2022 Women to Watch Awards Americas EMEA
Kelly Kinzer Head of construction for U.S. national accounts
Zurich North America
Schaumburg, IL
Kelly Kinzer’s introduction to the insurance industry nearly 20 years ago could be considered serendipitous.
While on her way back from softball practice at St. Olaf’s College in Northfield, Minnesota, she decided to check out a Zurich North America construction insurance recruitment event on campus.
She was the only student who showed up.
“It turned out to be a blessing because I was able to sit down with a recruiter and learn what construction insurance underwriting was all about,” she said.
That chance meeting led her to Zurich’s one-year underwriting trainee program in construction risk. After seven years with the insurer, she joined Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty and then worked for Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. and Willis Towers Watson PLC.
In 2019, Ms. Kinzer “came home” to Zurich. Since then, she’s launched a mass timber builders risk product and construction weather parametric insurance, both focused on climate-related risk and sustainability.
“Our work around innovation is probably one of the things that I’m most proud of at Zurich,” she said.
At the beginning of this year, Ms. Kinzer was promoted to her current position.
“It’s surreal to go from construction underwriting trainee to 20 years later having the opportunity to run the construction group. It’s a great privilege and honor,” Ms. Kinzer said.
Danette Beck, head of industry verticals and national construction practice leader at USI Insurance Services, met Ms. Kinzer more than 10 years ago when they both worked for Marsh. She said Ms. Kinzer excels at everything she does in the male-dominated construction space.
“I think the world of her. Anytime a woman like her shines on her knowledge, merits and expertise in an industry that is non-traditional for women to go into, they should be recognized,” she said.
Ms. Kinzer is passionate about helping other women grow their insurance careers, as others helped her, and serves as a mentor with Zurich’s Propel Inclusion program and the underwriting trainee program.
“Women provide a unique and different perspective and approach, so it’s incredibly important we have a seat at the table,” she said.
