construction law clerk, Josh’s journey into construction and technology solutions is as compelling as it is impactful. This episode shares why Josh is so passionate about reducing risk in construction, how Document Crunch was born out of necessity, and the broader applications of their technology beyond just construction contracts.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Josh and his role at Document Crunch. How did Josh get into construction management and technology solutions? Why is construction so risky? Everything stems from what’s written in the contract. If something bad or unexpected happens, the contract should have it covered and noted. Why is Josh so passionate about this industry? How does Document Crunch work? Is Document Crunch just limited to construction contracts? Josh shares what attracted him the most to this industry when he was first studying it in college. When it came time to start his own company, what pushed Josh to become entrepreneurial? So many people don’t take their shot. Sometimes now is as good a time as any to take that risk. What’s next for Josh and his company? Josh believes younger folks should be investing in soft skills because that’s something AI won’t be able to take over as easily. The contract is key at the end of the day, which means everyone who signs it or is involved in it, needs to understand in layman’s terms what the contract covers. Why does Josh have an American flag behind him? He shares a quick story. Josh’s final piece of advice: Learn as much as you can and then don’t be afraid to take the risk.   Mentioned in This Episode: Documentcrunch.com Josh on LinkedIn  

James Benham is the co-founder and CEO of JBKnowledge and shares his journey from bootstrapping a tech empire from his college dorm to becoming a leader in the insurance technology space. With over two decades of experience, James has propelled JBKnowledge to the forefront of insurance software, serving some of the largest companies worldwide. In this episode, he discusses his hands-on approach to business, his passion for the insurance industry, and his thoughts on the future of automation and AI in insurance.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about James and his companies. James shares a little bit about his experience flying seaplanes. What is James’ vision with his companies? How did James bootstrap his companies and take in no investor money? Why is James so passionate about insurance? James shares how he thinks about AI and the future of automation in the insurance industry. James is happy that he can focus on the customers and his teammates and he doesn’t have to worry about third-party investors. If you look at the large players with investor funding, a large percentage is focused on investor relations and that’s a big distraction and takes away from the focus of the customer. How do you best identify a market problem that is both solvable and profitable? James speculates on what might be the next “big idea” in risk & insurance. Certificates of insurance are still a big pain. Is there any way we can simplify it?   Mentioned in This Episode: Jamesbenham.com James on LinkedIn Jbknowledge.com Terra.insure Insurtechgeek.com    

Anne Marie Towle is the CEO of Global Risk & Captive Solutions at Hylant. Since joining Hylant, Anne has grown the company’s captive consultancy into a powerhouse, earning U.S. Captive Review’s Captive Manager of the Year award. Prior to joining Hylant, Ms. Towle was an executive vice president with JLT and formerly a senior consultant with Willis Towers Watson for over seven years. In this episode, Anne shares her experience in the insurance industry, what a captive is, and when it makes sense to take on a captive based on company or property size.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Anne and her role at Hylant. How did Anne discover the insurance industry? There are a lot of different launch paths when you join the insurance and captive field. When does it make sense to look for captive solutions? Anne shares what it’s like pushing forward as a woman in a male-dominated industry. No matter where you are in your career, you should have your personal board of directors. Surround yourself with the people you enjoy spending time with, and grow together. Life is never perfectly balanced. You’ve got to walk the line a little bit between career growth and family. Anne likes to look at it year-by-year instead of day-by-day. Education is highly important throughout your career. You need to educate yourself along with educating your team on the latest methods/processes/technologies. There are a lot of captives overseas. Why is that? Where can a younger professional learn more about captives? What advice would Anne give to her younger self?   Mentioned in This Episode: Hylant.com Anne on LinkedIn Iccie.org  

Michael Galea is a seasoned Senior Underwriter at GCube Insurance Services Inc., with a decade of experience specializing in offshore wind projects and other renewable energy initiatives worldwide. Michael delves into his journey into underwriting, the challenges and triumphs he has faced at GCube, and his approach to delivering difficult news to clients.   In the second half of the show, Peter Nadel joins the podcast as the Director of Member Relations and Marketing at Energy Insurance Mutual (EIM). On the show, Peter delves into his new role at EIM, the unique aspects of industry mutuals compared to other insurance models, and his seamless transition from Marsh to EIM while maintaining positive relationships.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Michael and the work that he’s doing at GCube Insurance. How did Michael get into underwriting? Michael shares a moment in his career at GCube that he’s really proud of. Michael offers tips for when you have to give bad news to a client. Give people bad news early and in person. Michael shares his focus on the renewable energy space in the upcoming years. A little bit about Peter and his work at EIM. What is an industry mutual and how is that different than other insurance mutuals? How did Peter get into insurance? Peter recently left Marsh, but yet he’s here at the Marsh’s Energy Conference with no bad blood. Peter explains why it’s important to communicate and be honest about your needs. What’s the difference between an industry captive vs. an industry mutual? Peter understands how much work goes behind this podcast and appreciates being on the show.   Mentioned in This Episode: Marsh.com GCube Insurance Michael on LinkedIn 2024 Energy Industry Conference Peter on LinkedIn Energy Insurance Mutual Limited  

Yan Veytsman is a Senior Account Executive at Marsh, specializing in risk management for large-scale projects, particularly within the renewable energy sector. Yan has successfully placed multiple construction and operational insurance policies for projects exceeding $100 million. His expertise shines in navigating the complex risks associated with natural catastrophes and developing innovative insurance solutions for the burgeoning renewable energy industry. In this episode, Yan discusses the intricacies of managing risks in the renewable energy sector, and why it’s slightly more difficult than traditional tried-and-true industries.   We also have Senior Vice President of Power & Renewables, Fred Wass, make a special guest appearance. Fred has been involved in the energy sector for the last 39 years and currently oversees Marsh’s Energy Practice. In his segment, he offers some insight into the energy sector as a relatively new insurance professional himself.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Yan and how he found his path in risk management. What interests Yan about renewable energy? Renewable energy is an industry that’s still developing, so Yan has some room to innovate and define a new model for how to run some of his accounts. Why can’t we use other models in different industries and put them in the renewable space? Why is it so different? With every single venture that Yan’s been involved in, he’s having to figure it out from scratch. There are too many variables to consider that don’t quite transfer over from the old tried-and-true models from well-established industries. How has the oil and gas industry been adapting to the renewable energy sector? Does it still make sense to invest in oil and gas? Katie introduces a new guest, Fred Wass. How did Fred get into this field and why has he stayed for the last 39 years? Fred developed power plants in Pakistan early in his career, but he fell into the insurance industry about 10 years ago. Fred believes it’s a lot easier today to talk to people within your industry and company than it was five years ago. Fred is excited for the future! There’s so much to do and there’s a lot more to come in the next 10 years.   Mentioned in This Episode: Marsh.com Yan on LinkedIn Fred on LinkedIn 2024 Energy Industry Conference  

Jen Aitchison is the President of Renewable Risk Consulting Inc. With over 15 years of dedicated experience, Jen has become an award-winning leader known for her deep understanding of renewable energy risks and her ability to create transparent, economically viable insurance solutions. In this episode, Jen delves into the nuances of renewable energy insurance and the importance of education and adaptation in the sector and she offers her unique perspective on the future of energy and insurance for those still in college.   Key Takeaways: This episode was recorded at Marsh’s 2024 North American Energy Industry Conference! A big shout out to Michael Kolodner and his amazing leadership. Everybody backs clean energy, but sometimes there is a sense of distrust about the “correct” way. Why is that? We will need all types of energy for us to succeed in making it renewable energy. Coal energy is dirty. We all agree it should be reduced, including the coal miners! But then it stops becoming a conversation of energy and a conversation of education and re-employment. The average person is not aware of how many different facets of insurance exist. People think insurance is repetitive and boring. We as an industry need to get better at showing interesting and live case studies. Pick whatever industry your children want to go into and there’s an insurance claim that needs to be filed or underwritten within that industry. If you’re looking for stable employment, the insurance industry will never go through a “recession.”  What advice does Jen give to younger college students who aren’t sure what they want to do with their life? Love sports? Love to travel? You can become an insurance underwriter for the sports industry. There are so many avenues you can go. Why is Jen so interested in sustainability? 16 years later, Jen still finds the work she does engaging, impactful, and important!   Mentioned in This Episode: Marsh.com Renewableriskconsulting.ca Jen on LinkedIn Marsh’s 2024 North American Energy Industry Conference   red.”

