Learn more about Lori Cernera, President of OneBeacon Accident Group, in our latest edition of “5 Questions With” Spotlight series.
1. What was your first insurance job?
I was an actuarial assistant at AIG. I decided I was going to go into insurance at 18. I attended the College of Insurance and participated in the co-op program at AIG. It was a wonderful opportunity. I had a job with a salary, and AIG paid my tuition while I gained experience in the actuarial field.
2. What experiences growing up do you think best prepared you for a leadership role?
I’m the oldest of seven children. I think being older and, more often than not, wiser than my younger siblings played a significant role in developing my leadership skills. As a student, I held leadership positions in student government and sports teams.
3. What is your proudest professional moment?
I personally don’t have a single proudest professional moment. When one of my team members wraps up a difficult project, reaches a professional milestone or simply succeeds in their career, I feel very proud to have supported and hopefully influenced that achievement. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to share in their successes.
4. What do you like to do in your down time?
I think what I like to do in my downtime would also be a surprise to people. I am an avid hiker. I spend a lot of time hiking national parks, back packing and camping. There are so many beautiful places to see, and hiking and camping are great ways to explore them.
5. What advice would you give to someone just entering the industry?
Take ownership of your career and be personally responsible for your professional development. Do not rely on anyone else to do it for you. Plan a strategy for where you want to go and make sure you arrive. I have seen people wait for opportunities that never come instead of planning or creating them for themselves. We need to be the owners of our destiny.