Navigating Major Programmes

Managing Risk: Striking an Insurance Leadership and Personal Life Balance with Sarah Roberts


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How does a master insurance executive balance globe-trotting, raising a family, and pursuing meaningful projects? In this episode of the Master Builder series, Shormila explores the realities of professional and personal life in the C-suite with Sarah Roberts, the president of INTECH Risk Management.

Sarah delves into the history of insurance, both her own and how this vital component of infrastructure projects first came to be. In an industry that is evolving due to increased global and climate change demands, clear communication, public-private partnerships, and professional liability insurance as a whole have never been more important—but they’re only part of the story. Sarah’s intricate balance of career and family life is relatable or aspirational to so many. It highlights a dedication to both her chosen industry and personal passions, from overseeing risk management projects around the world to the challenges and rewards of being a working mother in two countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The importance of professional liability insurance in infrastructure.
  • The significance of breaking down “insurance speak” in client relationships.
  • The intriguing history of insurance and the rise of women in the industry.
  • The rewarding challenges of balancing family and career across continents.
  • The positive impact of diverse perspectives on infrastructure projects.

“I ​think ​probably ​that ​sort ​of ​​light ​bulb ​moment ​for ​me ​was, ​probably ​sitting ​in ​a ​meeting ​one ​day, ​and ​you ​had ​the ​insurance ​brokers ​and ​you ​had ​claims ​adjusters ​and ​they ​were ​all ​talking ​insurance ​speak ​to ​one ​of ​our ​clients. ​And ​you ​could ​just ​see ​them ​all ​sitting ​there, ​five ​of ​them ​with ​their ​eyes ​completely ​glazed ​over, ​having ​no ​idea ​what ​was ​going ​on. And ​I ​sort ​of ​stepped ​in ​and ​I ​said ​we ​need ​to ​speak ​English ​to ​people, right? ​And ​you ​know, ​it's ​great ​to ​throw ​around ​all ​the ​terminology ​and ​I ​am ​the ​biggest ​insurance ​geek. ​So ​you ​get ​me ​on ​the ​phone ​with ​insurance ​people ​​and ​that's ​what ​we ​will ​speak, ​acronyms ​just ​like ​engineers ​will, right? We ​will, ​we ​will ​speak ​all ​of ​that ​sort ​of ​insurance ​ease ​that's ​there. ​But ​when ​you're ​talking ​to ​a ​layperson, ​it ​doesn't ​mean ​anything ​to them.” - Sarah Roberts


The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

  • Follow Navigating Major Programmes - https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/
  • Follow Riccardo Cosentino - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/
  • Follow Shormila Chatterjee - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shormilac/
  • Read Riccardo’s latest at www.riccardocosentino.com
  • Follow Sarah Roberts - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-roberts-74005024/

Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

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Navigating Major ProgrammesBy Riccardo Cosentino