Power of One Member Profile: February 2010

Each month, the Power of One introduces one IMCA member to the broader membership. IMCAnet editors ask the member a series of questions about roles, responsibilities, goals, challenges, and interests. Let us know what you think at powerofone@imcanet.com.

1. How long have you been an IMCA member?
   Approximately 2 years.
   
2. Your current company?
   Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty 
   
3. Your current job title?
   Director, Marketing and Communications
   
4. Brief description of your primary job responsibilities?
   I lead all efforts associated with the Americas Region (US, Canada, Brazil and Mexico) for marketing, advertising, internal and external communications, event planning and media relations for the company.
   
5. Why did you choose it as a career?
   I started interning in college at Nationwide Insurance and really liked it - and have never left the insurance industry since then. 
6. What do you like most about the job?
   I absolutely love my job. It is never boring and I am always busy (which is important for me!). I travel as part of my regional and global responsibilities, plan exciting events for our client and broker partners, develop interesting advertising, communicate to the press and our stakeholders all the great things our company is doing, as well as learn about so many different types of businesses through the client corporations we insure.
   
7. What is your greatest challenge?
   Getting everything done! An interesting challenge recently has been geographic expansion of my company into Brazil and Mexico, requiring cultural understanding and language translation. I was an International Business major, and assisted in writing and editing for a Global Strategy textbook however, so this is what you would call my cup of tea!
   
8. What did you want to be growing up?
   A Fashion Designer or a Writer
   
9. What goals are you still working toward?
   Although I have worked in the insurance industry for 9 years, I started in personal lines and now work in corporate insurance. There is always more to learn about the "ins and outs" of insurance with so many different products and services. Just when you think you have it figured out, you realize that there is always more you need to learn.
   
10. What do you want most from your IMCA membership?
    The ability to share best practices, contacts and ideas. There is no point in “reinventing the wheel.” If someone else is doing it well, I would rather learn from them!
    

1. What was your first job?
   I worked at a cosmetics counter at Sears throughout high school and during college breaks.
   
2. What was your first car?
   A used LeBaron convertible. I thought I was so cool – and everyone called it the "Barbiemobile."
   
3. What do you like to do in your spare time?
   Tennis, Yoga, Reading, Traveling and Cooking with my husband
   
4. What’s the farthest from home you’ve ever been?
   I studied abroad in France and during that time traveled all through Western and Eastern Europe. I am dying to go to Asia though!
   
5. Tell us something unique about yourself many people don’t know?
   I published a book in 2008 entitled "The Little, Helpful Guide on How to Have Everything You Want Before You Turn 30!" and enjoy mentoring young women.
   
6. What is something you are proud of and why?
   I am extremely proud that I was able to climb the career ladder in this industry as young as I did and as a woman.
   
7. What historical event has had the most impact on your life?
   I would have to say probably this last Presidential election. The idea that a woman came close to being President was very inspiring. And living in Chicago during the election of Obama was an amazing experience.
   
8. Name someone famous you’d like to meet and why?
   Oprah. She has created a successful business enterprise (let’s face it: an empire!) and it would be very interesting to find out she made it all happen.
   
9. What’s the best advice you ever received?
   My father taught me never to give up my dreams and to work hard each and every day. "If you make each day count, then the weeks and years will take care of themselves." I do just that and I believe that it has paid off.
   
10. Name one thing you’ve done that you said you'd never do?
    Eat meat. I was a vegetarian for 10+ years. I since then, I have been diagnosed as gluten and lactose intolerant and I couldn't survive without meat now.