By Katie Crowe and Hunter Fausnacht
5
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The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
Jenna Kirkpatrick Howard is the Senior Vice President for Lockton Companies. She is also a board member and treasurer for the Community of Hope, a non-profit focused on creating opportunities for low-income families in Washington, DC. In this episode, Jenna shares her journey from hesitantly stepping into a sales position to embracing her skills as a networker and people connector. She shares the truth behind the Lockton/Rolex legend and provides candid advice for young professionals navigating their careers.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Jenna and her role at Lockton Companies.
Jenna, at first, didn’t see herself in the production role, but with a bit of encouragement and mentorship, she jumped into the position.
Because of that training, Jenna doesn’t see herself as a salesperson, she sees herself as a communicator and bridge-builder.
What was the first deal Jenna ever closed and what lessons did she learn from it?
With any sales position, it’s important to talk with the client and be intellectually curious.
What does Jenna love the most about being in risk management?
Another project Jenna is passionate about is connecting accredited female investors to commercial real estate investment opportunities.
Jenna won the 2023 Women to Watch Awards Americas EMEA and shares what it was like to win an award like that for the non-profit sector.
Is it true that you are gifted a Rolex after ten years of working for Lockton?
Jenna shares advice if you’re early in your career and you’ve been laid off and fired.
Whatever happens, own up to your mistakes. Don’t try to bury it because it will make it so much worse.
What other advice does Jenna have for young risk professionals?
The insurance industry has so many options for you!
Don’t underestimate the power of your young adult relationships in the industry. Everyone will be going on to do great things after 25-plus years in the industry and will become a wealth of knowledge, opportunities, and inspiration.
Mentioned in This Episode:
RIMS — San Diego Event
Jenna on LinkedIn
Lockton.com
Communityofhopedc.org
Cheryl Reecher is the Vice President of Business Development at Cotton Holdings Inc. With a career spanning over two decades, across various high-profile roles in the insurance industry, Cheryl brings a rich wealth of experience from director of risk management to insurance broker, and now as a business developer. In this episode, Cheryl shares her journey from discovering insurance to mastering the intricacies of each major insurance role. Learn how Cheryl’s diverse experiences have enabled her to effectively bridge the gap between underwriters, brokers, and risk managers and how simple communication skills can go a long way in this field.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Cheryl and her role at Cotton Holdings Inc.
What does a restoration company do?
How does a restoration company gauge risk and calculate appropriate fees?
How did Cheryl discover insurance?
What interested Cheryl about the broker side of risk management?
Shoutout to all the brokers out there. It is probably one of the hardest jobs in insurance.
After learning about the broker side, Cheryl moved to the carrier side of the insurance business. She shares some of her key learnings from that experience.
Through these different role transitions that Cheryl underwent, she ended up having an easier time bridging the gap between underwriter, broker, and risk manager.
Sometimes the best solution is just to sit everyone down and talk it out.
What surprised Cheryl the most about being in a carrier role?
Sometimes being the only woman in the room, Cheryl shares some advice for the younger generation.
What other advice would Cheryl give someone up and coming in their career?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Cottonholdings.com
Cheryl on LinkedIn
Martin Drux is a Multinational Executive and is currently leading Marsh Multinational’s team in Europe, with a specialization in Asia Client Services. In this episode, Martin shares his experiences and the unique aspects of handling insurance across different continents. Martin also discusses the nuances of insurance practices in Germany versus the U.S., his role in vocational training insurance, and how he leverages his robust LinkedIn network to mentor and recruit talent from a multinational perspective.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Martin and what he does at Marsh.
Does insurance get handled differently in Germany, where Martin is from, compared to the U.S.?
If you want people to get excited about the industry, you have to tell stories about how your specific field makes a difference.
Martin explains his field and how he got his start in vocational training insurance.
What does a global relationship manager do within the insurance industry?
Martin has a really robust portfolio and LinkedIn profile and now has over 21,000 followers.
Now, with a strong LinkedIn base, Martin can use his platform to recruit and mentor talent from a multinational lens.
Martin loves being able to use LinkedIn and network. It gives you a completely different sense of networking.
Is there a difference between German brokers and U.S. brokers?
How does Martin think about and structure mentorships? Very few people seem to know how to do this well.
What advice would Martin give his younger self?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Marsh.com
Martin on LinkedIn
Josh Levy is the CEO and co-founder of Document Crunch, an innovative company dedicated to explaining construction contracts as simply as possible. With a background in Construction Management from the University of Florida and an enriching experience as a construction law clerk, Josh’s journey into construction and technology solutions is as compelling as it is impactful. This episode shares why Josh is so passionate about reducing risk in construction, how Document Crunch was born out of necessity, and the broader applications of their technology beyond just construction contracts.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Josh and his role at Document Crunch.
