Profile
“No matter how many clients I have, I make sure to call each one personally every quarter. It’s a chance to not only update them on their portfolio, but also check on how they’re doing personally”
Kelvin Rampersad,
Carte Wealth Management
Brenda (Ballard) Austenfeld is co-president of RT Specialty and CEO of RT National Property.
For over 30 years, she has navigated the brokerage world of insurance – both retail and wholesale brokerage – where resilience and vision are essential. Marking out her ability to succeed is evidenced by how she has handled the changing demands during that period.
“The speed at which business is conducted every day has increased dramatically. The E&S industry moves at a lightening pace, so much faster today than it did 30 years ago. The good news is that we can work from anywhere today 24/7,” says Austenfeld.
“Each person must find their own balance in life while learning to adapt by being flexible and delivering their very best to clients. Speed along with focused technical expertise is a winning combination.”
Growing up on a wheat and cattle farm outside of a small town in Kansas, with a population of only 500, taught Austenfeld valuable lessons.
“It instilled in me the values of resilience, determination, and most importantly, teamwork. The same values drive Ryan Specialty/RT Specialty forward today, as we strive to excel and innovate in the world of E&S insurance,” she says.
Each leader has their own way of operating, and for Austenfeld, it’s about synergy and collaboration to create a shared vision of success.
She explains, “I strongly believe it is the collective strength of our team that distinguishes us from the rest. My goal is for our team to be the very best, not just in numbers or metrics, but in the way we conduct ourselves and the level of excellence we set.”
Celebrated as one of IBA’s Elite Women 2025, Austenfeld is a strong supporter of offering greater opportunities to women in the insurance industry.
She is also a leader of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning!), Ryan Specialty’s women-focused employee resource group.
“We are dedicated to helping women network, exploring the challenges they face and training them to succeed and become leaders at our firm,” she says.
Due to her background and career path, Austenfeld encourages others from diverse talent pools to believe they can succeed in insurance. She wants them to feel emboldened and seize upon opportunities.
“I want them to raise their hand, step forward and lead. I have always felt that being unique instead of the ‘typical’ insurance person is a terrific way to stand out.”
This attitude to developing and championing marks out another key element of Austenfeld’s glowing reputation. She has seen many colleagues and juniors go on to executive roles.
“Those relationships are the greatest indicators of my success. I have had the pleasure of watching those I mentor and coach turn into insurance superstars. Many are now leaders at Ryan Specialty/RT Specialty,” says Austenfeld.
“It is the most rewarding part of my job for every member of my team to realize their potential, to strive for their own aspirations, and to know that their voice matters, just as mine does.”
1100 5th Avenue South, Suite 405, Naples, FL 34102
(239) 206 5150
brenda.austenfeld@rtspecialty.com
linkedin.com/in/brenda-ballard-austenfeld-26724812
rtspecialty.com
Brenda (Ballard) Austenfeld
Co-President of RT Specialty and CEO of RT National Property
RT Specialty
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“I strongly believe in working smarter, not harder. I think it’s one of the keys to living a great life, and I want to share that with as many people as possible”
Kelvin Rampersad,
Carte Wealth Management
1995–1998
1998–2001
2001–2013
2013–2024
2024–2025
Senior vice president at Westrope
1995–
1998
Director and senior vice president, global property practice group at Aon Risk Services
1998–
2001
2001–2013: Partner and executive vice president at Westrope
2006: Business Insurance “Women to Watch” (Inaugural Class)
2008: Kansas City Business Journal “Women Who Mean Business”
2001–
2013
2013–2024: CEO and president of RT National Property
2015: Midwest CEO Most Influential Women
2018: Insurance Business America Elite Women Award
2019: WSIA Earle Dillard Award
2020: Insurance Business America Hot 100
2024: APIW Women of the Year, UJA Federation of NY Insurance Person of the Year
2013–
2024
Co-president of RT Specialty and CEO of RT National Property
Board appointments
Chair of the Board 2024, Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association; prior to this, she served nine years on the board
Board member of the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, where she has served six years on the board
Founding member of WOW!, Ryan Specialty’s employee resource group for women
Founding member and served four years on the WSIA Diversity Foundation board
Served 15 years on the Kansas 4-H Foundation
2024–
2025
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE