2020 Break Out Awards NORTHEAST SOUTH MIDWEST WEST
KELLY CASTRIOTTA Head of product development, North American cyber underwriting lead
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, a unit of Allianz SE
Chicago
A native New Yorker, Kelly Castriotta began her career practicing law with the initial goal of becoming a criminal defense attorney. After several years in insurance litigation, she decided to try working on the insurer side and joined her boyfriend — now husband — in claims. Her interest in writing new products and driving resolutions led to her current position at Allianz SE. She and her husband recently bought a house in Chicago where she can be found reading Lorrie Moore’s short stories and expanding her personal library.
What is the biggest challenge of working through the pandemic?
It’s making sure that the team is feeling happy and confident and motivated. As teammates, we’re very close to one another, and we genuinely miss each other. And I definitely miss my Dollop Coffee shop.
What should the industry do to attract more young people to work in it?
I think that we should be, as an industry, embracing technology more and also the diversity of talent and backgrounds. The industry can also abandon the assumption that you need to wait your turn. If you look at all of the new start-up tech companies, they’re promoting young talent. It’s a mentality that needs to shift, to start rewarding merit.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the business?
Be responsive. I have noticed a lot of young people in the business not feeling confident enough to pick up the phone, but this business is always about relationships. People will always remember you being courteous and responsive even if you didn’t know the answer.
What is something about you that would surprise people?
I played rugby for Boston College.
What is your favorite meal?
The super burrito from Anna’s Taqueria in Boston.
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