Against this talent crisis backdrop, Cardinal E&S, a CNA brand, continues to achieve growth while maintaining a strong underwriting discipline – a success I attribute to our emphasis on human connection and collaborative culture.

The Foundations of Strong Leadership
My career trajectory illustrates the power of mentorship in developing insurance talent. Early in my career, I was surrounded by four experienced underwriters whose influence shaped my professional approach. Learning happened organically – not just through direct questions, but also through observation. Watching how senior professionals responded to stress, handled difficult accounts and navigated workplace challenges provided invaluable lessons that formal training could never replicate. Each mentor had different strengths, ultimately creating my own professional identity from varied influences.

These mentorship experiences also informed my approach to leadership. While working with direct reports and interns, I always emphasize three core principles: pick up the phone, maintain visibility and master "the art of the deal." These habits are essential to building a personal brand that extends beyond the organization.

The expectations placed on leaders have evolved significantly in recent decades. It used to be that strong leaders were seen as resilient, stoic figures. Today, the most valued leaders demonstrate empathy, understanding, courage and advocacy for others. This shift reflects a broader recognition that insurance remains fundamentally a people business, in which success depends on treating everyone – from interns to 25-year veterans – with respect and consideration.

The Case for Face-to-Face
While virtual meetings offer convenience and flexibility, there is power in face-to-face connection. The organic learning that happens with proximity – overhearing negotiations, observing problem-solving in real-time and witnessing how experienced professionals handle pressure – cannot be replicated in remote settings. These unscripted moments provide the most valuable education and build instincts that only experience can teach.
 

This kind of learning is especially critical in the wholesale market, where collaboration fuels success. With social inflation, nuclear verdicts and increasingly hard-to-place risks flowing into the E&S market, underwriters must think creatively alongside brokers. It can be likened to being asked for an apple and providing an orange – finding alternative ways to meet client needs while maintaining profitability.