SPECIAL REPORT
RISING STARS CHRIS SENKBILE Vice president and risk consultant UNICO Group Age: 33
After a stint in banking and franchising, Chris Senkbile began his career in insurance in 2014. As a vice president and risk consultant with UNICO Group, he focuses much of his energy on integration. “The common theme I hear with my clients is their desire for a fully integrated risk management experience,” he says. “I’m actively working to give them this experience.” To that end, Senkbile was recently awarded a grant to build a platform for insurance buyers called Ferro. “As I look to my next 30 years of work life, I’m thankful to be in an industry where I get to serve people and help solve problems while constantly learning,” he says. “The biggest thing I’ve learned in my career is to simply ask the question of my clients: What is working, and what isn’t working? Stopping to listen to their candid feedback has been transformative for me.”
MIKE TRACY Vice president, branch manager RT Specialty Age: 31
While studying risk management and insurance at Temple University, Mike Tracy interned at All Risks and joined the firm (which recently merged with RT Specialty) as an underwriting assistant upon graduation. Over the years, he has been promoted to brokerage underwriter, P&C broker, assistant vice president, vice president and branch manager. In addition to managing 25 employees in the Philadelphia office and overseeing the York P&C operations, Tracy serves as a broker, specializing in Northeast casualty, including construction, real estate, hospitality and products liability. “My team’s approach [during the pandemic] has been to do anything and everything to assist our clients in their time of need,” he says. “Rather than running away from the problem, we ran toward it in a proactive way. I learned that our retailers value this approach, and it has led to stronger relationships, as our retailers know we are focused on a long-term partnership versus any individual placement or account.”
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ANELLA NIEWENHOUS Associate vice president and regional practice group leader, personal insurance – Atlantic region Burns & Wilcox Age: 31
In her current role at Burns & Wilcox, Anella Niewenhous manages product offerings and contract renewals and assists with the training and development of the personal insurance teams across seven office locations. With expertise in coastal personal insurance products, Niewenhous continues to help modify the company’s exclusive products for East Coast exposures. She also works with carrier partners to provide optimal programs for her teams and helps strengthen and build relationships with retail clients. Passionate about education and helping others succeed, Niewenhous loves guiding underwriters in writing their first account. She also enjoys recruiting and retaining new talent. “Over the past year, I’ve rediscovered the importance of working for a boss who motivates others and encourages associates to act independently,” she says. “The opportunity to use my knowledge and my voice has allowed me to realize I know more than I tend to give myself credit for. This has empowered me in my current role and will help me continue to grow.”