Gina Kirkpatrick Howard’s journey into the world of business and insurance is a prime example of how diverse experiences and continuous learning pave the way to success.

Howard (pictured above) currently serves as Senior Vice President at Lockton Companies and a member of the Northeast Executive Committee. Her story is not only about her rise in the corporate world, but also her contributions to the industry, particularly through her speaking engagements, board roles, mentoring of emerging talent, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Howard’s journey into the business world began with her passion for mathematics, which she pursued in college. This path led her by chance to meet an actuary, opening her eyes to the fascinating intersection of mathematics and business. This encounter led her to major in Risk Management and Insurance at the College of Business, marking the beginning of her journey into the insurance industry.

“When I was thinking about what kind of career I was considering, I really found that the combination of math and business made a lot of sense,” she said.

Howard initially aspired to become an actuary, and her early experiences included training in the field. However, she soon discovered that this path did not align with her career aspirations. After moving to a brokerage firm after college, she embarked on a journey into insurance brokerage. Her career at this point was characterized by a generalist approach, handling a variety of accounts, including working with a private equity firm.

“What I really like about the brokerage role is that it’s driven by curiosity. By asking a lot of questions about your risk profile and risk tolerance, you get a strong understanding of your clients’ businesses. Identifying risks and how to manage them is really fun,” Howard said.

Moving to Washington, D.C., was a significant chapter in Howard’s career. Here, she was involved in large-scale construction projects, developing final programs for stadiums, arenas, and convention centers. However, the financial crisis of 2008 forced a shift in her focus, leading to her involvement in different types of companies.

Joining Lockton Companies was a turning point in her career. Over the past 13 years, Howard has worked across a range of sectors, including construction, real estate, and nonprofits. Her work often involves addressing complex issues in the property insurance market, particularly in light of climate change.

“Often when you get into nonprofits like social services and commercial organizations, you find that they actually own a lot of property, and there are some really interesting nuances in how their organizations are run, and that often touches your feelings,” she said.

Howard’s most notable contribution to the field is his co-authorship of the “Construction Insurance Guide for Lawyers and Other Professionals” for the American Bar Association. The guide is currently being updated to include new focuses such as environmental, social and governance considerations in construction, reflecting the evolving landscape of the industry.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Howard is passionate about promoting diversity in leadership roles within the financial services industry. She led Lockton’s elite women’s products group, where she supported initiatives to increase women’s representation in senior leadership positions. Howard stressed the importance of creating a supportive network and providing development opportunities for women in the organization.

“We created an elite group of women producers because there were so few women in this role within Lockton 10 years ago, and we were looking for our own communication and support group within,” Howard said. “We’ve since taken that group and developed it into a significant role in recruiting, mentoring, coaching and making sure there’s a path to success, not just on the production side, but also within senior leadership, operating committees, practice leader roles and unit managers.”