NOTABLE WOMEN IN REINSURANCE
“ It is important to be your own advocate but to also have someone else be your advocate that ’ s outside of your manager . A sponsor assists by talking with you about your career path , making suggestions on development opportunities and / or directions that you may not have considered . A sponsor can also be instrumental in connecting you with additional people in your career path , building your network and / or recommending you for further positions within your company .”
Some of the lessons Ann has learned in the course of her career include :
On industry involvement Ann is a big believer in being connected in the industry . She was encouraged early in her career by a mentor to get involved in ARIAS-U . S ., a trade association for the insurance and reinsurance industry . At first , she did not know anyone at the semi-annual conferences but she eventually made many connections through attendance , speaking engagements and serving on various committees . Now , when she attends , there aren ’ t many people she doesn ’ t know and she looks forward to seeing these friends in the industry . She served on the ARIAS-U . S . Board of Directors for six years and is still the chair of the ARIAS-U . S . Women ’ s Network Committee .
Ann has attended other industry group events , including the Chicago ARIAS-U . S . Women ’ s Resource Group , AIRROC and Brokers & Reinsurance Markets Association ( BRMA ) events . She has attended several of the Porter Wright Women in Reinsurance annual events in New York . “ I find the Porter Wright Women in Reinsurance events truly help all of us be better connected and be a resource for one another .”
Five years ago , Ann and four women formed an improv comedy group called “ Queen B Improv .” The group performs regularly in the northwest suburbs of Chicago at venues such as Laugh Out Loud Theater , Barrington ’ s White House and Parker Playhouse . Ann previously served on the Board of Directors at The Parker Playhouse .
In addition to being a comedienne , Ann has performed in two plays and recently directed Neil Simon ’ s “ The Odd Couple .” Ann is currently co-directing another play , a murder mystery , that will premier in March of 2020 . Ann said her children love to see her on stage and she hopes it sends positive messages to them .
“ It ’ s good for them to see me up on stage . My hope is that they too will take some risks in life and have enormous fun while they are doing it !”
Fast Facts
Professional Career
· Willis Re
· Field Law & Arbitrations
· Zurich Insurance Group
· Argonaut Insurance Company
· Riebandt & DeWald LLC
· Prairie State Legal Services , Inc .
Education
· Valparaiso University School of Law , J . D .
· Macalester College , B . A .
Industry Involvement
· ARIAS – U . S . Certified Arbitrator and Mediator
· ARIAS Women ’ s Network Committee
On community and personal life Having a hobby or passion outside of work is important to Ann . A little over ten years ago , Ann decided to try improv comedy . She took a few classes and fell in love .
“ It gets me out of my head , gets me away from my day-to-day work stuff and allows me to play and be creative ,” she said . “ It helped me improve upon everyday life skills and business skills , too – what a bonus !”
* Profiles are of women who are not affiliated with or employed by Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP .
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