Just last year, Anne Bennett entered the technology side of insurance, after about 11 years in a range of roles at Amica Mutual Insurance.
"I had never really considered working in tech or working on the digital side of what we were doing," she said. "But I really saw that as an opportunity to continue to do the things that I've really enjoyed doing in my career: Thinking through how do we problem solve, how do we create value for both customers and our business goals, and how do we do it in a way that fits across the enterprise."
Bennett is now an innovation and product management officer at Amica. In this role, she leads digital product management and enterprise innovation teams, including work on a digital survey program and an analytics program, as well as strategic direction for digital insights. Bennett joined Amica as an account manager supporting sales, service and underwriting teams at its Rhode Island headquarters. She has also worked in the company's Dallas and Indianapolis offices in roles including human resources, sales and service, workforce management and voice operations.
"I have a really strong business context for what we're doing with digital development and with innovation that I wouldn't have if I hadn't spent the time in the business and in the core applications that I did," Bennett said. "It's really helpful to have the context of understanding how work gets done and the challenges that our frontline teams face each day, as we think through how to create value for our internal and external customers."
As a WIL Next honoree, Bennett is being recognized for her C-Suite potential.
"She exhibits the traits of a C-Suite leader. Her character, hard work, and winning spirit is contagious and creates momentum well beyond her direct team," wrote Thomas Barrett, managing vice president at Amica, in her nomination. "We are fortunate to have Anne at our company and her ability to grow, challenge the status quo, and persevere through challenges means that she will continue to reach her enormous potential."
To set strategy, Bennett focuses on understanding
Bennett draws on her experiences in her past roles to manage the digital product management and enterprise innovation teams, and manage across the enterprise.
"I've always enjoyed working with teams who I can find ways to help support and develop in their roles," she said. "I have always been learning how to support people more effectively, to help them navigate competing priorities across a team, department or enterprise, and find shared value — and how to help them grow and develop in new ways."
In Amica's nomination of Bennett, Barrett wrote about how she works as a leader. "Anne's will to win and capacity for achieving this result by developing other individuals and trusting them to execute a vision makes her a true leader. She clearly explains the team's purpose in the organization and infuses appropriate autonomy and enjoyment in the job as she leads others across the finish line with her."
