by: Tandeka Nomvete, External Engagement Director for Spencer Educational Foundation In my senior year of college, I decided to switch my major from Actuarial Science to Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) and I desperately wanted an RMI internship! I knew the Actuarial Science career path and understood the exam process, but I didn’t know what […]
RISE is excited to announce the launch of our newly formed Strategic Planning Board in 2023!
The Strategic Planning Board is comprised of RISE members working hand in hand with the leadership team and Advisory Board to create and manage initiatives and execute against our long term goals. The vision for our group is to create a pipeline of high achievers who will guide RISE and contribute to our success.
We are so excited to work with these highly regarded young professionals to help grow, recognize & advance the best young talent in the Insurance Industry!
My name Tania Sanfiel, and I have nine-year tenure at Assurant in Property & Casualty (P&C) claims. At Assurant I currently lead our Renters Claims Operations, Digital Initiatives and Claims Customer Experience. During this time, I have cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the industry, beginning my journey from the grassroots of property claims handling to leadership roles that span claim management and operational performance enhancement.
Throughout my career, I’ve contributed to transformative projects aimed at streamlining and elevating customer experiences. This has involved the implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning, coupled with business rules, to automate less complex claims for our renters’ product. Additionally, I spearheaded the creation of automated event-driven text messages, expanded digital payment capabilities to include EFT, push to debit, and eCheck, and harnessed tools like Hi Marley to establish an asynchronous channel for adjusters to keep customers informed.
More recently, I’ve been at the forefront of modernizing our legacy systems, particularly as the Claim Center product owner, leading our transition to the cutting-edge Guidewire platform. My journey at Assurant has been marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation and a commitment to enhancing customer experiences, making me a dedicated contributor to the dynamic landscape of P&C claims.
Rachel Jenkins is an experienced professional in the insurance industry, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of XN Capital, a startup focused on scaling access to captives and other alternative risk structures. Prior to her role at XN Capital, she worked as the Managing Director of Founder Shield’s client advisory team, where she established herself as a leading customer success professional with over 12 years of experience in the insurance sector. Before that, she spent several years with Marsh, advising on risk management for major financial institutions and insurance companies globally.
Apart from her successful career, Rachel is passionate about mentorship and supporting younger and diverse candidates in the insurtech industry. She finds inspiration in helping others further their careers and is actively involved in mentorship initiatives. Outside of her professional endeavors, Rachel is deeply involved in her family’s non-profit organization, which focuses on rehoming and job placement for homeless and non-violent offenders. This work gives her a strong sense of purpose and allows her to make a positive impact in her community.
Pam is an accomplished leader and highly active member of the insurance industry in Central Illinois, soon to be serving as Past President of the largest chapter in the world – Central Illinois. Through her involvement with the local CPCU chapter and RLI Toastmasters club, she has promoted the insurance industry to professionals and young people in the region. Pam also participates in mentoring college students through the U of I Axis Risk Management program. Pam was named on the Rise 35 under 35 list in 2023. Pam holds the CPCU, AINS, and AU designations. She has a degree in Actuarial Science from Bradley University. In her free time she enjoys the outdoors through hiking and gardening.
Lael Chappell serves as the Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Desq in their New York Office. Lael is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of Desq’s brand and marketing strategy and leads Desq’s pipeline development and solicitation of the industry’s top underwriters to build opportunities on the Desq platform.
Lael received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management & Insurance from the University of Georgia, obtained full alumni status as a graduate of the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School, and has an Executive MBA from the EMBA Global Asia Program jointly conferred by Columbia Business School, London Business, School, and the University of Hong Kong.
Khalid Brammer-Blackman is the Retail Excess Construction Lead at Arch Insurance Group, where he, alongside a team of underwriters, works on expanding Arch’s business within the retail excess space within the Construction insurance group. With over ten years of insurance experience, Khalid received the RISE 35 under 35 in 2023, which has added to his visibility in the industry. He graduated from Florida State University’s Masters of Risk Management and Insurance and York University (Toronto, Canada) Disaster and Emergency Management programs. He hopes to work with the rest of the strategic board on expanding the RISE brand as an organization, as he firmly believes in the organization’s initiatives.
Ema is a Digital Transformation and Change Management expert with over a decade of corporate training and enterprise software sales experience. She is the Co-Founder of Roloff Consulting, a consulting firm that focuses on helping sales teams transform their process. Ema has conducted over 300 expert interviews in the space of Digital Transformation and Innovation within insurance and beyond. She has been recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Digital Transformation and Sales, a RISE 35 under 35 Award Winner, named in Lightico’s Innovators Top 100, and a ‘Making Waves’ Honoree by InsurTech Hartford.
