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2022 Break Out Awards NORTHEAST SOUTH MIDWEST WEST

TRACEY WALLER Director, small commercial underwriting

Verisk Analytics Inc.

Jersey City, New Jersey

Insurance is a career that Tracey Waller pivoted to after working in theater for several years. Attracted to the stability of the sector, she began as a proofreader for one of the industry’s main underwriting and claims information organizations. She worked her way up, earning her CPCU and MBA along the way, and is now working to transform small commercial underwriting with data and analytics.

 

What’s your advice on navigating the current insurance market?

The landscape for small businesses has changed significantly over the last couple of years, and the last thing they want to give significant thought to is their insurance. Something like 65% of the businesses are owned by Gen Xers and millennials and their expectations about insurance are a lot different. My advice for navigating that is to recognize the reality of what is. The expectation is that insurance is going to be straightforward, as fast as everything else we do on our phones every day, and the service will be there when they need it.

 

What should the industry do to attract more young people to work in it?

A couple of things. Embrace the really exciting innovations that are happening in data science. That’s a quickly growing industry and it’s one that really seems to be getting the attention of those joining or about to join the workforce. Continuing to push that innovation and technology forward can help attract new joiners to the industry. And continuing to focus on diversity and leadership across the industry.

 

What is something about you that would surprise people?

That my undergrad degree is in theater.

 

Favorite hobby or pastime?

I really love going to baseball games. I’m a fan of the New York Mets.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a writer.