2020 Women to Watch: Juliet White
Posted On: Dec. 2, 2020 12:00 AM CST
Juliet White
Head of cyber, North America
Axa XL, a unit of Axa SA
New York
Age: 34
Juliet White, New York-based head of cyber, North America for Axa XL, says cyber is “fascinating on a lot of levels.”
“It’s a constantly evolving threat. The actors are constantly changing their tactics,” she said. “It’s hard to get your arms around.” Those challenges make it an intellectually stimulating field in which to practice, she said.
Ms. White views insurers’ role in cyber security as fundamental in “helping companies continue to do what they do best,” and says that what they provide is more of a service than a product.
“There’s also this question” about the role insurance plays “in the broader world of technology,” she said.
John A. Coletti, New York-based chief underwriting officer for cyber and technology, North America for Axa XL, a unit of Axa SA, said that within a short period of time Ms. White has “really grown to be one of the leading voices in the industry and in the market.” He also noted her “tremendous work ethic.”
“One of Juliet’s really strong points,” he said, “is her ability to recognize strategy and to deliver on strategic results,” while many others get caught up in what’s happening day to day.
“She’s definitely a rising star” in the cyber community, Mr. Coletti said.
Ms. White’s first job after graduating from Cornell University was selling advertising for NBC News, but she decided she wanted “something different and more challenging.”
Her first job in the insurance industry job was working on executive liability for American International Group Inc.’s financial institutions group.
She segued into cyber at Beazley PLC before joining Axa XL as head of cyber, Northeast, in 2015. She was promoted to her current position in May.
Ms. White said she believes in promoting women and those “who are really deserving of positions and promotions.”
“I like to help people develop their own skills. That’s very rewarding to me.”
She also said that “generally the industry is trying to move forward” in terms of inclusion and diversity.
Ms. White said she and her husband, Shawn Deehan, who works in finance, have a toddler, Madeleine.