Profile
“Many in our industry are quick to cite ‘brochure diversity’ instead of board room diversity. I am proud to move us beyond tokenism. At Tangram we have women and minorities in positions of power. We are driving revenue, strategy, finance, and underwriting – typically functions reserved for men. We are showing the industry what’s possible through action and success.”
Rekha Skantharaja
Tangram Insurance Services
Rekha Skantharaja is the President and CEO of Tangram Insurance Services Inc, a full-service MGA, brokerage, and reinsurance intermediary.
Her remarkable rise began in 2001, arriving in San Fransisco with a one-way plane ticket and two months of rent. She accepted her first insurance job as an account assistant at a boutique retail brokerage. By 2013, she would assume her current position as President and CEO of Tangram.
The key to her success is her ability to inspire.
“I am innately optimistic and resilient. Experience has taught me that success comes from staying in the ring when others get worn down or discouraged. I bring that tenacious leadership style to my company every day. I don’t discourage debate; dodge conflict or pretend problems don’t exist. Instead, I create a vision linked with a purpose that is so compelling, the people around me feel inspired to work through the mud and keep fighting for it.”
Tangram’s culture reflects Skantharaja’s honesty-first, proactive mindset.
“My voice is distinct and unapologetic. I have clear point of view and the courage to articulate it. Of course there are times of self-doubt and push back from others. I say what’s true to me, and it’s not always popular and at times, even controversial,” she explains. “It’s important to say something that matters and more importantly, do something that matters.”
Another of Skantharaja’s achievements is leading a successful firm with majority female leadership and a diverse team.
140 2nd Street, Suite 230, Petaluma, CA 94952
707 781 7381
rekha@tangramins.com
linkedin.com/in/rekhaskantharaja
tangramins.com
Rekha Skantharaja
Chief Executive Officer and President
Tangram Insurance Services
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Bio
Milestones
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females”
Alice Phillips Topping
Ryan Specialty
2001–2005
2005–2009
2018
2019–2023
Present
Broker at Carpenter Moore
2001–
2005
Vice President, Business Development at OneBeacon
2005–
2009
Recognized as one of Business Insurance’s Women to Watch
2018
2019: Recognized as one of IBA’s Hot 100
2023: Recognized as one of IBA’s Elite Women
2019–
2023
President at Tangram Insurance Services since 2009
Chief Executive Officer at Tangram Insurance Services since 2018
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
• Gold award for Magazine or Newspaper Advertisement
• Silver award for Promotional Email
• Silver award for Most Out-of-the-Box Idea
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Tangram is headquartered in the Bay Area along with hubs in the Boston and Philadelphia regions. Expansion and diversification are important to Skantharaja, but so is leading with core values.
“I have been successful because I’m relentless in evolving and growing, while keeping our core values at the heart of every decision. Whether it’s making responsible decisions on how we grow and who we acquire, to confronting an expensive technology failure. In the end, I’m not the smartest person in the room, but it is my responsibility and honor to push forward with optimism and grit.”
Skantharaja’s commitment is resolute in making Tangram a bigger part of the global industry, while providing a necessary pathway for others inside and outside of the Company.
She adds, “I have a vision to revolutionize the face of insurance by building a substantially successful company that remains diverse, independent, and responsible. It’s not only about becoming bigger but also, doing it in a way that brings others along and dropping the ladder back down. With two decades of experience behind me, and decades of runway ahead, I am determined to build a brand and culture that is blazing a trail for many, especially women and minorities.”
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