Profile
Shelly Wasso is executive vice president at RT Specialty.
What began as a temporary role has become a nearly 30-year journey defined by growth, resilience, and quiet but powerful leadership. Wasso initially planned to become an actuary and began her career at Aon in the Professional and Executive Liability department, with the intention of completing her actuarial exams and eventually moving into that field.
Instead, she found herself drawn into the broader world of insurance and the opportunities it offered to solve problems in meaningful ways. Over time, a short-term position evolved into a long-term vocation shaped by opportunity, mentorship, and the deep relationships she built along the way.
A defining milestone in Wasso’s career was reaching her first $1 million in wholesale revenue. At that time, she was a working mother with two young children, newly transitioned from retail to wholesale and effectively building her business from the ground up. It gave her the confidence that she could grow a truly substantial career while balancing the demands of family and a competitive marketplace.
Competition remains the central challenge in her current role. Rather than viewing it as a threat, Wasso uses competition as fuel. She remains disciplined and treats every interaction as an opportunity to improve. Her competitive nature is channeled into preparation, performance, and service, turning pressure into motivation and growth.
At the core of Wasso’s professional identity is her strength as a listener. She sees listening as an active, strategic skill. By truly hearing clients and colleagues, she gains a nuanced understanding of their needs, challenges, and ambitions. This allows her to craft solutions that are tailored, sustainable, and relationship driven. That depth of engagement has been key to building long-term partnerships and a reputation for trust and reliability.
As a woman in a historically male-dominated space, Wasso has faced moments where she had to work harder to establish credibility and ensure her voice was heard, often without many female role models in senior leadership. Those experiences shaped her leadership style. They reinforced the value of preparation, confidence, and advocacy – not only for herself but also for the next generation of women.
Being named as one of IBA’s Elite Women 2026 underscores a responsibility she embraces. Wasso believes representation matters and is committed to encouraging women to pursue revenue-generating roles and leadership positions earlier in their careers. She wants women to see themselves as ready sooner, supported by clear pathways, mentorship, and early sponsorship.
155 N Wacker Dr. Suite 4000, Chicago, IL 60606
312 784 6001
swasso@rtspecialty.com
linkedin.com/in/shelly-wasso-19987a10
rtspecialty.com
Shelly Wasso
Executive Vice President
RT Specialty
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Bio
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Profile
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Bio
Milestones
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Bio
Milestones
1995
2003
2010
2018–2025
Present
Began insurance career at Aon’s Financial Services Group as a broker
1995
Joined Tri-City Brokerage as a Vice President of the financial services department
2003
Joined RT Specialty as a Senior Vice President on the RT ProExec team, dedicated to complex management and professional liability risks
2010
Recognized with an RT Specialty Broker Award for being a top RT Specialty broker
2018–2025
Executive Vice President at RT Specialty since 2020, serving on the firm’s Management Liability Committee as well as Ryan Specialty’s employee resource group, WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning!) Committee
Present
Milestones
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
She continually assesses strategy, aligning talent, technology, and capital with Fortegra’s future vision. By helping people understand the value of their work, Taylor drives engagement and fosters a culture where everyone sees themselves as a builder of the company’s future.
With respect to her impact at Fortegra, she adds, “I enjoy taking on operational challenges that enable our underwriting, actuarial, and finance professionals to focus on their core priorities, ultimately delivering meaningful value to Fortegra's partners and stakeholders.”
Three themes anchor her approach to both role and career:
commitment to continuous learning
focus on serving the enterprise and adding tangible value
alignment with companies whose values mirror her own
Recognized by Insurance Business as an Elite Woman 2026, Taylor is aware of the importance of visibility and representation. In a sector where senior female role models remain limited, she has chosen to see barriers as an invitation to chart her own course.
Through mentorship, active participation in networks of women C-suite leaders, and initiatives like Fortegra’s Network of Women (N.O.W.) program, she is helping build clearer pathways, stronger support systems, and broader possibilities for the next generation.
“If my experience can help someone navigate their path with more confidence or clarity, then recognition like this becomes much more meaningful,” she says. “My goal is to help create a cycle where every generation of leaders lifts the next one higher.”
“My goal is to help create a cycle where every generation of leaders lifts the next one higher”
Abbie Taylor,
Fortegra
“This type of work energizes me because, like many of us at Fortegra, I’m a business builder at heart”
Abbie Taylor,
Fortegra