Profile
“Being true to who we are is key; we are purely a referral-based business. There is zero marketing or advertising”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
As area vice president of marketing and risk services at Risk Placement Services (RPS), Sharon Novasel brings more than 35 years of experience to her role.
Starting in insurance in 1989, Novasel worked at Regency from 1995 until the firm joined RPS as an M&A partner in 2016. She has held various positions in sales, underwriting, marketing, and leadership throughout her career.
“My career was one of chance that began when I relocated from Pennsylvania after receiving my Bachelor of Science degree in office administration and marketing,” she says. “While doing legal research, I stumbled upon an opportunity in the insurance industry in Indiana. I quickly realized it was an industry that offered so many career possibilities. The insurance industry has allowed me to create unique programs and niches for a wide variety of industries.”
Her team manages various agent networks and works closely with trade associations and their members.
Novasel’s strongest professional qualities are trustworthiness, her analytical reasoning, and her ability to forecast and adapt to change.
“I’ve been successful in creating, building, and maintaining long-standing, loyal relationships by building trust over time. I strongly believe that doing what you say you’re going to do and exceeding the expectations of others builds this trust,” she says.
“Empowering others to take ownership over their responsibilities and roles in my department has provided the greatest success in meeting our goals. Working as a team and having each individual hold themselves accountable for their role leads to great achievements and provides unique, creative approaches to getting the job done.”
As the industry continues to evolve with the use of analytics and AI, along with improvements in technology, Novasel aims to provide a more customer-focused approach, leading to higher loyalty and retention.
“I’m motivated to do what’s best for my company and our clients. Being successful, taking pride in the work that my team does, and helping others on all levels from mentoring to closing on a large prospect have been my biggest motivating factors,” she says.
Novasel also oversees an internal risk consultant department, serves as the named administrator with the State of Michigan, and is the primary liaison with the Workers’ Compensation Agency. She is an industry activist as a board member of the Michigan Council of Self-Insured Group Administrators (MCSIGA).
She holds a BS degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and serves on the Village of Dimondale Arts Commission in her community.
2850 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
866 595 8413
RPS.Marcomm@RPSins.com
linkedin.com/in/sharon-novasel-033399b
RPSins.com
Sharon Novasel
Area Vice President of Marketing and Risk Services
Risk Placement Services
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“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
1989
1995
2016
2023
2024
Joined the insurance industry
1989
Joined Regency
1995
Regency joined RPS as an M&A partner
2016
Appointed Named Fund Administrator for RPS
2023
Appointed as Brown & Riding's Executive Director of Specialty
2024
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE
“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day,” he says.
While at the helm of a rapidly growing business and a family that includes two young children at home, Rakowski has learned to manage what he calls a “never-ending list of commitments” that consists of a new team member each month, a new interstate office and two to three new referral partners monthly.
“Our business is a human business, so investing genuine time in every person can be draining on a personal level. Balancing it all is a challenge,” he says. “Simply put, do what you say you will do, and act at all times with honesty and integrity, being respectful and empathetic. The financial outcomes are a byproduct of the human interactions we have.”
Attracting, retaining and delivering exceptional client outcomes and service starts with a sincere interest in their journey and remaining relevant to them as their lives and needs evolve, notes Rakowski. He points out that he and his team put in most of the work upfront in building meaningful relationships, which is a testament to its 99% client retention rate.
He says, “We are clear in the types of clients we work best with and our value proposition. We also look for a cultural alignment with all of our referral partners, and we are acutely aware of our strengths and how different we are from our industry peers.”
Rakowski recently opened a Queensland business and plans a foot in every other capital city. He strives to establish the brokerage as a national business with on-the-ground representation in every state by the end of 2025.