Courtney Davis is the Executive Vice President and Global Education Practice Leader at HUB International. Courtney was a guest on the podcast back in 2022 and has returned for a follow-up interview at the RIMS 2025 Conference in Chicago. She reflects on changes in her career, what it means to effectively educate and engage across a network, and how she is working to be an agent for change and greater diversity at every level in the insurance industry.

Key Takeaways:

● Courtney’s journey from the University of Chicago to HUB International.

● The conversations and possibilities that attracted Courtney to her present role.

● HUB’s growing footprint in the insurance industry.

● The biggest surprises in Courtney’s shift from risk management to brokerage.

● Educating and engaging an entire network.

● Supporting greater diversity at every level in the insurance industry.

● Effective strategies for attracting new talent.

● What it takes to become a change agent.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Courtney C. Davis

HUB International

Tweetables:

“As much as an opportunity may be great, it’s who you work with that will make you successful.”

“Sometimes you have to be the change agent yourself.”

“Don’t stop until you see the change that you want.”

“Being truly intentional to support the next level of talent is what we have to commit to.”

Kyle Thompson is the Senior Vice President in Risk Management at Arthur J. Gallagher, where he leads large teams on complex risk. He played pro golf for 17 years before pivoting to risk management in 2019. In this live from RIMS 2025 episode, Kyle reflects on the ways that his golf career prepared him for risk management. He highlights the similarities between the two careers, reflects on some of his biggest wins, and details the athletic characteristics that have helped him excel in his new career.

Key Takeaways:

● Kyle’s experience with golf was a family affair that is in his DNA.

● Advancing through the PGA was a multi-year-long effort.

● Kyle’s pivot from pro golf to risk management.

● Risk and insurance knowledge started with earning accreditations.

● Kyle has zero regrets about his career in risk management.

● Reflections on Kyle’s biggest wins and AJG’s growing success.

● Addressing the male-dominated insurance landscape.

● Surprising discoveries that Kyle made once he joined the traditional workforce.

● Characteristics of ex-athletes who thrive in risk management.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kyle Thompson

Arthur J. Gallagher

Tweetables:

“I had a few offers to go into real estate, but it just didn’t speak to me the way insurance did.”

“I was a pro at golf; now I’m an aspiring professional insurance broker.”

“I know what I know, and I know what I don’t know.”

“Golf itself is really nothing but risk management.”

Kate Fowler is the Global Head of Nuclear at WTW and a certified fire protection specialist. She previously contributed to Marsh’s Global Specialty Energy & Power team, where she worked to advance nuclear energy initiatives. In this live from RIMS 2025 Chicago episode, Kate offers an insight into this highly specialized sector of risk management, including a look at the future of nuclear energy, the benefits of earning her ARM and CPCU advancing nuclear energy initiatives designations, and what she wishes she had known at the onset of her insurance career.

Key Takeaways:

● Kate’s role with WTW aims to support the global construction practice with nuclear plant contractors and potential operators.

● Originally an architectural engineer, nuclear engineering wasn’t in Kate’s initial career plan.

● The technical ins and outs of fire protection.

● Transitioning from loss control to underwriting to the broker side.

● Nuclear energy is ramping up again for the first time in a decade.

● Energy independence is becoming a greater focus than ever before.

● Clean energy technologies will be part of future solutions.

● Kate’s perspective and expectation shift from an underwriter to a broker.

● The benefits of ARM and CPCU designations in Kate’s career.

● Considerations when moving from one established broker to another.

● Types of nuclear energy, including advanced reactors, fission, and fusion.

● Kate’s experience as a woman in a male-dominated field.

● Kate still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up — and that’s okay.

● Don’t worry about a career plan, just follow the breadcrumbs.

● Recruiting talent in the nuclear insurance industry means building a talent pool.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kate Fowler

WTW

Tweetables:

“Originally, I didn’t even know nuclear insurance was a thing.”

“I want to do more for the nuclear industry and support more people in the nuclear industry.”

“For all of the new nuclear assets that are coming online, the first thing you’ve got to do is construct them.”

“My career has absolutely not gone the way I expected it to, and it has been amazing.”

