2022 Women to Watch Awards Americas EMEA
Debbie Goldstine Executive vice president, U.S. casualty, technical intelligence & emerging risks practice leader
Lockton Cos. LLC
Chicago
Debbie Goldstine has loved the many roles she’s held throughout her 25-year insurance career, which has included personal lines and commercial lines underwriting, and leading Lockton’s U.S. casualty practice.
But launching and building the broker’s emerging risks practice over the past few years has been particularly rewarding, Ms. Goldstine said.
“It’s been a blast. I thought casualty was fun, but emerging risk is super interesting,” she said.
Calling her foray into insurance a “happy accident,” Ms. Goldstine joined Lockton 17 years ago and hasn’t looked back.
“I am a curious person, and our industry is really well suited for people who crave the opportunity to learn over the entire duration of their career,” she said. “My motto is: From hire to retire I want to be challenged and stretched the entire time.”
Within Lockton, Ms. Goldstine has fostered change through the broker’s employee resource groups, creating opportunities for all to develop and grow both professionally and personally. Most recently, she was invited to be an executive sponsor of Lockton’s Pride ERG, which she called a “great privilege.”
“It’s very obvious that we have underrepresented groups in our industry, and their voices should be invited and heard,” she said. “I have certainly enjoyed success as a woman in our industry and have had my own share of challenges there, and so I have an affinity for any marginalized group or those in the minority.”
In her work as a broker partner to Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., Ms. Goldstine has consistently produced innovative product ideas, said Morris Tooker, head of middle and large commercial at the insurer.
“She’s one of the more creative people I’ve seen in the industry,” he said. “She’s figured out how to navigate a system and make a difference and bring people along with her.”
Effective communication and nurturing relationships over the years have been critical to her success, Ms. Goldstine said.
“It all goes back to people — don’t underestimate the value you will get from investing in and nurturing your relationships,” she said.
