CLM Voices: Getting to Know Wendy Knight

Knight brings 20 years of insurance experience to her new executive leadership position, where she gets to effect larger company strategies. See how she got there and why she couldn’t be happier.

All in the Family

Knight says everybody gets into insurance in one of two ways: They either stumble into it by accident, or it’s a family thing. In her case, it was the latter. Her mother retired after 35 years with State Farm and her father was an executive with Trinity Universal before serving as a director at Nationwide.

Why Insurance Runs in Her Blood

“Growing up, I did not want a career in insurance because it was all my parents talked about. But after college, I found a claims position at Nationwide and just fell in love with the job.”

How to Get Ahead

Knight says all claims professionals looking to advance should understand the underwriting process, the sales process, and how rating mechanisms work. She also thinks good claims professionals should be data scientists and understand how technology continues to advance. Her advice? Partner with IT and become friends with actuaries.

On Why a Claims Career Is So Great

“If you’re lucky enough to find a job that doesn’t feel like work, then you’ve hit the jackpot. I’ve always been blessed to have a job that doesn’t feel like work.”

On Avoiding the Career “Silo”

“Broadening your focus and developing a big-picture view of what’s happening in the industry helps you to understand not only where your spoke in the wheel is, but also how the wheel turns.”

Quality Candidates

Knight looks for several non-negotiable qualities in potential new hires. First, she says they have to be integrity-minded in their decision-making processes. Second, she looks for evidence of compassion for people balanced by an ability to consider the financial aspects of an organization. Lastly, she says candidates must be organized and proficient in adjusting to technology.

On Life Outside the Office

“I met my husband in insurance, so now we sit around the dinner table talking about insurance just like my mom and dad. I guess I’ve come full circle—who would have guessed?”