John Kempton is a Senior Consultant at FHS and is responsible for advising clients on program design and implementation, negotiating contracts, and implementing overall risk management strategy. Before joining FHS, John was the Southeast Zone Real Estate Leader and Senior Vice President for Marsh in Washington, DC. John entered the insurance industry in 2012. In this live from RIMS 2025 Chicago episode, John highlights industries that commonly outsource risk management, including real estate and hospitality, details the unique skillset of being a broker-turned-consultant, and offers encouragement to anyone who is wondering whether returning to the office is really worth the effort (it is).

Key Takeaways:

● John’s role at FHS focuses on real estate and construction space.

● Industries that commonly outsource risk management.

● From history major to insurance industry — John’s unexpected career path.

● Acquiring insurance clients in the real estate industry.

● The benefits of offering a flat monthly retainer.

● Brokers turned consultants offer a unique skillset to clients.

● John’s engagement preferences in the real estate and hospitality industry.

● Growth in this industry is not slowing down anytime soon.

● In another life, John is managing a safari lodge in South America.

● John’s networking advice to his early career self.

Mentioned in This Episode:

John Kempton

FHS Risk Management

Tweetables:

“Our job is to come in and manage the process rather than hijack the process.”

“Many of our clients don’t even know that this outsourcing model exists.”

“The earlier we’re involved with our clients, the better the outcome typically is.”

“Embrace being in the office and making connections.”

Scott Smidlein is the Head of the Energy Practice at HSB (Hartford Steam Boiler), where his experience in both the insurance and energy industries has helped push HSB into a major insurer in the space. Previously Scott worked for Marsh as a Client Executive and Property Specialist for Marsh’s Energy and Power Practice, where he worked with clients on tailoring their insurance programs to best fit their risk management needs. In this final live from RIMS 2024 episode, Scott details the intersection of insurance and energy, shares how curiosity and a willingness to try new things have benefitted his career, and underscores the importance of maintaining relationships throughout your career.

Key Takeaways:

● Scott’s role with HSB focuses on growing and running their cyber and energy practices.

● Risk management and insurance weren’t Scott’s initial career plan.

● The leap from Marsh to Lockton (and back again) gave Scott an opportunity to take on a new challenge.

● Scott is working to help HSB realize its full potential in the insurance and brokerage side.

● Transitioning from the brokerage side to the client side.

● Talent and willingness to try new things always equals opportunity in this industry.

● Scott’s average day is chaotic and unpredictable – for now.

● Success, to Scott, means taking HSB to the next level in the insurance industry.

● Saving relationships in the face of a mistake means admitting your error as soon as possible.

● Scott’s dream job includes a lot of chaos, a lot of success, and a lot of fun.

● Defining energy as it relates to the future.

● Scott’s advice to his early career self is simple — be curious and ask questions.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Scott Smidlein

HSB

Tweetables:

“To be a specialist in the energy sector you really have to know the technology.”

“The benefit of not burning any bridges when you leave a place is that you maintain those connections and the opportunities keep opening up.”

“If you’re always the guy who raises your hand when people ask if you’re looking for a new opportunity, you’ll find yourself doing a lot of different things.”

“We’re a very unique industry that has a ton of opportunity in place. Whatever you’re passionate about, there’s probably a job for it in the insurance industry.”

Mike Tannenbaum is the Founder and Managing Partner of Key Strategies, a boutique recruitment firm that specializes in providing world-class insurance and risk management talent to Fortune 500, insurance brokerage, carrier, and consulting firms across the U.S. With over 30 years of experience in this niche market, Mike has built a best-in-class network of corporate risk managers, insurance brokers, underwriters, claims and safety directors, RIMS account managers, and risk consultants at all levels. In this live from RIMS 2024 episode, Mike answers the top questions about recruiting in the insurance industry, from how often is acceptable to switch positions, what the total compensation package looks like, and whether the non-compete agreement is still an issue in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

● Mike shares the work that he does at Key Strategies and his podcast Should I Stay or Should I Go?

● Mike’s path to becoming a career risk management recruiter started at a beach club.

● As a recruiter, Mike builds relationships with both candidates and companies.

