Our People
Our People
Stacy Topf
AVP, Program Manager
“I’m a very competitive person and I hate losing more than anything. So, when we set goals for the year, the only option is to blow them away.”
Those words show the kind of energy and positive attitude any organization would want to have, and Zurich North America’s Programs team is lucky to have the person who said those words, Stacy Topf, working for us.
Stacy is a Nebraska native who lives in Omaha with her husband Curt, son Gavin and pet dog Lexi. She found her way into insurance during her senior year of college, interning as an underwriter with Great West Casualty Company. They hired her as an Internal Auditor after she graduated and she later moved into Underwriting for the company.
After a few years at Great West, she moved to Allied Insurance (part of Nationwide), where her underwriting talent quickly led to her being promoted to Underwriting Manager for their commercial lines. After more than a decade with Allied, Stacy joined Zurich Programs in 2015 and she currently manages three programs, working with US Assure on all our Builders Risk offerings, MDP Programs on Historic Properties, and Arrowhead on Forestry.
“Portfolio management is the name of the game and the goal is to keep everything going in the right direction,” Stacy said in describing the priorities of her role. Beyond her close work with the Program Administrators, her day-to-day interactions include close collaboration with Zurich’s Claims, Technical Underwriting, Risk Engineering and Marketing professionals, as well as other teams within the company.
We asked Stacy to share some more about herself and her work with Zurich.
I’m a very competitive person and I hate losing more than anything. So, when we set goals for the year, the only option is to blow them away.
I’m a very competitive person and I hate losing more than anything. So, when we set goals for the year, the only option is to blow them away.
What do you like about your job and why is it a good fit for you?
I like that my opinion matters and I’m trusted to carry out strategies without being micromanaged. Basically, it works like “here’s where we need your programs to be; now go figure out how to get there.” I love that about my job. I value customer service and I work really hard to do the best I can every day, and that is what makes me a good fit for this role. I’ve learned that saying, “I don’t know, let me get back to you” is OK; just find the answer quickly and respond with clarity.
To what behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success?
Relationship-building and communication. I try to be a good listener and be as open and honest as possible. Approaching issues with a problem-solving mindset also helps with being successful in this role. I take a very direct approach in my communication style. I spend a lot of time exploring the right way and the right words needed to approach conversations with all of my PAs.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
I’ve been very fortunate in my career, in that I’ve had the opportunity to work with some great leaders. My first mentor taught me so much that I still refer back to today. First, he taught me the key to being a good underwriter is learning how to “bend but not break.” The second thing he taught me was to never give away decision-making power. Underwriters are paid to make decisions. Some decisions are easier than others. If you push the decision-making to someone else, you lose your credibility. Make the decision, support it, and take accountability for it.
What has been the biggest thing you’ve seen change during your time with Zurich?
The Programs transition from Alternative Markets to Middle Market has been the biggest change in my time here.
What energizes you outside of work?
Traveling and experiencing something new. Watching my son grow up, learn life lessons and be happy is also very energizing. Most of the time he drives me absolutely crazy, but the choices he makes and his behavior when he thinks no one is watching makes me very proud to be his mom.
What’s the best advice you were ever given?
I once traded in a small sedan for a giant SUV with a big motor. When I told my grandfather, he shook his head and said to me, “Don’t let it get away from you.” Since that day, there have been so many times in my life where, in my head, I can hear him say those words. I’m very impulsive and hearing those words of caution has saved me more than once.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Playing with my dog Lexi in the backyard.
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
My husband and I love live music and sports, so on the weekends you will usually find us at a concert venue, at a football game or trying out new bars and restaurants.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world for just one day, who would you choose?
Lady Gaga! I’m not actually a big fan, but she’s everything I’m not, and it would be so cool to experience what it’s like to be her for a day.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
The Maldives, or Munich for Oktoberfest.
What is a “bucket list” item you want to do/accomplish before you die?
I’ve always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon and that is going to happen soon. My best friend and I are going to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October, and we have a sunrise balloon ride booked.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Anything related to true crime — TV series, books, podcasts — and McDonald’s chicken nuggets. I order Happy Meals and give the toys to my nieces.
What’s something, big or small, that you’re really good at?
Driving fast and spending money!
Our People
Carol Ulrich
AVP, Program Manager
Zurich’s Programs team takes pride in the experience our professionals bring to the table. Program Manager Carol Ulrich has over 40 years in insurance and that time invested develops the kind of industry savvy that is always in demand in our business.
Born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Carol works out of Zurich’s Omaha, Nebraska office (as does her colleague Stacy Topf; see accompanying story). She currently manages six programs, working with Artex Risk Solutions on three Workers’ Compensation programs, and with Arrowhead on our California Residential Earthquake, California Commercial Earthquake and All-Risk E&S Commercial Property programs.
Carol and her husband Michael have three adult children, including two daughters who are also working in insurance. Carol and Michael are already enjoying the early years of grandparenting, with a four-year old grandson and another grandchild expected in March.
The career journey for Carol started in 1980 in Omaha as an Underwriting Clerk for a carrier now known as Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC). She worked her way up through various roles in underwriting before making a major change in 2007, when she came to work for Zurich North America. Here, she first worked for Direct Markets and then in Property E&S before joining Programs’ New Business team and eventually becoming a Program Manager.
Her current role requires diligence on many fronts: reviewing PA referrals, underwriting audits, annual program reviews and more. Carol works closely with Zurich colleagues in Finance, Product Development, Actuarial, Business Operations & Technologies, Sales, Marketing, CAT Accumulation Management, Technical Underwriting, Claims and Risk Engineering.
We invited Carol to let the readers of Program Leader know a little more about her.
Program managing lets me use my skills in a multitude of ways and that’s exhilarating.
Program managing lets me use my skills in a multitude of ways and that’s exhilarating.
What do you like about your job and why is it a good fit for you?
Program managing lets me use my skills in a multitude of ways and that’s exhilarating.
To what behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success?
I think the most important thing is to be honest, respectful and flexible. I recognize that my opinion isn’t the only one and it might not always be the best one. A big part of embracing being part of a team, and all that entails, is being able to admit when you are wrong.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
The Senior Underwriter at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies who trained me. She’s very knowledgeable and she gave me a solid foundation to build my career on.
What’s the best advice you were ever given?
Both my mother and my grandmother taught me to simply treat others as you want to be treated. You never know what someone else is going through and how you treat them might be the best part of their day.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Enjoying some quiet time sitting on the patio with a glass of wine.
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Spending time with my family and friends.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world for just one day, who would you choose?
Truly, no one. I like my life.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Blue Bunny Toasted Almond Fudge Ice Cream.
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8 PROGRAM LEADER