Meet Michael P. Donovan, Vice President, U.S. Ocean Marine
Please tell us about your career journey and your path to Sompo International.
After graduating Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, New York, I sailed as a civilian Third Officer on Cable Ships. While it was a great experience, I knew that I wanted a career shoreside. My first job in insurance was with CNA in their Marine Underwriting department. After a couple of years there, I left with a team to start the Marine department at RLI where I was for 15 years until landing at Sompo in 2020. Learning what I did as part of creating a new book at an existing insurance company was invaluable. When Sompo asked me to come aboard I felt I was in a great position to use my experience to promote and assist the strategic initiatives currently in place at Sompo International.
What advice do you have for prospective Sompo International candidates?
Do your research. These days we have an infinite number of ways to look up information about companies, the culture, the insurance environment, etc. I can tell you from my own research, and now experience here at Sompo, that there is an emphasis on commitment to employees and a clear vision what is expected of you.
Tell us about an initiative at Sompo International that you are most excited for in 2022.
As a Marine Underwriter, I am most excited about our Global Capabilities initiative. We have clients that move and store goods all over the world and having direct communication with our worldwide offices will put us in a better position to tailor programs to fit our clients’ needs.
What is your idea of a perfect day outside of the office?
Having three children has slightly changed my perspective of “perfect” days out of the office. In the winter months, a perfect day would be on the slopes with the whole family. In the warmer months, the beach, surfing, or watching my children play their favorite sports. We try not to spend much time indoors.