Join us as we sit down with Miles Braxton, the Director of Risk Management at Summit Ridge Energy, at the Energy Industry Conference in Houston, Texas. In this episode, Miles discusses the unique aspects of community solar, the importance of diversity in the clean energy industry, and his role in co-founding the Black Oak Collective.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Miles and his role at Summit Ridge Energy. What is community solar? It’s Miles’s mission to provide cheaper electricity directly to residents, especially in underserved communities. Miles always knew he wanted to get involved with energy. He credits his high-school math teacher for the inspiration. How did Miles transition from working on anaerobic digestion projects to focusing on solar energy? Miles decided to join Summit Ridge Energy for a more community-impactful role and he loved the company’s mission. What is the Society of Black Solar Professionals? What was the inspiration for co-founding the Black Oak Collective? Miles shares how he created strategic partnerships and relationships in his career and the impact of certain team members in propelling the Black Oak Collective. This generation is creating a shift in company culture because they are approaching careers from a passion-driven mindset. Miles shares the story behind his favorite colorful drink and the importance of shared experiences in building relationships. What is the Green Gateways program by Black Oak Collective?   Mentioned in This Episode: Srenergy.com Blackoakcollective.org Miles on LinkedIn 2024 Energy Industry Conference Thank you :D

Michael Kolodner is the Global Renewable Energy and US Power leader at Marsh. In this episode, Michael shares insights from Marsh’s 2024 North America Energy Industry Conference. He highlights the importance of creating a collaborative space for stakeholders across the energy sector. He emphasizes the critical talent gap in the industry, the innovative approach of bringing diverse voices together, and the future of clean energy sources like geothermal.   The episode also features a dynamic conversation with Elisa Cardenda and Andrea Yanez, two ambitious students from the University of Houston, who share their journey into the world of risk management and energy. They shed light on the evolving perceptions and opportunities within the industry from a young perspective.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Michael and his work at Marsh. Michael shares his approach to risk in the energy and power sector. When attending any industry conference, it’s important to facilitate meaningful dialogue without a sales agenda. What are Michael’s thoughts on talent acquisition and how to recruit new blood into the energy sector? Michael shares insights gained from attending and analyzing energy industry conferences globally, particularly in Dubai and Australia, and how it shapes his leadership style and vision. Michael admires how young professionals today seem to be more proactive than ever to advance their careers and seek support. This business is incredibly fun and rewarding; however, the majority of people just don’t know it exists. The barriers to entry into the risk industry are not that high. So many people have fallen into it and stayed. Law professionals aren’t able to say the same thing. Two undergraduates join the podcast to talk about their learning experience and journey into risk management. Elisa and Andrea share their initial misconceptions about the industry and how their exposure to the conference and educational programs changed their perceptions. What are Elisa and Andrea’s thoughts on the Middle East and how they manage their power sector? What makes energy so interesting and exciting for these two students? The discussion on the diversity of the energy sector, the various career paths within it, and the evolving landscape of opportunities is an incredibly exciting space to be in. There are no two days that are the same. You get to learn something new every day.   Mentioned in This Episode: Marsh.com Michael on LinkedIn 2024 Energy Industry Conference  

Join Sarah Sherman, Managing Director at NFP, as she dives into the intricate world of risk management within the fusion industry. This episode sheds light on the importance of working closely with clients, the requirements for industry-specific knowledge in managing risks, and the value of clear communication and honesty in building professional credibility. Sarah discusses her journey into risk and insurance, her pivotal role in The Wattles Fellowship, and her unique position in outsource risk management at Commonwealth Fusion Systems.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Sarah and her work at NFP. How did Sarah get into risk and insurance? How did Sarah first get involved with The Wattles Fellowship? Sarah explains her role as an outsource risk management in the fusion industry. Sarah shares why she feels very integrated at Commonwealth Fusion Systems, even though it’s a client of NFP. It’s quite common for the client or third-party company to want to continue working with an insurance provider and have them brought on full-time/in-house at their company. If you do a good job, people will want you, no matter what! How much do you need to know about fusion systems to accurately calculate and manage the risk? Sarah’s top industry secret is understanding who she needs to get involved in critical conversations early on. This way, her real risk expertise can shine through and the more senior fusion experts can provide guidance and support. Sarah breaks down how she thinks about risk and mitigates risk. Do not underestimate the power of picking up the phone and talking to people! Text and email are slow and can be misinterpreted. Don’t be afraid to say, “I Don’t Know.” It builds credibility as you seek to find the right and honest answer. Are there groups and communities for risk professionals within the fusion industry?   Mentioned in This Episode: Nfp.com Cfs.energy Wattlesfellowship.com Sarah on LinkedIn  

Scott Addis, the Founder of Beyond Insurance and a recognized innovator in the insurance industry, shares his multifaceted journey from sports psychology to becoming a key figure in risk management. In this episode, Scott delves into his unique approach to risk management, the importance of active listening and honest communication in understanding client needs, and he discusses his five-step risk management process. He also shares his method for becoming “rejection-proof” when building new relationships with prospects.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Scott and his role at Beyond Insurance. How did Scott go from Sports Psychology to Insurance? What is learned helplessness? Scott shares his five-step risk management process. When it comes to risk management, it helps to think about the process in medical terms. If a doctor tries to treat a patient without ever talking to them, or laying out a proper diagnostic/treatment plan, that would be called malpractice! People like to tell others what they think they want to hear. How does Scott get around that to hear the truth? It’s important to conduct employee interviews and take those honest findings back to management. Active listening is critical to fully understand the true problem at hand. What do you do when customers only care about price? Scott breaks down how to showcase your value without budging on the price point through his PRICE acronym. We’re living in a world with huge risk uncertainty. We need to band together and educate as many risk professionals as possible. Knowledge is power! No matter our industry, we can add so much value as risk professionals. Do not underestimate your knowledge and skill set. Scott shares a time he had to overcome an adversity/challenge in his career. Scott had to take a hard look at his flaws and figure out how to use them as strengths. Scott shares how he becomes “rejection-proof” by setting up prospect/sales calls with the right frame of mind. You have an obligation to yourself and your community to assess the degree of relationship with the agent or broker, and do they put value on how you create value? What advice does Scott have for people who are newly coming into the industry?   Mentioned in This Episode: Beyondinsurance.com Scott’s Bio Scott on LinkedIn  

Christopher Holmes, co-founder of RiskVersity, brings over 15 years of risk management expertise to the forefront of the insurance industry. In this episode, Christopher shares his journey from being an intern at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to becoming the CEO of RiskVersity, a company dedicated to changing the insurance landscape by creating opportunities for minorities. He discusses the unique challenges and progress in diversity within the industry, his commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, and his vision for the future.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Chris and his role at RiskVersity. How did Chris come up with the name RiskVersity? How did Chris get into insurance? It certainly wasn’t on his vision board! Chris recently went through a physical transformation and shares some of his secrets to keeping fit. Chris’s motivation to stay healthy stems from his son as well as his father, whom he lost when he was 13. When Chris got his start as an intern at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., what was that experience like? Chris didn’t want to make a bunch of money and just be miserable in his position. He needed joy and passion in whatever career field he was in. How did Chris transition to Wells Fargo? Chris was the Vice President of the Corporate Diversity board at Wells Fargo. Chris shares the type of conversations they were having back then. There’s been a lot of progress that’s been made in the last 15 years, and Chris educates his son on how much work and how far so many minorities have come. Chris gives an example that he heard about a lynching in 2002 near his hometown in South Carolina. There’s progress, but there’s still deep racism and we can’t forget that. Have things gotten better in the insurance industry when it comes to diversity and making it more friendly for future generations? It’s so hard to be yourself when you’re the only one in the room. You are very conscious about avoiding becoming a “beacon” of a certain stereotype. Chris is also a marriage counselor, what made him pursue this certification? If you really love your partner, you have to go to the gym to maintain a happy and healthy relationship. So many of us, though, don’t even know what types of weights to lift to achieve that. Chris talks about Legacy Investment Funds, an initiative that helps African Americans discover and pool their capital to reach better investment opportunities.   Mentioned in This Episode: Riskversity.com Chris on LinkedIn  

