From regulation to insurance coverage – how Jodie Kaufman Davis is driving development and fairness

Jodie Kaufman Davis, Government Vice President, H.W. Kaufman Group; President, Burns & Wilcox Canada; Chief Technique Officer, Atain Insurance coverage Firms, might not have initially sought to observe in her household’s footsteps and construct her profession in insurance coverage, however a change of thoughts and a pivot out of the authorized enviornment ended up paying private {and professional} dividends.

“I began my profession as a lawyer,” she recalled. “After about eight years of practising regulation, I used to be on the partnership observe and deciding whether or not or not that was the suitable profession for me.”

Throughout this pivotal second, Kaufman Davis, a mom of three, started to discover various profession paths. The insurance coverage enterprise had at all times been within the background, given her household’s involvement, nevertheless it wasn’t till 2012, when the corporate expanded to Canada, that she determined to provide it a shot.

Leaping into insurance coverage

In January 2014, she took the leap into the insurance coverage trade, and he or she hasn’t regarded again since. Her transition from regulation to insurance coverage was fuelled by a need for private {and professional} development.

“I’ve actually loved constructing companies and creating groups of individuals,” she defined.

There have been loads of accomplishments alongside the way in which too. One which stands out is her position in elevating Burns & Wilcox Canada from a small entity to a widely known model throughout the nation. Beneath her management, the enterprise has continued to thrive and set record-setting numbers.

Going past borders

However her ambitions didn’t cease on the Canadian border. She expanded her position, becoming a member of the Kaufman board of administrators, the place she gained a broader perspective on the chances within the insurance coverage trade. This enlargement led to the creation of RB Jones, a specialised insurance coverage entity specializing in property, marine, power, {and professional} legal responsibility throughout america.

“I noticed that, whereas we have been doing nice within the Canadian market, that is one thing that we must always increase on past the Canadian market,” she mentioned.

Past RB Jones, Jodie performs a pivotal position because the chief technique officer for Atain Insurance coverage Firms, a Kaufman firm. There, she’s targeted on strengthening the crew and increasing capabilities, which incorporates creating unique merchandise and specialization to fulfill market wants and implementing a digital charge quote bind system for enhanced expertise.

Kaufman Davis emphasizes that the Kaufman Group is a family-owned and operated group, and associates aren’t simply workers however family members. The enterprise does its greatest to make sure that each affiliate has the help they want, whether or not it’s private help via the Worker Aid Fund or skilled growth alternatives.

Recruiting high expertise and fostering worker engagement are additionally high priorities. She needs Kaufman to stay a vacation spot for the very best and brightest within the trade. “Exploring methods to maintain our associates challenged and advancing their profession trajectories” is a key a part of her mission.

Main the way in which on variety and inclusion

One in every of Kaufman Davis’s proudest achievements is her position as the manager sponsor for Kaufman Range, Fairness and Inclusion (DE&I) Program. She has seen first-hand the constructive affect D&I has had on the group, bringing collectively associates of all backgrounds to resolve advanced challenges and have interaction in neighborhood occasions.

However her dedication to selling variety doesn’t finish at Kaufman’s doorways. She served because the Canada Chair for the Insurance coverage Supper Membership, a corporation that helps girls within the trade. By way of this position, she supplies alternatives for girls to community with feminine executives and develop the talents wanted to advance their careers.

Waiting for the longer term, her aspirations are clear. She needs to deal with expertise growth, recruitment, and expertise funding to make sure the continued success of the Kaufman Group. She’s eager on increasing the corporate’s international operations and leveraging the Kaufman platform to supply the very best options for purchasers.

Within the phrases of Kaufman Davis herself: “Our household values actually are a pillar after we welcome associates to our group. We actually welcome them to our household.”