Women to Watch: Mary Roth

Mary Roth

Executive Director

Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc.

New York

Age: 46

Mary Roth began her career at RIMS in 1985 as a research analyst after spending a couple years in research and development at Group Health Inc., a large nonprofit health services organization in New York. Ms. Roth steadily rose through the RIMS organization, assuming the position of assistant director of research and the director of membership and chapter services before being tapped for deputy executive director and then chief operating officer. Ms. Roth assumed her current position in October 2004.

Greatest influence: "First and foremost, it was former RIMS Executive Director Gene Ricci," who headed the organization from 1991 through March 1997. "He told me, 'You someday should have my job.' And after that, he was very supportive" in ensuring that Ms. Roth was involved in budgeting and strategic planning for the organization. "He also encouraged professional development. He put in my mind that someday I could be executive director of RIMS." Also, a group of RIMS leaders, including many RIMS presidents, were instrumental "in supporting my rise to this position and encouraging it."