Jeff Gurtcheff is the Chief Claims Officer at CorVel and brings a unique blend of passion, collaboration, and extensive experience in worker’s compensation, liability, and property claims. In this episode, Jeff shares his insights on the evolving role of insurance adjusters, the importance of mentorship, and the art of reading policies and people. Jeff also discusses how his experiences in team sports have enriched his professional life in insurance.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Jeff and his role at CorVel. Jeff had no clue what an insurance adjuster did. He had to go to the library to look it up. Knowing what Jeff knows now, he shares what he’d do slightly differently before joining insurance. Prior to joining insurance, Jeff was a baseball player in college. Jeff feels so fortunate that he had great mentors during his diverse career in insurance. Although reading insurance policies is a big part of what an insurance adjuster does, the other side is the ability to read people. Through the lessons Jeff’s learned in baseball and team dynamics, it’s helped his career greatly in insurance and working with a wide range of people. Jeff has noticed common myths about the insurance industry are (thankfully) disappearing. In insurance, we really want to take care of our customers and the people we serve. How is Jeff thinking about AI and incorporating it into what he does today? Where can people go to learn more about AI? The world changes and so does technology. We shouldn’t be quick to discard something that’s up and coming. What kind of challenges or adversity has Jeff had to face, thus far? What advice would Jeff give to others looking to create a career in insurance? Jeff gives a shout-out to one of his mentors, Dave Kelly. What a wonderful and patient teacher!   Mentioned in This Episode: Corvel.com Jeff on LinkedIn    

Milton Stark is a seasoned professional with an impressive 52-year career spanning industrial, government, and commercial sectors. His expertise lies in a broad range of areas including management, operations, and safety. In this episode, Milton dives into his extensive career in nuclear energy and risk management, discussing the evolution of safety protocols since the 1970s and addressing public misconceptions, including the current concerns over tritium in drinking water.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Milton and his very extensive career in the nuclear energy space! How did Milton find his way through risk management? There’s almost no industry in the world that’s safer than nuclear power because it’s always on everyone’s top-of-mind. Milton had a great plan for his life, but as his grandmother used to say, “Life is what happens when you’re planning your life.” How has the approach to risk management changed in the nuclear space from when Milton started in the ’70s to now? Milton was born in ’47 and remembers a time when he and his classmates had to do nuclear war drills. He believes the nuclear industry could have done a better job in educating the public on its safety protocols. Milton shares a real-time example of how nuclear misinformation has caused panic and unnecessary evacuations. There are a lot of protests happening right now regarding tritium being mixed in drinking water. Milton explains the half-life of tritium and its true dangers. People forget that sunlight also has radiation. What’s one thing Milton wishes he’d learned sooner in his life?   Mentioned in This Episode: Miltonstark.com Milton on LinkedIn  

Richard Vinhais is the Chief Executive Officer at WAX, an insurance company that protects rare collectible items. Richard shares how you can insure half of a collectible item, what he looks forward to in the expansion of the business, and why it really takes an “insider” to truly understand the pain points collectors go through when it comes to insuring some of these precious items. Key Takeaways: A little bit about Richard and what he does for WAX. WAX is a much-needed service in the collector space because the everyday insurer doesn’t understand the true value of some of these unique collector items. Richard shares why some of these collectible items are so important for people like himself. How did Richard discover risk and insurance? Richard shares what it was like working at EY and why the experience was so diverse. A lot of times, Richard would work on a project for a few months before moving on to the next project. He loves the variety and being able to experience different industries during those 15 years. Did you know ticket stubs are very rare and collectible? Why did Richard take a chance and get into entrepreneurship? Richard wanted to push himself and try something new, exciting, and scary. How does Richard think about insurance within this collectible industry? Richard conducts focus groups to better understand what people truly care about. In Richard’s spare time, he likes creating art and giving it away to friends. What are some hot collectible items on the market right now?   Mentioned in This Episode: Wax.insure Richard on LinkedIn  

Sharon Fox is a Risk Management and Insurance Leader with more than 14 years of experience. Sharon got her foot in the door through Aon, a risk transfer solution for clients in the mining, power, and engineering sector before making her big jump into technology. In this episode, she describes why she made a conscious decision in getting her degree in insurance, as well as details her experiences as a woman in a very male-dominated field.  Key Takeaways: A little bit about Sharon and her work career. Why did Sharon decide to get a major in risk management?  Sharon has experienced a wide range of industries through the lens of insurance. How did she go from the mining sector into technology?  How difficult is it to ‘make it’ in the mining industry? Sharon believes no woman wants to be hired for a job just to fill in some ‘female quota’.  Good leaders need to be able to listen to diverse experiences and really listen to employees when they’re talking about mistreatment or prejudice, especially when they are the minority.  Sharon shares her thoughts about mines who have notoriously bad reputations for mistreatment of workers.  Sharon hates job interviews, so she decided to bridge connections no matter where she was so that she would never need to be ‘interviewed’ if she wanted a new position.  Sharon shares her experiences of what she learned as a principal consultant once she left Aon.  What does Trust Layer focus on and what do they do?  Insurance still believes blockchain gets a bad rep. It’s important to educate people on the many positive uses it can do.  What’s next for Sharon and her work in insurance? Mentioned in This Episode: Trustlayer.io Sharon on LinkedIn  

James Martin is the Global Enterprise Director and Head of Brokers at AXA Group. Currently based in London and working remotely in his position, James shares how he’s learned to embrace and be open about failure, why you have to focus on the relationships of this industry, and the importance of giving back to causes you deeply care about.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about James and his work career. What’s the transition from broker to carrier position been like? James encourages people to try different sides of their industry to see what they like or don’t like about the position. James is passionate about giving back and he talks about an important Children’s charity that he is a part of. Failures aren’t always failures. We should embrace the pitfalls because we quickly learn what didn’t work. There is nothing wrong with failure! James explains the art of underwriting and how it has to be a conversation, not just pure number crunches. James had the honor of meeting the Queen! He shares his story. What advice would James give his younger self?   Mentioned in This Episode: James on LinkedIn Raysofsunshine.org.uk  

Lori Seidenberg is a Director and Global Head of Infrastructure and Real Estate Insurance Risk Management for BlackRock, Inc. She has over 30 years of diversified experience in risk management and insurance. She also serves as a member of the board of directors at Spencer Educational Foundation, a project she is very passionate about. In this episode, your hosts and Lori sit down at the RIMS RISKWORLD conference in Atlanta to catch up and discuss what the future of the New York RIMS chapter looks like and Lori’s work with the younger generation at the Spencer Educational Foundation.   Key Takeaways: We are reported “live” from RIMS RISKWORLD.  It’s so nice to see everyone live and in person this year. The turnout is a lot greater than it was last year. Lori talks about her work and impact as a board member of the Spencer Educational Foundation. The new hires aren’t able to make deep connections within the organization because they simply haven’t been in the office. Lori has noticed that young professionals have grown up behind their computers, which means their in-person communication skills still have a bit of refining and improvement to go. RIMS is a volunteer society and Lori’s very proud of the Heart of RIMS Award that she won last year. As New York RIMS Chapter President, Lori gives a quick update on what’s happening in this chapter. Lori has noticed that the younger generation doesn’t always know what kinds of questions they should be asking or how to properly articulate them. It’s important to have new professionals feel comfortable enough to pull you aside and ask those messy questions. Staff budgets are being cut. Lori shares her predictions of what’s going to happen in the industry because of this. Lori understands that many insurance professionals are not good at selling their own unique value. Lori shares her final thoughts before she goes onto what trends she’s witnessing happen on the broker side of insurance.   Mentioned in This Episode: RISKWORLD 2023 Lori on LinkedIn  

