2015
| NOTABLE WOMEN IN REINSURANCE
LEAH SPIVEY
Senior Vice President , Head of Business Runoff Operations , Claims Division , Munich Reinsurance America , Inc .
Leah Spivey is the type of person who wanted to put her own stamp on her career , and that philosophy led her to the highest levels of the legacy sector of the reinsurance industry . Leah believes her personality - as a self-described “ driver ” as well as a “ people person ” - allows her to simultaneously produce results and build strong client relationships . Leah ’ s route to the top was based on an old-fashioned theory – that she could both be a career professional and pursue her passions and talents in the industry .
But Leah began her reinsurance career in the most unconventional of ways . Her first job after graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a journalism degree was as an admissions counselor for an accredited school that operated as a for-profit college . “ Working this job made me realize that I wanted a position that provided a certain level of autonomy where I could own my work product from beginning to end . The insurance industry was the perfect fit for my criteria ,” she said . Leah took a claims position with an insurance company in 1984 and steadily moved up the career ladder to her current position as SVP-Head of Business Runoff with Munich Reinsurance America , Inc .
At Munich Re , Leah leads a group which has results responsibility for all of its 2001 and prior liabilities . She manages a staff of reinsurance professionals with a portfolio of current and former clients . During her time at Munich , she has held a variety of positions in claims and account management . “ My current role involves being responsible for the results of our legacy portfolio and mitigating its risk of change year over year . We evaluate what makes sense for the group economically and try to find the best ways to meet our reinsurance partners ’ needs through optimal exit solutions ,” she says .
Since joining the insurance industry in 1984 , her career has been filled with interesting opportunities . “ At one point , I was asked to step away from the business and design a multi-line training program for recent college graduates ,” she explains . It was a creative detour that kept her engaged with the company and led her to pursue and achieve a Certified Training Designer designation . However , she longed for and returned to the business side of the industry after a fulfilling two years .
At Munich Re ( formerly American Re ) since 1993 , Leah has enjoyed its organizational flexibility , which meant that she was able to work a four-day week at one point in her career , though she chose to return to a full time schedule . “ Work / life balance has always been important although optics and expectations have changed a great deal since I started in this industry . Today , people are insisting on more balance . I appreciate the young people , who are not afraid to take advantage of all the benefits we now have ; just as much as I am thankful for those who came before me , who forged new paths and provided me with the opportunities that I have experienced ,” she says .
Among the lessons Leah has learned during her career :
On career paths Get as much education as you can as early as you can because it truly benefits you . Get in a good training program , and if you find something that excites you , it can sustain you for an entire career .
On advice to women today There are more opportunities today than when I started . Take advantage of all the work-life balance options you have as there is no ‘ right or wrong ’ way to build a career anymore . You can grow in a career successfully in many ways at your own pace and in your own directions .
On secrets to success In my younger days , I said the secret to my success was to speak your mind but never complain . I don ’ t believe that anymore . Now , I believe the secret is to do things in a way that you are always building and improving . If something isn ’ t quite right , find a way to make it better rather than to think or say that it is wrong . Pointing out what is wrong doesn ’ t add any value , building excitement around an idea of how to take it to the next level is true leadership .
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