Women to Watch: 2006

Posted On: Apr. 7, 2009 10:16 AM CST

	Janice Abraham President and Chief Executive Officer United Educators Insurance Chevy Chase, Md. Age: 49 Before assuming the top spot at United Educators Insurance, Janice Abraham was chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary of the board of trustees of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., a UEI member company. In addition to helping more than 1,200 educational institutions manage risk, she is credited with strengthening United Educators' capital and developing reinsurance options for the risk retention group. Ms. Abraham, who also is member of the board of governors of the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America, in 2004 was named Insurance Woman of the Year by the Assn. of Professional Insurance Women Inc. Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "That (industry participants) would shift our focus from short-term to long-term. Risk financing is about long-range analysis and thinking, and we're too short-term driven. That short-term focus affects everything from developing talent, to investing in services and understanding financial decisions." Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "Take a risk in accepting a position or assignment that seems frightening on first hearing about it. My most rewarding, interesting, fulfilling positions have been the ones that had the greatest challenges and presented the most uncertainty. Find a company or organization that cares about you as a person. You don't want to work for a company that doesn't value you and what you can do." Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "Currently, my board of directors challenges and supports me and the entire company, and the United Educators staff constantly amazes me and supports me with their skill, dedication and loyalty to all that we do. My family, who supports my risk taking with unconditional love and enthusiasm."

	Kathleen Angel Director of Global Benefits Dell Inc. Round Rock, Texas Age: 58 Kathleen Angel began her career as a group insurance underwriter at Travelers Insurance Co. Leaving Travelers as chief underwriter, Ms. Angel was assistant vp at The New England Co. in the actuarial, sales and product development departments. From there, she moved into the field of corporate benefits as vp of worldwide benefits and work-life programs at Digital Equipment Corp., before joining Dell Inc. Ms. Angel has served on the Boards of the National Business Group on Health and the National Committee on Quality Assurance. She currently serves by appointment of the governor of Texas as a member of the state's Health and Human Services Council. Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: ""My father Thomas O'Sullivan and at various stages of my career, three female colleagues and managers, Alice Rosenblatt, Ilene Jacobs and Helen Darling. These three women are my mentors, inspirations and my friends. All of these people have been courageous in their beliefs and shown me that commitment to excellence is always worth the effort." Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "Push yourself out of your comfort zone, take risks, and look for experiences in as many diverse aspects of the field as you can. This is the best way to grow and force yourself to learn and experience new things. For example, if your experience is primarily in the U.S., explore opportunities to learn what's happening in our field internationally, especially in some of the rapidly emerging countries such as India and China." Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "Traditionally, the insurance industry has been inwardly focused, slow and has lacked sustained innovation. I would like to see the industry become true change agents, fostering innovation and showing leadership in accountability."

	Tracey Ant Managing Director Marsh Inc. New York Age: 41 As the Multilines Risk Practice Leader for North America, Tracey Ant is responsible for advisory, placement and service functions on a national basis for Marsh's $200 million middle-market segment, known within the brokerage as "multilines." She joined Marsh in 1993 as a casualty broker and has held various positions with increasing degrees of responsibility over the past 13 years. Prior to joining Marsh, Ms. Ant was a casualty underwriter at Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "It's so important to learn the technical side of our trade. Our clients look to us to be that trusted advisor and we have a responsibility to educate and inform them about what risk means to their company. Take advantage of every opportunity (formal and informal) to learn. Develop a strong network within the industry--it will serve you throughout your career. Find a couple of mentors in and outside the industry whom you trust to provide you with guidance and honest feedback as you grow in your profession." Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "While so many in this business have had an influence on my career, I would have to say that my parents have had the single biggest influence. They instilled strong values: uncompromised work ethic, loyalty, honesty, never give up. They shaped who I am and provided the support to succeed." Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "The insurance industry is a fantastic industry with extraordinarily bright people and vast opportunity. I think that more uniformity and consistency in insurance regulation would create efficiencies that don't currently exist which would ultimately benefit our clients."

