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
At the heart of IBA Hot 100 member Adrianna Rivera’s professional success is an unwavering commitment to creating meaningful connections with clients, carriers, and colleagues. These crucial interpersonal skills have allowed Rivera to not only thrive as an individual but also cultivate effective teams.
“I lead with authenticity and collaboration, which helps me connect people, solve problems, and move initiatives forward in a meaningful way,” says Rivera, personal lines practice leader at Risk Placement Services.
“I’d describe my approach as intentional and people focused. I believe in creating an environment where others can perform at their best. Throughout my career, I’ve stayed open to learning, adapting, and taking on challenges that push me to grow.”
The industry veteran found herself in insurance by chance, growing from an entry-level position to the leadership role she holds today.
“As the saying goes, we all fall into insurance somehow and never get out. What began by chance turned into a fulfilling, lifelong career that I truly love,” she says.
A significant shift in Rivera’s career has been moving from managing a regional team to operating on a national level. The Hot 100 member has been able to navigate the transition by leading with clear team goals, connecting RPS’s interstate teams to provide tangible results for their clients.
“It requires balancing diverse market needs, personalities, and priorities across the country while keeping everyone aligned under one vision,” she explains.
“I deal with it by staying connected – maintaining open communication, building relationships across offices, and creating collaboration and consistency without losing the local strengths that make each region unique.”
The industry’s seismic shifts over the past year have kept insurance professionals on their toes and prompted Rivera to take a digital-first approach, delivering new skills and capabilities to herself and her team.
“In the past 12 months, the industry has seen a strong push toward digital transformation. Technology and data analytics are at the forefront of that evolution,” she notes. “There has been a need to adapt to changing market conditions and regulatory shifts. Overall, the industry is in a dynamic period of growth and reinvention, which is both challenging and exciting.”
Armed with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Rivera prioritizes sharing her wisdom with younger members of her team. This has allowed her to develop new talent who are capable of withstanding the pressures of an evolving market.
“In the longer term, I believe the work I’ve done this past year will leave the personal lines space a little more innovative and cohesive.”
She adds, “By encouraging a culture of collaboration and new ideas, I’m hoping we’ve set the stage for lasting improvements in how we serve clients and tackle future challenges. In other words, I’m aiming for a long-term positive shift in how we operate and grow.”
2850 Golf Road Rolling, Meadows, IL 60008
866 595 8413
RPS.Marcomm@RPSins.com
linkedin.com/in/adrianna-rivera-13166a38
RPSins.com
Adrianna Rivera
National Personal Lines Practice Leader
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
2011
2016
2021
2023
2025
Joined RPS
2011
Joined the RPS Bar Club
2016
Named to IBA’s Elite Women list
2021
Promoted to RPS Area Vice President
2023
Promoted to National Personal Lines Practice Leader
2025
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.