The Change Catalysts: Risk and Insurance Insights

Message from the Program Director

I am very proud to welcome the readers to our first issue of The Change Catalysts: Risk and Insurance Insights produced by the students, alumni and faculty of the Columbia University Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management program. This Journal represents five years of engagement between industry professionals and academia to nurture a community where participants in our program can share their thought leadership and help build the future of
insurance and risk management.

Since the start of the program, students have demonstrated their commitment and pure obsession with all things insurance, which has resulted in some of the most thought provoking and richest content that we could hope for in what I call our "safe space" and "extension of the workplace." We ask students to set aside any competitive nature; this allows them to be creative collaborators, critical yet constructive challengers, and intellectually curious lifelong learners. They build more confidence each time they overcome uncertainty, and prove their resilience as they pursue, fail, persevere and then succeed. The adage, “if you're not uncomfortable, then you're not learning” rings true. Through learning, our students and alumni continue to be empowered and influential.

They have reinforced that regardless of our role behind the office desk, everyone has ideas that facilitate advancement at various levels and in different aspects. Everyone has the capacity to be change agents for the betterment of lives, and global economic growth and protection. We are publishing our ideas to convey and encourage the call to action – when ideas are shared, there is a greater chance that they will transform into impactful pursuits.
 

This issue celebrates the program’s anniversary and specifically acknowledges our first five cohorts with representative articles from each of them. Thanks to the Journal Committee for staying the course since the inception of this venture in January 2024 (all the team building you completed during the program is still paying off!) and the unparalleled results of cross-cohort cooperation.
 

There is no doubt that the art of risk and insurance is dynamic and rewarding. Those who have dedicated their careers to this art continue to be as inspiring and impressive as they were when I started working in the industry 30 years ago. I would like to convey my deepest gratitude to everyone who made this Master's program and this Journal possible and sustainable. The Journal is one way we are giving back to the industry that so generously supports us.
 

We look forward to sharing much more of our insights in the years to come.

Teresa