The Voices of Risk Management

Randy Jouben is the Chief of Risk Management in Fairfax County, one of the largest counties in the United States. He shares the lessons he has learned from his varied experiences from non-profit and for-profit to the public sector. He underscores the importance of embracing technology and training employees in AI engagement in order to manage risks instead of being blind to them, shares the benefi...

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 grea...

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...

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,...

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 ep...

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...

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 broker...

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...

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...

Daniel Kaniewski is the Managing Director at Marsh McLennan and an American government official who served as the acting deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served as the deputy administrator of FEMA for Resilience. In this episode, Daniel recalls the impact that 9/11 had on his personal and professional life and how it strengthened his resolve to increase the...

Jenna Kirkpatrick Howard is the Senior Vice President for Lockton Companies. She is also a board member and treasurer for the Community of Hope, a non-profit focused on creating opportunities for low-income families in Washington, DC. In this episode, Jenna shares her journey from hesitantly stepping into a sales position to embracing her skills as a networker and people connector. She shares the...

Cheryl Reecher is the Vice President of Business Development at Cotton Holdings Inc. With a career spanning over two decades, across various high-profile roles in the insurance industry, Cheryl brings a rich wealth of experience from director of risk management to insurance broker, and now as a business developer. In this episode, Cheryl shares her journey from discovering insurance to mastering t...

Martin Drux is a Multinational Executive and is currently leading Marsh Multinational's team in Europe, with a specialization in Asia Client Services. In this episode, Martin shares his experiences and the unique aspects of handling insurance across different continents. Martin also discusses the nuances of insurance practices in Germany versus the U.S., his role in vocational training insurance,...

Josh Levy is the CEO and co-founder of Document Crunch, an innovative company dedicated to explaining construction contracts as simply as possible. With a background in Construction Management from the University of Florida and an enriching experience as a construction law clerk, Josh's journey into construction and technology solutions is as compelling as it is impactful. This episode shares why...

James Benham is the co-founder and CEO of JBKnowledge and shares his journey from bootstrapping a tech empire from his college dorm to becoming a leader in the insurance technology space. With over two decades of experience, James has propelled JBKnowledge to the forefront of insurance software, serving some of the largest companies worldwide. In this episode, he discusses his hands-on approach to...

Anne Marie Towle is the CEO of Global Risk & Captive Solutions at Hylant. Since joining Hylant, Anne has grown the company's captive consultancy into a powerhouse, earning U.S. Captive Review's Captive Manager of the Year award. Prior to joining Hylant, Ms. Towle was an executive vice president with JLT and formerly a senior consultant with Willis Towers Watson for over seven years. In this episod...

Michael Galea is a seasoned Senior Underwriter at GCube Insurance Services Inc., with a decade of experience specializing in offshore wind projects and other renewable energy initiatives worldwide. Michael delves into his journey into underwriting, the challenges and triumphs he has faced at GCube, and his approach to delivering difficult news to clients.   In the second half of the show, Peter Na...

Yan Veytsman is a Senior Account Executive at Marsh, specializing in risk management for large-scale projects, particularly within the renewable energy sector. Yan has successfully placed multiple construction and operational insurance policies for projects exceeding $100 million. His expertise shines in navigating the complex risks associated with natural catastrophes and developing innovative in...

Jen Aitchison is the President of Renewable Risk Consulting Inc. With over 15 years of dedicated experience, Jen has become an award-winning leader known for her deep understanding of renewable energy risks and her ability to create transparent, economically viable insurance solutions. In this episode, Jen delves into the nuances of renewable energy insurance and the importance of education and ad...

Join us as we sit down with Miles Braxton, the Director of Risk Management at Summit Ridge Energy, at the Energy Industry Conference in Houston, Texas. In this episode, Miles discusses the unique aspects of community solar, the importance of diversity in the clean energy industry, and his role in co-founding the Black Oak Collective.   Key Takeaways: A little bit about Miles and his role at Summit...

Michael Kolodner is the Global Renewable Energy and US Power leader at Marsh. In this episode, Michael shares insights from Marsh's 2024 North America Energy Industry Conference. He highlights the importance of creating a collaborative space for stakeholders across the energy sector. He emphasizes the critical talent gap in the industry, the innovative approach of bringing diverse voices together,...

Join Sarah Sherman, Managing Director at NFP, as she dives into the intricate world of risk management within the fusion industry. This episode sheds light on the importance of working closely with clients, the requirements for industry-specific knowledge in managing risks, and the value of clear communication and honesty in building professional credibility. Sarah discusses her journey into risk...

Scott Addis, the Founder of Beyond Insurance and a recognized innovator in the insurance industry, shares his multifaceted journey from sports psychology to becoming a key figure in risk management. In this episode, Scott delves into his unique approach to risk management, the importance of active listening and honest communication in understanding client needs, and he discusses his five-step risk...

Christopher Holmes, co-founder of RiskVersity, brings over 15 years of risk management expertise to the forefront of the insurance industry. In this episode, Christopher shares his journey from being an intern at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to becoming the CEO of RiskVersity, a company dedicated to changing the insurance landscape by creating opportunities for minorities. He discusses the unique cha...

Jeff Gurtcheff is the Chief Claims Officer at CorVel and brings a unique blend of passion, collaboration, and extensive experience in worker's compensation, liability, and property claims. In this episode, Jeff shares his insights on the evolving role of insurance adjusters, the importance of mentorship, and the art of reading policies and people. Jeff also discusses how his experiences in team sp...