Miranda Rodriguez entered the insurance industry in 2010 through a graduate rotation program at Willis Towers Watson PLC. After studying finance at Fordham University, she had envisioned a career in banking but changed tack. At Willis she worked with several high-profile clients, including Brookfield Asset Management. When Brookfield approached her to join its team in 2013, she jumped at the chance.
What’s your top tip for working remotely?
Being organized with your day. COVID has presented all of us with challenges, and everyone’s situation is different. I’m in the office a few days a week, though when I’m home I find myself having to pivot from being a wife, a mother, to being an employee. I like to structure my days starting the day prior, so that I have everything at my disposal to be in the work mindset.
What’s your advice on navigating the current insurance market?
Start your discussions early to avoid any surprises. I recommend starting renewal discussions 60 to 90 days in advance, but the earlier the better. Even for those who have a clean loss history who expect no surprises I would advise to expect the unexpected.
How will your work change going forward?
As a risk manager it’s incumbent upon us to think outside the box and in ways where we perhaps haven’t had much focus previously. The pandemic is the perfect example. No one could ever have expected we would be in a global pandemic and that our way of life would be so severely altered. Being aware, cognizant, doing your research, asking the right questions, availing yourself to a broader knowledge base — all goes a very long way.
What is something about you that would surprise people?
I’m a DIYer, so I enjoy building. I’m very handy with miter saw tools.
What is your favorite meal?
Mediterranean — hands down.