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2017 Break Out Awards, West: Amy Vitarelli

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2017 Break Out Awards, West: Amy Vitarelli

AMY VITARELLI

Senior vice president

Heffernan Insurance Brokers

San Francisco

Age: 44

Amy Vitarelli is responsible for property/ casualty business development at Heffernan Insurance Brokers’ San Francisco office. She helps structure commercial insurance programs, including workers compensation, employment practices and cyber liability. She also heads the hospitality and restaurant practice. Prior to joining Heffernan, she worked in technology consulting.

Best advice you’ve been given

Always focus on the needs of the clients and the rest will fall into place. Everything that I do, whether I am with my team or just me, it’s always about what is going to best serve the client. Our job is to be their de facto risk manager.

Top industry concern

Historically, insurance has been an antiquated system. When I first started in 2002, I had worked in the tech industry for seven years. I was shocked to find that people used paper files. We’ve come a long way, and there have been immense improvements. But there is a lot more than can be done.

Best-kept secret about insurance

How much fun it is. Whenever I meet younger people in college who are looking for an industry, I always suggest insurance … if you enjoy interacting with a variety of people and you enjoy constantly learning. There is nothing stagnant in the insurance industry.

How do you unwind?

Usually it’s a bike ride or a walk with my husband and my daughters. Something outdoors. And a glass of wine at the end of the day also helps.

Something people don’t know about you

My friends and my colleagues know this about me, but most of my clients don’t: I was a pastry chef in college. I was trained in classic French baking. I still really enjoy that. I make things for holidays and birthdays.

 

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