IN-the-Know

Joe Powell is the Chief Digital Officer at Gallagher Bassett, where he oversees Data, Analytics, and Product Innovation functions. He previously served as a management consultant at Bain & Company, and holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. This episode of In the Know was recorded live at RIMS RISKWORLD 2026 and features a conversation between Chris Hampshire and Joe about the state of AI, trends in data and analytics, and all that a future with AI has to offer. Key Takeaways Joe's career in data and technology. Data, analytics, and AI in today's world. Third-party offerings for claims handlers. Strategies for measuring ROI gains. Responsible implementation of AI. Joe's transition from consulting to insurance. Surprising insights from the depths of the industry. Joe's advice for anyone interested in insurance. Keys to running a successful AI project. A five-year look to the future of the industry. The characteristics that Joe looks for in his team. Joe's advice to his early-career self. In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes "For a data geek, insurance is a great place to be." "Anyone who is thinking about a career in insurance will find the folks you trust and find the place that will help you succeed." "You can start doing a lot of things that you want with AI before you make a major investment."

J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at Gallagher. He began his career as an intern in 1972, worked his way to Chief Executive Officer, and, in 2006, was appointed Chairman of the Board. In 2003, Mr. Gallagher joined the board of trustees of The Institutes. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and Pat discuss his successful career, his perspective on where the insurance industry is today, and where it is heading in the future. Key Takeaways ● Pat's successful career started with a fire and an internship. ● The definitive culture at Gallagher. ● Attributes of desirable acquisitions. ● Pat's message to anyone considering a career in insurance. ● The number one attribute of a successful leader. ● Questions Pat asks himself when making big decisions. ● A five-year look to the future of the industry. ● Pat's advice to his early-career self. In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes ● "Culture is the most important attribute to success or failure." ● "Insurance is the greatest business on the planet." ● "Anyone can find a way to have a positive influence in the insurance industry."

Amy Waninger is the Founder & CEO of Lead at Any Level, where she helps organizations transform their STEM professionals from reclusive nerds into inclusive leaders. Amy offers assessments, advisory services, and training on essential skills for inclusive leaders. She is the author of eight books, including Network Beyond Bias: Making Diversity a Competitive Advantage for Your Career. Amy spent twelve years working in the insurance industry, where she achieved the CPCU designation in 2016 and the Certified Insurance Data Manager (CIDM) designation in 2018. She also holds associate designations in Management, Claims, Insurance Data Analytics, Information Technology, and General Insurance. On this episode of In The Know, Chris Hampshire and Amy discuss building a business, learning how to sell yourself, and strategies that can help anyone overcome external and internal barriers. Key Takeaways Amy's journey from small-town Indiana to CEO. Getting to the jumping point and then making the jump. Amy's decision to leave her job and build a business. Learning how to sell yourself is a continual process. How to get started on the process of writing a book. Panic can be reframed as fuel. Strategies for facing internal and external barriers. Amy's far-reaching advice to her early career self. In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes "We spend a lot of time in the industry talking about barriers to inclusion. What if we spend some time talking about solutions?" "Enjoying the process, in addition to the results, is key." "If you want to do something so badly that you are willing to be bad at it, and get better, then you know you're doing the right thing." "I am still surprised by the depth and breadth of the impact that I've had. I had no idea global impact was even possible."

