Profile
“We keep evolving the brand as we grow and expand, which is equally rewarding and satisfying”
Alice Phillips Topping
Ryan Specialty
Traci Adedeji is founder and president of Positive Paradigm Group, a company specializing in insurance education and leadership development.
“My purpose is to use my superpowers to inspire, coach and mentor others to identify and activate their superpowers,” she says.
Adedeji’s insurance career began in 1984 as a file clerk at a small insurance agency in New Jersey. She cut her teeth in the industry at a time when there was a template for success that did not always make room for young Black women without college degrees. But she demonstrated her talent through her work and commitment to being a lifelong learner. This dedication and tenacity allowed her to grow into leadership roles at companies like Chubb, AIG, and Amica Mutual Insurance Companies and to attain five professional insurance designations.
Adedeji made history when she was installed as the 2024 president and chair of The Institutes’ CPCU Society – the first Black woman in that role. Regarding talent attraction and retention in the RMI industry, Adedeji says that “leaders must empower individuals to define what success looks like for them and then coach them to understand how that definition of success fits within the organization’s definition of success”.
158 Quarry Street
401 617 9675
traci@positiveparadigmgroup.com
linkedin.com/in/traciadedeji
positiveparadigmgroup.com
Traci Adedeji
President and Founder
Positive Paradigm Group
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Bio
Milestones
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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
1990
2001–2005
2016
2023
2024
Assistant Underwriter at The Atlantic Mutual Companies (Madison, NJ)
1990
Underwriting management roles with national carrier
2001–
2005
Earned CPCU designation
2016
Vice President at independent brokerage
2023
President and Founder of Positive Paradigm Group
Installed as the 2024 President and Chair of The Institutes CPCU Society, the first Black woman to serve in this role in the Society’s 80-year history
2024
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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