






Welcome to The Fortune Leader's special
feature, “The 10 Most Innova ve Leaders Reforming Business in 2024,” where we proudly spotlight groundbreaking leaders who are transforming industries and reshaping the future of business.
In this issue, we are honored to feature Simone Grimes, Chief Financial Officer of Acadia Insurance, on our cover. Simone’s journey from the culinary arts to corporate finance is a testament to the versa lity and power of visionary leadership. A er launching and expanding a chain of successful vegetarian restaurants, Simone’s sharp business ins ncts led to a profitable M&A exit, solidifying her role as a dynamic business strategist. Her career trajectory con nued into financial services, where her two decades of exper se across insurance, real estate finance, and audi ng culminated in her current role as CFO at Acadia Insurance in 2021.
We also highlight Dr. Nairouz Bader, CEO of Envision Partnership, a global leader in execu ve search and leadership development. Dr. Nairouz has posi oned her female-owned firm as a champion for gender diversity, becoming the first to receive cer fica on by WEConnect Interna onal. Her efforts in bridging leadership talent from emerging markets to developed regions reflect her forward-thinking approach to fostering global agility in leadership.
These leaders exemplify innova on, resilience, and vision, se ng the standard for the future of business leadership. At The Fortune Leader, we celebrate their remarkable contribu ons and invite you to be inspired by their stories, as they con nue to break barriers and pave the way for future leaders across the globe.
Editor-in-chief
Sales
Business Development Manager Rosie jonas
Millie Butler
Business Development Execu ve
Lauren Green
Ashley Tucker
John Hart
Editor-in-Chief
The Future of Insurance: How Digital Transformation is Revolutionizing Risk Management 20 18 24
From Relief to Resilience: The Role of Charities in Building Long-Term Sustainable Solutions
Acadia Insurance: Passionately emphasises a deep understanding of customers, tackling unresolved challenges
TheLeadershipJourney
SimoneGrimes,CPAstartedhercareerbyventuringinto theworldoftheculinaryarts,openingrestaurantsand craftingspecialityvegetariandelights.Herunexpected successintheculinarydomainpromptedashiftfrom perfectingrecipestonavigatingtheintricaciesofscalinga business.
Inherearlytwenties,Simonefoundherselfraisingcapital, presentinggrowthstrategiestoinvestors,anddelvinginto themeticulousquantificationandcommunicationofkey performanceindicators(KPIs).Despiteherrelative inexperience,sheviewedthecapitalentrustedtoherasa personalmissiontogenerouslyrewardinvestorswho placedtheirtrustinher Assheapproachedhermidtwenties,shesuccessfullyexpandedherculinaryempireto encompassmultiplerestaurantandrealestateassets.
Asthebusinessexpanded,Simonewascarefultoensure shehadthefullsupportandbuy-infromthecommunitiesin whichsheoperated.Withinaspanoffiveyears,shesteered herventuresthroughaprosperousM&Adisposition, culminatinginasignificantpaydayforeveryoneinvolved. ThispivotalexperiencenotonlysolidifiedSimone's approachtosubsequentendeavoursbutalsoinstilledinher aprofoundunderstandingoftheimportanceofdelivering returnstoshareholders,comprehendingvaluationmultiples, fosteringbottom-linegrowth,executingambitious strategies,andbuildingateamoftalentedandreliable individualstosupporthervision.
SimoneGrimes,armedwithearlycareerconfidenceanda burgeoningreputationinthebusinesscommunity,was recognizedforherbusinessacumenbeingofferedthe opportunitytoplayakeyroleintheinsuranceindustry. Aftertwodecadesofexperienceinthefinancialservices industry,includingworkingwithalargeP&Ccarrier, auditinglargebanksandinsurancecompanieswithBig4 publicaccountingfirms,andclosetoadecadespentinreal estatefinance,shejoinedAcadiaInsuranceastheirChief FinancialOfficerin2021.
SimoneGrimes'wordstoyoungbusinessleadersistonot shyawayfromthefinancialservicessectorasagreatplace tomakeadifferenceforsocietywhilehavingagreatcareer. Thefinanceindustryhashistoricallybeenacatalystfor progress.Financialproductsshapebehaviours(both instances)andhelporganizationsmanagethrough economicandsocietalchanges.Youngbusinessleaders whoinvestintheindustryandareambitiousenoughto developnewproductsandservicescouldhelpshape behavioursandnormsforyearstocome,andinsodoing helpcreatethesocietytheywanttosee.