	Nancy Aque Principal Integro Insurance Brokers Chicago Age: 60 Nancy Aque brought more than 35 years worth of brokerage industry experience--with special expertise in health care risks--with her when she was tapped to become principal and head of Integro's Chicago operations in June 2005. Prior to her current position, Ms. Aque served as a managing director and head of Marsh Inc.'s Chicago office. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, and is an active member of various industry associations including the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management and Healthcare Management Financial Assn. Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "The presence of women in more senior positions, more powerful positions." Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "To focus on a specific area, but not be afraid to take opportunities as they come and fine tune your direction a bit." Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "Probably my father, because I witnessed him in his very quiet, methodical way, sorting through problems, working with people of all different varieties, and working with them to get the best outcome. He worked for Woolworth's in the finance area."

	Wendy Baker President Lloyd's America Inc. New York Age: 53 Wendy Baker started her career in insurance through a management trainee program at Continental Corp. in 1976. She worked her way up, earning the title of president of Continental Reinsurance Corp. in 1990, becoming the first female president of a reinsurance company. Over the next several years, she worked at different organizations including Minet Ltd. and her own consulting firm, Beckman Advisors, before joining Lloyd's America Inc. in 1998. Ms. Baker was promoted to president of Lloyd's America in 2000, and is responsible for overseeing six offices in the United States, the Virgin Islands and Montreal and for managing Lloyd's U.S. business. Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "Someone entering any business should learn the business and should never quit trying to gain more knowledge of how things work, new products, and new ways to sell the product. They should also be confident to say what they think, even if it is different than what a senior person thinks. As long as you are intellectually honest, you can stand up and say what you believe." Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "Certainly one of them is a woman named Constance Curnow. She was at Continental when I was there. She, I think, was a very good influence on me in terms of my strengths and weaknesses and telling me how to play both, and I think she's also been a great inspiration for other women in the business over the last 15 or 20 years. There are also a number of men who have been very influential in my career and made me feel that women could do everything that men could do, and maybe better. Some of these men are probably in their late seventies and eighties now, and some are younger men that I work with today. I have a very strong and confident family, who have been very supportive of what I've done over the years. It helps when you have the support of strong women like your mother, and your sisters and others in your family. I think that's very helpful." Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "Most people's view of the industry is negative, and I would like to change that so people understand that insurance is positive, and insurance underlies everything that we do in our lives. We are a main force of the economy, far greater than other industries, and yet we are not recognized for it. I think we need to have a different view of the industry, and maybe part of that comes from within--we need to view ourselves as a positive force in the economy, and maybe other people would feel the same way. We should be proud of what we do."

	Brenda Ballard Executive Vp Westrope Kansas City, Kan. Age: 43 Brenda Ballard's insurance industry career began in 1986 as a marketing trainee for broker Alexander & Alexander, where she worked her way to become a vp. In 1995, she accepted a senior vp and property broker position at Westrope. In 1998, however, Aon Corp. recruited her to become director of its global property practice. But in 2001, Westrope brought her back to expand its property department. She is now the executive vp for property and a member of the senior management team at the wholesaler. Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "Work hard to become knowledgeable and technical because clients know immediately if you understand what you are talking about. Stay focused, flexible and always willing to learn more, no matter how many years you are in the business. And, learn how to play golf well. Take golf lessons and take your game as seriously as your career. It's a great way to earn the respect of others both in the office and on the course." Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: Ed Baier, a senior executive who hired Ms. Ballard at Alexander & Alexander in 1986 for her first job in the insurance industry has had the greatest impact on her career. "Baier said if I would devote my life to the insurance business, he would teach me everything he could. He was a great mentor and, while he opened many doors for me, he expected me to be able to walk through them on my own, so to speak." Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "Our industry needs to be more relationship-based than it is currently. We need to educate all the players that insurance isn't just a pure commodity. Our business, certainly on the E&S side, requires commitment from everyone to ensure the best coverage, terms and services are provided to the insured. To accomplish this, there must be deep trust among all parties. It is difficult to gain that trust with your business partners when your product is sold purely as a commodity. Bottom line...we must evolve our industry into one of long-term relationships built on joint successes with a strong commitment to the customer...which is how our business used to be."