How did Josh get into construction management and technology solutions?
Why is construction so risky?
Everything stems from what’s written in the contract. If something bad or unexpected happens, the contract should have it covered and noted.
Why is Josh so passionate about this industry?
How does Document Crunch work?
Is Document Crunch just limited to construction contracts?
Josh shares what attracted him the most to this industry when he was first studying it in college.
When it came time to start his own company, what pushed Josh to become entrepreneurial?
So many people don’t take their shot. Sometimes now is as good a time as any to take that risk.
What’s next for Josh and his company?
Josh believes younger folks should be investing in soft skills because that’s something AI won’t be able to take over as easily.
The contract is key at the end of the day, which means everyone who signs it or is involved in it, needs to understand in layman’s terms what the contract covers.
Why does Josh have an American flag behind him? He shares a quick story.
Josh’s final piece of advice: Learn as much as you can and then don’t be afraid to take the risk.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Documentcrunch.com
Josh on LinkedIn
James Benham is the co-founder and CEO of JBKnowledge and shares his journey from bootstrapping a tech empire from his college dorm to becoming a leader in the insurance technology space. With over two decades of experience, James has propelled JBKnowledge to the forefront of insurance software, serving some of the largest companies worldwide. In this episode, he discusses his hands-on approach to business, his passion for the insurance industry, and his thoughts on the future of automation and AI in insurance.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about James and his companies.
James shares a little bit about his experience flying seaplanes.
What is James’ vision with his companies?
How did James bootstrap his companies and take in no investor money?
Why is James so passionate about insurance?
James shares how he thinks about AI and the future of automation in the insurance industry.
James is happy that he can focus on the customers and his teammates and he doesn’t have to worry about third-party investors.
If you look at the large players with investor funding, a large percentage is focused on investor relations and that’s a big distraction and takes away from the focus of the customer.
How do you best identify a market problem that is both solvable and profitable?
James speculates on what might be the next “big idea” in risk & insurance.
Certificates of insurance are still a big pain. Is there any way we can simplify it?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Jamesbenham.com
James on LinkedIn
Jbknowledge.com
Terra.insure
Insurtechgeek.com
Anne Marie Towle is the CEO of Global Risk & Captive Solutions at Hylant. Since joining Hylant, Anne has grown the company’s captive consultancy into a powerhouse, earning U.S. Captive Review’s Captive Manager of the Year award. Prior to joining Hylant, Ms. Towle was an executive vice president with JLT and formerly a senior consultant with Willis Towers Watson for over seven years. In this episode, Anne shares her experience in the insurance industry, what a captive is, and when it makes sense to take on a captive based on company or property size.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Anne and her role at Hylant.
How did Anne discover the insurance industry?
There are a lot of different launch paths when you join the insurance and captive field.
When does it make sense to look for captive solutions?
Anne shares what it’s like pushing forward as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
No matter where you are in your career, you should have your personal board of directors.
Surround yourself with the people you enjoy spending time with, and grow together.
Life is never perfectly balanced. You’ve got to walk the line a little bit between career growth and family. Anne likes to look at it year-by-year instead of day-by-day.
Education is highly important throughout your career. You need to educate yourself along with educating your team on the latest methods/processes/technologies.
There are a lot of captives overseas. Why is that?
Where can a younger professional learn more about captives?
What advice would Anne give to her younger self?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Hylant.com
Anne on LinkedIn
Iccie.org
Michael Galea is a seasoned Senior Underwriter at GCube Insurance Services Inc., with a decade of experience specializing in offshore wind projects and other renewable energy initiatives worldwide. Michael delves into his journey into underwriting, the challenges and triumphs he has faced at GCube, and his approach to delivering difficult news to clients.
In the second half of the show, Peter Nadel joins the podcast as the Director of Member Relations and Marketing at Energy Insurance Mutual (EIM). On the show, Peter delves into his new role at EIM, the unique aspects of industry mutuals compared to other insurance models, and his seamless transition from Marsh to EIM while maintaining positive relationships.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Michael and the work that he’s doing at GCube Insurance.
How did Michael get into underwriting?
Michael shares a moment in his career at GCube that he’s really proud of.
Michael offers tips for when you have to give bad news to a client.
Give people bad news early and in person.
Michael shares his focus on the renewable energy space in the upcoming years.
A little bit about Peter and his work at EIM.
What is an industry mutual and how is that different than other insurance mutuals?
How did Peter get into insurance?
Peter recently left Marsh, but yet he’s here at the Marsh’s Energy Conference with no bad blood. Peter explains why it’s important to communicate and be honest about your needs.
What’s the difference between an industry captive vs. an industry mutual?
