Make the difference

Akihiro Rodrigo Suzaki

Claims Transformation AI Lead (Japan)

The basics:

Function: Claims
Office Location: Japan
Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish
Nationality: Japanese, Spanish
Hobbies: baseball, hiking/walking, snowboarding, gaming (narrative driven)

Key skills:

Experience working in a Direct Insurance business that is close to the end customer, AI and technology project management, CX Mastery, Customer Journey, Design Thinking. Flexible, inclusive, effective communication fostered though my international upbringing.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I am proud of Zurich’s commitment to sustainability, and I want to play a significant role in furthering our efforts. I am also interested in new ideas and technology. I want to execute our strategy of innovation to help us be more customer-centric and provide further value to our stakeholders.

Bimona Raychaudhuri

Business Transformation & Project Manager (Australia)

The basics:

Function: Life Insurance Claims
Office Location: Sydney, Australia
Languages: English
Nationality: Australian
Hobbies: weight training, cooking, shopping

Key skills:

Strong project experience across project management and product ownership, experience across both the Life & P&C value chains, problem solving and creative solutioning

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I get to collaborate with likeminded change makers in the organization. I’m also excited to take back what I learn to the Australian business and make a tangible difference at home.

David Ball

Strategy & Strategic Projects Manager (Australia)

The basics:

Function: Strategy, Sustainability and Transformation, Australia & New Zealand
Office Location: Sydney, Australia
Languages: English
Nationality: Australian
Hobbies: swimming, yoga, travel, food

Key skills:

Strategy development and analysis, problem solving and project management, partnership management and experience implementing Zurich’s sustainability strategy

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I want to contribute to shaping Zurich’s strategy and driving innovation and sustainability. I’m very excited to meet colleagues from around the world and collaborate.

Vy Pham

APAC Digital Platform Product Owner (Australia)

The basics:

Function: Customer & Digital
Office Location: Sydney, Australia
Languages: English, Vietnamese
Nationality: Australian-Vietnamese
Hobbies: going down rabbit holes, finding a new recipe and cooking the dish to death, volunteering for everything

Key skills:

Agile delivery, growth hacking, strategy frameworks, ability to synthesize vast amounts of information quickly and build a story around it, great sense of direction and photographic memory and awesome PowerPoint skills.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it fosters a culture of innovation among employees, providing an opportunity to be part of a dynamic entrepreneurial community and accelerate our own growth.

Paulina Cabañas

Affinity Underwriting Manager (Mexico)

The basics:

Function: Underwriting
Office Location: Mexico City
Languages: English, Spanish
Nationality: Mexican
Hobbies: going to the movies, hiking and discovering new restaurants (especially for breakfast)

Key skills:

Client facing and negotiation, knowledge of mass distribution insurance markets (especially microinsurance), pricing analysis for life and non-life insurance.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I want to learn how to use innovation, leadership, and sustainability to make a meaningful impact. Specifically, I'm excited to explore new ways of delivering insurance solutions to populations without financial inclusion.

Talita Valente

Senior Account Manager – Partnerships (Brazil)

The basics:

Function: Sales and Distribution Management
Office Location: Brazil
Languages: Portuguese, English
Nationality: Brazilian
Hobbies: yoga, jogging, traveling to the beach and learning about new cultures

Key skills:

I am extremely organized; a good team player and I am very focused on results. Experience in retail strategy and the Affinity's space, launching new products and channels, and improving the customer journey.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it can give me the opportunity to learn about global strategies, and it is also concerned with hot topics focused on customer centricity.

Abbie Oliver

Digital Partnerships and Innovation (Dubai)

The basics:

Function: Digital Acquisition, Customer Experience and Inforce Management
Office Location: Zurich Middle East, Dubai
Languages: English
Nationality: British
Hobbies: hiking, netball and design

Key skills:

I bring experience in other industries and geographies, start ups, digital and organizational change. My skills include CX & service design, collaboration and portfolio strategy.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I believe that disruptive and innovative ideas can only emerge from diverse perspectives and experiences. Being able to collaborate and learn from group and other change makers different business units is a unique opportunity to expand my knowledge, challenge my assumptions, and gain new insights that can help me drive meaningful change in my own field. I am excited to be part of a community that values creativity, diversity, and collaboration, and to contribute to shaping the future of business with a fresh and open-minded approach.

Brian Bos

Senior Underwriter, Property (The Netherlands)

The basics:

Function: Market Facing
Office Location: The Hague, The Netherlands
Languages: Dutch, English, German (basic)
Nationality: Dutch
Hobbies: working out, card games, home improvement, go-kart racing, watching sports, films and series

Key skills:

I bring strong leadership through listening and love to support people and empower them. My skills include the ability to adapt quickly to new environments & roles, flexibility and a committed mindset, and a cool head under pressure with some dry humor here and there.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it reflects everything I stand for and pursue. In every role, in every team I want to make a difference, giving a 110% to understand and improve any situation, and strive for long-term success. Given my ambition to be an inspirational leader within Zurich one day – this program offers all tools, network capabilities and the challenging mindset to help me pursue my dream.

Heather McNab

Change Enablement Specialist (UK)

The basics:

Function: Claims
Office Location: Glasgow
Languages: English
Nationality: English
Hobbies: digital art, video games, photography, crafts and anything creative

Key skills:

I am very creative and love to think outside of the box and try new things. I believe my change and project management skills will really shine in this program. I bring a lot of passion to anything I get involved in and know that this will shine through.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

change gets me excited. I love getting to the root of a problem and finding new and innovative ways to solve it, whilst collaborating with others. I love to work with new people and think this program will be a great way to do so!

