HEATHER WILKINSON
Southwest regional manager
Willis Towers Watson P.L.C.
Los Angeles
Age: 38
Heather Wilkinson joined Willis Towers Watson P.L.C. in 2008 when it acquired Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co., which she joined a couple of years after graduating with a degree in English literature. Starting her career when concerns about cyber risk were growing, she has specialized in cyber coverage for the past 11 years.
Job change over the next 10 years
Being in the cyber industry, my job has changed so much in the last 10 years that it’s almost impossible to determine what the next 10 years are going to bring. I hope there’s more data and analytics available to use as discussion points for the cost of cyber incidents in the future and how to really gauge what a cyber exposure actually is. I’d like to see specialty coverages expand to areas like aviation, construction, manufacturing and logistics. We are making great progress in driving innovative changes in coverage, but I’d like to see them become more mainstream.
Best-kept secret about insurance
The skills that you learn in the insurance industry. Whether you are on the placement side or the risk management side or the brokerage side, these skills — and communication skills in particular — can transfer over to a multitude of different industries.
Dream vacation
Probably a private island with a bungalow over tropical waters — preferably with no sharks, but tropical fish are OK — and no cellphones or TV, just me, my family, good books and maybe a zipline course on the island and hiking.
Favorite meal
I love food, and one of the things about working with clients and carriers is that you get to go to a lot of good restaurants. But I’d say that my go-to is something I don’t have to make myself, so pizza or Mediterranean.
The 2018 Business Insurance Break Out Awards highlight the potential future leaders of the insurance and risk management sector from across the United States.