AcadiaInsuranceamemberoftheW.R.Berkley Corporationgroupofcompaniesstandsasabeaconof reliabilityandunderstandingintherealmofcommercial propertycasualtyinsurance.Witharichhistoryrootedin Maine,theyhaveexpandedtheirfootprinttoservesmall andmidsizebusinessesthroughoutNewEnglandandNew York.Theircommitmenttobeinga“CloserCoverage” provider,goesbeyondgeographicalproximity;itreflects theirdedicationtocomprehendingtheuniqueneedsofeach communityandbusinesstheyserve.AcadiaInsurance continuestoupholditsmissionofprovidingsuperior serviceandtailoredinsurancesolutions,ensuringthat clientsreceivetheutmostsupportandcoveragefortheir evolvingneeds.
AcadiaInsurancepassionatelyemphasizesadeep understandingofcustomers,tacklingunresolved challenges,anddeliveringpersonalizedsolutions. Positionedasafavouredriskpartnerforbothinsurance distributorsandbusinessowners,AcadiaInsurance maintainsasmallcompanyethosamidsubstantialgrowth, ensuringauniqueblendofexpertiseandpersonalized service.
TheteamcultureatAcadiaisanembodimentofitsguiding principles,whichformthebedrockforarobustfuture.With
anunwaveringcommitmenttointegrity,professionalism, andethicalconductinallendeavours,Acadiaplacesa premiumonachievingfinancialobjectivestoensure strength,viability,andcontinuedinvestmentinbothits peopleandbusiness.Thecultureischaracterizedbya relentlesspursuitofimprovement,rejectingcomplacency andembracingaproactivestancetoenhanceoperations.
Inbuildingstrongrelationshipswithcustomers,Acadia prioritizesdecisionsmadeclosesttothecustomer,attentive listeningtoagents,andadoptingacommon-senseapproach. Thebusinessbelievesinprovidingoutstandingservice, evenifitaddscomplexitytointernalprocesses, emphasizingtheaugmentationofpersonalrelationshipsby technologyratherthantranscendingthem.
Acadia'scommitmenttothesuccessandwell-beingof employeesisatthecore,fosteringfairness,dignity,and respectwithintheteam.Acadiaencouragescontinuous learning,creativethinking,andmeasuredrisk-taking, empoweringemployeestoowntheircareerdevelopment withtheassuranceofsupport.Theteamoperates cohesively,valuingwhatisrightoverwhoisright, emphasizingindividualaccountability,andrecognizingand rewardingachievements.
Further,Acadiademonstratesacommitmenttoimproving communitiesandtheenvironment.Activelyengagedin communityinitiatives,thebusinessempowerslocal employeestopositivelyimpacttheircommunities,focusing onenvironmentalsustainability Theoverarchinggoalisto makealastingdifferenceforkeyconstituenciesand contributetoabetterfuture.
Theescalatingfrequencyandseverityofglobalriskswill requirearenewedfocusontheindustry’scapacityand readinesstoreactassociety'sfinancialsafetynet.Insurers willneedtoinvestinproactiveriskmanagementby leveraginganalytics,technologyandtheinternetofthings (IoT).Byembracingcutting-edgetechnologies,insurersare seekingtodetectandpreventthreatsearlyon.
TheimpactofthreeyearsofheightenedM&Aactivitywill reshapedistributionchannelsandrequireinsurerstoadapt. Astechsavvycustomerscontinuetoexpectinsurersto meetthemwheretheyare,insurerswillneedtoinvestin advancedtechnologies,whichincludesinvestingin
augmentingemployee'sskillsets.Withanincreasein technology,insurersarelookingtoAItohelpthemmaintain acustomercentriclookandfeel.
MaximizingRiskAdjustedReturns,NurturingTalent,and UpholdingIntegrity.Inpursuitofmaximizinglong-term risk-adjustedreturns,thebusinessmaintainsaproactive approach,comprehensivelyassessingcurrentexposures whileanticipatingtheimpactsofadynamicenvironmenton futurerisks.Withadecentralizedstructure,thebusiness remainsintimatelyconnectedwithcustomers,offering tailoredandinnovativesolutionswithswiftdecisionmakingcapabilities.
InfluencingtheIndustry
“Westillhavealongwaytogointermsofprovingoutthe ESGhypothesisstatements. Thereismuchmoretobedone todemonstrateaboveaveragereturnsforsustainable investingwhichmeanscreatingquantifiablemetricsthat resonatewithWallStreet.Thecumulativeflowof investmentsintoUSESGfundshasbeenflattoslightly negativesincethefirstquarterof2022.SomuchofESGis qualitative,whichmakesitchallengingtogettomateriality. IamhopefulthatArtificialIntelligencewillhelp reinvigoratethisspacebecauseoftheimmenseamountof dataitcanaccessandanalyze.Ifyoucanincorporatethe immensecomputationalcapabilitiesofanAImodelinto crunchingallthedatawithtransparencythatwillbring legitimacybacktoit,”addsSimone.