Mark Walls is the Chief Marketing Officer at Safety National, a multi-line specialty insurance and reinsurance carrier and member of the Tokio Marine Group. With over 30 years of workers' compensation and risk management experience, Mark's career spans claims management, client engagement, strategic analysis, and market research. He previously served as VP Client Engagement at Safety National and as Senior VP at Marsh's Workers' Compensation Center of Excellence. Mark is the founder of the Work Comp Analysis Group on LinkedIn, the largest online discussion group dedicated exclusively to workers' compensation issues. On this episode of In The Know, Chris Hampshire and Mark explore the changing landscape of the workers' comp landscape, hot topics in today's workers' comp space, and the game changer that is (or could be) AI. Key Takeaways Mark's journey toward prominence in the workers' comp space. Workers' comp is an industry that fundamentally helps people. The current state of workers' comp line of coverage. Mark's inspiration behind the LinkedIn Work Comp Analysis Group. Lessons learned from Mark's career. The challenging impact of AI on workers' comp. GLP-1 drugs, marijuana, and other hot topics in the workers' comp space. Making the career move from claims to marketing and public speaking. Addressing the industry talent shortage. Mark's five-year look at the future of the industry. "The outcome makes the journey worth it all." In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes "Workers' comp is an industry that is fundamentally there to help people." "Risk managers like comp right now because it's predictable." "There's not a week that goes by that you don't learn something in this industry." "At its core, we are an industry that's there to help people." "The insurance industry is the financial backstop of the entire economy."

This episode of In The Know features host Chris Hampshire and Leah Ohodnicki, Executive Vice President of Carrier Relations at RT Specialty. Leah leads strategic initiatives to strengthen trading partnerships and drive growth across the wholesale insurance landscape, and brings two decades of experience spanning retail brokerage, E&S carriers, MGUs, and program business. Leah began her career at Marsh in 2006, advancing through leadership roles in marketing and business development. In 2015, she joined Argo Group, where she led distribution for the group and later led Specialty Programs. Leah also served as the executive sponsor for Argo Group's Gender Equality employee resource group. In 2023, Leah joined Ethos Specialty, part of Ascot Group, where she led Strategic Partnerships and served as interim head of Casualty Programs. Leah co-chairs the community committee for RT Specialty's WOW! — Women Opportunity Winning! — and serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh CLO and the University of Pittsburgh's Frederick Honors College. Today, Leah and Chris discuss the wholesale specialty marketplace, the role of distribution, and other aspects of this industry segment, and Leah's experience as a female leader in the insurance industry. Key Takeaways Leah's career journey from marketing to insurance. Roles and responsibilities of leading carrier relations. The current state of the wholesale specialty sector. Key differences between wholesale and primary markets. Leah's message to anyone considering a career in insurance. Leah's experience as a female leader in insurance. Technical capabilities and character considerations in the hiring process. The value of a CPCU designation in an insurance career. Questions Leah asked herself when considering career moves. Technology's impact on the wholesale sector. A five-year look at the future of the industry. Leah's advice to her college-aged self. In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes "Carriers are all looking for ways to access brokers that they want to do business with." "The wholesale specialty sector is in a really healthy place right now." "Within insurance, you have the ability to be exposed to so much about what is going on in the world." "Insurance is at the heart of the economy." "If you have a seat at the table, you're there for a reason. Own it!" "What is the brand that you're building on your social media platform?"

In this 5th anniversary episode of In the Know, one of our earliest podcast guests returns to help us celebrate and to determine which of his 2020 predictions have come true. Rob Galbraith is the founder and CEO of Forestview Insights, an independent consulting, research, and training company focused on enabling organizations to create and build a lasting culture of innovation. Rob has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry in various leadership positions, and is the author of the international best-selling book The End Of Insurance As We Know It. He is a recognized thought leader in the insurance sector, a frequent media contributor, and a popular keynote speaker. Rob earned his CPCU designation in 2003 and has held a variety of volunteer leadership positions at the local and national levels for the CPCU Society. Together with Chris Hampshire, Rob offers insights into the intersection of insurance and technology and shares what it takes to build a culture of innovation in today's industry. Key Takeaways Rob's 25-year journey in the financial services industry. Behind the scenes of The End of Insurance As We Know It. Insights into the intersection of insurance and technology. Rob's decision to pursue a second-act career. Building a culture of innovation in the insurance industry. Surprising developments in innovation. Four predictions that Rob made in 2020 — focused innovation efforts, going digital, employee engagement, and developing new industry products. In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes "There is a misnomer that insurance is averse to technology. We've embraced technology." "Companies are much better at working with startups today than ever before." "Not all innovation is the same." "Top-down, offensive innovations are the ones that are going to ultimately separate you with a lasting, competitive advantage over time." "You can't wait for an unexpected event like the pandemic to happen to then start innovating."

