2017 Women to Watch: Romaney O’Malley

Romaney O’Malley
Head of U.K. regions; head of industrials segment-commercial Europe, AIG Property Casualty
American International Group Inc.
London
Age: 41

With nearly 20 years of insurance industry experience, Romaney O’Malley is changing her views of success.

“Early in my career, I was more focused on what makes a more successful CEO,” she said. “But I think that shifts over time and the people who influenced me more in the last 10 years are those who really stayed true to their values at the same time as being successful in their business.”

An Australian native, Ms. O’Malley is currently the head of U.K. regions and head of industrials segment-commercial Europe, AIG Property Casualty for American International Group Inc.

Like many people in the industry, Ms. O’Malley had not planned on an insurance career. Her interest in the field started after she joined Ernst & Young’s graduate program and was assigned to mostly insurance and financial services companies.

Ms. O’Malley said that taking intelligent risks was a factor in her success.

“I think most good opportunities that result in a step change in your career are not going to be risk-free,” she said. “They’re going to require you to take a leap of faith, and I think it’s about making a decision about which are the right ones and which are the wrong ones.”

Ms. O’Malley is currently mentoring 12 women and said mentoring was a critical factor in her early career. “I’ve had a series of really strong mentors who have given me not only great advice but also advocated for me,” she said.

Ms. O’Malley graduated from AIG’s 15-month Women’s Executive Leadership Initiative last year. “It not only allows me to do a better job,” she said, “it allows me to bring a broader leadership role and understanding to what works and what doesn’t work so I can help that next generation.”

Ms. O’Malley serves as an example to others in the industry, Anthony Baldwin, CEO of AIG Europe and AIG U.K., said in an email. “Her outstanding work during her career to date, as well as her determination to encourage others to succeed, is a true inspiration.”

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