2022 Women to Watch Awards Americas EMEA
Lisa Williams Global head of casualty
Zurich Insurance Group Ltd.
Zurich
Lisa Williams entered the industry straight out of school at 17 as an account bookkeeper on the receivables team at American International Group Inc., a role that involved reconciling the insurer’s accounts, premiums and claims.
“It was a little bit like a puzzle at times, because the accounts didn’t quite add up and there were discrepancies, so you had to delve into the files and find out what the truth was and make sure the bookings were correct,” Ms. Williams said.
The role brought out her curiosity and problem-solving skills. It also exposed her to different departments within AIG, and from there she decided she wanted to become an underwriter.
The mid-1990s was an interesting time to be in the London insurance market. “It was a market — and still is a market — that’s built on relationships with people. In that regard, it’s always been a very welcoming market,” she said.
But it was also very male-dominated, and there were generally fewer women, especially at a senior level, and “certainly, as I understood it, no gay women out at all at that time,” she said.
It wasn’t until 2007 that she felt comfortable coming out, and while initially there was some “banter” from colleagues, since then, her career has gone forward because she can genuinely be herself around others, Ms. Williams said.
That experience instilled in her the importance of inclusion. “It’s about equality full stop. I’m always very conscious about making sure that people feel included, that everybody has a fair chance, a fair opportunity, and a fair and safe place to speak as well,” she said.
It’s the way she treats people that makes Ms. Williams stand out, said Nigel Light, global casualty leader, at Aon Reinsurance Solutions, who has known Ms. Williams as an underwriter for more than 15 years.
“She remembers people whether they’re my age or the newest person in the firm,” Mr. Light said. She’s also skilled, not just at knowing the answer but in how she delivers the answer to each person, he said.
