NAME: Susan Chmieleski
NEW JOB TITLE: Hartford, Connecticut-based head of professional liability, Lexington Insurance Co., surplus lines unit of American International Group Inc.
PREVIOUS POSITION: Hartford, Connecticut-based head of professional liability, Lexington Insurance Co., surplus lines unit of American International Group Inc.
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: While there are differences and nuances in individual segments, I remain positive. Professional lines have been challenged by a prolonged soft market, rising loss costs and most recently the uncertainty around the effects of the pandemic. However, we have done the hard work over the last couple of years to remediate portfolios and position our business for success. Weve focused on underwriting discipline that looks at the unique qualities of each risk and provides clients with appropriate terms, limits and pricing. The clear leaders will be those markets, like AIG, that navigate the headwinds and stick to their strategy.
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: To more closely align strategy and execution across Healthcare, LexPro and A&E professional lines and capitalize on the talent we have assembled. Our goal is to be the market of choice and employer of choice in each segment.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: As we emerge from the pandemic, it will be important to watch loss development patterns and ultimate costs.
FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: My first experience in the insurance field was in the area of professional liability and medical malpractice claims adjusting.
ADVICE: I advise early-career professionals to take advantage of opportunities in a number of different industry segments and products to stretch and try new things before setting a long-term career path.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: Criminal defense attorney
COLLEGE MAJOR: Nursing
LOOKING FORWARD TO: Supporting the development of our early-career professionals and to create more career paths and opportunities across the entire professional lines team.
FAVOURITE MEAL: My moms chicken and dumplings
BOOK: The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett
HOBBIES: Golf and traveling
TV SHOW: Jeopardy
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Play golf
