Top Moments from INN's 9th Women in Insurance Leadership Forum

Published December 3, 2014 8:10 AM

Updated May 19, 2015 6:22 PM

1 Min Read

INN celebrated its Women in Insurance Leadership (WIL) award winners at a celebration in Chicago on October 20 and 21.The forum was a dynamic event that involved hundreds of industry executives, upand-coming professionals and featured speakers.

INN Senior Editor Chris McMahon welcomes attendees to this year's Women in Insurance Leadership Forum at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile.

Teresa White, President, U.S. Operations, Aflac Inc., poses with her award. I dont just serve in a role," White says. "I really do try to understand how each of our constituents whether broker, field agent, employer or employee see their job, the market and our company. I see how they fit.

Melissa Crawford, Senior Vice President of Markets, Products and Technology, Physicians Mutual, is presented with her award. I think industry diversity is important," Crawford says. "People see problems and opportunities differently. A diverse leadership team enables us to look at situations from a variety of perspectives and leads to better decision making.

Katherine Mabe, President, Allstate Business to Business, is presented with her award by INN Publisher Holli Gronset. For me personally, nothing can be more satisfying than having your whole team be successful," Mabe says. "Its really about are we a success as a company and as a business.

Deborah Smallwood of Strategy Meets Action moderates the Women in Insurance Leadership Winner panel, which features 2014 WIL award recipients (L to R) Nancy Mueller, Victoria Carter and Teresa White.

Donna Peeples, Chief Customer Experience Officer, AIG, poses with her award. We have a Customer Data Officer who got his degree in archaeology and a Customer Solutions leader with a Masters in HR," Peeples says. "Teams comprised of people with such a broad range of life experiences give you better results, because youre drawing from a more complete set of perspectives.

Nancy Mueller, Chief Operating Officer, Zurich North America Commercial, displays her trophy. We are transforming operations to be focused on the customer, using big data and other technologies," Mueller says. "The pace of change is very rapid.

2014 WIL award winner Kathleen S. Ellis, Senior Vice President, Chubb and Son Inc., shows off her award. I travel to countries where women dont have a prominent role. When I show up at one of my branches, I feel like a rock star," Ellis says. "I tell the women, Dont let the differences stop you.

Principal Linda Pawczuk of Deloitte Consulting LLP addresses WIL Forum attendees during her panel, Technology Trends The Road to the Insight Economy.

Judy Copechal, Chief Underwriting Officer, United Property & Casualty Insurance Co., accepts her award. I try to support my staff and their career growth," Copechal says. "Im very candid and open in the way I work with others. I like to think that we are all equal partners.

2014 WIL award winner Victoria Carter, Vice Chairman, International Operations, Guy Carpenter and Co., displays her award. The fundamental of this industry is trust and relationships," Carter says. "Even now, with so much technology in the sector, its still very much a people business.

Seven of this year's 10 WIL award winners pose for the camera. For more information about INN's Women in Insurance Leadership program, click here.