Humans of Insurance: Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Charlie Luh
Partner/Attorney
Luh & Associates
David Le
Assistant Vice President, U.S. Distribution & Marketing
Aspen Insurance Group
Charlie Luh
Q. Can you share a bit about your background and journey in the insurance industry?
I grew up in Southern California and then went to law school in Iowa, where I would meet my future wife of 24 years and counting. We were two young Asian Americans in the Midwest. After law school, I did a federal clerkship with a United States Bankruptcy Judge. After the clerkship, I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and practiced law at a small boutique bankruptcy law firm and then switched to an insurance defense law firm. I sat as second chair for a target defendant in one of the first construction defect trials to occur in Las Vegas, Nevada and received a favorable verdict. Shortly thereafter, I was hired as a staff counsel for St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company to head its construction defect defense division. After approximately 10 months, this staff counsel office was closed and I was laid off. However, I was given the option by the heads of St. Paul to start my own law firm as I was allowed to take all of St. Paul’s construction defect cases in the office. Since 2003, my wife and I are the co-owners and Managing Partners of a small boutique insurance defense law firm. We are a Nationally-Certified Minority and Woman-Owned law firm that serves clients in Nevada, Arizona, and California. When I started out in the law, less than 2.5% of lawyers were Asian American. Per a recent National Lawyer Population Survey, that figure has grown to 6% in 2023. These figures roughly correlate with the insurance industry as a whole.
Q. What advice would you give to young Asian Pacific Americans who are considering a career in the insurance industry?
Soon after my wife and I started our insurance defense law firm, we tried another construction defect case in Clark County, Nevada, which we lost miserably. Although, we believed in our analysis from a legal perspective, it was hard to explain the Judge’s decision to the client. Fortunately, the insurance company claims team understood the risk, evaluated the pros and cons of the loss, and stayed with the case through appeal, which we ultimately won and led to a change in indemnity law in Nevada. The decision took almost eight years from start to finish and my client—who is a friend to this day—had to endure the unknown for eight years. Sometimes, we view cases or claims as just that. However, if you keep in mind that there is a human being that you are representing, it makes your job much more meaningful (of course this scenario does not apply if your insured is no longer in business, which presents unique challenges of its own). Meeting your insureds and the relationships that you will establish are very important and will last past your career in the insurance industry.
Q. Can you share a significant achievement or project you’ve worked on in your career?
Aside from the law, in 2013, my wife and I established the 1000 Books Foundation, which helps promote early childhood literacy through the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge. To date, the program is offered in thousands of libraries nationwide and over a million families have taken the challenge to read a thousand books to their children before they start kindergarten. We have long felt that education is the key to change. Education can help level the playing field for individuals who come from diverse backgrounds. Take the time to educate yourself and others of the nuances of the insurance industry. If you need specific help with the interpretation of a policy, consult coverage counsel (remember though, I’m an insurance defense counsel).
David Le
Q. Can you share a bit about your background and journey in the insurance industry?
I began my journey in insurance similar to a considerable amount of us in the industry, I fell into it. I started as a Marketing intern while at Pace University about 6 years ago at David J. Louie, Inc., a mid-sized general agency that focused on the Asian community in New York City. Following my graduation, I was offered a full-time position as their first Marketing associate hired in their 40+ years of operations. 3 years later in 2021 I found myself with an exciting opportunity in Aspen’s U.S. Distribution & Marketing team as an analyst. What followed at Aspen was what felt like a fast-tracked, supported journey within my career, being promoted to Senior Analyst in 2022 and Assistant Vice President in 2023. In addition, I hold a Co-Chair role for one of Aspen’s inclusion networks, Gender and Inclusion Network, effectively managing DEI initiatives across our 11 U.S. offices including Puerto Rico. Outside of Aspen, I also am a National Board Member for the Asian American Insurance Network. Throughout this journey, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse teams and clients, continually learning and adapting to the evolving landscape of insurance. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on both individuals and businesses.
Q. How has your cultural heritage influenced your career path and your approach to work in the
insurance industry?
My cultural heritage has instilled in me values of hard work, perseverance, and respect, which have been
pivotal in my career. Growing up in a Vietnamese household, I learned the importance of community and
mutual support. These principles have guided my approach to work, emphasizing collaboration and a
client-centric mindset. Balancing my cultural identity with my professional life has been a journey of integration rather than separation. I’ve found that embracing my cultural heritage enriches my professional experiences, allowing me to bring a unique and valuable perspective to the table. Open communication and creating spaces where I can share my culture with colleagues have been key. By staying true to my values and leveraging them in my work, I’ve been able to maintain a balance that honors both my identity and my professional commitments. This intrinsically aligned well with Aspen’s values and culture, one of which is “In It Together’ and building valued relationships. Striking a balance between professional expectations and personal identity involves continuous reflection and adaptation. I’ve learned to set clear boundaries and prioritize self-care, ensuring that I remain grounded and true to myself. Embracing my cultural heritage and values has provided a strong foundation to navigate professional demands. Transparency and authenticity in the workplace have also been crucial, allowing me to bring my whole self to my role. This balance has not only enriched my professional life but also enabled me to contribute more meaningfully to Aspen and my community.
Q. In what ways do you think the insurance industry can better support and empower Asian Pacific
American professionals?
The insurance industry can better support and empower Asian and Pacific Islander American
professionals by fostering an inclusive culture that values diversity. This includes implementing
mentorship programs, offering professional development opportunities, creating platforms for minority voices to be heard and even supporting networks like the Asian American Insurance Network, a 501c(6) whose mission is dedicated to the professional development and growth of Asian-Pacific Islander professionals in the industry. As a sector, we should also look to introduce non-traditional ways of entering the industry, to ensure a pathway to insurance is achievable. Additionally, celebrating cultural diversity through events and initiatives can help build a more inclusive workplace. Companies should also focus on equitable hiring practices and career advancement opportunities to ensure that Asian Pacific Americans can thrive and lead within the industry. I’ve experienced these efforts establishing an impact particularly well at Aspen, where our inclusion networks (Gender & Inclusion and Race & Ethnicity) provide events and initiatives while our DE&I Delivery Board develops programs like Graduate and Early Careers and a reverse mentorship program, In My Shoes, to build a more inclusive workplace.
The insurance industry is gradually recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion, and there is a growing commitment to these values. For Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, this means more opportunities for representation at all levels of the industry. Companies are increasingly investing in diversity programs, mentorship opportunities, and inclusive hiring practices. I believe that as we continue to advocate for and implement these changes, we will see a more equitable industry where Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and other minorities can thrive and lead.
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