2006 Women to Watch: Deborah Broderick
Acordia Inc./Wells Fargo Insurance Services Reprints
Senior Vp
Acordia Inc./Wells Fargo Insurance Services
Chicago
Age: 47
Deborah Broderick was recently elected a senior vp of Acordia—soon to be known as Wells Fargo Insurance Services—and is responsible for the operations and administration of the company. Her primary responsibilities include the execution of strategic goals and mergers and acquisitions for the company. Ms. Broderick was recently named to Wells Fargo’s diversity council, which is working to enhance diversity across all lines of the company’s business. Before joining Acordia in 1991, she was a certified public accountant for KPMG L.L.P.
Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today?
A: The insurance industry presents several good opportunities because there are so many business sectors to choose from, so young women should be flexible and willing to try jobs outside their original disciplines. "You have to be willing to make those leaps out of your comfort zones."
Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why?
A: Many people opened doors when Ms. Broderick decided to try new responsibilities outside of her background, but the greatest influence on her career was her mother, who demanded that she set a high bar for herself.
Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be?
A: The industry needs to remain externally focused rather than focusing on what happens within insurance organizations themselves. Looking for the best solutions for customers is the way the industry will succeed.
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Business Insurance's report on "Women to Watch" is our attempt to identify some of the women who are leading change in commercial insurance, risk management, employee benefits and related fields.
