Profile
“We keep evolving the brand as we grow and expand, which is equally rewarding and satisfying”
Alice Phillips Topping
Ryan Specialty
Michele Lamarre is vice president, diversity, inclusion and belonging (DI&B) for QBE North America, a global insurance leader focused on helping customers solve unique risks. Lamarre is responsible for delivering strategic direction, thought leadership, and inclusion competencies to advance the organization’s mission and business objectives.
With over 20 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industries, Lamarre joined QBE in 2017 as lead communications partner. Before QBE, Lamarre held several leadership roles at AIG, including director of executive communications; strategic advisor to the CEO of the Americas region and to the president of consumer insurance, Canada; and chief of staff to the chief marketing officer, accident & health.
Prior to AIG, Lamarre held leadership roles at Moody’s Analytics, UBS Wealth Management, and JP Morgan Chase. Lamarre earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Hofstra University.
She serves on the National Board for The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) and on the IICF IDEA Council - Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Council, the premier body for advancing diversity best practices and inclusive leadership development throughout the insurance industry.
Lamarre is an avid global traveler, a self-proclaimed foodie, and has earned the Court of Master Sommeliers introductory certification.
55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041
212 894 7878
michele.lamarre@qbe.com
linkedin.com/in/michele-l-556b53
qbe.com/us
Michelle Lamarre
VP, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
QBE North America
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Milestones
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females”
Alice Phillips Topping
Ryan Specialty
2011–2014
2014–2016
2016–2017
2017–2020
2020–present
Marketing Communications Director, AIG – Chief of Staff to CMO for Accident & Health (A&H) division
2011–
2014
Director, Consumer Communications, AIG – Strategic advisor to the CEO of the Americas region and to the President of Consumer Insurance, Canada
2014–
2016
Director, Executive Communications, AIG – Strategic communications advisor to members of AIG’s Global Executive Leadership Team (CFO, Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Auditor)
2016–
2017
Lead Communications Partner, QBE – Served as a trusted advisor, developing strategic narrative for business leadership teams and shared service partners
2017–
2020
VP, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer, QBE – Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging of over 2,500 QBE North America employees, responsible for delivering strategic direction to build, drive, influence, and execute diversity and inclusion initiatives across the division
Received the Acord Women’s Insurance Advancement award
Published author in Insurance Business America and InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com
2020–
present
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
• 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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