In this episode of Falling Into It, we chat with Mara Blagojevich, a Senior Marine Risk Consultant at Allianz Commercial.

Blagojevich attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point New York where she later served in the U.S. Coast Guard early on in her career. The 29-year-old shares how serving during Hurricane Harvey became one of the most momentous challenges of her career, what it was like changing careers and working in insurance, and the most topical risk trends she foresees impacting shipping for the next decade.

A conversation with Kira Kimball, Chief Diversity Officer, Marsh McLennan Agency , Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Kira Kimball shares innovations within DE&I and what has kept her in the insurance space, all while sharing pride for her home state of South Dakota.

As our podcast series with global insurer AXA XL continues, we host Rose Hall, senior vice president and head of innovation for the Americas, and Billy Volz, Southwest property underwriting leader and ecosystem ambassador for AXA XL. The intersection of their two roles is at the heart of the conversation as we discuss technological innovation in risk management, the rate of client adoption and how that factors into policy terms and conditions.

The Council’s SVP and VP of government affairs Joel Kopperud and Blaire Bartlett bring the latest from Capitol Hill and around the country as states make legislative moves regarding non-compete agreements and legal defense costs.

Plus, Heather Steinmiller, executive partner, general counsel and national claim advocacy and consulting leader for brokerage Conner Strong & Buckelew joins Joel Kopperud for a conversation with Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA), who represents Steinmiller’s hometown.

Aaron Davidson, CEO of Relay, has a long history in insurance, starting with Aon nearly 20 years ago as it was being investigated by Eliot Spitzer. His path to now leading the multi-carrier insurance platform has evolved along with his theories on digitization. He discusses where the industry is in its digital evolution, which markets are saturated, which are underdeveloped, and how complexity of risk translates into complexity of process.

Plus, a deep dive on cyber markets.

Church Mutual Insurance CEO Alan Ogilvie talks current risk trends in purpose-driven organizations. With a policyholder base that includes youth camps, schools, religious institutions, senior living facilities and several non-profits, Church Mutual Insurance has a wide range of risks to cover.

“Listen to your instincts. Having the confidence to trust your gut is so important.”

In this episode of our new government affairs podcast, Council VP of government affairs Blaire Bartlett talks with Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN). A member of both the House Financial Services and Education and Workforce committees, Houchin is entrenched in multiple issues crucial to the insurance industry, including healthcare costs, flood insurance, and support for small businesses. She has always been driven to public service, and her story is one of local involvement, working parents, and a “won’t take no for an answer” attitude.

An adjunct professor at Columbia University, Masia discusses healthcare issues including Medicare price negotiations, the 340B drug pricing program and how current economic headwinds are impacting the healthcare landscape.

A conversation with Debra Martinez, Chief Human Resources Officer, Alera Group.