SPECIAL REPORT
RISING STARS DAISY LOPEZ Assistant vice president, executive risk Crum & Forster Insurance Company Age: 34
As an assistant vice president in Crum & Forster’s executive risk department, Daisy Lopez manages the company’s large lawyers’ and accountants’ professional liability portfolios. Prior to joining Crum & Forster, Lopez worked at Lockton Insurance Brokers in Los Angeles, helping place P&C and executive/professional liability insurance for law firms of all sizes. A 12-year industry veteran, Lopez is also a member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society. “I was first attracted to commercial insurance for its global nature and its ability to have a positive impact on the lives of others,” she says. “When we are not providing indemnification after a catastrophic event, our industry is helping large and small businesses alike manage and mitigate their risk on a daily basis, and we are there for them when unforeseen events that could jeopardize their ability to stay in business happen. I truly believe that what we do matters.”
AMY S. COOPER Vice president, carrier practice Gallagher Bassett Age: 31
In 2017, Amy Cooper founded Rising Insurance Star Executives (RISE), a young professionals group that strives to bridge the talent gap in the insurance industry. RISE hosts an annual awards program to recognize rising stars in the industry, produces monthly webinars and provides scholarships for young professionals to attend industry conferences and events. In her daily professional life, Cooper is vice president of carrier practice for Gallagher Bassett. She has been recognized by the American Legal and Financial Network as a leading young professional and is a regular speaker about millennials, management, and privacy and security requirements that impact the legal field. She also teaches an ethics course for the Florida Bar. “I’m hoping to see more and more young professionals choose insurance as a career and to see companies invest more in training,” Cooper says. “I’m also hoping that my generation and the next will bring expectations of diversity and inclusion that will change company cultures for the better.”
54
LAUREN ATKINSON Vice president Synapse Services Age: 33
Lauren Atkinson began her insurance career as an underwriter at ACE. In 2012, she accepted an account executive position at Synapse Services and was promoted to vice president in January 2020. Throughout her time at Synapse, Atkinson has led numerous initiatives to improve inter-regional coordination and national service team platforms. She currently leads the marketing operation for the Southeast region, responsible for the coordination and management of new and renewal business within the region, as well as the management of regional carrier relationships. She also maintains marketing responsibilities for her own book of business. In 2018, Atkinson opened Synapse’s Nashville office, which she continues to grow and develop. Outside of work, Atkinson volunteers with and is an active foster for the Nashville Humane Association, is the current executive board intern for the Middle Tennessee YMCA’s downtown branch and was part of Class 74 of the Nashville Young Leaders Council earlier this year.
www.ibamag.com
20-55_Rising Stars 2020-SUBBED.indd 54
25/09/2020 3:54:40 am