| NOTABLE WOMEN IN REINSURANCE
RANDI ELLIAS
Director , Client Advocacy and Coverage , Aon Reinsurance Solutions , Client Services
The reinsurance industry has been at the heart of Randi ’ s legal career since day one . She considers her landing in the field a “ happy accident ” right after law school . It was a stroke of fate that led her to pioneer as a woman reinsurance litigator and formalize a successful support program for all women professionals in reinsurance .
When Randi joined the Butler Rubin law firm in Chicago over 25 years ago , she was fresh out of law school and eager to get to work . She had served as a summer clerk at the firm and enjoyed the people and the firm culture . Her journey began in the area of reinsurance arbitration and litigation , and often she was the sole woman in the room . In fact , during her first reinsurance arbitration hearing — and after her first direct witness examination ever — an arbitrator remarked it was nice that lead counsel had “ given his daughter a chance to put on a witness .”
“ In that arbitrator ’ s mind , nepotism , rather than skill or talent , had to be the only reason why a young woman would be given that opportunity ,” said Randi . “ Thankfully , the industry appears to have moved past that mentality , and now there are many more women in senior roles at companies and acting as arbitrators or outside counsel .”
Women leadership in the reinsurance industry continues to rise , and Randi has played a direct role in its growth . In the early 2000s , she and other women lawyers at Butler Rubin worked together to create the Women in Reinsurance ( WIR ) program . Their goal ? To provide an authentic and trustworthy space for women to network , share , debate , learn , grow and cultivate lasting connections .
Randi shared , “ I think we accomplished that and more . I have heard stories from the women who attended the programs about how the contacts they made at WIR helped them to advance their career . Or how an introduction during the cocktail hour grew into an invaluable mentorship or a friendship . I am proud we succeeded in creating opportunities for women to develop those kinds of support networks .”
For over two decades , Randi served and grew with the reinsurance law team at Butler Rubin . There , she met and worked alongside two of her most indispensable mentors — Jim Rubin and Teresa Snider . Randi shared that Jim is a brilliant reinsurance lawyer who was a patient teacher , and Teresa is the embodiment of grace under pressure .
“ Jim taught me that , more than anything else , it is preparedness that achieves desired outcomes and that the hard work of being prepared begins the minute you take ownership of an issue . It is that preparedness that allows you to think ahead and to pivot quickly when necessary . And Teresa has taught me the immense value of maintaining a level head .”
In late 2021 , Randi made the decision to transition from private practice into an in-house role with Aon ’ s Reinsurance Solutions . Her professional pivot was mainly driven by her desire for continued professional development and growth . After 25 years , she had reached a thorough understanding of how reinsurance disputes are tried .
“ I was interested in a position where I could potentially use that understanding to assist clients in resolving issues before they became formal disputes and where I could be involved in the operational side of the business ,” said Randi . “ My new in-house position affords me both of those opportunities , and I am looking forward to learning new skills .”
No matter her position in the reinsurance industry , Randi continues her dedication to empowering and supporting her female peers . She believes it ’ s critical to take every opportunity possible to create a safe space for female mentorship , sponsorship and allyship . And , Randi explains it ’ s essential that women amplify each other ’ s voices within an organization .
“ Women in senior roles who are in a position to hand out opportunities to those in junior roles can try to make sure they are providing other women with opportunities to shine ,” she said . “ Visibility is important , so involving more junior women in high-
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