Michael Kolodner is the Global Renewable Energy Leader at Marsh, where he leads an integrated team of more than 250 renewable energy specialists around the world. In this episode, he shares some exciting things that are happening within the renewable energy space, and why you have to assess risk differently in this industry. He also shares some stories of when he was living in a submarine while serving in the Navy.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Mike. What is renewable energy and what kind of risks does it have? Revenue models throughout the renewable energy space are a very diverse landscape that doesn’t fit a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Mike has joined Marsh three times. He explains why he had a shift in careers and the “gaps” in his Marsh career track. Fun fact: Mike is a fifth-generation broker! When Mike was in the Navy, he lived in a submarine. What was that experience like? What was the toughest part about being in a submarine for long periods? Mike shares the shift he had to make between working for the military vs. going into the civilian world. When Mike left Marsh to work for clients, what did he learn from the “outside world” that he was able to take back and incorporate back into Marsh? Risk management isn’t just about buying insurance. The biggest lesson Mike learned as an underwriter was how we think about the market: It’s very difficult and intermediaries tend to underestimate the complexities of this role. Nuclear energy is a very scary concept for a lot of people. There’s still a lot of distrust, but we need to lean into it if we want to make the environment a healthier place. Mike shares a bit of nuclear energy history and how the United States has been able to capitalize fully and become a powerful world leader because of it. What are some of Mike’s big goals right now within his role? Mike shares some exciting new things and objectives that are coming up at Marsh.   Mentioned in This Episode: Marsh.com Mike on LinkedIn  

Tyler Vaughan and Jasmine Klein join this episode to talk about what it’s like being young professionals in the risk and insurance industry. Tyler is a Business Analyst at Safelite Autoglass and Jasmine is an Assistant Vice President for the FINPRO department at Marsh. They share why they’re passionate about expanding the Global RIMS RRP Advisory Group and why it’s important to have a strong community of peers and like-minded professionals and they share their future dreams of where they’d like to grow into their roles. Key Takeaways: A little bit about Tyler and Jasmine. Why are Tyler and Jasmine so passionate about growing the RIMS RRP (Rising Risk Professional) network? After Tyler and Jasmine graduated college, they felt like there was a lack of community for their demographic to really network and grow within the risk and insurance industry. How did Tyler and Jasmine find themselves in insurance? What do Tyler and Jasmine look forward to the most when it comes to growing and expanding into their career? What's it like being an F45 Instructor? Jasmine shares her experience as an athletic trainer. How does RRP define its peer group and demographics? In insurance, you can get lost in the shuffle, so it’s important that you make an effort to connect with new people in your industry regularly. It’s on you to put yourself out there and build your network. There’s so much opportunity in this industry. You’re never going to be “stuck” in a boring place. How did Jasmine earn her insurance CPCU and ARM designations so quickly? What have been the biggest takeaways for both Tyler and Jasmine thus far in their careers?   Mentioned in This Episode: Safelite.com Marsh.com Tyler on LinkedIn Jasmine on LinkedIn  

Marianne Roth is the Chief Risk Officer at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and she is also the President of the Association for Federal Enterprise Risk Management (AFERM). In this episode, she explains how the government thinks and assesses risk on a national scale and how young professionals can get their foot in the door to make a difference within the government. Key Takeaways: A little bit about Marianna and her work at CFPB. How did Marianne discover risk management? As someone who once worked for TSA, Marianne has some wild stories! Someone once tried to sneak an alligator onto a plane. How does the government think about risk? Marianne shares how the TSA thought about risk and modified their security operations to better serve the people. What does it take to be a good risk manager at TSA? How does Marianna think about community and expanding her professional network? Marianna explains how you navigate different political parties and leadership objectives in her industry every 4 years. Marianna explains some of the strategies she’s incorporating to attract new talent. What’s next for Marianna? What advice would Marianna give her younger self? How is the federal government thinking about diversity and inclusion when it comes to the risk management space?   Mentioned in This Episode: Consumerfinance.gov Marianne on LinkedIn  

Carlos Dezayas is the Head of Risk Management at Kraft Heinz Company, a global food and beverage company. Carlos shares his unique experience in insurance and offers insight into what it means to manage risk on a global scale. He also shares the best ways young professionals can position themselves within the industry and shares his experience managing the intricate balance between insurance premiums and insurance risk. Key Takeaways: A little bit about Carlos and his work at Kraft Heinz. Why did Carlos decide to pick an out-of-state school to pursue risk management? There is so much opportunity in risk management and you don’t have to wait for management to get into a leadership role. It’s important to discern the main objective when it comes to risk management, is it to reduce insurance premiums or is it to reduce risk with a given budget? How does Carlos manage global risk? What makes a good partnership with an insurance broker? As someone who is the head of risk, what are some of the next steps in Carlos’s career? Communication is key in helping leadership understand what you want and your next steps. It’s important to be clear on your unique value proposition and what you bring to an organization. Where is the future of risk management headed? Carlos weighs in on his thoughts. The traditional insurance marketplace is slowly becoming outdated in its practices because it’s no longer meeting the average insurance buyer’s needs.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kraftheinzcompany.com Carlos on LinkedIn    

Bert Iams is the Senior Vice President of Government Contracting at Signal Mutual. As an underwriter, Bert is constantly fascinated by some of the contracts he’s had to assess risk and insurance coverage for. In this position, you never know what to expect and he shares insights on how he approaches his very diverse job in a systemized way. Find out how Bert insures some of the most dangerous jobs for our overseas contractors in this week’s episode.   Key Takeaways: What is the DBA (Defense Base Act)? What type of risk does Bert analyze and cover? Since overseas government contracting covers a wide array of different fields and niches, how does Bert systemize this process and provide fair coverage? A little bit about Bert and how he discovered the insurance industry. There are about five other companies that are writing DBA. Who is making the decision on what types of coverage to purchase? How does Bert underwrite for government contracts that have top-secret clearance? Bert loves this space because he gets to underwrite really interesting things and job positions every single day. Today’s students have a much better understanding of risk management than Bert did when he first entered the workforce. What does Bert like the most about his position? What makes a good broker in this space? Bert offers some advice for someone who is interested in joining the insurance field. What did Bert wish he’d learned sooner in his career? When you put effort into educating your team about the importance of safety, it really elevates the entire company experience.   Mentioned in This Episode: Signalmutual.com Robert on LinkedIn  

The admin of the Instagram profile, The Hard Market, gets interviewed on this week’s show. The Hard Market is a safe place for Insurance Professionals where there are memes, laughs, and very real moments that every insurance professional can relate to on the social media profile. In this episode, the anonymous admin lays out some hard truths about the job market today, what Millennials really think, and how our society’s coping mechanisms have been normalized and part of the status quo.   Key Takeaways: ●       We have multiple generations working under one insurance roof. ●       The younger generation is demanding way more. They know their loyalty doesn’t get rewarded. ●       The admin has been mentored very well by Boomers. They’re not always part of the problem. ●       Despite being in the industry for the last 15 years, the admin still feels like there’s so much more to go and is a bit frustrated by the state of it all. ●       The bulk of the money is made when you stay at one company for a while. ●       What should you do during pay review time? The admin shares their thoughts. ●       The admin was very surprised at first at how people found the content so relatable. ●       What are the hallmarks of a good risk manager? ●       How did the admin double their Instagram account? The admin talks about the real things. ●       The admin wants to create an anonymous survey that helps insurance professionals really understand what they’re worth in the marketplace. ●       If you don’t push for a raise, you will make $15‒20K less than you should. ●       What is the admin’s all-time favorite meme? ●       Despite the admin being in an entire suit of armor on this interview, your hosts encourage them to do public speaking. ●       The admin has been bullied by companies and other insurance professionals. It’s a tough world out there.   Mentioned in This Episode: The Hard Market on Instagram

