Profile
“We keep evolving the brand as we grow and expand, which is equally rewarding and satisfying”
Alice Phillips Topping
Ryan Specialty
With a career spanning four decades, Jane Dalli started in the insurance field in 1984 as a policy typist.
“One of my brokers saw potential in me and offered me the opportunity to become a wholesaler,” reflects Dalli. “I jumped at that chance as I knew it was the beginning of my career, and this would be the best way to continue growing and learning the industry.”
Currently serving as area president for two of Risk Placement Services offices – Staten Island and Long Island – Dalli is a seasoned leader in the industry. Since joining the firm in 2014, she has played a key role in her team’s success.
For every year over the past 10 years, Dalli’s Staten Island office has seen double digit growth, with both her offices receiving Branch of the Year designations in 2019 and 2021.
“I currently run a team of 20, and in that time, we’ve produced $7.3 million in revenue and $85 million in premium. While none of this was planned, I’ve been fortunate to have been presented with great opportunities in the insurance industry,” says Dalli.
While the area president has built an incredibly successful team, she notes that recruitment is still a widespread industry issue.
“Finding talent to suit the marketplace is incredibly challenging – especially after Covid. I try to foster our young talent and work with them closely to make sure they get to that next level in their careers amidst the challenging marketplace.”
Dalli is especially passionate about acting as a mentor for young women in the insurance industry, and reflects on the gender bias historically associated with the field.
“I feel it’s my duty to step up and help anyone who wants to have a career in insurance – especially young women,” says Dalli. “When I first started in this field, it was difficult to break into the ‘all boys club’ and I spent many of my early years in this industry trying to do just that.”
“I know firsthand how important it is to have positive, strong female role models, and I don’t take that lightly. Whether it’s work, personal, or otherwise, I want to be able to lead by example, be a support system, and encourage more women to be their best in and outside the workplace.”
Outside of Risk Placement Services, Dalli is incredibly active throughout the insurance industry. As an original member of the Young Insurance Professionals in 1985, she also works with the Professional Insurers Wholesale Association and the Council of Insurance Brokers.
“When all is said and done, I want to make sure I leave this industry in a better place than I found it 40 years ago. This is especially for the young women coming up in insurance currently, all of whom have so much ahead of them,” shares Dalli.
101 Tyrellen Avenue, 4th Floor, Staten Island, NY 10309
516 227 4200
ContactRPS@RPSins.com
linkedin.com/in/jane-dalli-024b7074
RPSins.com
Jane Dalli
Area President
Risk Placement 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
1984
1986
1991
2000
2014–present
First insurance job as policy typist at Calvert Insurance Company for Property & Casualty
1984
Became a wholesaler working with Parkington Associates
1986
Became partner with Gerard Nolan for NSD Insurance Brokerage
1991
Merged her business, NSD, with Buckingham Badler Associates
2000
2014–present: Joined Risk Placement Services. Now running two branches – one in Staten Island and one in Long Island. The Staten Island branch has recorded double-digit growth every year for 10 straight years
2014–present: RPS Top Performers Club
2019, 2021: Branch of the Year
Past President of New Jersey Surplus Lines
2014–
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
“We keep evolving the brand as we grow and expand, which is equally rewarding and satisfying,” adds Phillips Topping.
“Marketing is a very busy space. The challenge is to keep it fresh and keep it new. There’s so much out there. You have to think about how to break through.”
Since joining the firm in 2015, Ryan Specialty has:
• completed 28 acquisitions
• launched 10 companies
“With each acquisition and de novo formation, a large branding component is involved,” says Phillips Topping.
Speaking on the importance of spotlighting marketing professionals, Phillips Topping says, “It’s imperative to shine a light on those who aren’t necessarily brokers or underwriters. There are so many different aspects of the industry. It’s nice to show all the great work that’s being done behind the scenes.”
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