“I have travelled the world and worked with amazingly talented individuals, clients and colleagues, while having the stability of a wonderful job in order to raise my two sons.”
Name: Kelly Smith Company: Aon Benfield US Job:
President
Timeline: 2014—President, Aon Benfield US 2008—Executive managing director and manager, Aon Benfield Chicago 1999—Promoted to senior vice president 1993—Appointed vice president 1989—Joined Aon and became assistant vice president 1987—Worked in London broking in Lloyd’s and the London company markets 1986—Broker trainee, Thomas A. Greene
Kelly Smith joined Aon in 1989 and has had a significant role in building Aon Benfield into the world class firm that it has become. Smith was most recently executive managing director of Aon Benfield US, where she led client teams responsible for managing more US property catastrophe limits than any other team in the business. Her expertise extends far beyond property catastrophe business, she also manages some of the industry’s most significant casualty and professional liability reinsurance programme. Teams she has led have consistently lowered Aon Benfield clients’ cost of underwriting capital. Smith has also led teams that have integrated new capital flows into traditional placements to further benefit the firm’s clients. In addition to her client responsibilities, she also managed
Aon Benfield’s Chicago office. She has been recognised and received numerous awards for her leading business achievements throughout her career. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Angus Robinson Jr. Memorial Foundation, The Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Red Cross of Greater Chicago.
Why did you choose to work in this industry? It may sound funny but I think it chose me. I took a position
www.intelligentinsurer.com
at Thomas A. Greene after one interview, and I was fortunate enough to begin my career with some of the most talented individuals in the business, all of whom were willing to share their knowledge and teach me all that I needed to know to excel. I am incredibly grateful for those mentors and sponsors—they have meant the world to me throughout my entire career. I also began working with clients that I still work with today.
This industry is full of tremendous individuals, and I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with all of them.
What has been the highlight of your career so far? The highlight is all of the opportunities that I have been given. I have travelled the world and worked with amazingly talented individuals, clients and colleagues, while having the stability of a wonderful job in order to raise my two sons. I have also been introduced and given the opportunity to work with many charitable organisations, some of which have invited me to be a board member, and others that have just expanded my awareness. I feel it is important that we all find ways to give something back.
What has been the biggest challenge you have
encountered? The challenges have been different at different points in my career. The reinsurance marketplace brings us varied challenges all of the time. Prioritising all of our clients’ needs to ensure they get the best of Aon is always in the forefront of my mind. Making sure we deliver 100 percent all of the time is a challenge but, one that all of the team here at Aon has the capability and talent to meet.
If you had chosen a different profession/career path, what would it have been? My passion has, and always will be the wellbeing of children. I think I would have done something either in education or in the non-profit arena for children. I still may!
2015 | INTELLIGENT INSURER | 93
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