Meet Ismael Lopez, CEO of GRS-SMX
What is your backstory? Tell us about your path to Sompo International.
After graduating, I worked at Scotia Bank for a year and then I moved to Seguros Inbursa, where I spent 8 years. In 1997 I started at Sompo – which was twenty-four years ago! Honestly, I intended to stay for a short period, but after a couple of months, I realized the vision and philosophy of the company that I was quickly committed to. During this time, I have been able to visit various Sompo offices and confirm how consistent the company’s approach is in all aspects around the world and I have been witness to its great and rapid transformation and evolution during the last 5 years.
It has been a very pleasant and exciting journey. I am very proud to be part of Sompo and after 24 years, I continue to wake up every morning full of motivation and enthusiasm to give my best every day.
Give us three words to describe Sompo International.
Opportunity, Growth, Diversity.
What is a trend you feel is impacting the industry and more specifically, your role at the moment?
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will define new working styles around the world (i.e. remote and hybrid) and more than ever the use of technology will be critical for all businesses, as well as for society at large. People who lead teams must be truly resilient, adapt to changing market conditions, always keep staff motivated, and have the ability to flexibly create business plans, as needed, to be successful in future challenges.
What advice do you have for prospective Sompo International candidates?
If you like challenges, companies with a broad vision that offer professional growth opportunities globally with an inclusive perspective – Sompo is for you.
Think back to your college graduation day. What is one thing you would tell yourself then?
Knowing how to think, knowing how to work and knowing how to wait will bring you success.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
It’s hard to imagine me doing something different, but probably would have been in a large international bank.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
This probably won’t surprise you, but I love cooking international food, like Mexican, Japanese, American, Italian, and French. It is interesting how different cultures can be known and understood through the art of gastronomy.