James Lawrence, better known as The Iron Cowboy, is a world-renowned keynote speaker, bestselling author, and endurance athlete who redefined human potential by completing 50 Ironmans in 50 days across all 50 states — and then doing the unthinkable — 100 full-distance triathlons in 100 consecutive days. Before becoming the greatest endurance athlete in history, James was a successful entrepreneur, running a thriving mortgage company and helping hundreds of clients build wealth through homeownership and strategic refinancing. That same relentless mindset that powered him through thousands of miles now fuels his ventures in multi-family real estate and ownership of Crumbl Cookie franchises. He's been named one of Sports Illustrated's "Fittest 50," featured in two acclaimed documentaries, and honored alongside icons like LeBron James and Conor McGregor. But James's story isn't just about athletic records — it's about purpose, resilience, and refusing to settle for average. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and James examine the importance of risk-taking in any successful career, techniques for transferring fear to excitement, and the possibilities that are available to those who are brave enough to tackle the unknown. James will be the closing keynote and conferment speaker at this year's In2Risk event, taking place November 3‒5 in New Orleans. For more information and to register, visit In2Risk.org. Register by Sept. 5 to take advantage of early bird rates. Key Takeaways James's pivot from the mortgage industry to extreme sports. The importance of risk-taking in any successful career. Calculating which risks bring the greatest rewards. The suffering is worth it when you show up prepared. The future is filled with possibilities for those who are willing to take risks. AI leverage has the potential to bring greater joy to the workforce. Techniques for transferring fear to excitement. Breaking monumental accomplishments down into manageable tasks. Personal development and risk-taking. Staying healthy while achieving incredible goals. What to expect from James's keynote presentation at In2Risk. A five-year look at the rapidly changing future. James's encouraging advice to his early career self. In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes "Sometimes hitting rock bottom can be the greatest gift." "What is the risk that I have to take? And what is the benefit to myself, my family, my community?" "The suffering is always worth it if you show up prepared." "For people who understand and leverage AI, it's going to bring a lot of joy and happiness in their lives." "Am I going to allow fear to dictate my decisions, or am I going to continue to chase my dreams?" "Taking risks and personal development go hand in hand."

Bhaskar serves as a Principal Technology Evangelist on Guidewire's Global Technology Alliances and Marketplace team. In his role, he works with solution, technology, and systems integration partners to develop technical integration strategies and promote Guidewire's cloud platform. He's also a passionate supporter of the Guidewire Insurtech Vanguard program, which helps insurers discover innovative InsurTechs. Bhaskar brings a unique blend of P&C insurance domain expertise, technical background, and deep knowledge of the Guidewire ecosystem. His experience spans enterprise software development, technology consulting, product management, and implementation projects. In this episode of In the Know, Chris Hampshire and Bhaskar dive into all things insurtech and its impact on the insurance industry, strategies for approaching legacy technology challenges, the possibilities of AI, and what the transformed future of the insurance industry could look like. Key Takeaways Bhaskar's decision to marry the industry and date the technology. At Guidewire, Bhaskar's work impacts the entire industry ecosystem. The current state and impact of insurtech. Strategies for approaching legacy technology challenges. The state of acceptance of cloud technology. Addressing integration concerns for optimal upgrade success. Short- and long-term impacts of AI in the insurance industry. A look at the entirely transformed five-year future of the industry. Bhaskar's broader-thinking advice to his early career self. Special thank you to Guidewire, one of the CPCU Society's annual partners, for their generous support and for sponsoring this episode of In the Know. In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then. To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org. Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society Quotes "I made the decision to marry the industry and date the technology." "We have a responsibility to lead, but we also have a responsibility to lift." "Insurtech has changed the insurance world, but not in the way that everyone thought previously." "Insurtech is more of a maturing system than a disruptor." "The insurtech space has transformed the industry's digital transformation." "If you want to easily upgrade, embrace cloud." "AI is going to fundamentally change the insurance model."