Get a sneak peek into the world of risk management in higher education with Craig McAllister, the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management at the University of Miami and President of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA). With over 25 years of experience in the field, including a significant tenure at Cornell University, Craig brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to managing risks in academic settings. In this episode, Craig discusses the dynamic challenges of his role, from enhancing campus safety while respecting free speech to mobilizing community leaders in risk mitigation efforts. He also shares insights into his responsibilities overseeing the University's comprehensive risk programs and his leadership at URMIA.

Key Takeaways:

• A little bit about Craig and his work at the University of Miami.

• Craig loved that there was always something different to do when he got into this field.

• Being part of a bigger purpose keeps Craig energized. It’s exciting to support the mission, the research, and the clinical care at University of Miami, and making things happen through the lens of risk.

• How does Craig think about risk when working at a University?

• What are some of the challenges Craig has faced lately?

• How does Craig manage risk on campus while also protecting people’s free speech?

• How does Craig mobilize community leaders and help them think about risk mitigation?

• Every four years, Craig has to remind new students of the rules and policies, which helps you remember the basics.

• How do communication and public relations come into play?

• Craig talks about his role at URMIA.

• What advice does Craig have for professionals looking to get into risk management within academia?

• A shoutout to URMIA and their commitment to education.

Mentioned in This Episode:

University of Miami

Craig on LinkedIn

Michael Levine is a partner in Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s Washington, DC office and a leader of the Firm’s Insurance Recovery Practice. He offers insights into the legal side of the risk management space and the important role that attorneys play in creating a system of checks and balances in the insurance space and offers insights from his experience to young professionals considering a career at the intersection of insurance and law.

Key Takeaways:

• Michael shares insights into his work at Hunton Andrews Kurth.

• Being an attorney who practiced in insurance was not a childhood dream of Michael’s.

• After becoming an attorney, the decision to specialize in insurance coverage was an easy one.

• Michael has practiced both in favor of the policyholder as well as on the carrier side.

• What were Michael’s reasons for switching back and forth between the policyholder and carrier sides multiple times?

• The biggest misconceptions about the motives and actions of attorneys in the insurance space.

• What does it really mean if a lawyer gets involved in a claims case?

• The real reason Michael uses the term “policyholder” instead of “insured.”

• Attorneys are in place to provide a healthy system of checks and balances within the insurance industry.

• Maximizing insurance recoveries means giving policyholders everything they're entitled to.

• When is the right time to get an attorney involved in insurance policies?

• Once counsel gets involved, whether the broker has done their job makes all the difference in the outcome of the claim.

• Michael’s opinion on the high percentage of insurance payouts that ends up in attorney’s pockets.

• Acquiring new clients through marketing and networking, because repeat business is not good business in policyholder litigation.

• Michael reveals the biggest lessons learned from his years of practicing law in the insurance space.

• Tips for picking up the technical language of the insurance world.

• It’s all meaningful; Michael’s advice for finding the issues that mean something to you and righting a wrong.

Mentioned in This Episode:

RIMS — San Diego Event

Michael on LinkedIn

Hunton Andrews Kurth

Daniel Kaniewski is the Managing Director at Marsh McLennan and an American government official who served as the acting deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served as the deputy administrator of FEMA for Resilience. In this episode, Daniel recalls the impact that 9/11 had on his personal and professional life and how it strengthened his resolve to increase the country’s preparation for catastrophic events. He shares the hurdles he has faced along the way, the role of luck and risk in every step of his career, and highlights the opportunities that response readiness and resilience have to offer young professionals today.

Key Takeaways:

• Daniel highlights his role at Marsh and reveals his disaster resilience guru status.

• Daniel’s unusual pathway into risk management started with a volunteer firefighter paramedic who wanted to figure out how to reduce losses in the first place.

• After maxing out his EMT certifications and education, Daniel turned to a Ph.D. in public policy.

• An internship on Capitol Hill led Daniel to support the Gilmore Commission, where he worked to increase first responders' preparation for terrorist attacks.

• In a post-9/11 world, policymaker interest has shifted dramatically in favor of proactive training against acts of terrorism.

• The personal and professional impact of 9/11 on Daniel’s life and work.

• Watching the Pentagon take fire from the Capitol Building was a surreal moment, especially after learning that the Capitol Building was the likely target of Flight 93.

• Daniel’s “why” in the years following 9/11 only strengthened his resolve to continue the work he had been doing in the years prior.

• Hurricane Katrina swung the pendulum from terrorism directly to natural disaster relief.

• Federal departments and missions continue with their work, regardless of presidential administration changes, but their focus may change with each new president.

• Every dollar invested in disaster mitigation saves $13 in physical and economic costs should a disaster occur.

• Daniel was willing to help set up FEMA, as long as he was able to maintain a focus on disaster resilience.

• Local and national governments informing the public about key catastrophic exposure is critical for gaining support for investments in response readiness.

• What prompted Daniel’s shift from the public sector over to Marsh?

• Daniel recalls the professional relationships that have enabled him to take the risks that have made his career so fulfilling.

• Response readiness and resilience are top of mind across the country, and have a place for you!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Daniel on LinkedIn

Marsh McLennan