Matt Sutika is the Chief Insurance Officer at Obie, an insurtech company that focuses on quick insurance quotes for multifamily rentals. Matt talks about how more professionals are entering the insurance industry with more intentionality than ever before, what it means to brokers when there are more insurance purchasing options available online, and why insurance tends to be a more stable industry than any other industry out there during recessions and bear markets.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Matt and the type of work he does. Where does the name Obie come from? You have to meet people where they’re at and then leverage technology to service them to bigger heights. Matt shares his thoughts on being around the “gold rush” of VC capital when they were heavily investing in insurtech a few years ago. Matt talks about his biggest hero; his father. For the longest time, insurance used to be a fallback for so many people, but this is not the case today. The great thing about insurance is that it always renews and people have to have it. You can build a lot in a bear market in insurance. Market uncertainty doesn’t seem to affect insurance as badly compared to other industries. Will the need for insurance brokers go extinct as more people purchase online? A lot of brokers were limited by their own state. This is no longer the case. What percentage of Matt’s business involves Airbnb rentals? What are some best practices to insure a rental property? A lot of businesses unfortunately have to make that tough decision between what they can cover vs. what they can afford. Matt doesn’t believe in insurance scare tactics. It’s about sitting down and asking honest questions. Matt isn’t the best when it comes to reading full-fledged books, but he loves the Blinkist app.   Mentioned in This Episode: Obieinsurance.com Matt on LinkedIn  

Tanner Hackett is the CEO of Counterpart, a management and professional liability insurance company. As a relatively new insurance nerd, Tanner is fascinated by this industry despite only being in this space for about three years. Through his work in Southeast Asia, Tanner is bringing some of the concepts he’s learned overseas and applying them back on U.S. soil. Find out more about Tanner and the work he’s doing in Insurtech in this week’s episode.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Tanner and his company, Counterpart. As a serial entrepreneur, this is the most interesting company Tanner has started. There is so much to learn about insurance and it affects all aspects of our lives. Nobody really wants to talk about the vital importance of insurance. If you ever go into bankruptcy, insurance can help protect your personal assets. What is social inflation vs. legal system abuse? When it comes to liability claims, where is the money really going? It's going to the lawyers, not the people. What are Tanner’s thoughts on pursuing a higher level of education? Business owners are often thinking in quarters, not two to three years out from now. This makes it difficult sometimes to justify the ROI on HR software. Nine out of 10 insurers are looking at how they can buy risk mitigation services on top of their insurance. Insurers have the ability to offer preventive measures to their clients and lessen the risk burden of their clients. How did Tanner go from New York to living in Malaysia to start a company? Insurance is really hard to do and build. There are so many institutions to consider, but the work Tanner did in Asia was eye-opening. Insurance is so nuanced and specific that it is critical to have a robust software program that can handle the subtle differences that insurance has to offer. People want more options, they want things faster, and they want things cheaper. This philosophy is only going to grow in intensity over the next coming years. Can we all just get rid of certificates of insurance already?   Mentioned in This Episode: Yourcounterpart.com Tanner on LinkedIn    

Jason Disborough is the Chief Commercial Officer for Enterprise & CEO — Multinational Clients at Aon. Jason shares what interested him in pursuing a degree in math and why he picked the insurance industry. In this episode, you’ll learn how he was able to sell his consulting business to Aon over 20 years ago and still continue to work for the company. He also shares some key learnings he’s had throughout his time at Aon and his 30-plus years of experience in insurance.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Jason and the work he currently does for Aon. How did Jason get his mathematics degree? Why didn’t Jason take the Actuary route? Jason started his own consulting company, which was later acquired by Aon; how did that journey start? When Jason started working at Aon again, he felt right at home. What did Jason learn about working with a larger corporation? Business development gives you a big skills boost because you’re working with so many different teams. Jason spent four years in London working in a global role; what were some of the things he learned while there? It was a dream come true for Jason to spend so much time with the Manchester United soccer team. Fun fact: Jason is not a good golfer. Jason is a marathon runner and shares some proud highlights he’s experienced. Why does Jason start his morning with a meditation practice? The winning process starts many, many years before the actual “goal.” You can do the impossible and achieve something that no one else could just by consistent action. How do you learn from your mistakes? Don’t get furious, get curious. Jason believes in relationship equity. It comes down to being a good mentor and having the goodwill to help others. Insurance talks to all industries so that they can help solve problems in all these industries. You become a much more interesting person because of this deep and vast understanding. What does Jason wish he’d learned sooner in his career?   Mentioned in This Episode: Aon.com/home Jason on LinkedIn  

Tabitha Richardson is the National Learning & Development Manager for Business Insurance at Marsh McLennan Agency. Tabitha shares her experience as an insurance professional and her deep involvement in diversity. She talks about the talent gap, what the new generation currently is looking for in the workforce, and so much more. Find out more about the exciting new developments happening in insurance in this week’s episode!   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Tabitha and her work as a Learning and Development Manager. Tabitha majored in psychology; how has that helped her throughout her career? In having a conversation with a car salesman, he said insurance people were worse than people in his industry! There’s a huge negative perception of insurance. The insurance industry has a huge talent gap and people are retiring out. The new generation’s needs are much more different than the baby boomer generation. The new generation knows they’ve got options and aren’t afraid to use them. Why does the state of Florida have the most litigation claims? Our younger generation is very connected to their community and they want to do good for their people. Tabitha talks about the allyship that she’s part of at MMA. Unfortunately, some people just don’t fully understand the benefits of D&I. There are gaps in black and brown senior leadership. What are some of Tabitha’s roles and responsibilities? When you chase approval, you chase perfectionism.   Mentioned in This Episode: Marshmma.com/us Tabitha on LinkedIn The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown  

Nathan Logan is the Risk Management Expertise Specialist at Amerisure Insurance. In his extensive career, Nathan has worked up the ranks in risk and insurance and shares some of his thoughts and processes around his work and the industry. Nathan believes that starting with a relationship-first approach in this career is one of the best ways not only to build trust but also to get the job done in an effective way. Find out more about Nathan and his love for his work in this week’s episode!   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Nathan and his role at Amerisure. Are there any benefits to doing the underwriting process virtually vs. in person? What are some of the difficulties of doing a claim virtually? A big piece of what Nathan does is building relationships and building trust with his providers. What does Amerisure do? In a role like Nathan’s, how transferable are his skill sets to other positions? Nathan talks about the Myers-Briggs profiles. Nathan shares what the transition has been like, moving from South Caroline to Indiana. Nathan received his Master’s in Risk and Insurance. What was that experience like? What have been some of Nathan’s strategies to further his knowledge and career? What advice would Nathan give his younger self? What is Nathan currently reading?   Mentioned in This Episode: Amerisure.com Leading Without Authority: How the New Power of Co-Elevation Can Break Down Silos, Transform Teams, and Reinvent Collaboration, by Keith Ferrazzi    

Jen Blair is the Global Risk and Insurance Manager at Bose. Jen started her career as a Financial Analyst and did not expect to be thrown into the world of insurance. However, seven years later and she’s still fascinated by what the field can offer. Every day there’s something new and in this week’s episode, Jen talks about how she thinks about risk in the electronic space, what happens when they’re knockoff products, and her experience getting her Master’s degree in Risk and Insurance.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Jen and her role at Bose. When Bose was going through a reorg, Jen originally was not interested in the position. Jen doesn’t have any insurance employees but has credit risk employees. How is her department structured? When Jen took on risk management, what surprised her most about the insurance industry? A good risk manager really has to be connected to every aspect of the business. How has Jen’s role evolved over the years? How does Jen think about risk when it comes to electronic product dupes or knockoffs? Jen explains how she navigates losses in the company. What was Jen’s experience getting a Master’s degree in Risk and Insurance? What advice does Jen have for a young risk manager? How can you stand out as a broker or a consultant? What piece of advice would Jen give her younger self?   Mentioned in This Episode: Bose.com Jen on LinkedIn