BeingthefirstintheU.S.toreceivetheMindfulEmployer Designation,AcadiaInsuranceunderscoresitsdedicationto prioritizingpeoplewithinitsbusinessframework.This accoladesymbolizesasteadfastcommitmenttofostering purposefulwork,engagingleadership,andoverallwellbeingforallemployees.Thedesignationisatestamentto Acadia’sproactiveapproach,asreflectedintheresultsofan anonymoussurveycraftedandconductedbyMindful Employer.
Disclaimer:TheviewsexpressedarethoseofSimone Grimes,CPAanddonotnecessarily representthoseofAcadiaInsuranceorW.R.Berkley Corporation(NYSE:WRBC)
Charitiesplayanimportantroleinrespondingtoimmediatecrisesanddeliveringcrucial
reliefduringnaturaldisasters,conflicts,andhealthcatastrophes.However,theirimpact extendsbeyondshort-termassistance.Inrecentyears,therehasbeenasubstantialshift towardbuildinglong-term,sustainablesolutionsforincreasingcommunityresilience.
Traditionalcharitystrategiesfrequentlyprioritizeurgentrelief—food,housing,andmedicalcare. Whilethesemeasureshelpsavelives,theydonotaddresstherootreasonsofsusceptibility.The movefromrelieftoresilienceunderlinestheneedtoencouragecommunitiestobecomeselfsufficientandbetterequippedtofacefutureproblems.Thisentailstacklingsystemicchallenges likepoverty,education,healthcare,andclimatechangeadaptation.
Onewaycharitiesbuildresilienceisbyinvestingineducationandskillstraining,whichallows peopletogetjobsandescapethecycleofpoverty.Furthermore,charitiesareincreasinglyworking withlocalgroupsandgovernmentstocarryoutsustainabledevelopmentprojectssuchasclean waterinitiatives,renewableenergysolutions,andsustainableagriculture.
Furthermore,charitiesareincludingresiliencedevelopmentindisasterresponseplans.This involvesassistingcommunitiesinimprovinginfrastructureanddisasterpreparedness,allowing themtorecovermorequicklyandpreventfuturerisks.
Charitiesthatfocusonlong-termresiliencearenotonlyrespondingtodisasterbutalsoactively promotingsustainabledevelopment,allowingvulnerablecommunitiestoprosperinthefaceof futurechallenges.
Launchedin1997,weare
EnvisionPartnership,aleading globalexecutivesearchand leadershipdevelopmentwithafocus ongenderdiversity Thefirsttobe certifiedbytheAssociationof ExecutiveSearchConsultants.
EnvisionPartnershipisapurposedrivenandsocialenterprise,corporate socialresponsibility(CSR)isan integralpartofourcultureandreflects ourdedicationtoourcorevaluesin fulfillingourmission.Envision Partnershiphasbeenawardedtwiceby theDubaiChamberofCommercefor thecompany'ssuccessinimplementing astrongcommitmenttosustainable corporatesocialresponsibility(CSR) intheareasofWorkplaceand Marketplace.
“Weenvisionabetterfuturethrough leadership.Thisdrivesustosecure betterresultswithexcellenceand integrity,andtoofferinsightsintothe leadershiptrendsthatwillempower captainsofindustrytoachievetheir goals.Weareafemale-ownedandled organization,theonlyandfirsttobe certifiedbyWEConnectInternational. PartofEnvisionPartnership'smain missionandDNAhasalwaysbeen pushingthebarformorefemaleonboardroomsandC-suitesgloballywith arecentreversedtrendwherewe
startedtoimporttalentsfromemerging marketswithagilityleadership attributestodevelopedmarketsandthe World.Afinalistforthe“Risetothe ChallengeAward2022”awards, recognizingthosewomen-owned businessesthatpresentedthemost compellingstoriesofovercoming challengestogainingmarketaccess goingbeyondborders,andbreaking downbarriers,”Dr.Nairouz,CEO, EnvisionPartnership.
OurservicesincludeExecutiveSearch, ExecutiveAssessment,Talent Mapping,PsychometricEvaluation, ManagedServicesProvision,and BoardSearch.
