NAME: Sherry Gonzalez
NEW JOB TITLE: President, Chicago office, Hylant
PREVIOUS POSITION: President, Chicago office, Hylant
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: So much is happening in the world right now. I think the insurance industry has a real opportunity to provide creative ideas, whether thats using new technology tools and big data to help companies better predict risk and prepare for the impact, or thinking outside the box to design new ways to fund risk while protecting the bottom line. The world is also smaller every day; insurance executives should know how to navigate the ins and outs of international programs and think globally about risk and insurance rather than the traditional U.S./foreign approach. When new companies set up today, they often operate in a flexible, global work environment, blurring the lines of country boundaries.
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: Hylant is in a great situation for growth. There are so many areas we are investing in, starting with hiring talented, senior executives from the industry who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our growth plans. My priorities will see me develop further our footprint and capabilities in the Chicago area, paying close attention to how Hylant will serve its large national and multinational clients.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: The global pandemic, increasing political unrest, cyberattack severity and frequency, climate change, mental health of employees, gig economy and other new realities have created plentiful, complicated risk challenges for companies of all sizes today. Likewise, insurers are under pressure from their shareholders, so they are looking for ways to strengthen performance, sometimes refusing to renew policies and often increasing cost. It creates opportunities for companies like Hylant to put their expertise to work in helping companies improve their risk profile as well as explore innovative ways to transfer and fund risk.
FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: I started my career over 33 years ago at broker Johnson & Higgins, well-known for international coordination and putting their clients global needs first. It was a great training ground. I worked in Los Angeles and was their first trainee brought straight into their international division. After five years there, I wanted to take on the challenge of living and working successfully in insurance in a foreign country, another language and business culture. A fantastic opportunity opened up for me in Colombia, South America, where I relocated in the mid-90s as J&Hs first female expat employee. Since then, Ive maintained a global perspective in all I do professionally and personally.
ADVICE: Take chances. If a new opportunity comes your way that scares you a bit, something youve never tackled before, I say jump in, sink or swim (you always learn you can swim). Its an opportunity to learn additional skills and stretch yourself. The more you tackle new challenges, the more you grow and learn resiliency. Also, expose yourself to insurance outside your own country. Almost all clients have insurance risks outside of a single country. Knowing how to manage an international insurance program is a must in a world that works with fewer boundaries each day.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: Many years ago, I started a nonprofit company in Los Angeles that focused on making volunteerism easier for busy professionals. Although it was something I ran in my spare time, we had 1,200 volunteers participating in over 150 charity events a year. The work was so enriching and rewarding. Its good for your soul and your community. Outside of what I do in insurance, I feel a calling to return to non-profit work at some point. My creed is that you should always try to leave a place a little better than how you found it.
COLLEGE MAJOR: International business/foreign trade policy and Spanish
LOOKING FORWARD TO: The ability to act nimbly and in the best interests of our clients, wherever they do business in the world. To bring new solutions to them that they havent thought of before. After working for extremely large brokers and underwriters, I am looking forward not only to bringing my experiences to benefit Hylant, but to having a voice and being heard. Hylant permits its executives to apply their knowledge, create a business plan for the opportunities they see and to implement it quickly.
FAVOURITE MEAL: My now-adult kids love a baked pasta dish I concoct, sans recipe, and ask for it whenever we are able to get together. Its my favorite meal only because it gives me such joy to make it for them. Like all good pasta sauces, it tastes even better days later. Easy and delicious.
BOOK: The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander, the book I have gifted more than any other. Good lessons for life and for leadership. See whats possible versus limiting potential by measuring yourself against others. Invent a way of viewing life that benefits you. Be like an orchestra leader focused on getting the best out of your players/team. In the end, focus on being the best for the world, not in the world. Its a good book for those glass-half-full realists.
HOBBIES: Since the first chance I had to go abroad as an exchange student when I was 16, I have been an avid traveler. My career has afforded me the opportunity to travel to every corner of the world and to live in several different countries. My passion is exploring new cities and countries, with any type of camera that is handy. Its hard for me to contain my enthusiasm and keep the number of digital pictures to under 500 a day! The more you know of the world, the more you want to know. I always have a list of three countries I want to see next.
TV SHOW: I must admit that I am a big Trekkie. I have seen all the Star Trek episodes, way too many times.
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Mostly to take things easy, unwind from the work week. Saturday afternoons are good for cooking, running a few errands and connecting with family and friends. And, if I am feeling really energetic, attempting to edit down all those billions of digital photos Ive amassed over the years.