Dr. Claire Muselman is a prominent figure in the workers’ compensation field, known for her innovative and inclusive approach to risk management and insurance. As the founder of CM Advising, she has made a lasting impact by infusing her unique style, characterized by glitter and sparkles, into the industry. Celebrating nearly two decades of experience, she also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of WorkersCompensation.com and has introduced transformative initiatives such as the Workers’ Recovery Unit and the Workers’ Compensation Center of Excellence.
Beyond her professional roles, Dr. Claire is a media influencer, with a history as a podcast co-host, a co-founder of The Transitions, and a mentor through Rising Insurance Star Executives (RISE). She is a prolific writer, contributing to platforms like Bloom, WorkersCompensation.com, and Captive.com. In academia, she shares her expertise as a Professor of Practice at Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business and Co-Director of the Master of Science in Leadership Development in the School of Education.
Dr. Claire is a strong advocate for gender diversity and inclusivity, serving as an Ambassador for the Alliance of Women in Workers’ Compensation and the Kind Souls Foundation. Her dynamic speaking engagements nationwide reflect her commitment to empathetic and emotionally intelligent leadership. Her ultimate mission is to inspire positive change that transcends industries and encourages others to strive for nothing less than extraordinary.
Chris Cutrer is a SIU Field Supervisor with GEICO in Columbus, OH. He has been with GEICO for nearly 8 years and has worked as a claims adjuster and SIU investigator prior to becoming a leader within SIU. Prior to working in the insurance industry, Chris worked in law enforcement. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from The Ohio State University. In his spare time he enjoys lifting weights and participating in Scottish Highland Games. Chris was a winner of the 2023 RISE awards for 35 under 35.
After graduating from Clemson University in 2017, I joined Canal Insurance as a Commercial Truck Small Fleet Underwriter. After 2 years, I began Underwriting Large Fleets. Since joining the Large Fleet team I took on a Supervisor position and was recently promoted to Manager which allowed me to take on Operations teams as well as our Fleet Underwriting Team. Developing team members to have strong and technical Underwriting skills as well as improving operational efficiencies is my current focus. I am also working towards my CPCU designation In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors camping and hiking.
Awais is the SVP of Strategy & Transformation at Crawford & Company, driving the future of claims through cutting-edge technology, fostering a dynamic culture, and optimizing operational excellence. With a diverse leadership background spanning front and back-office roles, he has successfully led strategic transformations for claims, IT, and digital insurance solutions at State Farm, Chubb, and Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies. Awais’s impact in the industry is recognized through accolades such as Mentor of the Year and the R.I.S.E.’s ’35 Under 35′ award, showcasing his outstanding contributions to his company, community, and the insurance sector as a whole.
Taylor joined the Risk Management and Insurance industry in 2014 when she began working for Lockton Companies in a client service role. In 2018, Taylor joined Questpro Consultants as their Campus Recruiting Manager where she helped launch their newest division, QGrads, serving to attract college graduates into our industry.
Taylor now serves as the Vice President of Business Development for Questpro, an insurance-specific staffing firm with a national presence. In this role, Taylor oversees new business sales across all service lines, grows relationships with existing accounts, and manages a national sales team based throughout the country. As a member of the University of Texas-Dallas RMI Advisory Council, Taylor also serves as an Associate Member of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) Southeast Division Board, as well as a Director with the Dallas Chapter of Young Risk Professionals. Taylor has earned national recognition through earning the Rising Insurance Star Executive (RISE) award in 2021 and earning the Emerging Leader in Insurance Award by APCIA (the American Property Casualty Insurance Association), AM Best, and ICM (the Insurance Careers Movement). Taylor’s role has allowed her the opportunity to collaborate with candidates, companies, and hiring managers across the country and has given her a unique insider view on our industry and the current trends and challenges we all face as we look toward hiring the next phase of insurance professionals.
Scott currently serves as Vice President, Strategic Accounts for Ethos. In this role, he partners with clients to develop technology-enabled solutions that help improve operational workflows and reduce expenses. Over the last 7 years, Scott has held several leadership positions, developing and empowering the next generation of leaders in our industry – a professional passion of his. Outside of work, Scott and his wife love to travel and enjoy new experiences with their two children. Scott is a fitness enthusiast and recently completed his first marathon.
Petyah Pierre is an experienced HR/Risk Management Claims Analyst with extensive experience in insurance benefits to include Workers’ Compensation, FMLA, Social Security disability, and Long-Term Medical disability. Petyah has been an employee of The Broward County Sheriff (BSO) for over six years as a Sr. Human Resources Analyst in the Workers’ Compensation section overseeing in excess of 600 open claims. She has an Associate in Risk Management, 6-20 All Lines Adjusters License, and Certified in Workers’ Compensation Litigation.