● The importance and challenge of confidentiality in risk management recruiting.

● Why should you have conversations with a recruiter if you’re not interested in changing jobs?

● Connecting candidates and employers in a pre-LinkedIn world.

● The evolving work of Key Strategies utilized LinkedIn as an effective tool.

● Addressing the talent shortage and inflation in the insurance industry.

● It’s not only about salary — the importance of considering the total compensation package and the career opportunities.

● What is the acceptable timing to transition from one position to another?

● Is the non-compete agreement no longer an issue in the insurance industry?

● The most meaningful advice that Mike has learned in his career.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Mike on LinkedIn

Key Strategies

Tweetables:

“A good risk manager really needs to understand their company and how they operate in every little detail to be able to provide the right insurance and advice.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being open to having those introductory conversations with a recruiter.”

“LinkedIn has presented some great challenges and some great opportunities in recruiting.”

“If you want people to believe in the mission, you have to sell them on the mission.”

“If you have your superstar employees, or anyone that you really value, you have to give them a reason to want to stay.”

Get a sneak peek into the world of risk management in higher education with Craig McAllister, the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management at the University of Miami and President of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA). With over 25 years of experience in the field, including a significant tenure at Cornell University, Craig brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to managing risks in academic settings. In this episode, Craig discusses the dynamic challenges of his role, from enhancing campus safety while respecting free speech to mobilizing community leaders in risk mitigation efforts. He also shares insights into his responsibilities overseeing the University's comprehensive risk programs and his leadership at URMIA.

Key Takeaways:

• A little bit about Craig and his work at the University of Miami.

• Craig loved that there was always something different to do when he got into this field.

• Being part of a bigger purpose keeps Craig energized. It’s exciting to support the mission, the research, and the clinical care at University of Miami, and making things happen through the lens of risk.

• How does Craig think about risk when working at a University?

• What are some of the challenges Craig has faced lately?

• How does Craig manage risk on campus while also protecting people’s free speech?

• How does Craig mobilize community leaders and help them think about risk mitigation?

• Every four years, Craig has to remind new students of the rules and policies, which helps you remember the basics.

• How do communication and public relations come into play?

• Craig talks about his role at URMIA.

• What advice does Craig have for professionals looking to get into risk management within academia?

• A shoutout to URMIA and their commitment to education.

Mentioned in This Episode:

University of Miami

Craig on LinkedIn

Michael Levine is a partner in Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s Washington, DC office and a leader of the Firm’s Insurance Recovery Practice. He offers insights into the legal side of the risk management space and the important role that attorneys play in creating a system of checks and balances in the insurance space and offers insights from his experience to young professionals considering a career at the intersection of insurance and law.

Key Takeaways:

• Michael shares insights into his work at Hunton Andrews Kurth.

• Being an attorney who practiced in insurance was not a childhood dream of Michael’s.

• After becoming an attorney, the decision to specialize in insurance coverage was an easy one.

• Michael has practiced both in favor of the policyholder as well as on the carrier side.

• What were Michael’s reasons for switching back and forth between the policyholder and carrier sides multiple times?

• The biggest misconceptions about the motives and actions of attorneys in the insurance space.

• What does it really mean if a lawyer gets involved in a claims case?

• The real reason Michael uses the term “policyholder” instead of “insured.”

• Attorneys are in place to provide a healthy system of checks and balances within the insurance industry.

• Maximizing insurance recoveries means giving policyholders everything they're entitled to.

• When is the right time to get an attorney involved in insurance policies?

• Once counsel gets involved, whether the broker has done their job makes all the difference in the outcome of the claim.

• Michael’s opinion on the high percentage of insurance payouts that ends up in attorney’s pockets.

• Acquiring new clients through marketing and networking, because repeat business is not good business in policyholder litigation.

• Michael reveals the biggest lessons learned from his years of practicing law in the insurance space.

• Tips for picking up the technical language of the insurance world.

• It’s all meaningful; Michael’s advice for finding the issues that mean something to you and righting a wrong.

Mentioned in This Episode:

RIMS — San Diego Event

Michael on LinkedIn

Hunton Andrews Kurth