Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Mario Vitale is the president of Resilience, a leading cyber risk company rewriting the rules of how cyber risk is assessed, measured, and managed.
Before assuming his current role, Vitale held several senior executive roles within the insurance industry across the last 45 years in Philadelphia, Chicago, London, Switzerland, San Francisco, and New York, including:
• CEO of Aspen’s Global Insurance operations
• CEO of Global Corporate, Zurich Financial Services
• CEO of Willis North America
• chairman of Willis Global Large Account Practice in 2002, overseeing the broker’s efforts with the Fortune 1000
• member of the WNS Global Services board of directors
It all began at St. John’s School of Insurance, now known as The School of Risk Management.
Vitale says, “I have been incredibly fortunate to follow my passion. I love this field; it’s intellectually stimulating, it helps companies by reducing their risk, and it’s critical for driving innovation in our capitalist market economy.”
After years of leading large organizations, Vitale was energized to join a start-up and contribute his considerable skillset.
He says, “This is a different model than the tried-and-true insurance formula, and while there are overlaps in Resilience with the rest of the industry, at its core, it is a completely different value proposition for clients. We are constantly testing what’s working with clients, what’s working for brokers, and what’s working to help our clients be more cyber resilient.”
Part of Vitale’s drive is an overriding desire to enable an improved understanding of insurance. He sees this as a difference marker.
“There is a need for education of clients about risks and risk transfer,” he says. “Education really is the core of what we’re trying to do, not just at Resilience but in the industry overall. Insurance is a great enabler of business.”
Throughout all his achievements and massive contributions to the industry, one memory stands out for Vitale: back when he was 28. He was a relatively junior member of staff at The Home Insurance Company.
He says, “I had the opportunity to take the reins of an underperforming office in Connecticut. Three senior managers tried and failed and were fired, and nobody wanted the job. I volunteered to take it, and in two years, I had raised morale and turned the office into one of The Home’s most profitable.
“I’ve always believed you should raise your hand when others are running away. Volunteer for opportunities to make a difference.”
While Vitale is committed and actively driving Resilience forward as the firm looks to expand globally, he is also mindful of the inspiration that his glittering career will provide for others.
“The legacy I’d like to leave is for insurance professionals to always look for people in need and commit to bringing them hope,” he says. “The insurance industry does that in ways large and small, around the world. Seeing the difference the insurance industry can make is life changing; it certainly changed mine for the better.”
275 Madison Ave, Ste 902, New York, NY 10016
917 822 9208
mario@cyberresilience.com
linkedin.com/in/mario-p-vitale-2b059033
cyberresilience.com
Mario Vitale
President
Resilience
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“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
2002
2009
2010
2009–present
2023
Appointed chairman of the global large account practice, overseeing the broker’s efforts with the Fortune 1000, the private equivalents, and companies with sales upward of $1 billion
2002
Recognized by the Chinese American Insurance Association as their Honoree of the Year for leadership in the insurance industry
2009
Recipient of the Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York Vision of Hope award
2010
President at Berkley Environmental
2009–
present
Secured $900 million in investments to fuel PCF Insurance’s ongoing expansion
2023
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
How does he distinguish himself among fellow brokers?
“I believe all brokers are working very hard in a difficult market,” he says. “However, I have demonstrated continued growth, advocacy and performance on my client’s behalf, which is now recognised [for 10 consecutive years] in the Elite Broker awards.”
In 1990, Dixon got started with FAI, working in claims and as a team leader. From the late 1990s up until 2003, he worked at FAI and Suncorp in underwriting and as an area manager at VACC, CGU (South East Queensland). From 2003 to 2012, he got into broking and eventually started Dixon Insurance in 2013. Since then, he’s accumulated numerous acccolades, including Elite Broker, Diversity and Equity, and Fast Broker awards.
During the pandemic, Dixon challenged insurers over the Quarantine Act application to insurance wordings. His argument was that the Quarantine Act does not apply as an exclusion, as the Biosecurity Act was invoked by the Morrison Government, and this was not a subsequent amendment to the Quarantine Act. The test case in the Appeals court was won for Dixon’s client with a unanimous five-judge verdict.
He remains focused on transport, manufacturing, motor trade, engineering and large farm clients.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”
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