Insurance and risk services provider, Zurich North America has announced that it has created three roles to support Zurich Construction and Energy customers in their evolving sustainability objectives.
Alicia Pavelko has returned to Zurich to serve as Head of Construction Innovation and Sustainability, where she will report to Kelly Kinzer, Head of Construction for US National Accounts.
Within this role Pavelko will also manage the growth of Zurich’s innovative, sustainability-inspired Construction solutions including Weather Parametric, Mass Timber and Alternative Energy products.
Pavelko will also be responsible for developing and deploying new product solutions for Construction.
Previously, she has held leadership positions in the Construction practice at re/insurance broker, WTW, and Marsh, as well as Construction and Marine underwriting positions of increasing responsibility at both Hanover Insurance and Zurich North America.
Kinzer said: “We’re excited to welcome Alicia back to Zurich and our strong Construction team. Her experience, analytical mind and curiosity will help customers explore and act on opportunities to elevate sustainability in their building materials and techniques, their operations and their business plans. This is a time of tremendous opportunity in construction.”
Meanwhile, Molly Dorsett has re-joined Zurich as Head of US Energy Casualty Renewables, where she will report to Jeanne Jankowski, Head of US Energy Casualty for US National Accounts.
Within her new role, Dorsett will be responsible for developing the strategic direction and identification of product needs for Zurich’s growing Renewable Energy Casualty practice, supporting growth in wind, solar and other types of renewable energy.
Dorsett brings more than 17 years of experience in underwriting and management roles at Chubb, Zurich and CNA.
Jankowski added: “With Zurich’s long-tenured commitment to the energy industry, transitioning in real time with our customers is a win-win. We want to provide holistic, flexible solutions in renewables, combined with the excellent service we’re known for, to support our customers as their business needs evolve.”
Furthermore, Zurich also has created a position of Lead Underwriter of US Renewable Energy Property, who will develop the strategic direction and identify product needs for Zurich’s growing US Renewable Energy Property practice.
Former Senior Vice President at Haller-Zaremba Insurance Agency, Nicholas Haller, has been appointed in this role. Within this role he will report to Robert Edel, Underwriting Manager for US Energy Property.
Haller previously held key underwriting roles at GCube Insurance Services.
Brandon Fick, Chief Underwriting Officer for Zurich North America and Executive Sponsor of Sustainability at Zurich North America, said that these new roles are another indication of how Zurich is leaning into its commitment to be one of the most “responsible and impactful” businesses on the planet.
“That extends beyond reducing our own carbon footprint in our operations and offerings,” Fick said. “We want to make it more seamless for our customers to integrate sustainability into their operations and offerings. We want to do our part to encourage growth in sustainable options for consumers as well. This is a journey for all of us, and we’ll go farther and faster together.”
Paul Lavelle, Head of US National Accounts for Zurich North America, also commented: “Climate change is one of the most urgent risks confronting our customers, and many are working toward carbon-neutral goals. These new roles underscore our commitment to further develop products and services that help our customers both mitigate and adapt to climate-related risks.”
Within their new roles at Zurich, Pavelko, Dorsett and Haller will work closely with the newly formed Office of Sustainability Underwriting, part of Technical Underwriting at Zurich North America, led by Mark Way.
