Beyond the Numbers: How Human-Centered Leadership Is Transforming Insurance in 2025
A fireside chat with an actuary.
When I found out I'd be interviewing the CEO of Crum & Forster at a large high-profile insurance industry event, I started preparing mentally for what I assumed would be a challenging exchange. Not only is the man a titan of the industry, but he's a historian as well.
As a recently published author, the opening dedication page to his book reads...
"To everyone who has ever engaged in a spirited discussion over a half point on their booked loss ratio…"
OH YEAH, I thought… I'm in BIG trouble! 😅
But here's the beautiful surprise: while Marc Adee is in fact a classic actuary (spreadsheets and all), he's also one of the most genuine, heartfelt, and human-centered leaders I've been around.
And a damn good storyteller too.
While I'll admit his book, "The Once and Future C&F," was the first insurance history book I've ever read... I actually loved it!
Who knew actuarial science could be a page-turner?
Marc does a beautiful job bringing to life the wild, burgeoning world of commercial insurance that C&F helped build in the early 1800s as NYC's population was exploding. Think Gangs of New York and Bill the Butcher — complete with battling fire departments and the birth pangs of a new nation's need for commercial insurance. I was genuinely fascinated.
Of course, the last 10 years of C&F's 200+ year history is Marc's chapter at the helm. And at its core is a story of a leader who understands that while underwriting discipline matters, people are the actual heartbeat of any organization.
With a beautifully human-centered focus on decentralization, belonging, empowerment, and genuine connection, C&F has been named a great place to work for four consecutive years and is recognized as one of Fortune's Best Workplaces for Women. Marc has led that transformation.
Perhaps my favorite story, the 200+ weekly letters Marc has written since the early days of Covid to help people feel connected, cared for, and clear-eyed about the challenges of the future. The streak continues!
In the end, I had a blast not interviewing Marc but simply chatting about the things we both love…
People. History. Family. The Future. Leadership. Legacy.
Sometimes the best professional moments happen when you stop trying to be professional and just start being human.
Thanks for showing us what that looks like Marc. And thank you for reminding me why I love what I do — connecting with people who lead with both their heads AND their hearts.
Plus, you made me actually excited about loss ratios. That's talent!