Petyah is member of National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) Florida Chapter, The Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) South Florida Chapter, RISE Professionals, and actively participates in both The Alliance of Women in Workers’ Compensation along with Dive In, a Global Festival for Diversity and Inclusion in Insurance. She is a freelance writer for BLOOM magazine which covers everything workplace, wellness, industrial health and safety, holistic living, clean beauty, living sustainably, travel environment, and happiness. Her most recent piece is titled “Black Hair in Corporate America.”
Nicole Velino has been in insurance for 8 years. Nicole is employed by Falvey Insurance Group and works in the claims division for cargo shipments. She resides in Rhode Island, has one daughter Ava Grace, and loves all things Christmas. Nicole was a 2021 RISE Professional Award Winner and looks forward to being part of the ever- growing insurance industry.
Mohamad is a multilingual professional with international experience in both project and risk management in the construction field. He has been overseeing all the risk management activities in many local and international multi-billion dollars projects such as Mega 4800 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant, Complex TBM tunnels under the Suez Canal, and huge Metro Lines. He has developed a formal risk management department from scratch in an international construction company after seeing and realizing the need of such approach to a successful completion of projects. He has proven experience in using Monte Carlo Simulation in anticipating project duration, budget and contingency. He co-lead the successful three Guinness World Record Holder largest Water Treatment Plant in the world in the capacity of Assistant Project Manager. He shared the responsibility with the project director as the PMO, interface and coordination manager in the High-Speed Rail Project in Egypt.
How would you describe your leadership style? Carey: Servant Leader – If I support my team, together we will achieve. Debria: My leadership style when managing projects or mentoring previous co-workers was to lead not only by example but also with a “together we rise” approach. I have found that being a strong leader […]
By: Alatta Lawrence, Actuarial Science Major at Georgia State University Q: What do you look for when choosing an internship program to apply for? A: There are several factors that I consider when choosing an internship: the type of work the company does and whether there are areas of focus to launch my career, the […]
By: Daria Zand – Insure National Intern
Just inked your name on a job offer letter? Congratulations!
New beginnings like this can seem daunting-but don’t fret. You can still feel confident and prepared while entering the unknown. And while it’s important to succeed in your new position, it’s also important to thrive in your new environment.
Here’s a guide to help you on navigate the start of your new chapter:
The First Day
First impressions are lasting and difficult to sway. Understand the importance of this and plan accordingly.
1. Test run everything
You can ease your nerves and ensure a smooth start by testing everything you’ll need to do on your first day.
If you’re in person, plan your commute so you will arrive 15-30 minutes early. Waze and Google Maps have helpful features for calculating or planning a drive. If you really want to be prepared, test drive your commute before your first day so you can be familiar with the route, because there’s nothing more unnecessary than missing an exit.
If you’re working from home, test your computer/laptop, especially if your work provides one for you. Test your internet connection, your computer software, and other equipment you’ll need to use for the job the day before or a few hours before you are set to start.
2. Prepare your first day attire
Pick out and try on your outfit the night before you start your job. Your clothing and general appearance communicate a message about you. Make sure you choose a clean outfit that you look and feel confident in!
3. Take notes
You will be exposed to a lot of new and important information on your first day. You will also probably have a lot of questions to ask! Carry a notebook and writing utensil with you to write these things down. While writing notes on your phone is convenient, it can send the wrong message.
4. Be available for lunch plans
Keep your lunch plans open. Lunch is an opportunity to socialize! You may get an invitation from a co-worker or there may be pre-arranged lunch plans. You might feel inclined to invite a co-worker to join you for lunch. While the first day can be overwhelming, try to refrain from excluding yourself. Try to plan to meet with a few coworkers virtually if you work from home!
5. Be attentive
As hard as it may be, keep your attention focused throughout the day. You will experience copious amounts of information being thrown at you on your first day. Be present and act like a sponge- soak up all this information. Check yourself periodically that you’re actively listening and being attentive.
The First Week
You’ve survived the first day, now it’s time to make the most of your first week.
1. Introduce yourself
Brush up on your elevator pitch- you’re going to need it. An elevator pitch is a short but effective explanation of yourself. Here are a few questions to guide you: Who are you? What do you do? How did you get to where you are? Try to make it appropriate and relevant to your career. And remember- keep your handshakes firm, not your demeanor. A cordial and enthusiastic introduction can go a long way.
As you meet new people during your first week on the job, you’re going to introduce yourself frequently to these people. Others will probably do the same. Try your best to remember the names of the people you meet. You can help your memorization by associating a person with something notable they said (i.e., Julian the baker, Ali from Toronto, Mabel the dog lover).
2. Build rapport
If you’ve memorized the names of your colleagues, you’ve already made the first step towards building a good relationship with them! All jobs require teamwork at some point. When that occasion comes, having pre-established relationships with your teammates will make that process less challenging and more effective. Even when you’re not actively engaging in teamwork, rapport creates a more pleasant work environment. Having peers to rely on when you have questions, need favors, want feedback, etc., and vice versa will be helpful and beneficial for you.
