Jennifer Odrobina’s journey into insurance law began by chance during a summer internship as a law student. Initially focusing on civil procedure research, Odrobina was encouraged by a professor to explore insurance law—a field she knew little about beyond her own auto policy. Despite thinking it sounded dull at first, her interest grew when the conversation turned to Lloyd’s of London and the potential for travel and intellectual challenge.
Today, Odrobina is the senior vice president and head of financial lines claims for North America at Sompo, overseeing more than 50 people across six lines of business. Reflecting on her early internship, she credits that experience with opening her eyes to the wide range of career options within insurance, from brokers and claims experts to underwriters.
Her career path took her from a law firm to Zurich, where she gained expertise in directors and officers (D&O) liability. After eight years at Arch, she praised the company for its strong support in personal and professional growth. Odrobina recalls that leadership at Arch, both male and female, was committed to developing employees. This environment helped her build a reputation as a D&O expert, a role that she carried with her to Sompo.
At Sompo, Odrobina started in a technical position. When some questioned her decision to step back from management, she shared a view of leadership that goes beyond managing teams. “You can be a leader without managing a team,” she said. “Leadership is about building relationships and showing your value through actions.”
Her approach proved successful, and she eventually rose to lead the financial lines claims group. Still, she has faced moments in the male-dominated insurance industry where her voice could have gone unheard. Instead of raising her volume, Odrobina focused on connecting deeply with colleagues. She made it a point to surround herself with strong men and women who both challenge and support her. She believes allies within the room can help amplify one’s value when it’s not immediately recognized.
Mentors have played a huge role in her success. Early on, one manager advised her to focus on becoming an expert in her craft instead of constantly chasing the next promotion. Odrobina took this advice seriously, concentrating on her D&O skills. This dedication led to a milestone this year when she spoke at the PLUS D&O Symposium, moving from an aspiring audience member to a featured speaker.
Now, Odrobina pays it forward by mentoring others, stressing the importance of embracing feedback and being adaptable. She encourages future leaders to not just identify problems but offer multiple solutions. “My team knows I’ll ask, ‘What’s option C? What’s option D?’ That kind of thinking makes everyone better,” she explained.
She also advises keeping an open mind toward technology, which continually reshapes insurance. For Odrobina, curiosity and willingness to learn have been key from her student days to now.
This fall, Odrobina will join a panel at the Women in Insurance New York Summit. The discussion, titled “Off the record: Career advice from insurance trailblazers,” will feature leaders sharing honest insights on building careers and influence. The summit aims to connect women executives, rising professionals, and supporters eager to advance women’s roles in the industry. Attendees can expect practical tips and fresh inspiration.
For those interested, more details and registration are available on the summit’s website.