Get to know some interesting, lighthearted information about your member colleagues.
Gwendolyn Drumgoole at Houston Community College
Title
Risk Manager
Hometown
Houston, Texas
Alma Mater:
Wiley College
Degrees/Certifications
BA Wiley College; MBA Texas Southern University; CSRM
What was your first job?
Physical education teacher in Giddings Independent School District; Giddings, Texas
How did you start your career in risk management?
I started my career at Houston Community College in 1980 as a secretary in the budget office department and later became the budget manager for 17 years. Following this, I became the supervisor of insurance overseeing all lines of coverage including workers’ compensation and soon after was named risk manager. I am in my 43rd year at HCC.
Years in Risk Management & Insurance
25 years in insurance and risk management
Role(s) in URMIA This Year
Conference attendee, Honors Committee member, URMIAcares participant, and conference registration volunteer onsite
What is the biggest change you have seen in the risk management and insurance industry since you have been in it?
The rising cost of insurance and the increased need for organizations to have adequate insurance coverage to protect their institutions are the biggest changes along with automobile and property coverages skyrocketing.
What emerging risks concern you the most?
HCC is faced with more minors on campus with increased requests for summer day camps for minors taking place at campus sites. Active shootings that may take place on one of the campuses is also one of my concerns.
What’s the most interesting situation you’ve encountered in your job?
The 2008 hurricane in Houston as the college’s risk manager is likely the most interesting situation. I was attending my first URMIA conference and was not able to leave Washington, DC for several days to start the recovery process at the college.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Educating the faculty, staff and students on the principles of risk and how to mitigate and treat risk. Everyone at the college is deputized as a risk manager in their areas.
I have received numerous awards and honors from HCC including the Small Business Administration Special Award/Disaster Private Citizen and the City of Houston Health Department Award. I have been featured in the Texas Mutual Insurance Company Annual Report on Risk Management. I am a former board member of Texas School Risk Managers Association and Texas PRIMA, and I am a current member of the Lutheran School Board in Houston, Texas.
What do you most appreciate about URMIA?
I appreciate most that we are a family along with the opportunities to network, meet new members, and share information with each other.
What is your favorite book, movie, and/or hobbies?
My favorite book is the Bible, and my hobbies are reading, volunteering with community outreach programs, and arranging flowers.
What is your favorite beverage and/or food?
I love Coca-Cola and crab cakes!
What do your friends and family think you do?
Keeping the students, faculty, and staff safe and protecting the college from potential losses.
Joan Rupar at Gallagher
Title
Area Senior Vice President
Hometown
Wilmington, Delaware
Alma Mater
University of Delaware
Degrees/Certifications
BA in Psychology
What was your first job?
I was a lifeguard at a private pool.
How did you start your career in risk management?
I started my career as a Nationwide agent as there were no jobs anywhere and it was something to learn. I quickly moved into personal lines underwriting with CIGNA. After several roles in personal lines, I moved to the International Commercial Division. This is where I was exposed to higher education risk management.
Years in Insurance
25+ years
Years in Risk Management
None directly, but 17 years in an insurance/consultant role helping those unfamiliar with international risk issues and coverage.
Role(s) in URMIA This Year
My role in URMIA this year includes being on the International Committee and the Annual Conference Committee. I am also presenting at the conference with some distinguished colleagues.
What is the biggest change you have seen in the risk management and insurance industry since you have been in it?
Once upon a time, when discussing international exposures, the response was typically “who knows” or a resounding “everywhere.” Public institutions were relying on state immunity. For a time, incidents became serious including loss of life and nuclear judgments drew questions from leadership. Additional staffing, technology, and oversight has become common. Risk management preventative measures have taken hold minimizing catastrophic events. The work done every day by international program staff as well as international risk managers have improved the success of their respective programs significantly.
What emerging risks concern you the most?
The impact of environmental changes are profound in lesser developed countries. We see the impact of unpredictable weather patterns and natural disasters in the US, but we have the support of the federal government as well as the American Red Cross. These resources are not common in many countries. There is an elevated duty of care over international programs. No one can predict the next massive natural disaster, but the expectation is each institution will have the best resources.
What is the most interesting situation you have encountered in your job?
Calls regarding emergencies during off-hours are common and expected. My most interesting situation was the need for a security evacuation from Afghanistan during the exodus.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is sharing my expertise and being able to help in a crisis - look across coverage and resources and create solutions. There is so much to learn, and I love sharing that knowledge.
What do you most appreciate about URMIA?
I appreciate URMIA’s culture of inclusion. My first conference was years ago in Anchorage, Alaska with Mike Foley. We knew no one and ended the trip with life-long friends. That message is repeated with newcomers at each conference. We rely on each other, share with one another, and continue that underlying culture we all depend upon.
What is your favorite book, movie, and/or hobbies?
My favorite book would be Three Cups of Tea while my favorite movie is Silverado. My favorite hobby is gardening in our community vegetable garden in our state park.
What is your favorite beverage and/or food?
Pizza! I can turn any food into a pizza.
What do your friends and family think you do?
As a working mom, I always made sure my kids knew where I worked and met co-workers or managers. It was important to me, if I was leaving them to go somewhere else, that they understood the importance of my work and had context about the people. Both kids remember a Father’s Day that I received an emergency call during dinner. A group of students on a bus had been hijacked in South Africa and they needed help. For about two hours, we worked through the incident with my claim team and assistance staff. By the morning, the group was returned to the US and all was well. Twenty years later, when someone asks what I do, the kids will reference that situation. They were happy I helped - never resenting the interruption – always understanding the bigger issue. I’m proud of how I can help and happier that my family understands.
Insights Home
#InsightsArticle