Running the numbers: Passion for math leads to insurance career

Running the numbers: Passion for math leads to insurance career | Insurance Business America

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Running the numbers: Passion for math leads to insurance career

“The mix between mathematics and business made a lot of sense”

Insurance News

By
Emily Douglas

Jenna Kirkpatrick Howard’s journey in the world of business and insurance is a striking example of how diverse experiences and continuous learning can pave the way to success.

Howard (pictured above) currently serves as the senior vice president at Lockton Companies and a member of the Northeast Executive Committee. Her story is not just about her rise in the corporate world but also about her contributions to the industry, notably through her speaking engagements, board roles, mentorship of rising talent, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Howard’s foray into the business realm began with her passion for mathematics, which she pursued at university. This path serendipitously led her to meet an actuary, opening her eyes to a fascinating intersection between mathematics and business. This encounter steered her toward a specialization in risk management and insurance at business school, marking the beginning of her insurance journey.

“When I was contemplating what kind of career I was thinking about, I really found that the mix between mathematics and business made a lot of sense,” she said.

Initially aspiring to be an actuary, Howard’s early experiences included an internship in the field. However, she soon discovered that this path was not aligned with her career aspirations. Moving to a brokerage firm after college, she embarked on a journey in insurance brokerage. Her career at this stage was characterized by a generalist approach, where she handled various types of accounts, including working with a private equity firm.

“What I really like about the brokerage role is that it’s led by curiosity. By asking a lot of questions about risk profile and risk tolerance, you can get a strong understanding of your clients’ business. Identifying risk and how you manage them is really fun,” Howard said.

The move to Washington, D.C., was a significant chapter in Howard’s career. Here, she delved into large construction projects, placing wrap-up programs for stadiums, arenas, and convention centers. However, the financial crisis of 2008 necessitated a shift in her focus, leading to her involvement with various types of businesses.

Joining Lockton Companies was a turning point in her career. Over the past 13 years, Howard has worked across several verticals, including construction, real estate, and not-for-profit sectors. Her work often involves tackling complex issues in the property insurance market, especially in light of climate change.

“Oftentimes when you get into nonprofits such as social services and trade organizations, they do actually own a lot of property, and there’s some really interesting nuances to how they run their organizations, and it pulls at your heartstrings a lot of times,” she said.

Howard’s most notable contribution to the field is her co-authorship of “The Construction Insurance Guide for Attorneys and Other Professionals” for the American Bar Association. The guide is currently being updated to include new focuses such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in construction, reflecting the evolving landscape of the industry.

Apart from her professional endeavors, Howard is passionate about promoting diversity in leadership roles within the financial services sector. She chaired the Elite Women Producer Group at Lockton where she championed initiatives to increase female representation in senior leadership positions. Howard emphasized the importance of creating a supportive network and providing development opportunities for women in the organization.

“We created the Elite Women Producer Group because there were so few women in this role within Lockton 10 years ago, and we were looking for our own connection and support group inside of it,” Howard said. “We have since taken that group and evolved it into an important role in recruiting, mentorship, onboarding and making sure there’s a trajectory for success, not only on the production side, but also within senior leadership, operating committees, practice leader roles and unit managers.”