Teresa Pahl Named Insurance Woman of the Year for 2000

Teresa Pahl, CPCU, has been named Insurance Woman of the Year by the APIW (Association of Professional Insurance Women). Pahl is executive vice president of Aon Group and a member of the Aon Group Board. Chicago-based Aon is a world leader in insurance brokerage, risk management and human resources consulting.

The APIW Insurance Woman of the Year award, presented annually since 1976, recognizes an exceptional woman who has achieved prominence in the insurance industry. Pahl was chosen as this year's award recipient in recognition of her outstanding achievements and leadership within the industry, as well as her commitment to the advancement of women.

Diane Askwyth, president of APIW, said, ``At a time when the industry is struggling to reinvent itself, the APIW is truly excited to recognize Terry Pahl as a visionary insurance professional with a demonstrated ability to launch and lead new business ventures and create wealth for organizations. Remembering her own struggles to advance in a male dominated industry, Terry has an extraordinary track record of mentoring and nurturing other professional women and helping them succeed.

"She is a consummate professional who is highly respected both within her organization and within virtually every other segment of our industry," Askwyth continued. "I am personally inspired by the boundless energy she brings to her own personal struggle of balancing work demands and family needs, while still finding time to contribute to the industry at large and to her community."

Pahl joined Aon in 1992 as head of Rollins Hudig Hall International, where her team successfully built Aon's international production capabilities by 35 percent year after year. She was subsequently handpicked by Patrick Ryan, Aon's chairman and chief executive officer, to become the first president and CEO of Aon Enterprise Insurance Services, Inc., Aon's business operation for serving insurance needs of the small commercial market segment.

The unit, which began underwriting in 1997, has premiums under management of $160 million. Pahl recently was asked by Ryan to develop Aon University and GrowthWorks, two new initiatives charged with jump-starting business development in the operating units, bringing Aon together culturally and driving organic growth. She also continues as chairman of Aon Enterprise Insurance Services.

According to Ryan, Pahl's accomplished career has earned her respect from Aon's senior staff, clients, industry peers and senior executives in the insurance industry. ``I personally cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award based on her professional dedication to the industry, her commitment to the community, her willingness to take the time to promote and inspire women, both in Aon and in our industry,'' said Ryan.

Ryan also noted that Pahl who is one of the highest-ranking women at Aon, has created an environment that helps women balance family/work issues and encourages their advancement in the company.

A cocktail reception and award ceremony will be held in her honor on Tuesday, June 6, 2000. The event will include a cocktail reception and will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott World Trade Center, 3 World Trade Center, in New York City.

Pahl began her career in Chicago with the Federal Reserve Board, where she was a quantitative economist in the agricultural sector. She then spent three years at CNA, where she was a division supervisor in the property underwriting division.

She next went to Zurich Group, where she rose through the ranks - from field operations to product development, and marketing and international operations - to become one of the first women to become an officer at Zurich. In 1990, Pahl joined the Advanced Risk Management Services of Willis Corroon as senior vice president of their International Division. She helped to build that company's book of international business by 58 percent.

Pahl graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in economics and went on to receive a Kellogg School Executive MBA from Northwestern University. She earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation (CPCU), as well as the Associate in Research Planning (ARP) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations.

Pahl served as an instructor for the N/A and is the author of CPCU 10 Monograph: Global Brokerage Operations. She has been a dedicated member of the National Association of Insurance Brokers (which has since merged with CIAB), serving as chair of their international committee from 1995-97.

She is the author of numerous articles that have appeared in Risk Management Magazine, National Underwriter, CPCU Journal, Best's Review, Global Reinsurance, and CFO Magazine.

Pahl is a member of the Chicago Network, which comprises the top 200 women business and civic leaders in Chicago, is a member of the Windy City Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization and serves on the CEO Council of the Conference Board Business Council. Pahl is a director of the corporate board of divine InterVentures, Inc., a company focused on business-to-business e-commerce activities.

She also serves as a member of the Gateway Foundation, which provides support to at-risk adolescents suffering from the effects of drug abuse. She is a member of the board of the Glenbard West High School Band and Orchestra Parents Association and a member of the Council of Catholic Women, St. Petronille in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Founded in 1976, APIW is the leading organization dedicated to the advancement of professional insurance women and to the recognition of their contributions to the industry.