UP CLOSE: Leta Finch

LETA FINCH

NEW JOB TITLE: Burlington, Vt.-based national practice leader for higher education at Aon Risk Solutions.

PREVIOUS POSITION: Burlington, Vt.-based executive director for the higher education practice with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: What I have discovered is, Aon has tremendous resources that resonate with colleges and universities, and I am looking forward to introducing those resources.

INDUSTRY CHALLENGES: There is a continuation of a growing number of new regulations. Regulations create a compliance challenge, an added expense and time constraints.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: There are glimmers of light in the industry; it will get better.

BEST THING ABOUT A BAD ECONOMY: The incentives that it creates to take a broader enterprise risk management approach, to identify those material risks that can have the greater impact on an organization. By doing this, every organization becomes more resilient in tough times.

FIRST MARKET EXPERIENCE: I was a medical malpractice loss-control technician for the Hartford Insurance Group. I had this position during the malpractice crisis of the late 1970s. One thing I did was go around and talk to doctors about how they could better prepare themselves.

ADVICE: Never believe that what hasn't happened is a predictor of what can happen.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: Philanthropist. I have strong feelings about humanitarian efforts.

HOBBIES: I have a small foundation and that consumes any of my free time. The name is self-explanatory: The Foundation for Higher Education in Central Asia. There is a need to continue to help institutions (there) so students can get an honest education.

MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT: Higher education and insurance solutions.

FAVORITE MEAL: Caesar salad and a glass of red wine.

ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: I'm at the office cleaning up loose ends from the previous week.