Get to know a fellow URMIA member beyond just his risk management and insurance experiences
Twane Duckworth at WTW
Title:
Senior Client Executive, N.A. Public Sector & Education Leader
Hometown:
Miami, Florida
Alma Mater:
Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, FL
Degrees/Certifications:
Degrees - Juris Doctor, Masters in Risk Management & Insurance, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Certifications - Chief Risk Officer (CRO) certification, Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associates in Risk Management (ARM)
What was your first job?
Selling newspaper subscriptions door-to-door
How did you start your career in risk management?
I started with the City of Jacksonville, FL. Fortunately for me, there was an unanticipated vacancy by the risk manager and they believed in my skillset…the rest is history!
Years in Risk Management:
12
Years in Insurance:
12
Role in URMIA this year:
Affiliate member through insurance broker WTW
What's the biggest change you've seen in the risk management and insurance industry since you've been in it?
The biggest change has been the increased concentration and focus on inclusion and diversity. It has been interesting to watch society as a whole, and now the insurance industry, give specific acknowledgment to recognizing how diversity of background promotes innovative solutions. Innovation being a bedrock concept of the insurance industry, inclusion and diversity have become paramount concepts pervasive to everything from hiring, retention, products, and solutions.
What emerging risks concern you the most?
The looming cataclysm between the premise of a “fair profit” and “insurance affordability.” Certain lines of business have been characterized as being in a “hard market” for several consecutive years. This is incentivizing many purchasers to look for alternative forms of risk transfer indicating that some reasonable caution may be warranted for carriers trying to earn back rate too quickly from the years of a softer market.
What's the most interesting situation you've encountered in your job?
Getting a chance to take a pre-show flight in a World War II era plane as the risk manager overseeing an airshow.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
My biggest reward is the relationship with our clients and knowing they have full satisfaction in an otherwise turbulent time after a claim is filed. Placing the coverage is not unimportant, but knowing that the insuring agreement effectively responded to the client in their time of need promotes a friendship that can last years, if not decades.
What do you most appreciate about URMIA?
Pun intended, the collegial atmosphere. I have participated in many organizations. In my experience, URMIA is unique in the overwhelming sense of collective intelligence and collaboration. The network of professionals you experience through URMIA is encouraging and a demonstrable reminder that we truly can excel if we recognize more of our similarities than our differences.
What's your favorite book, movie, and/or hobby?
Ok, so I should say something elevated such as The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho…and this is true, love that story. But, really, any John Grisham novel! I cannot help it…every story would catch me when I read his books.
What is your favorite beverage and/or food?
I am an absolute sucker for anything with peach or peach flavor, artificial or natural, doesn’t matter!
What do your friends and family think you do?
They have absolutely no idea. I’d wager to say “something with insurance.”
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