BREE WILLIAMS | Age: 41 Vice president, corporate risk

Ventas Inc.

Chicago

Graduating from law school during the financial crisis in 2010, Bree Williams joined a law firm where she worked with a small niche practice of insurance coverage attorneys. She found she liked working in insurance and interacting with clients. Five years later, she joined Amtrust Financial Services Inc. and in 2019 moved to Ventas, a real estate investment trust.

How are technological advances affecting your job?

When I started here, we didn’t have the ability to aggregate our data. Now, we are getting a handle on it. It’s helped us to better understand our risks, and data analytics have helped us understand where we should focus our energies.

What’s a problem that needs fixing in your sector?

The persistent increase in aberrant verdicts, specifically in the health care and senior living space, is a significant problem. I am working with others in our sector to determine ways to address the issue.

What do you wish more people knew about insurance?

How integral insurance is to business in general. This is a huge industry, and there is a lot of creativity we can bring to it. It’s a complex area that can be involved in all aspects of business.

Favorite hobby or pastime?

Playing with my puppy, Edie. I got her in July, and she is a mini bernedoodle. I’ve been going to a local forest preserve and taking long walks with her, and it’s been a ton of fun.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a lawyer. My dad taught high school government and history, and I felt that he wanted to be a lawyer. We would get into discussions and arguments about issues, and he inspired that in me.

Favorite song?

“Dissident,” by Pearl Jam.