Michal Gnatek is the Department Head of the Enterprise Risk Management program at The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates multiple Federally Funded Research & Development Centers. In this episode, Michal talks about the dynamic group of people he gets to work with across a wide variety of sectors, why this field is such a fascinating space to be in, and the power of networking in this industry.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Michal and his work at MITRE. Because a lot of the work MITRE does is for the federal government, traditional risk models don’t necessarily apply at Michal’s company. MITRE manages risks in some big sectors like cybersecurity, aviation, data integrity, and healthcare security. Is it a challenge to talk to different industrial sectors about risk? Michal sometimes has to ask his industry expert to dumb it down so that he can figure out the true risk. How did Michal get his start in insurance? Insurance is never really going to go away. However, the past two years really have shown that risk management is part of our daily lives. Michal took a big risk in his career by switching to a startup. What was that transition like? How does a non-compete work when you’re switching to a new insurance broker? Michal is grateful for the past opportunities he’s had because they’ve prepared him to be a better risk manager than ever before. If you really want to excel in your career, get good at networking and connecting people to other people. Is Michal ever tempted to go back to the broker side? When you connect the dots through people, really unique opportunities begin to show. Risk management is a far more interesting industry than people give us credit for. Michal loves staying active and has a passion for biking to keep himself healthy.   Mentioned in This Episode: Mitre.org Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear  

Emily Bloedel is Manager, Contracts and Legal Affairs lawyer at Merrick & Company. Emily has been with her firm for seven years and has learned a thing or two about risk management during that time. There are so many exciting opportunities out there for young professionals and Emily shares a bit of her experience as a lawyer in the space. It can take time to really understand the vast opportunities available to you, but this rapidly growing industry has a lot to offer.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Emily and the work that she’s doing with Merrick & Company How did Emily learn Japanese? Emily was in her early 20s and was faced with a career and educational pivot. What was Emily’s first experience at law school like? Is there a difference in personality types between a litigator and a risk manager? Emily loves that there is a risk management podcast out that she can showcase to new risk management professionals and students! Emily shares some learnings and mistakes she had made in her career. It’s important to remember mistakes happen. Just own up to it! What advice would Emily give to her younger self? Emily wished she was more herself and less “stiff” as a professional. It can be really intimidating to be in a room with a lot of smart and senior people. Emily discusses what it’s like being in a male-dominated field. Insurance is a people industry and everyone in her field has made an effort to get to know her.   Mentioned in This Episode: Merrick.com Emily on LinkedIn    

Courtney Davis Curtis is the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management and Resilience Planning at the University of Chicago. She was also named RIMS Risk Manager of the Year 2022, 2020 Business Insurance Women to Watch, 2017 Business Insurance Break Out, and received the 2015 Risk & Insurance Power Broker award. In this episode, Courtney shares her journey as an insurance professional, what a risk manager has to think about when there’s a university under their care, and her next steps as a seasoned insurance and risk professional.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Courtney and her role at the University of Chicago. When COVID-19 first hit, what was Courtney’s approach to keeping her students safe? How did Courtney find herself in insurance? Higher education institutions can end up being the highest employer in a city. If you think about it, they’re like mini-cities in themselves. Protesting can be part of a university’s culture. How does a risk manager think about protests in terms of risks? When it comes to risk managers, the answer is often “no” when you want to do something new. However, it’s important to work with partners to get to a “yes.” Everything we do has an inherent risk to it. Why is Courtney so passionate about the insurance industry? Has Courtney ever thought about going back to being a broker? Courtney recommends really diving deep into a topic and getting your hands dirty so that you can shorten the gap and become an expert in that field quicker. How important are CPCU certifications and what has Courtney’s experience been like so far with it? Is the insurance industry still a male-dominated field? Mentorship and support are critical pieces of getting more diversity into the insurance space. What do younger generations need to be mindful of? Courtney won the risk manager of the year award. What was that like? What’s next for Courtney? What gets her the most excited?   Mentioned in This Episode: Urmia.org Courtney on LinkedIn White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color, by Ruby Hamad  

Lorena Torres is the Director of Risk at Clearway Energy Group. She’s been a Risk Manager for the last seven years and has seen a lot of growth in the industry during this time. When Lorena first started her career, she had accidentally stumbled on it, and has found it exciting and engaging ever since. In this episode, Lorena talks about renewable energy, political science, and the very few Latinas in the industry.    Key Takeaways: A little bit about Lorena and how she found risk management.  What is ESG and why is this incentive so important for companies and people?  We need people to feel passionate and engaged when it comes to renewable energy.  What do people need to think about when it comes to solar and its risks?  There are smart partnerships happening with farm animals and solar panels. The batteries that store the extra solar energy are always a concern and a risk.  People are still trying to figure out the battery problem in solar.  How has diversity and inclusion changed over Lorena’s career?  Lorena is a Latina risk manager and shares her thoughts on how to attract more Latinas in the space. People of color internalize the requirements of a job description with a lot more gravity. They really want to make sure they fit the bill before applying.  Lorena founded an organization called Mujeres Ayudando La Raza and explains why this movement is important to her.    Mentioned in This Episode: Clearwayenergygroup.com Lorena on LinkedIn Mujeres1990.weebly.com/about.html   Tweetables:   “With the crisis in the Ukraine, energy, and our gas prices going up, I feel more and more passionate about how we need to find solutions sooner rather than later regarding renewable energy.”   “A small town had actually banned solar from the community being sold into homes because, they believed, solar was taking energy away from the sun.”   “The amount of sun that is generated is only so many in a day, so how do you capture that energy when it might be underutilized? You want to make sure you’re storing it [correctly].”

Lori is a Director and Global Head of Real Assets Insurance Risk Management for BlackRock, Inc. She has over 30 years of diversified experience in risk management and insurance. Lori won the Heart of RIMS Award earlier this year which recognizes the impactful volunteer work she had made at her New York chapter. In this episode, Lori catches up and shares some exciting things happening in the world of insurance!   Key Takeaways: Lori knows this is a relationship business and everybody has really missed each other since the pandemic! Lori is a recipient of the Heart of RIMS Award. What’s it like to be recognized in this way? Lori really didn’t expect to win the reward and it’s been such a huge honor to volunteer at RIMS and get the backing of her peers on this. For Lori, it’s been really motivating to see the influence and inspiration her career has sparked in others. Lori feels good going to bed at night. There’s a lot of bad publicity in the insurance industry. However, there are so many good people behind that bad publicity that work really, really hard. The next generation really needs more support. Lori explains why. Lori is so excited to mentor the newer generation and to see how enthusiastic they are for the future. Sometimes you just have to have the difficult conversation so that you can build mutual respect for one another. Lori shares a fangirl moment she had with the Steve Miller band. Lori is excited to have an in-person event happening at her chapter for the first time this year!   Mentioned in This Episode: Blackrock.com Lori on LinkedIn Rims.org/about-us/rims-2022-awards-winners    

Vitaly Pisetsky is the Underwriting Manager and Head of Executive Liability at Energy Insurance Mutual, a company for which he’s worked for slightly over seven years. Vitaly offers insight into what he does at EIM, how he thinks about executive liability, where the future of the insurance industry is headed, and how to proactively manage different risks as an underwriter.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Vitaly and the type of work he does at EIM. Fun fact that Vitaly used to be on the Russian soccer team! Vitaly shares what it was like migrating to the United States as a teenager. Vitaly talks about his love for sports and transitioning from playing soccer to American football. It’s important that with anything you do, you give effort with results. Vitaly learned a lot of important sports lessons and has transferred some of those skills into the way he shows up in the insurance industry today. How did Vitaly get his start in the insurance industry? When it comes to executive liability, what are some of the things Vitaly has to think about? Is underwriting reactive or is there an art to staying ahead of the curve? If you’re struggling with understanding underwriting, Vitaly says keep at it, it all clicks into place after two to three years. If you find yourself making a mistake, own up to it. Everyone makes mistakes. You make things worse if you try to hide them. What is Vitaly currently reading about or inspired by?   Mentioned in This Episode: Eimltd.com Vitaly on LinkedIn  

