{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Removing Friction for Growth in Wholesale Specialty with Leah Ohodnicki","description":"This episode of In The Know features host Chris Hampshire and Leah Ohodnicki, Executive Vice President of Carrier Relations at RT Specialty. Leah leads strategic initiatives to strengthen trading partnerships and drive growth across the wholesale insurance landscape, and brings two decades of experience spanning retail brokerage, E&S carriers, MGUs, and program business. Leah began her career at Marsh in 2006, advancing through leadership roles in marketing and business development. In 2015, she joined Argo Group, where she led distribution for the group and later led Specialty Programs. Leah also served as the executive sponsor for Argo Group\u2019s Gender Equality employee resource group. In 2023, Leah joined Ethos Specialty, part of Ascot Group, where she led Strategic Partnerships and served as interim head of Casualty Programs. Leah co-chairs the community committee for RT Specialty\u2019s WOW! \u2014 Women Opportunity Winning! \u2014 and serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh CLO and the University of Pittsburgh\u2019s Frederick Honors College. Today, Leah and Chris discuss the wholesale specialty marketplace, the role of distribution, and other aspects of this industry segment, and Leah\u2019s experience as a female leader in the insurance industry.   Key Takeaways Leah\u2019s career journey from marketing to insurance. Roles and responsibilities of leading carrier relations. The current state of the wholesale specialty sector. Key differences between wholesale and primary markets. Leah\u2019s message to anyone considering a career in insurance. Leah\u2019s experience as a female leader in insurance. Technical capabilities and character considerations in the hiring process. The value of a CPCU designation in an insurance career. Questions Leah asked herself when considering career moves. Technology\u2019s impact on the wholesale sector. A five-year look at the future of the industry. Leah\u2019s advice to her college-aged self.   In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then.   To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org.   Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society   Quotes \u201cCarriers are all looking for ways to access brokers that they want to do business with.\u201d \u201cThe wholesale specialty sector is in a really healthy place right now.\u201d \u201cWithin insurance, you have the ability to be exposed to so much about what is going on in the world.\u201d \u201cInsurance is at the heart of the economy.\u201d \u201cIf you have a seat at the table, you\u2019re there for a reason. Own it!\u201d \u201cWhat is the brand that you\u2019re building on your social media platform?\u201d   ","author_name":"IN-the-Know","author_url":"http:\/\/cpcusociety.libsyn.com\/website","html":"