2016 Women to Watch: Adeola Adele

Adeola Adele
Executive vice president, employment practices liability product leader and cyber thought leader
Willis Towers Watson P.L.C.
New York
Age: 46

Adeola Adele is a woman who wears many hats.

She is responsible for working with Willis Towers Watson P.L.C.’s employment practices liability service and client relationship management teams to ensure that everyone is aware of emerging trends and legal developments that may affect coverage purchased by their clients, as well as developing new employment practices liability coverage enhancements. She also oversees educating Willis Towers Watson colleagues and clients about cyber risk.

Ms. Adele’s colleagues credit her with contributing to the revenue growth of Willis’s cyber practice since joining the broker in 2014.

Her background in employment law sparked her entry to the industry. From 2000 to 2007, she was an attorney working at Kaufman, Borgeest & Ryan L.L.P. and Sedgwick L.L.P., both in New York.

Through her work, she developed what she described as “a passion for problem solving.” “Risk is dynamic, it’s ever-evolving, and I really just enjoy developing creative and innovative solutions to manage risk. Ultimately, for me, it’s the advisory and problemsolving aspect of our industry that keeps me interested,” said Ms. Adele.

Ken Ross, New York-based head of the claims and legal group and thought and product leadership at Willis Towers Watson, said he has learned the importance of being a better listener by working with Ms. Adele.

“Adeola is a great listener who always values the opinions of others. While many people essentially pay lip service to listening, she owns this and effectively factors what she hears into her thought process,” said Mr. Ross.

Alexis Faber, Memphis, Tennessee-based co-head of global financial lines with FINEX North America at Willis Towers Watson, describes Ms. Adele as a team player.

“She sets the example for her colleagues by being completely selfless,” she said.

Ms. Adele is active in various nonprofit organizations, but she calls PathFinders Justice Initiative her “passion project.” She is a board member for the organization, which supports and advocates for female survivors of child sex abuse and gender-based violence throughout the world.

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