Robert Cartwright Jr. is the Division Manager for Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability and the former President and Board of Directors at RIMS. Robert has seen a lot of growth after being in the industry for over 25 years and shares some of the rapid improvements the insurance industry has undergone since he’s been in the field. Everything from being a more welcoming, and diverse, place to work, how he used his work ethic to shine through, and what young professionals can look forward to in the insurance space today.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Robert and how he got into risk management. Robert has been at Bridgestone for over 25 years and has seen a lot of promotions and changes since then. As a minority, Robert has seen his fair share of challenges and the lack of diversity in the space didn’t help. Robert has seen this space completely open up and make diversity a priority. It’s blown him away. It’s a great time to join! Robert grew rapidly in his career field; what made him so successful early on? Whenever someone asked Robert to do something, he always wanted to know why. When Robert understood the reason, he was able to be an advocate for the new solution and get more people behind the change. What did it mean to be a black professional 25-plus years ago in health and safety? Diversify was always talked about, even back 20 years ago, but it was always just a noun with no action plan. Today it’s much different. The people in power are the only ones who can make the change. The next generation wants a diverse workforce. Nobody walks on water, but when you’re being second-guessed, you do have to be conscious of the details. Robert was the first black president to serve on the RIMS organization and it was a huge honor and opportunity. Ships are safer in the harbor but that’s not what they’re built for. What advice would Robert give his younger self?   Mentioned in This Episode: Bridgestone.com Robert on LinkedIn  

Lars Bille is the Executive Vice President of DSV, a Danish transport and logistics company. Prior to his role as Executive Vice President, he was the Director of Group Insurance & Group Procurement at DSV. Lars shares his extensive knowledge in this field and how he views insurance from a global perspective. With an underwriter background, Lars feels like this knowledge has helped shape him into a more holistic leader that’s well-prepared for different and unknown risks. Find out more about Lars’s story in this week’s episode!   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Lars and what he does for DSV. Growing up, Lars wanted to be a police officer! He shares his story of how he got into insurance. Lars believes his experience as an underwriter has really shaped him into the leader he is today. When Lars started his career, global insurance was still not as widely known or used. Today, many young professionals are versed in this. What was Lars’s experience working for the Lego group? One of the nice perks of working at Lego is that Lars got to see his children play with legos, and they always had an unlimited supply. What makes Lars so successful in his line of work? He shares some of his strengths as a leader. The transportation market share is very fragmented. There isn’t an Amazon or Google that dominates this sector of the market, which means there’s a lot of room for growth. Supply chain is a real issue and these are challenges that still have no solution. How does Lars relax during his time off? Lars loves to take the time to run as it clears his head and gets the blood flowing. What lessons does Lars wish he’d learned sooner in his career? Lars offers advice on how to get young people interested in insurance and its growing industry.   Mentioned in This Episode: Dsv.com Lars on LinkedIn  

During the worst of the pandemic, SEPTA’s Rick Graham saw a drastic decline in ridership due to closures and people working from home. As the Chief Risk Officer for the sixth-largest public transit system in the U.S., Rick needed to take special care in assessing the risks and loss of revenue to his organization. During today’s informative interview, Rick offers advice to risk management professionals who are new to the game and those looking to enhance their careers. He also conveys the importance of understanding the culture and communication style of an organization and how risk professionals can develop cross-functional relationships with other departments for the benefit of all.   Key Takeaways: Rick has been the Chief Risk Officer of SEPTA for eight years. SEPTA is the sixth-largest public transit system in the U.S. Philadelphia has a large education and medical economy. Starting as a junior in high school, Rick left the volunteer fire department as an Assistant Chief. As an undergrad, Rick had part-time work performing underwriting tasks. Rick compares time in a career to tomatoes on the vine. Risk is risk. Risk managers must prepare for anything, like a pandemic. If you risk nothing, you get nothing. Advice for developing cross-functional relationships with other departments. How to measure an organization to check its tolerance for change. Rick explains how his group interacts with government affairs and utilizes public funds. Risk managers can help their clients get to yes. Rick has a hockey mask that makes risk management relatable. It’s key to understand the culture of an organization and how it communicates. What to look for in a broker or risk consultant. The book Band of Brothers offers examples of great and poor leadership qualities.     Mentioned in This Episode: Band of Brothers, by Stephen E. Ambrose  

Starting a second career in Risk Management is not the expected path of a former producer of Talk Radio shows. But for Steve Pottle of Thompson Rivers University, it makes perfect sense. During his conversation with Katie and Hunter at The World of Risk, Steve offers the inside scoop about working as the Director of Risk Management in higher education. The cool parts, the difficult parts, and how a degree in communications gives him a leg up when offering solutions to a university’s Board of Directors.   Key Takeaways: The Director of Risk Management Services is responsible for wearing many hats at TRU. The TRU campus was in peril due to the wildfires of August 2021. While there were interface plans in place, the fires of 2021 offered lessons in risk management and mitigation. Steve worked in talk radio before slipping into his second career, Risk Management. The Ontario chapter of RIMS fostered Steve’s career development. Steve shares how his communications degree helps him in risk management. Working in higher education has a lot of structure and challenges. The attributes that make a good risk manager. Enterprise Risk Strategies of a university is cool but a multifaceted endeavor. Risk management is industry agnostic. Steve would insist his younger self enjoy each moment.     Mentioned in This Episode: A Promised Land, by Barack Obama  

In addition to being a ski bum and bartender, Joe Meaney was the first Insurance and Risk Manager at three different companies. Currently, Joe serves as the Global Insurance and Risk Manager at AES. During this conversation, Joe reveals the importance of a good risk engineer, the dark role Risk Managers must play while creating value for a company, the art of hiring, and the beautiful secret of the strange world of risk and insurance.   Key Takeaways: Joe was the very first insurance and risk manager at three different companies, including AES. RIMS has been there for Joe several times as a network of knowledgeable people. Even though every company was different, he learned invaluable skills in every position he held. Joe hired Katie based on a gut feeling. He taught her to take risks. Joe says America’s willingness to take risks is what has made it great. A business should consider a risk management team long before it believes it needs to. Joe offers tips for those starting to build a risk management team. When Joe first started with AES they did not have a focus on risk engineering. Joe includes a Mark Twain quote with every email he sends. Joe considers himself an outlier, living in a world much like The Matrix. The insult Joe is most proud of is when someone called him emotional. Joe details the role of a Risk Manager. Joe believes the most brilliant ideas come when a team is talking after hours. If Joe could give his former self one piece of advice it would be to take more risks.   Mentioned in This Episode: The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, by Stephen M. R. Covey    

It’s hard to believe that today’s guest, Christy Kaufman, used to underestimate her abilities. She currently serves as the VP of Risk Management at Zillow, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and serves as a board member of RIMS. She even shares her passion for insurance and risk management at the dinner table. During this clever interview, Christy discusses the benefits and challenges of transitioning from one career to another, how she found her voice to become a public speaker, and the innovative new projects she hopes to bring to fruition.   Key Takeaways: Before Zillow, Christy worked as a risk manager for a venture capital fund that invests in startups and obtained extensive knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management at Ernst & Young. Following in the footsteps of one of her mentors, Christy sought out a degree in Risk Management. The challenges Christy faced when transitioning from Consultant to Risk Manager. Fun fact: SNL did a skit on the number of people who spend hours upon hours on Zillow. 200 million users peruse Zillow every month. Regulated versus unregulated responsibilities are vastly different. Christy shares the risks associated with a data-based business dealing in uncharted territory. Christy teaches a risk management course at her alma mater the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Survey says brokers party harder than risk managers at RIMS. Christy would like to develop a customer experience around homeowners’ and renter’s insurance that people don’t hate. The Badgers may be better at risk management than they are at basketball. Christy was shy about her qualifications when she first graduated college. Christy does a performance review about the podcast.   Mentioned in This Episode: Blinkist App  

Besides making a mean Manhattan, Rich Johanson is the bilingual Director of Risk Management for a Fortune 100 Defense Contractor. He was introduced to the insurance and risk management industry a short 24 years ago at 24 Hour Fitness. In today’s episode, Rich offers tips for those who desire a career in Risk Management, what to expect when building partnerships in the industry, what to consider when creating risk profiles for innovative new products and services, and why successful risk managers leave the decision-making to others within the organization.   Key Takeaways: Rich describes what led up to him becoming a Director of Risk Management for a defense contractor. Rich would probably enjoy the show Heist based on his time in Spain. Working for 24 Hour Fitness on general liability and workers comp claims gave Rich his first taste of risk management. How Rich transitioned from a privately-held fitness company to a publicly-traded Fortune 500 defense contractor. Having a mentor early in his career helped Rich understand the context of Risk Management and the role of a Risk Manager. Risk Managers understand all the implications of the decisions others make. How being bilingual helps Rich in his role. Rich attributes having a strong background in claims for his successful career in Risk Management. How Rich conceptualizes the risk associated with a brand new product. Spending time with his wife is how Rich prefers to spend his time outside of the office. Rich refers to his whisky collection as aggressive. It is important to understand where your assets, tools, and resources are in your organization. What to consider and expect when brokering a relationship with a partner. Advice for students interested in a career in Risk Management.   Mentioned in This Episode: Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice, by Adam Makos  