“Inessence,myjourneyhasbeen aboutdrivingmeaningfulchangeand shapingleadershipteamsthatreflecta widerangeofexperiencesand perspectives.
ThiswholejourneystartedwhenIwas earningmypost-graduatedegreesin MarketingandManagerialLeadership fromAmericanUniversityinLondon andCityUniversity.Ifoundmyself attractedtotheworldofglobal executivesearchandinternational businessconsulting.ThatpassionIhad
wasdrivenbyafascinationwithhow placingtherightpeopleintheright rolescanleadtotransformative organizationalchange.
Earlyinmycareer,Iobservedthat diverseteamsoftenoutperformothers astheybringavarietyofperspectives thatenhancecreativityandproblemsolving.AsIadvancedprofessionally,I becameincreasinglyawareofthe leadershipdisparitiesrelatedtogender anddiversity,whichmotivatedmeto focusoncreatingmoreinclusive searchprocesses.Thatiswhyyou'll findthatIalwaysprioritizediversityin executivesearch.Iaimtopromote equitableopportunitiesandbuild dynamic,representativeleadership teams,”addsDr.Nairouz.
“Inthemodernbusinesslandscape, essentialleadershipqualities encompassvision,adaptability, emotionalintelligence,decisiveness, excellentcommunicationskills,and integrity Whenweconductexecutive research,welookforleaderswhocan providecleardirectionandinspiretheir teams,whilealsobeingflexibleenough toadapttochangeandcapitalizeon newopportunities.Webelievethat effectiveleadersalsomanagetheirown emotions,empathizewithothers,make well-informeddecisions,anduphold ethicalstandardstobuildtrust.”
OurBusinessFocus
“Theinnovationinvolvesusing predictiveanalyticstoaccurately forecastcandidatesuccess,whileour AI-drivenensuresaperfectalignment betweencandidatesandrolesbasedon comprehensiveskillassessments.We utilizeplatformsthatimprove communicationandengagement
throughouttherecruitmentprocess, ensuringaseamlessexperienceforall stakeholders.Furthermore,our analytics-drivenapproachfosters diversityandinclusionbyreducing biasesandprovidingreal-timemarket insightstokeepourclientscurrentwith industrytrendsandenablethemto makeinformedstrategicdecisions.”
Innovationinfluencingthefuture
“Weareredefiningprecisionintalent sourcingandmatching,increasing efficiency,andimprovingcandidate experience.Ourinnovationsalso activelypromotediversityand inclusion,supportdata-driven decision-making,andsetnewindustry standards.Theseadvancementsare reshapingexecutivesearchand leadershipconsultancypracticesand establishingnewbenchmarksfor successintheindustry'sfuture.”
WhyEnvisionPartnership?
Ÿ Client-TailoredSolution:At Envision,youwillneverreceivea genericoroff-the-shelfsolution. Wedesignunique,best-fit frameworksforeachclient.
Ÿ ForwardThinking:Wearedeeply committedtodiversityand inclusionandwillpresentadiverse slateofexceptionalcandidatesthat helpyoumeettoday'sand tomorrow'schallenges.
Ÿ DueDiligence:Wetaketheriskout ofexecutiveandboardrecruitment bypre-qualifyingcandidates throughrigorousassessment processes.
Ÿ Strategicapproach:Weare equippedwiththechange managementtoolsthatallowa structuredbutflexibleapproach.
Ourapproach
Defining the change:Webuildthecase forsuccessfulandeffective transformation.
Assessing the environment:Wedefine thechangeapproach,ensurean understandingoftheculturalfit,and identifypotentialresistanceand barriers.
Planning actions holistically:We createastructuredactionplan inclusiveofsuccessindicators.
Developing a strategy:Wedrawupa reinforcementandcommunicationplan tomanageresistance,increase awareness,andmotivatechange.
Executing focused action:Weprepare animplementationroadmapthatkeeps thecoreofthechangeatitsheart.
Client-orientedservices
Understandingourclient:Wegothe extramiletobecomefamiliarwith eachorganization'sshort-andlongtermstrategicgoals,thechallenges theyface,andtheopportunities availabletothem.
Applyingmarketknowledge:Weapply proprietaryprocessesofevaluation includingjobgrading,jobdescription, andsalarybenchmarkingtoensurethat acompetitiverewardpackageis offeredandtherightcandidateis chosenfortherole.
Deliveringresults:Weemployan assessmentmethodologythathasa provensuccessrate,guaranteeingthat C-levelexecutiveswillmostlikelybe promotedwithinthreeyears.
