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2017 Women to Watch: Erin Lynch

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2017 Women to Watch: Erin Lynch

Erin Lynch
President, global energy practice
Beecher Carlson Insurance Services L.L.C.
Eugene, Oregon
Age: 40

Sports were always important to Erin Lynch growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ms. Lynch “grew up very athletic,” she said, excelling in soccer, cross country, and track and field throughout school. She continued playing soccer at the University of Oregon, but suffered a career-ending injury early on. Despite the setback, Ms. Lynch stayed involved in sports by majoring in journalism with the goal of becoming a sports reporter.

“I’ve always had such great experiences growing up and being part of teams,” she said. “That foundation in sports — I’ve always found it to be meaningful in building my career.”

After graduating, Ms. Lynch spent the first five years of her career at NBC and ABC television affiliates as a sports reporter and morning show news anchor. Then she took a chance and accepted an account executive position at what is now Willis Towers Watson P.L.C., she said.

“I wasn’t sure how my skill set as a journalist would transition to something else, but it turned out that it was really great foundational training for a business career,” Ms. Lynch said. “It was a big leap of faith.” 

Ms. Lynch joined Beecher Carlson Insurance Services L.L.C. in 2006. Since December 2016, she has served as president of its global energy practice, leading a team of 20 people who help independent power companies with their risk management and insurance needs. Much of that work focuses on renewable energy, including solar power plants, wind farms and geothermal facilities.

Ms. Lynch said she always had a passion for renewable energy, so she took opportunities she came across to work in that field and, over time, became an expert.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work on some really groundbreaking projects,” she said.

“Erin had an opportunity to step up and lead our national energy practice after a group of individuals had decided to leave and go to another firm,” said Joe Siech, executive managing director for Beecher Carlson, now a unit of Brown & Brown Inc., in Atlanta.

“Not only was she able to stabilize the practice group and show great leadership in doing that, but she’s also successfully grown the practice by 50%,” he said.

She is dedicated to “never letting a client down,” Mr. Siech said.

In addition, Ms. Lynch is an active mentor and advocate for other women in her industry, she said. Outside of work, she has raised more than $300,000 for cancer research.

>> NEXT: Brenna Melvin
>> 2017 Women to Watch Home

 

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