Ward Ching is a Managing Director for Aon Global Risk Consulting as well as an Adjunct Professor for USC Marshall School of Business. He is primarily responsible for Captive and Insurance Management Services, Domicile Management, and supporting a variety of Aon’s Management Consulting Services to clients. In this episode, Ward shares what students should focus on today to better equip themselves from the unknown future, how risk is different today, and so much more.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Ward and his work in insurance. How does risk management differ when working at an intentional level? Ward is always inspired by the work and passion his students bring to class. The talent is getting better. The kinds of questions clients are asking today are different. They’re more focused on the day-to-day discussions. Underwriting is not an easy world today, but Ward encourages his students to get a risk management internship and understand all aspects of risk. It will serve them greatly in business. How did Ward fall into insurance and why is he so passionate about it today? Ward wasn’t expecting to be in insurance, but he ended up staying in his first risk management position for nine years. It was exciting. Ward got to see his working plan implemented in a $44 billion company. He saw the direct impact he had on an organization. Ward shares some of his pros and cons. Impatience can sometimes be a virtue, but you need balance. Fun fact, Ward knows how to play the ukulele! Ward shares some fond memories of Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture. Ward talks about Aon’s apprentice program and some of its benefits. Ward talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion and why it matters.   Mentioned in This Episode: Theinstitutes.org Marshall.usc.edu/personnel/ward-ching  

Amanda Chittenden is the Director of Risk and Insurance Management at Laureate International Universities and has been working with them for over ten years. In this episode, Amanda talks about the different risk management models around education and the impact of the pandemic on them. As a leading risk manager, she shares her passion for artistic activity and how she is able to inspire others through creativity.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Amanda and her role at Laureate. Amanda went to art school for her undergrad and wanted to be a teacher. She shares how she shifted towards risk management. Most people in the risk and insurance industry have unusual backgrounds and Amanda finds it fascinating how younger generations are realizing that it is a viable career. Amanda shares some of the intricacies of risk management and how risk managers can add value. She also talks about how she got a more in-depth understanding of different cultures through her role without having to travel. Amanda provides an example of Laureate’s risk management model through their green space project in Australia. Amanda shares what she learned by going through Laureate’s risk management model. Depending on the different regions where you’re functioning, considerations can be really different. Amanda shares another example where she worked on a bank account reconciliation project in Mexico. What are the liabilities and exposures created by the pandemic to education in general? Amanda shares their struggles with nursing and medical students in ensuring their safety in their chosen field of study. She also shares the different criteria of facilities they look into when they reopen schools again. Does Amanda think online learning will be a growing trend in the future? Amanda also shares her thoughts on the metaverse as a learning vehicle for her child. During the pandemic, Amanda started her own side hustle. She talks about the reason why she started it. Amanda isn’t interested in insuring high-end artwork. She shares her reasons. Losing Amanda’s parents motivated her to overcome her fears and pursue what she really wants to do. Amanda learned to just do it, prepare herself to fail, learn from the experience, and just love that process.   Mentioned in This Episode: Theinstitutes.org Shop.amandatoryactivity.com Amanda on Instagram Amanda on Facebook Amanda on YouTube Amanda on LinkedIn

Lori Seidenberg is the Global Director of Real Assets Insurance at BlackRock, Inc. and has over 30 years of experience in the risk management and insurance space. For five years, Lori also worked in the entertainment industry as an Insurance Claims Manager. In this episode, Lori shares what it was like working for the entertainment industry and how to increase interest and diversity in the workplace, and provides helpful networking tips at the end to help new professionals get ahead.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Lori and her role at BlackRock. Lori got started at AllState and fell in love with the insurance industry. How does BlackRock see risk? Lori learned a lesson early on that you have to look at the written documentation as your source of truth, and not necessarily people’s language or interpretation of insurance policies. Insurance policies are black and white. They’re not as scary as you might think. Lori shares what her experience was like working in insurance within the entertainment industry. Confidentiality is key when working with high-profile celebrities. When a celebrity is a real jerk, it really changes your perspective over them as an actor. Lori has been in the industry for over 30 years and has seen a wide range of changes to the industry. Women had a stricter dress code back then. However, it can be discouraging to see that the insurance industry is still heavily male-dominated. What can the insurance industry do to increase diversity? When you have three different generations working under the same roof, you get a wide range of perspectives that make it a better place to work. Lori shares what makes her slightly different in the industry. Lori says if women want to get ahead, learn how to play golf. She explains why it’s important.   Mentioned in This Episode: Theinstitutes.org Blackrock.com Lori on LinkedIn  

Kevin Bates joined Leadlease in 2004 and currently serves as Group Head of Risk and Insurance. After making a transition as a corporate finance lawyer into risk management, Kevin has enjoyed every step of the way within this engaging industry. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on the industry as a whole, how to bring diversity into the field, and the fact the industry is not innovating fast enough with the ever-evolving markets.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Kevin and what he does at LendLease. Kevin explains his role in risk management and how he serves his clients. Kevin shares some common misconceptions people might have about his field. It’s important that you put the time in to connect with others in the industry. These people will be your peers for the next 20‒30 years. Kevin reflects on the types of mentors he’s had over the years that helped him grow. What makes a good mentor? Men and women apply for jobs differently. If you want diversity, you have to understand these nuances. Why has Kevin stayed in risk management for as long as he has? Risk management is not innovating fast enough compared to other industries. We’re lagging behind. No matter what, you have to enjoy what you’re doing. What does Kevin wish he’d learned sooner in his career? Kevin shares what he’s currently reading! Remember, relationships are key to any successful career growth.   Mentioned in This Episode: Theinstitutes.org Lendlease.com Kevin on LinkedIn Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable, by Tim S. Grover Black Box Thinking: Why Most People Never Learn from Their Mistakes — But Some Do, by Matthew Syed  

Andrew Bent is the Senior Risk and Insurance Manager at Gopuff. Andrew’s extensive experience has led him to work internationally as a risk insurance professional and in this episode, he shares his unique knowledge about risk insurance. You’ll learn what it takes to be a risk insurance professional in this growing landscape, the value of industry disruption, and also Andrew’s process on how to collaborate and be a helpful insurance partner within an organization.    Key Takeaways: How did Andrew get into risk management?  Andrew’s extensive expertise abroad has led him to see different cultural perspectives as it relates to risk insurance. Andrew compares New Zealand, Canada, and the United States risk insurance policies.  Good risk management really is just good organizational management at the heart of it.  What value does insurance bring to an organization?  What’s a career lesson Andrew has adopted overtime in the risk industry? Focus to your best ability on the things you can control!  How does Andrew approach collaboration within an organization so that risk management has a seat at the table?  What are some of the biggest mistakes Andrew sees some of his clients make?  Insurance is a game of trust. If people don’t trust the insurers to pay, they shouldn’t be working with them.  As insurance professionals, you have an obligation to be current and relevant. If you’re unable to do that, then the industry will very quickly become disrupted.  Andrew talks about what he disagrees with in the insurance industry.  What advice would Andrew give his former self?  It’s not about the result, it’s about the recovery.  What is Andrew currently reading?  Insurance professionals need to tell a story on how important and valuable risk management is for people to fully understand it.  We need to begin to disrupt cliche views of what risk insurance is.    Mentioned in This Episode: Theinstitutes.org Gopuff.com/go Andrew on LinkedIn  

The Voices of Risk Management is the premier podcast that gives listeners a 30 minute peek into the minds of Risk and Insurance leaders. Every episode, a new guest will be telling their stories of heroics, hard conversations, and just dumb luck. Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of risk management!