Meet Jean Kim, Vice President Excess Casualty Retail
Please tell us about your career journey and your path to Sompo.
In my senior year of college, I was applying for consulting and financial sector positions. General Reinsurance was interviewing on campus under finance. I had no idea what reinsurance was but took a chance because it was totally different, and they had a training program. Early on, a manager told me they learn something new every day. This is such a true statement; you will never be bored! I’ve continued to be challenged and learn as a facultative reinsurer at Gen Re, an underwriter at a start-up E&S company that is now part of Crum & Forster, a Corporate Risk and Construction underwriter at legacy ACE/Chubb, and finally as an underwriter with the Excess Casualty Retail unit with Sompo.
What advice do you have for prospective Sompo candidates?
One of Sompo’s greatest strengths is its people. If you have a question and are looking for insight on anything, from forms wording to understanding a certain product to learning more about a brokerage in a particular region, there are so many bright colleagues willing to help. Take the time and chance to utilize this great resource.
Tell us about an initiative at Sompo that you are most excited for in 2023.
I’m excited about our focus to build out the Construction book. The market size of commercial construction insurance continues to increase year after year, even with roadblocks such as Covid and inflation. This means keeping up and understanding the trends, various products/structure offerings, building broker relationships and communicating with the other business units in order to achieve this goal. It’s exciting to have a like-minded target and build as a team.
What is your idea of a perfect day outside of the office?
I love being active and trying new things. I enjoy hiking, the beach, swimming, and paddle boarding. My husband and I have recently started fencing lessons in order to understand the sport that my nine-year old son has fallen in love with.
I’d, of course, have to cap off the perfect day by eating good food and having a glass of wine!