Leigh Anne Sherman
Executive vice president, North American financial lines
Chubb Ltd.
New York
Age: 50

As Leigh Anne Sherman puts it, she became fascinated with the business of insurance after she entered the industry in an IT operations role, and once the fascination kicked in she “never looked back.”

At Chubb, Ms. Sherman serves as executive vice president of North American financial lines, a position to which she was appointed earlier this year. In that role, she leads the private/nonprofit segment of the division, with responsibility for Chubb’s underwriting service branch, or USB.

She transformed the USB from an operations center into an underwriting center.

In addition, she created a new business services department within the USB to deliver faster turnaround on new business quotes that partners with all Chubb field offices.

Ms. Sherman said the most fascinating aspect of her job is also the most challenging: “It’s constantly evolving. Whether it’s a new opportunity to develop, a new relationship to build — the prospects are endless.” 

She has straightforward advice for young women considering a career in insurance: “Go for it — the industry is very welcoming.” Because of the diverse skills the industry needs, young professionals have an opportunity to really leverage their strengths, she said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with talented individuals at the beginning of their careers. I’m very proud of where they have gone and the impact they have made on the industry,” she said.

Mentoring is key, she said. “I’ve been fortunate to have tremendous role models,” she said. She repays that by acting as a mentor herself. “When I’m on the mentor side of the equation, I learn as much from the mentee as I hope I’m providing.” 

“Leigh Anne is both a visionary and strategic thinker, with much runway in front of her,” Ellen Moore, regional executive officer of the Canadian Chubb Cos., who first met Ms. Sherman in Chubb’s Baltimore office when Ms. Moore ran the mid-Atlantic regions, said in an email. “She brought a lot of experience in process and workflow, and since those early days has challenged herself to continuous learning.”

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