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“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Carolyn Toomey has risen to the C-suite for the healthcare division of Arch Insurance, but she wasn’t always set on a career in this industry.
“Like most people, I fell into insurance by chance when I saw a posting for the underwriting training program at CNA Insurance,” she explains. “Underwriting seemed to encompass everything from math and critical thinking to traveling and building relationships. I was randomly placed in the healthcare unit when I started the training program, and the rest is history.”
After graduating from the training program and subsequently accepting a position with a new carrier, Carolyn was presented with the opportunity to step into a leadership role after several colleagues left to take positions at another company. Despite having only four years of underwriting experience, she took advantage of the opportunity by speaking up and ensuring she had a seat at the table as the company regrouped. She worked with the senior leadership team on a plan to reorganize the business and identify the tools necessary to move forward under the new structure. In addition, she worked with the underwriting team to develop a communication strategy which focused on bolstering broker’s confidence in the company, products, and people. Ultimately, Carolyn was promoted to vice president and division leader of the long term care product, overseeing a $65-million book on a national basis and becoming the youngest vice president in the specialty division.
Now, as the senior vice president and chief underwriting officer, healthcare at Arch Insurance, she manages a team of 20 underwriters and is responsible for overseeing underwriting and managing the product offerings for multiple lines of healthcare businesses. She works with the team to ensure they remain consistent in their approach to reviewing accounts while also understanding the coverage needs of hospitals, long-term care facilities, allied accounts, and physicians.
What does she consider to be her greatest professional qualities? “I am confident in my technical expertise and ability, and am able to convey that knowledge to Arch’s senior leadership, my underwriting team, and broker counterparts,” she says. “I enjoy training and mentoring the underwriters on my team to ensure they understand the underwriting process and how to successfully build a book of profitable business.”
How would her team describe Carolyn? “I think they would say I am forthright and direct, and I have been told that I am tough but fair.”
“I hold people to the same high standard that I hold myself to, and I celebrate the achievements of those around me,” she continues. “I want my team to feel confident in their ability to make decisions and ultimately take on bigger roles.”
Carolyn lives with her husband and four dogs outside Chicago, where she volunteers her time at local animal rescue centers and humane societies.
311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3700, Chicago, IL 60606
marilyn.quinlan@alliant.com
linkedin.com/in/carolyn-toomey-948a2a25
insurance.archgroup.com
Carolyn Toomey
Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer, Healthcare
Arch Insurance
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“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
2004
2007
2018
2020
2019
2022
Graduated from CNA Underwriting Training Program
2004
Promoted to Head of Long-Term Care at One Beacon Insurance
2007
Launched Surplus Lines product at ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company
2018
Launched Long-Term Care product at Arch Insurance
2020
Promoted to Chief Underwriter for Healthcare at Arch Insurance
2022
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
How does he distinguish himself among fellow brokers?
“I believe all brokers are working very hard in a difficult market,” he says. “However, I have demonstrated continued growth, advocacy and performance on my client’s behalf, which is now recognised [for 10 consecutive years] in the Elite Broker awards.”
In 1990, Dixon got started with FAI, working in claims and as a team leader. From the late 1990s up until 2003, he worked at FAI and Suncorp in underwriting and as an area manager at VACC, CGU (South East Queensland). From 2003 to 2012, he got into broking and eventually started Dixon Insurance in 2013. Since then, he’s accumulated numerous acccolades, including Elite Broker, Diversity and Equity, and Fast Broker awards.
During the pandemic, Dixon challenged insurers over the Quarantine Act application to insurance wordings. His argument was that the Quarantine Act does not apply as an exclusion, as the Biosecurity Act was invoked by the Morrison Government, and this was not a subsequent amendment to the Quarantine Act. The test case in the Appeals court was won for Dixon’s client with a unanimous five-judge verdict.
He remains focused on transport, manufacturing, motor trade, engineering and large farm clients.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”