NOTABLE WOMEN IN REINSURANCE
On becoming a lawyer “ I basically fell into being a lawyer . I was a chemistry major in college , and someone idly mentioned to me at the beginning of my junior year that it would be ‘ interesting ’ if I used my science background to become an IP attorney . After starting law school and completing a couple of internships , it became clear that the analytical approach to solving problems that I had learned through the sciences translated well to the law , so it was a good fit . It was a good lesson in how skills can apply across disciplines — I have used that lesson a lot over the course of my career .”
A defining career moment “ As a relatively junior associate , I deposed a fairly senior male executive from a reinsurance company . After he answered one of my questions , there was a pause while I considered how to word a follow-up to his response . The witness apparently took my failure to ask the next question as soon as he stopped speaking as a failure to understand his previous answer and asked ‘ Do you need me to explain that to you , young lady ?’ I naturally said , ‘ Yes , please .’ The witness proceeded to lecture me at length about reinsurance and his view of the matter in dispute , making a number of admissions that undercut his employer ’ s case . That testimony helped us to win the case . The experience taught me if someone is going to underestimate you based on your gender , your size or whatever your ‘ difference ’ is , there is very little you can do about it — but you can make sure they only do so once .”
On finding balance “ Balance is a hard one . I have had to re-orient my thinking around that over the years . I ’ ve found that for any given period of time , there ’ s generally an imbalance between my work life and my personal life , with one taking precedence over the other . I have just tried to make sure that over the long term , they even out .”
Fast facts
Professional Career
· Aon Reinsurance Solutions
· Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
· Butler Rubin Saltarelli & Boyd LLP
Education
· Northwestern University School of Law , J . D ., cum laude
· Franklin & Marshall College , B . A ., cum laude
Industry Involvement
· American Bar Association , TIPS Excess , Surplus Lines and Reinsurance General Committee
· AIRROC , Publications Committee , Member
· ARIAS-U . S ., Education Committee
On diversity “ I am happy to see the current focus on DE & I efforts throughout the industry and across all categories , not just gender . I believe there is so much opportunity in this industry to create a rewarding , lifelong career , so I am optimistic the move toward greater DE & I will result in attracting more talent who will be able to do just that .”
* Profiles are of women who are not affiliated with or employed by Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP .
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