NAME: Carrie Brodzinski
NEW JOB TITLE: Hartford, Connecticut-based chief underwriting officer, global specialty at Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.
PREVIOUS POSITION: Hartford, Connecticut-based chief underwriting officer, global specialty at Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: The outlook for the insurance industry is extremely positive. We are in a time of unprecedented change that has challenged the way we work. For insurers, theres been a constant need to understand the unique new challenges faced by each industry and business during this time. As businesses continue to ramp up and reopen, the opportunity to help them thrive again by providing coverage specific to their needs in some cases new and evolving needs continues to grow. The market remains firm, built on the activity of the prior year, and I anticipate that to continue for a period. The excess and surplus lines marketplace, in particular, has tremendous opportunity given the unique ability we have to meet the needs of specialist and wholesale brokers. Its not merely about providing basic coverage but evaluating specialized needs and creatively coming up with solutions to meet those needs.
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: The global specialty team at The Hartford, inclusive of our partner organizations, is made up of highly insightful and talented people. This is one of the most positive and collegial atmospheres I have worked in. It is an exciting time to be joining and my goal is to empower, enable and help bring new ideas forward as we continue providing creative solutions for specialty brokers and clients.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: The specialty marketplace is constantly evolving. Technological advancements and the incredible opportunities with data and analytics are exciting in many ways but also present challenges in changing the types of exposures businesses now face. In some ways, the challenges present great opportunities for brokers and insurers to partner to problem-solve and come up with creative ways to ensure their joint clients truly have the right coverages they need for their unique businesses. Social inflation and changes in the economic and regulatory environments heighten the need for specialist insurers with a deep understanding of their specific industries and coverage needs.
FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: I started my career as an attorney practicing in creditors rights and bankruptcy, so naturally my first experience in insurance was underwriting lawyers professional liability. I quickly got involved in product management starting with Employment Practices Liability Insurance for law firms and moved from there to manage other product lines and develop new products. I have been fortunate to have taken on various roles and expanded my exposure to a full range of property/casualty and specialty products and international markets.
ADVICE: Ask questions and never stop learning. There is tremendous opportunity in the insurance industry, and innovation is often born in the moment where someone stops to ask why. This is an industry where people can easily move among products and functions and have a truly rewarding career.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: I would love to be able to bring my experience to a board of directors in another industry. That is a very different role from the ones I have had, and it would be fascinating to have that perspective.
COLLEGE MAJOR: I was a marketing major, and my original vision was to have a career on a creative team. Instead, I went to law school and find myself in the insurance industry and I am constantly finding different ways to be creative.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: I am truly looking forward to being part of global specialty at The Hartford. This team has accomplished amazing things and created tremendous value in the bringing together of two companies. There is tremendous opportunity in the specialty market right now and this team has a long tenure in developing creative solutions. I cant wait to see what else we can do.
FAVOURITE MEAL: Hmmm, tough one. Probably steak frites (with an emphasis on the frites) followed by decadent chocolate dessert.
BOOK: I love any book that makes me think. I take recommendations from a diverse group of friends and colleagues and I enjoy reading something that I would not necessarily have chosen and maybe even takes me outside my comfort zone. Discussing the book with the person who recommended it is half the fun; I often find that seeing the book through someone elses lens can really affect the way I think about something.
HOBBIES: I am a golfer, and although I love the game, I think my handicap may be my swing. I also spend a lot of time with my two children paddle boarding, kayaking and cooking.
TV SHOW: The Sopranos must be one of the best TV shows ever made and one of my favorites. For more current shows, I am a big fan of Better Call Saul. Its fascinating to see the transformation from Slippin Jimmy to Saul Goodman.
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: If I am not golfing, I love to spend the afternoon at the pool with my family or with a good book.
