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2021 Women to Watch Awards Americas EMEA

Marinda Griese Claims administrator

California Joint Powers Risk Management Association

Livermore, California

When Marinda Griese made a job change to cut down her commuting time and spend more time with her family, little did she know that the change would lead to a satisfying career in government risk management and pooling.

“I went from working in the research and lien division of a bank to a pool, doing training, records management and supporting the certified safety professionals on staff. I also learned the basics of pooling, risk management, self-insurance and retention,” she said.

Working for a pool with 27 members broadened her knowledge and created challenges, she said. She learned about handling first-party property claims and third-party liability claims against member insureds — government entities and local municipalities.

After 16 years she made the decision in 2018 to move to a larger pool, the California Joint Powers Risk Management Association.

“I loved serving the primary pool, but this is such a bigger pond, and I feel like my perspective has broadened,” Ms. Griese said. “Service to people has become a focus for me. I’m happy to be in a place where I can pay it forward to my peers and my member cities.”

Tony Giles, general manager of the California Joint Powers Risk Management Association, said Ms. Griese has been a great asset to the organization. “She does a great job at whatever she has taken on,” he said.

“She has become our local expert in Medicare secondary payer issues related to general liability claims. Her skills in that area are so good that she is able to share that information with our outside defense counsel when we’re settling cases,” Mr. Giles added.

Ms. Griese also is an advocate for women and minorities, mentoring whenever she can.

“Mentoring is about being able to freely share what I know with others,” she said. “Insurance has long been an apprentice-like industry — you learn by doing. Until you do the work you don’t realize how all the pieces fit together and how it plays out. And you will never be bored.”