3. Know your role
You know your title, but do you know your role? Speak to your manager to get clarity. Figure out what your role consists of, what your responsibilities and expectations are, how your job performance will be assessed, and what resources you need to do your job well. Establishing this at the very beginning of your career is essential. This will help eliminate unnecessary confusion and wasted effort.
4. Understand the company
Knowing its background, structure, and culture (which includes its personality, mission, and values) will help you comprehend your company’s identity and how your behavior should align with it.
Specifically, many companies have an organizational chart that explains its operating structure. Inquire about the operating structure and ask your manager to explain how it works. Get a sense of how you fit into the big picture and where there are opportunities for growth.
5. Learn your benefits
Sometime during your first week, learn the basics of your benefits. Here are some topics to inquire about:
The First Few Months
Hopefully, you’re getting settled in nicely by now. Let’s continue that precious momentum into the next few months.
1. Seek a mentor
After familiarizing yourself with your co-workers, prioritize finding a company veteran who can provide mentorship to you. Seeking someone who once fulfilled your role or fulfills a role that you are interested in would be especially beneficial. Once you’ve found a sufficient individual, humbly and politely ask for their guidance. Clearly discuss their capacity to mentor you and what you hope to learn from them. Ask them to meet with you periodically in the future for development and feedback. Then, profusely thank them if they agree to this feat.
2. Avoid Gossip
Engaging in gossip in the workplace can be tempting, especially if you agree with what’s being said. But refrain from this. Realize that you interact with your coworkers very often, and conflating your relationship with any one of them over an off-handed comment would not be worth the hassle.
If you have an issue with a coworker, approach them or a higher-up with the issue rather than venting your disapproval with your peers. Have a firm stance in deterring gossip for the sake of your company and your integrity.
3. Set boundaries
During your first few months, you will probably say “yes” frequently as you aim to build good relations and make a good impression. Don’t make this a habit. After you’ve got an understanding of your role and responsibilities, and your workload, recognize your abilities and your limits. Prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed by saying “no” when it’s appropriate.
Divulge with your teammates that you will abide by your work hours and your non-work hours accordingly. Therefore, only check and respond to emails during work hours. This will be a preventative measure against potential burnout. Preserving your well-being is essential for growth and longevity.
4. Assess your progress
After you’ve experienced your first few months on the job, look back at what you’ve done and how you’ve done it, and where there’s room for improvement. To further, ask your manager or mentor for feedback. While it may seem daunting, it will be beneficial to you and will probably please and impress your higher-ups. Have an open mind and don’t take any comments personally. Instead, see it as a good thing that you’re receiving constructive criticism rather than a reprimanding, and see it as an opportunity to grow.
5. Set goals
A great way to foster professional growth is to set goals for yourself. Once you’ve gotten the swing of your role and workload, realistically contemplate goals that you want to and can achieve. Aim for long and short-term goals. Whether it’s to master a certain skill, or grow your network, or achieve a promotion, setting goals may help keep you engaged and motivated.
Create accountability by either sharing your plans with your mentor or teammates and setting specific times to conduct your goals and measuring your progress on them.
The End of the Beginning
As you assimilate into your new workspace, be patient with yourself. Mistakes are inevitable as you find your footing. Don’t fixate on them. It matters more how you respond to them rather than the fact that you’ve made them.
Instead, acknowledge how far you’ve come. Because out of all the potential candidates, you were chosen as the new hire. Believe in yourself and know that your best is yet to come.
Why did you decide to join RISE? We are constantly hearing about the talent crisis that the Insurance Industry is experiencing, and RISE is doing something about it. I joined RISE because I want to be part of the solution. I am passionate about supporting other young professionals with the resources and education that they […]
What in your career really prepared you to be in the position you are now? Marlen: Definitely my communication skills. I have always enjoyed speaking to people to help my knowledge grow. I use communication to help the business owners and agents I work with. Communication is a must in strengthening our partnership. Veronica: There […]
Has it been difficult to bring your authentic self to work while working in the insurance industry? Tom: I’ve been very fortunate to work with and for people who have been supportive and inclusive during my career so far. In my current day-to-day, I rarely feel as though I cannot be myself, but that has […]
By: Stephanie Hawkins – Production Underwriter, AmFed Q: What is underwriting? A: In short, underwriting is a thorough analysis of a risk and the type(s) of exposure(s) connected with that risk for insurance pricing purposes. Q: What role do underwriters play in insurance? Why are they important? A: Underwriters play a very important role in […]
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received? Paul Bi: Just because you can’t measure the ROI of something, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. What’s the ROI of hugging your mom?”. This thought comes from the late Tony Hsieh, former Zappos CEO. While this piece of advice wasn’t directly given to me, it […]
