Laura Sutter | 34
Assistant vice president, RLI Insurance Company
Laura Sutter oversees both the home office and actuarial support division for a significant number of RLI products.
With each promotion since Laura joined RLI in 2012 have come more challenging assignments and increased responsibility. She is actively involved in RLl’s recruitment efforts, often meeting with candidates in person to make connections for future hires. She also provides new hire mentoring, onboarding support, training and placement for new actuaries who join the company. She is regularly sought out for consultation and career advice throughout RLI.
Laura has helped launch many new products at RLI, including in the transportation, marine, energy casualty and environmental lines. She played a critical role in helping RLI select its predictive analytics tool provider. She chairs RLI’s Construction Council, which is very important to the company given its deep ties to the construction industry. In 2019, Laura was selected and recognized as a “Young Gun” by Insurance Business magazine, as well as being a part of the “Emerging Leaders Class of 2020” chosen by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
Best Counsel: ‘Give it time! It takes at least six months to start to feel comfortable in a new role.’
Her community service work starts with her role on the Actuarial Advisory Board of Executives at the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, where she has influence over curriculum, student development and spending. She also serves on the board of Peoria Promise, the educational scholarship program run through Illinois Central College.
“She is a leader in every sense of the word,” said her nominator.
Best counsel ever: “New opportunities can be overwhelming, whether that be taking on a different role or adding to existing responsibilities. Give it time! It takes at least six months to start to feel comfortable in a new role.”
Recommended book: “One of the most influential books I have read is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and Nell Scovell. It is a great read about overcoming challenges for women in the workplace.”
Leadership definition: “A great leader is someone who actively listens to concerns and works with their team to collectively come to solutions.”
