Meet the Strategic Planning Board: Walter Davenport II
Hey there, curious minds! Step into the world of RISE’s Strategic Planning Board, where strategy meets personality. These movers and shakers are the architects behind our big-picture goals, collaborating with our leadership and Advisory Board. But this isn’t your typical spotlight series—it’s a backstage pass to uncovering what drives them beyond the boardroom. Think aspirations, hobbies, and what keeps them jazzed about the future of RISE. This series isn’t just about their roles; it’s about weaving together the stories of high achievers who are crafting a roadmap for RISE’s success. So, grab a seat and get ready to dive into the personalities shaping RISE, one interview at a time.
Meet Walter Davenport II, Head of Process Coordination & Strategic Data Anayltics at Allianz
Q: What is one piece of advice for young professionals in the insurance industry?
A: Get involved early and often on as many different projects you can. Exposing yourself to diverse career experiences expedites the process of discovering both your likes and dislikes which enables you to select/craft roles that align with your skills and interests.
Unlike school which has a prescribed path for next steps, you have to intentionally build the career you want or be subject to the career someone thinks you should have.
Q: Are you a sports fan? What’s your favorite team?
A: Any and everything Chicago. I feel obligated to also add Butler Basketball but I haven’t kept up as much the past year.
Q: What do you find motivating?
A: Helping our teams solve seemingly unsolvable problems on a day-to-day basis. When wrapped up in administrative tasks it easy to lose sight that our decisions impact real people, but I find it motivating that we provide solutions to address global risks that impact everyone on earth. That mission makes it easier to fill out expense reports.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: Not in the traditional sense. I enjoy collecting new experiences. This can range from a far-away trip to a remote location or something as simple as taking a different path back home from the office.
Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job?
A: Two items stick out. The first being the spontaneity of my role. No 2 days are the same and we continually find ways to solve our customer needs regardless of what it takes. The second item is collaborating with everyone within the large Allianz ecosystem. We are truly a global company and seeing how we work together across several time zones and do so while having fun always makes it easy to come to work.
Q: What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you started in the insurance industry?
A: Building strong relationships is just as important as doing your job well. Our industry relies trust and that trust extends outside of your organization. Taking the opportunity to network goes a long way in growing both professionally and personally.
Q: What inspired you to join RISE?
A: The energy within the RISE organization is too difficult to put into words, but it made it impossible not to join. You have to experience an in-person event to fully grasp the allure. What will forever keep me engaged with the RISE team is the mission to help solve many of the gaps within our industry.
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