OurLeadershipConsulting Solutions
Assessment & succession management: Createapipelineoftalentthat developsfutureleadersforyour organization.Organisational AssessmentandSuccession Management,beingveryclosely linked,havetogetherbecomeakey strategyinthequestforbetter performanceandaccountability.Ina neweraofmajortransformations,the businesslandscapehasseentheriseof theLeadershipAssessmentCentre.| LeadershipAssessment|Talent Mapping|CareerPathingGiventhe natureandextentofglobaldownsizing, ever-increasingbusinesstargetsand high-performanceculture,LACsare nowofparamountimportanceto businessleaders.AtEnvision Partnership,wetailorcentrestoeach organization'sspecificstrategyand needs,empoweringcompaniestobuild andretaintalent.
Capability development: Discover creativewaysofacceleratingtheshift inorganizationalcapabilities.In today'schangingbusiness
environment,organisationsare increasinglyappreciativeofthevalue ofhighlyproductiveemployees,and staffcapabilitydevelopmenthas emergedasacriticalenablertodrive businessperformance.Everyday, companiessetouttofindnew,creative waysoffast-trackingtheirprogress. Ourcapabilitydevelopmentprograms offerinnovativewaystoacceleratethe shiftincapabilitieswhileanchoringthe processintheoveralldirection, strategy,andinitiativesofthe organization.
Diversity & Inclusion:Outperform competitorsthroughvaluesof acceptanceandcollaboration.Isthis theeraofdiversityandinclusionin business?Theanswerissurelyyes.As publicawarenesscontinuestogrow, researchnowshowsthatgenderdiverseandinclusivecompanies outperformtheirpeersbyasignificant margin,helpingdriveinnovation, whichinturnleadstobetterbusiness outcomes.Whiletheevidenceisclear, itisofvitalimportancetoputinplace strategiesandpracticesthatenablean inclusiveculture.OurD&Iprograms aimtocreateworkingenvironments thatfosterunderstandingand acceptance–wherevaluingdifferences buildsamorecollaborative, supportive,andrespectfulworkplace andincreasestheparticipationand contributionofallemployees.
“EnvisionPartnershiphasbeen accreditedbyOSEC/Switzerland GlobalEnterprise.Ourdedicationto excellencewasfurtherrecognizedby theDubaiChamberofCommerceCSR Label,wherewereceivedaccoladesin theMarketplaceandWorkplace categories.Additionally,wewere honouredasfinalistsforthe SustainabilityAwardsbyAMCHAM andWEConnectInternational.These accoladeshavestrengthenedour reputationintheindustry,reinforced ourcommitmenttoexcellence,ethical businesspractices,andsustainability Theyhaveopenednewopportunities, enhancedourcredibilitywith stakeholders,andmotivatedusto continuallystriveforexcellenceinall aspectsofouroperations,”concluded Dr.Nairouz.
Theinsurancesectorisundergoingasignificantrevolution,fuelledbydigital
technologiesthatarechangingthewaybusinessesassess,manage,andreduce risk.Withbreakthroughsinartificialintelligence(AI),bigdata,theInternetof Things(IoT),andblockchain,insurersareadoptingdigitalsolutionstoimprove productivity,accuracy,andcustomerexperience.
Historically,insurancecompaniesusedhistoricaldataandstatisticalmodelstodetermine risk.Today,digitaltransformationenablesreal-timedataanalysis,resultinginmoreexact riskassessments.AIalgorithmscanassessmassivevolumesofdata,includingcustomer behaviour,environmentalconditions,andmarkettrends,toprovideindividualizedpolicies andpricing.Thisnotonlylowersunderwritingexpensesbutalsoresultsinmoreaccurate premiumcalculations.
TheInternetofThingsisanothergamechanger,especiallyinareassuchasautoandhealth insurance.Devicessuchassmarthomesensorsandcartelematicsprovidereal-timedata thatinsurerscanusetocontinuouslyanalyserisk,enablingdynamicrateadjustments. Policyholdersgainfrompersonalizedcoverage,whileinsurersminimizepotentiallosses.
Blockchaintechnologyimprovestransparencyandsecurityininsurancetransactions. Blockchaineliminatesfraudandexpeditestheclaimsprocessbygeneratinga decentralized,tamper-proofrecord.
Chatbots,smartphoneapps,andinternetplatformsincreasecustomerservicebyallowing forseamlessandefficientcontact.Claimprocessing,whichwasoncealaboriousand arduousoperation,isnowfasterandmoreefficient.
Thefutureofinsuranceliesinharnessingdigitaladvancestoimproveriskmanagement whilealsodevelopingmoreresponsive,customer-focusedsolutions.