Peter understands how much work goes behind this podcast and appreciates being on the show.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Marsh.com
GCube Insurance
Michael on LinkedIn
2024 Energy Industry Conference
Peter on LinkedIn
Energy Insurance Mutual Limited
Yan Veytsman is a Senior Account Executive at Marsh, specializing in risk management for large-scale projects, particularly within the renewable energy sector. Yan has successfully placed multiple construction and operational insurance policies for projects exceeding $100 million. His expertise shines in navigating the complex risks associated with natural catastrophes and developing innovative insurance solutions for the burgeoning renewable energy industry. In this episode, Yan discusses the intricacies of managing risks in the renewable energy sector, and why it’s slightly more difficult than traditional tried-and-true industries.
We also have Senior Vice President of Power & Renewables, Fred Wass, make a special guest appearance. Fred has been involved in the energy sector for the last 39 years and currently oversees Marsh’s Energy Practice. In his segment, he offers some insight into the energy sector as a relatively new insurance professional himself.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Yan and how he found his path in risk management.
What interests Yan about renewable energy?
Renewable energy is an industry that’s still developing, so Yan has some room to innovate and define a new model for how to run some of his accounts.
Why can’t we use other models in different industries and put them in the renewable space? Why is it so different?
With every single venture that Yan’s been involved in, he’s having to figure it out from scratch. There are too many variables to consider that don’t quite transfer over from the old tried-and-true models from well-established industries.
How has the oil and gas industry been adapting to the renewable energy sector?
Does it still make sense to invest in oil and gas?
Katie introduces a new guest, Fred Wass.
How did Fred get into this field and why has he stayed for the last 39 years?
Fred developed power plants in Pakistan early in his career, but he fell into the insurance industry about 10 years ago.
Fred believes it’s a lot easier today to talk to people within your industry and company than it was five years ago.
Fred is excited for the future! There’s so much to do and there’s a lot more to come in the next 10 years.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Marsh.com
Yan on LinkedIn
Fred on LinkedIn
2024 Energy Industry Conference
Jen Aitchison is the President of Renewable Risk Consulting Inc. With over 15 years of dedicated experience, Jen has become an award-winning leader known for her deep understanding of renewable energy risks and her ability to create transparent, economically viable insurance solutions. In this episode, Jen delves into the nuances of renewable energy insurance and the importance of education and adaptation in the sector and she offers her unique perspective on the future of energy and insurance for those still in college.
Key Takeaways:
This episode was recorded at Marsh’s 2024 North American Energy Industry Conference!
A big shout out to Michael Kolodner and his amazing leadership.
Everybody backs clean energy, but sometimes there is a sense of distrust about the “correct” way. Why is that?
We will need all types of energy for us to succeed in making it renewable energy.
Coal energy is dirty. We all agree it should be reduced, including the coal miners! But then it stops becoming a conversation of energy and a conversation of education and re-employment.
The average person is not aware of how many different facets of insurance exist.
People think insurance is repetitive and boring. We as an industry need to get better at showing interesting and live case studies.
Pick whatever industry your children want to go into and there’s an insurance claim that needs to be filed or underwritten within that industry.
If you’re looking for stable employment, the insurance industry will never go through a “recession.”
What advice does Jen give to younger college students who aren’t sure what they want to do with their life?
Love sports? Love to travel? You can become an insurance underwriter for the sports industry. There are so many avenues you can go.
Why is Jen so interested in sustainability?
16 years later, Jen still finds the work she does engaging, impactful, and important!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Marsh.com
Renewableriskconsulting.ca
Jen on LinkedIn
Marsh’s 2024 North American Energy Industry Conference
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Join us as we sit down with Miles Braxton, the Director of Risk Management at Summit Ridge Energy, at the Energy Industry Conference in Houston, Texas. In this episode, Miles discusses the unique aspects of community solar, the importance of diversity in the clean energy industry, and his role in co-founding the Black Oak Collective.
Key Takeaways:
A little bit about Miles and his role at Summit Ridge Energy.
What is community solar?
It’s Miles’s mission to provide cheaper electricity directly to residents, especially in underserved communities.
Miles always knew he wanted to get involved with energy. He credits his high-school math teacher for the inspiration.
How did Miles transition from working on anaerobic digestion projects to focusing on solar energy?
Miles decided to join Summit Ridge Energy for a more community-impactful role and he loved the company’s mission.
What is the Society of Black Solar Professionals?
What was the inspiration for co-founding the Black Oak Collective?
Miles shares how he created strategic partnerships and relationships in his career and the impact of certain team members in propelling the Black Oak Collective.
This generation is creating a shift in company culture because they are approaching careers from a passion-driven mindset.
Miles shares the story behind his favorite colorful drink and the importance of shared experiences in building relationships.
What is the Green Gateways program by Black Oak Collective?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Srenergy.com
Blackoakcollective.org
Miles on LinkedIn
2024 Energy Industry Conference
Thank you :D
The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
384 Listeners