FEATURES
COVER STORY: ELITE WOMEN 2017 KIMBERLY BUSHONG PETRILLO Vice president Coastal Insurance Underwriters
As vice president of Coastal Insurance Underwriters, a program administrator specializing in designing, creating, and managing insurance products for community associations, Kimberly Bushong Petrillo plays a key role in the company's growth. Her many talents include reviewing coverage forms and technically dissecting and analyzing specialty coverage. A CPCU designation holder, Petrillo assists in finding new carrier partners and managing carrier relationships, and also plays an integral role in product development.
JILL KNECHT Vice president and regional head of property, North America Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
Possessing extensive insight into underwriting large global property exposures and risks, Jill Knecht serves as vice president and regional head of property in North America for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty. Knecht began her insurance career 27 years ago as a multiline underwriter trainee with Royal Insurance and has spent her career crafting underwriting solutions for clients.
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SERAINA MAAG MACIA CEO Hamilton USA
In October 2016, Seraina Macia was appointed as CEO of Hamilton USA to oversee the development of the company’s insurance platform in the US, following its launch of a tech joint venture with AIG and Two Sigma to reach the SME market. Macia was selected for the role based on her extensive US and international insurance experience, as well as her ability to envision the incorporation of technology and data analytics in the industry. Macia has more than 25 years of experience in insurance and reinsurance, and has held executive positions at AIG; her most recent was CEO and executive vice president of regional management and operations. She also has held leadership positions for AIG EMEA, XL Insurance North America and Zurich North America's commercial specialties business at various points. Earlier this year, Macia gave the keynote address at a joint luncheon for the Association of Professional Insurance Women and the CPCU New York Chapter, her first public speech since being appointed CEO of Hamilton USA. In her address, she encouraged women leaders to be authentic and explained how to move beyond self-doubt. “Keep in mind that female leaders think and lead differently than our male counterparts, and we are often judged more harshly for behavior that is accepted as a matter of course by men,” Macia said. “This can feel uncomfortable if you are sitting around a table with male colleagues debating an issue and you have a different perspective, but you are debating with yourself, 'Should I say something or should I just let it go?' Well, of course, the answer is say something! Women are plagued by feelings of inadequacy. It’s one of the greatest obstacles to our success.”