Meet Johanna Cespedes, AVP, Ocean Marine Insurance
Please tell us about your career journey and your path to Sompo.
I never thought that I would be in insurance! I always worked in different family businesses but sought a career of my own. When I was 19, I started my insurance journey at XL Specialty Insurance Company in the Ocean Marine department. During my ten years at XL Specialty, I held serval positions including Underwriting Assistant, Operations Coordinator/Manager, Junior Underwriter, and Underwriter. I earned an undergraduate degree from PACE University while working full time and made so many great friends along the way.
In 2013, I joined Endurance as an Ocean Marine Underwriter and have since held the positions of Senior Underwriter and Assistant Vice President. I’ve been so fortunate to work alongside some former and new colleagues – a team that I also call my friends.
I don’t know where my insurance career will continue to take me, but I look forward to the road ahead!
What advice do you have for prospective Sompo candidates?
My advice to anyone who looks to join Sompo is to work hard and take advantage of every opportunity that this or any company offers you. We have a lot of talented people and amazing opportunities provided to us at Sompo, so make sure you’re asking questions and always saying yes to the next challenge. Be sure to share your knowledge and learn from your colleagues, as everyone comes from different backgrounds and those perspectives are what makes Sompo great. Lastly, a general life lesson that I live by, always treat people how you would like to be treated.
Tell us about an initiative at Sompo that you are most excited for in 2022.
Sompo’s Diversity and Inclusion initiative is what I’m most excited about. Sompo is striving for all employees to understand the benefits of a more diverse team and inclusive culture, which empowers all within the organization to be their best self, and provides growth opportunities. As a Latin American woman in insurance, I’ve seen the need for this type of initiative throughout my career and am excited to see what kind of impact a program like this can have.
What is your idea of a perfect day outside of the office?
I enjoy the simple things like quality time with family and friends. The day would start with some time at the playground with my three-year-old son (and my niece and nephew!) and would end with a hopeless romantic comedy on the TV with a glass of wine.