Risk Management

2017 Break Out Awards, Midwest: Courtney C. Davis

June 05, 2017 Reprints

Risk Management More + Less -

COURTNEY C. DAVIS

Director of risk management

The University of Chicago

Chicago

Age: 32

Courtney Davis joined the University of Chicago as director of risk management in 2015. She got her start in the industry during an internship with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., which she joined full time as an account executive in the firm’s higher education practice after she graduated. She continued her education focus as a vice president and education placement specialist for Marsh USA Inc. in 2012. At the University of Chicago, she is accountable for achieving strategic objectives and ensuring effective risk management for the organization.

Top industry concern

If you would have asked me a year ago, this would probably be different, but I think it’s politics and the regulatory impact it has on our industry, especially when comes to things like international exposure and cyber liability.

What inspires you?

I think what inspires me is my ability to impact and lead others. I have a lot of younger family members who I want to be an example to and other family members who I want to make proud. I also feel like I represent in my everyday life a minority in the industry. I’m a minority because I’m a woman, but I’m also a minority because I’m a woman of color, and I feel like I should be the inspiration to others and impact my community whether that’s closely with my family or larger in terms of the demographics I represent.

Hobbies and interests

Working out. I love spending time with my family. Watching sports and traveling. I do have a few guilty pleasures like a few of the TV shows I like to watch or play games on my phone. I like watching football so much, I do fantasy football with a group of women, which you don’t hear very often. We’re pretty good, too. I haven’t won yet, so there’s some good competition.

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