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Advisory Council Spotlight: Arkley Institute

Advisory Council Spotlight: Arkley Institute

An Interview with Chris Timmerman, Senior Manager of Student Relations, Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association.

06.15.23
Color photograph of two people holding a sign reading "Mt. Bierstadt (Elevation 14,065).

Chris Timmerman, Senior Manager of Student Relations, Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association.

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1. How were you first introduced to the risk management and insurance industry?

I was hired by WSIA in August of 2017, so I have been in the industry for almost six years. Learning about risk management and insurance was all new to me at that time.

2. What did you do before you joined the WSIA and how has your experience helped you in your current role?

For 22 years I worked at colleges in Chicago, San Antonio, Houston, and Kansas City in various student services roles such as career services, new student orientation, advising, counseling, recruitment, and retention. All of these positions help me in my current role where I work on recruiting students into the industry, planning educational symposiums, and managing our internship and scholarship programs.

3. What changes have you seen among the risk management student population since you started working at the WSIA?

There are some after effects of the pandemic and I believe that students are more interested now in careers that provide job security and a sense of work/life balance, and while they appreciate options for a hybrid work environment they are more interested in in-person events and work and not always being behind a computer.

4. What do you view as your most significant accomplishment while at the WSIA?

I am proud of improving and building on existing programs such as growing our internship program from 17 to 39 interns while at the same time expanding our reach to students throughout the country by adding symposiums in Tempe, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and now, Philadelphia.

"I am proud of improving and building on existing programs such as growing our internship program from 17 to 39 interns while at the same time expanding our reach to students throughout the country by adding symposiums in Tempe, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and now, Philadelphia."

— Chris Timmerman

Senior Manager of Student Relations / Wholesale & Speciality Insurance Association

5. What has contributed most significantly to your personal career success?

From my very first supervisor out of grad school to other supervisors along the way I was provided with a great balance of support and guidance as well as autonomy and independence to create and improve programs how I thought was best. I was also blessed with co-workers who were real team players at each organization in addition to supportive and inspirational colleagues at colleges all over the country.

6. What are some qualities and characteristics you believe are important for individuals who want to build a career in the risk management and insurance industry?

I think it is important to have a willingness to learn and ask questions, patience in knowing it may take a bit to learn the ropes, be hard-working and reliable so others know they can count on you, a good communicator (responsive, honest), and open to words of wisdom from those who were recently in their shoes but also those who have been in the business for a long time.

7. What is a fun fact about yourself?


While living in Denver I climbed a 14,000 ft. mountain (“14er”) with my son (see photo) and completed two half marathons at a 6,000-foot elevation during the pandemic.

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