	Inga K. Beale Chief Executive Officer Converium Holdings Ltd. Zurich, Switzerland Age: 43 Inga K. Beale was named chief executive of Converium in February 2006, She started her reinsurance career working as an underwriter specializing in reinsurance at U.K.-based insurer Prudential Assurance Co. In 1992, she joined GE Insurance Solutions where she headed up the U.K. underwriting team. In 2001, Ms. Beale took on the role of global underwriting audit leader at GEIS in Overland Park, Kan., before becoming global underwriting co-leader in 2002. In 2003 she assumed responsibility for GEIS property/casualty business throughout continental Europe, Middle East and Africa. In 2004 she was appointed president and chairman of GE Frankona Re in Munich, Germany. Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "A mentor from the industry, a woman now retired, who spent time with me--mainly listening but who also shared her experiences with me. She gave me the confidence to pursue my career as, through spending time with her, I realized that most of us go through very similar development patterns. Sometimes you have periods of self-doubt but this is quite normal and by just believing in your own ability, you will succeed." Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "Keep an open mind and keep on learning. Although it may not feel it at the time, you will get stronger and more confident from any knock-backs you may get during your career--learn from them. Above all, always remain true to your own unique brand." Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "Let's put 'service' back into the business and be proud to be the service business that we strive to be by putting the customer first."

	Jill B. Berkeley Partner Howrey L.L.P. Chicago Age: 56 As a partner in the Global Litigation Group at Howrey L.L.P., Jill B. Berkeley co-chairs the firm's insurance recovery practice. She has worked at several law firms over the past 30 years and has extensive experience in the representation of policyholders and claimants in coverage litigation involving toxic torts and hazardous wastes, construction, products liability, intellectual property and excess liability matters. Ms. Berkeley is the 2005 recipient of the Andrew C. Hecker Memorial Award presented by the Tort & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Assn. She has been listed in Chambers USA among America's Leading Business Lawyers 2006, Top 5 Insurance Coverage Litigation Lawyers in Illinois; Illinois 2006 Super Lawyers and the Top 50 Leading Women Business Lawyers in Illinois 2006. Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "In a strange way, the greatest influences on my career were the doors that were closed against me. It forced me to fight for myself and take new directions and risks." Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "Don't feel you have to be defined by other peoples' 'labels' and 'job descriptions.' Discover what your interests and passions are and incorporate them into your professional life." Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: ""I would like to see more decision-makers with a 'big picture' perspective. The insurance industry is, in many areas, bogged down by people who are intent on maintaining the status quo and their own position, rather than being open to change."

	Florence Bindelle Executive Director Federation of European Risk Management Assns. Brussels, Belgium Age: 32 Before joining the Federation of European Risk Managers, Florence Bindelle worked at Mapfre Re-CIAR, part of the Madrid, Spain-based Sistema Mapfre. There she managed the liability portfolio in the London reinsurance and coinsurance market and conducted analysis of reinsurance treaties. Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "Curiosity, perseverance; surround yourself with the best councils; keep learning; do not let yourself become discouraged in a very male environment and be passionate." Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "Several board members of FERMA for their expertise, precious support and advice and my family for their constant support." Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "Increased European dialogue, sharing risk management expertise at European level; audacity and innovation from the insurers on the new risks; more women in the business."

	Mary S. Botkin President, Healthcare Division Jardine Lloyd Thompson L.L.C. Houston Age: 50 Mary Botkin spent eight years as a risk manager for Transworld Oil USA Inc. and Atlantic Petroleum before entering the health insurance brokerage business. She worked as a regional health care practice leader for Marsh Inc. and later Aon Risk Services before she joined JLT in 2003. In addition, she has been president and a board member of the Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management, a director of the Houston chapter of the Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc. and has served on the national board of directors of the Coalition for Affordable and Reliable Healthcare. Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be? A: "I would reverse the McCarran-Ferguson Act. I would not have 50 states in charge of the way insurance is licensed. Just as risk retention groups have reciprocal licensing, the same should be true of licensed brokers. Once you're licensed and registered with the NAIC, you should be able to transact business accordingly in all 50 states." Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today? A: "I would tell them to do their homework, to learn all they can learn about the way the industry works and to differentiate yourself as being a cut above. I also would advise them to put their creativity into play, because right now, the industry desperately needs creativity. Insurance companies and brokerage firms are becoming a highly regulated industry, which will require all of us to document the way we do everything. It is going to take creativity to be cutting edge in that highly regulated environment." Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why? A: "My mother. She's a very strong leader. I aspired to be like her. She told me that in order to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower. By that she meant that you have to walk a mile in other people's shoes. Tell them where you want them to go, and let them use their talents and capabilities to get there their own way."

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