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
Amanda Ikari's goal as a specialist wholesale broker is to be her client’s first call whenever a problem needs addressing.
The area senior vice president at Risk Placement Services (RPS) has spent over two decades honing her craft as a specialist in excess workers’ compensation. Breaking into the insurance industry as a receptionist at a wholesale brokerage, Ikari has achieved success in her career by jumping on whatever opportunities came her way.
Her receptionist position was rapidly upgraded to a role as an assistant to a broker operating in excess workers’ compensation, the starting point for Ikari’s long journey in the specialty.
For Ikari, success as a specialist wholesale broker comes from consultative partnership rather than transactional relationships. After spending many of her early years cold calling to obtain clients, she can now rely on word-of-mouth referrals to earn business.
“My attitude is rooted in relentless advocacy, bridging the gap between retail agents and carriers to find the best home for distress risks,” she notes. “I prioritize transparency, technical expertise and a rapid turnaround, ensuring that every placement is backed by a deep understanding of jurisdictional nuances and risk management strategies.”
When clients reach out, Ikari always responds promptly, aiming for a reply within one hour, and certainly no later than 24 hours. “I always put the client first and am very responsive, getting back to clients quickly,” she says.
To keep up with the demanding nature of her position, Ikari has learned how to delegate effectively. She has built a high-performance, value-based team through intentional hiring, prioritizing integrity, technical knowledge, transparency, and efficiency.
The deep trust that Ikari fosters with her agents is rooted in her understanding of the high stakes environment she operates in.
“As a workers’ compensation broker, I view myself as a protector of an insured’s most valuable asset – its employees.”
She adds, “I am a problem solver whose goal is to be the first call for agents facing difficult workers’ comp challenges, built on a foundation of integrity and proven track record of navigating shifting market cycles.”
2850 Golf Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
866 595 8413
RPS.Marcomm@RPSins.com
linkedin.com/in/amanda-ikari-arm-cwcp-bb077b11
RPSins.com
Amanda Ikari
Area Senior Vice President
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
2001
2010
2013
2018
2022-2025
Started insurance career
2001
Joined RPS
2010
Promoted to Workers’ Compensation Producer at RPS
2013
RPS Top Performer and Bar Club Award recipient every year since 2018
2018
2022: Received the AmTrust Royal Blue Award
2023, 2025: Received the AmTrust Sapphire Blue Award
2022–2025
Milestones
Milestones
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“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.