Race and risk management

Risk Management, March, 2009 by Clay V. Bland, Bonnie Boone

A "legacy of homogeneity and exclusion"? ("The Complexities of Complexion," November 2008) How insulting! This implies the false insinuation and accusation that there has been a systematic attempt to keep minorities out of the risk and insurance field, which is completely wrong and laughable. Based on what? I personally deal with more women and other minorities in this business than I did when I worked for major oil companies and as an attorney. How can it be the industry's fault that more minorities do not want to find careers in this line of business? You can't force people to be what they don't want to be. Plus, what ever happened to hiring the best qualified people regardless of race, gender, etc.? Last time I checked, we in the risk industry don't care who we hire or deal with as long as they do their jobs. I've got a news flash, there is no "quota system" in the business world and no one really cares about diversity, except maybe those who feel a penchant to appear politically correct. This is not an "important issue" so get back to the real risk and insurance issues that really matter to risk professionals.

Clay V. Bland

Risk Manager

Callon Petroleum Company

I read your article on risk management and the examination of the lack of racial diversity in commercial insurance and I was surprised by some of the comments. I am an African American woman that has been in the industry since 1977 and there are still many obstacles. The comments from the risk manager in Mississippi [who had not encountered racial barriers in her professional career] were surprising to me.

I recently received the Risk and Insurance Magazine award as a "2008 Power Broker," and I was the only African-American. I was also just honored by Business Insurance as "A Woman to Watch for 2008." I am very proud to have received those awards and accolades but it has been difficult.

Those of us in Chicago and New York who have been in the industry for years know that we still have a long way to go before we can be the CEO of a major insurance company or brokerage firm. In risk management, we are not the chief risk officer of the fortunate 500. We have made great strides and that's thanks to those people who view us as insurance professionals.

I am very proud and optimistic that with President Barack Obama's victory, we can be viewed as Americans that are part of the commercial insurance industry. This will assist us in being recognized and presented with the opportunities in the commercial industry that surely we can handle.

Bonnie Boone

Senior Vice President

Alliant Insurance Services