Women to Watch: Marsha A. Cohen

Marsha A. Cohen

Senior Vp and Director of State Relations

Reinsurance Assn. of America

Washington

Marsha A. Cohen held several management positions at insurers and reinsurers before she began her lobbying career at the RAA in 1992. While working at the RAA she created its for-profit education program as a separate profit center in 2001 and founded the Institute of Reinsurance Education last year. Before being named to her current position last year, she was senior vp and director of education. Among numerous industry activities, Ms. Cohen is a gubernatorial appointee to the New York and Virginia panels on homeowners insurance and treasurer of the District of Columbia Insurance Federation. In addition, she was the Assn. of Professional Insurance Women's Woman of the Year in 2005.

Greatest influence: "I had the opportunity to meet Myra Leigh Tobin, who was one of the first women managing directors at Marsh. She fought the battles for women who came after her. She is knowledgeable about the industry, has great people skills and always provided sound advice. It meant a great deal to me that someone like Myra believed in my capabilities. She would call and suggest that I might be interested in getting involved in various industry activities and I would take her advice on face value. Myra's valuable advice has encouraged and enriched my career."