Kate Goodall

Continuous Improvement and Automation Manager (UK)

The basics:

Function: UK Operations
Office Location: London
Languages: English
Nationality: British
Hobbies: spin classes, watching football, reading

Key skills:

I am about to be signed off for my LEAN black belt, so have quite a lot of technical change knowledge. I would also describe myself as a people person who is able to build relationships quickly and manage projects effectively to deliver tangible results.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I think it will offer us a chance to understand Zurich culture from a broader perspective. I am excited to be surrounded by people who want to push themselves out of their comfort zone and drive real positive change in such a large organization.

Kieran Naidoo-Bagwell

Senior Market Underwriter (UK)

The basics:

Function: Specialties, Commercial Insurance
Office Location: London (Mark Lane)
Languages: English
Nationality: British
Hobbies: food, music, traveling, clothes

Key skills:

I am a dynamic team player and creative thinker, with strong listening skills.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it combines an exceptional education program with a unique opportunity to experience Group whilst learning about innovation and sustainability at a macro level.

Maria Tumareva

Project Manager (UK)

The basics:

Function: Operations & IT
Office Location: Whiteley, UK
Languages: English, Russian, French
Nationality: Russian
Hobbies: art, cinema, traveling, exploring new places, tennis and yoga

Key skills:

I have strong project management, problem-solving and creativity skills.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it is a great opportunity to learn more about Zurich Global, meet people from all over the world and work together to create impact.

Sebastián Zárrate

Data Scientist Analyst (Spain)

The basics:

Function: International Programs - Global Operations Strategy
Office Location: Madrid
Languages: Spanish, English
Nationality: Colombian
Hobbies: outdoor sports

Key skills:

I can plan, design, organize, and execute projects involving cross-organizational stakeholders. Through visualization, I can make complex topics easy to understand to support the decision-making process. With active listening, assertiveness, and humor I build positive working relationships to achieve goals.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it mirrors my own beliefs “we need change to move forward”. Being part of this program is a unique opportunity that offers access to great tools & mentors to propel my thinking, behavior and strengthen my “make a difference muscle” for Zurich and my personal growth.

Stephan Regius

Category Lead EPS & HR (Switzerland)

The basics:

Function: Procurement & Vendor Management
Office Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Languages: German, English, French (basic)
Nationality: Austrian
Hobbies: sports, music, books, Natalie (3) & Sophie (1)

Key skills:

Strong project experience across project management and product ownership, experience across both the Life & P&C value chains, problem solving and creative solutioning.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I enjoy meeting and collaborating with colleagues from different functions and markets. I am looking forward to creating an impact on the future of Zurich.

Yannick Nett

Senior Actuary (Germany)

The basics:

Function: Finance
Office Location: Cologne, Germany
Languages: German, English, French
Nationality: German
Hobbies: sports (football, golf, gym), travel

Key skills:

I am very passionate about driving change and improving the status quo. I can deliver valuable results quickly. I thrive in new and challenging situations. As an actuary I am very structured, organized and able to think logically.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it is a great opportunity to improve both professionally and personally. I would like to see the company as a whole and how different BUs and different departments work and interact together. I am eager to develop (new) skills.

Abby Prince

Digital Finance Transformation Analyst (USA)

The basics:

Function: Finance
Office Location: Schaumburg, Illinois, USA
Languages: English
Nationality: American
Hobbies: cooking, biking outdoors and on my Peloton, hiking, volleyball, traveling, water skiing and boating

Key skills:

Solution-driven leader, effective communicator, extremely organized, energetic collaborator, and passionate about innovation.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I am not only passionate about developing my personal skills but also making a change within Zurich. I also am passionate about collaborating with others from diverse backgrounds towards a common goal and I am exceptionally excited for the opportunity to do this with Make the Difference.

Arjun Gulati

Strategic Consultant (Canada)

The basics:

Function: Strategy Execution
Office Location: Toronto, Canada
Languages: English, Hindi
Nationality: Indian, Canadian
Hobbies: reading, listening to music and gaming

Key skills:

Knowledge of Insurance fundamentals, critical thinking, problem solving, multi-tasking and drive for result.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I believe that the program will provide me with the platform and opportunity to further improve myself by learning from my team members and, also from the ExCo members across Zurich organization.

Justin Kammer

Senior International Underwriter, IPZ Casualty (USA)

The basics:

Function: Underwriting
Office Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Languages: English, Spanish (basic)
Nationality: American
Hobbies: hanging out with my dogs, tending to my houseplants

Key skills:

I have a clear understanding of the end-to-end underwriting process and bring a unique perspective of Zurich’s value proposition due to my experience working in IPZ with our global offices and network partners.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

I want to contribute to something bigger at Zurich that can impact and improve the internal and external experience for many facets of our organization on a global level.

Troy Miller

Strategic Analyst (USA)

The basics:

Function: Finance within U.S. National Accounts
Office Location: Schaumburg, Illinois, USA
Languages: English
Nationality: American
Hobbies: running, playing basketball, finding new places to eat in Chicago

Key skills:

Analytical and curious mindset, advance modeling skills, finance business partner experience providing performance results and collaborating on the financial plan and strategic objectives.

I'm passionate about Make the Difference because:

it’s an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, partner with colleagues across the globe, and learn and develop at an accelerated pace. To be able to do this while helping execute on Zurich’s strategy is an outstanding opportunity.