Women to Watch: Lou Ann Layton

Lou Ann Layton

Managing Director and National D&O Practice Leader

Marsh Inc.

New York

Age: 47

Before joining Marsh in 1987, Lou Ann Layton was an underwriter in Chubb Corp.'s executive protection department. Now, as one of the industry's leading professionals in directors and officers liability insurance, she works directly with numerous Fortune 250 clients on their D&O programs. Ms. Layton leads the Client Advisory Practice for the broker's Financial & Professional Liability Practice.

What would you change: "To retain more women at the vp-svp level. We need to provide women with balanced work/life situations that offer both short- and long-term career opportunities. We need to recognize that women may need to leave the 'fast track' for a few years to raise children or care for a parent. But they can provide much value during those years and even more when they are able to return to the fast track."