Judy Bianco on Her Professional Journey in Property Insurance

Judy Bianco joined Aspen in 2015 as part of the team that opened Aspen’s first Property branch in Chicago and was recently promoted to U.S. Head of Open Market Property. We sat down with Judy to understand her role and what opportunities lie ahead for her team. 

Could you please tell us a little about your background and your current role as Aspen?
I began my career as a File Clerk at a small, local broker. I was lucky and ambitious enough to take on every opportunity that presented itself and to volunteer for additional responsibilities and projects. I stayed late, read policies, reviewed claims and asked a million questions, quickly advancing to brokering property facultative business. 

How does your team work with the other segments, support functions and entities?
When speaking with our broker partners, our underwriters always ask them how else we could help their insureds better manage and transfer their risk. If a risk does not fit in Property, we will see if it might be an opportunity for our Inland Marine team. 

What are some of the skills needed to have a successful career in insurance?
Property and analytics are certainly important but equally important, is the ability to look at a risk critically and assess what could go wrong and how we can best protect both the insured while smartly providing balance to Aspen’s portfolio. 

Townhalls are about the people that are behind Aspen’s success and recognizing individuals from every line of business and in every role. These positive changes are visible from the top down, and I am very happy to be a part of the Aspen team.    

Have you had a formal or informal mentor or someone you looked up to?  If so, can you share your experience and how this relationship has been helpful in guiding your career.
I have been fortunate in my career to have been surrounded by people who both encouraged and supported me in every way. My first boss pushed me to learn as much as I could and to challenge myself constantly.

When I had an idea that the facultative department should also be handling facultative claims, he let me run with it and with his support, I helped to create a separate facultative claims department to service our clients. I have been very fortunate to have worked with some of the best in the business and I am forever grateful for their advice and guidance which have greatly influenced my career.