The Bermudian’s 2021 crop of Rising Stars is an impressive group of young people with limitless passion and an infectious drive for success, and together they prove that Bermuda’s future shines very bright.
Meghan Diel
Age: 29
Industry: Insurance
Position: Underwriter (Property)
Place of employment: Liberty Specialty Markets Bermuda
Number of years working: 6
Education: Bachelor of Science in International Relations and Business Management from Oxford Brookes University
Why did you choose to be a part of this industry?
It’s an infinite industry which provides many opportunities for growth through different roles, stretching beyond Bermuda’s borders. I have always had the intention of working abroad and experiencing a new market, and insurance certainly allows me to do that. I consider myself outgoing and personable, and this industry is largely based on connections and relationships which attracted me to it.
What is your loftiest ambition?
My absolute ultimate professional goal would be to become CUO. As a BHS alumna, being surrounded by inspiring and positive people who support women has always encouraged me to dream big. Although that dream is not yet within reach, I look forward to working toward it one day.
What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?
Any free moment I get I spend outdoors. It helps to clear my mind whether it be through exercise, a cruise on the boat, reading or simply enjoying our island and its incredible views.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my teenage self to value, appreciate and embrace any perceived “shortcomings” as positive aspects that make you unique and path the path for your future.
Deondre Trott
Age: 26
Industry: Insurance
Position: Actuarial Analyst
Place of employment: Hiscox Re & ILS
Number of years working: 4
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in Actuarial Science from Georgia State University
What’s the best part about working in your industry?
One of the best parts about this industry is that it allows you to come across a wide variety of topics, from natural catastrophes on the property side to cyber in the specialty space. It’s also an industry that’s always changing due to constantly emerging global risks; one of the most recent events that has had a major impact on the industry, and is still on many people’s minds, is the COVID-19 pandemic. Events like these create new conversations, for example how the industry will look at communicable disease in the future—there’s never a dull moment in property and casualty reinsurance!
What are you most grateful for?
I’m most grateful for my immediate family and friends. It’s quite common for an actuary to have to work long hours, and on top of that, be studying for exams. So a typical week can be quite exhausting and stressful, so having family and friends to lean on and help me make the most of my time away from work is something that I greatly appreciate.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I hope to be a fully qualified actuary, and I aspire to one day become chief actuary at a well-respected insurance or reinsurance company.
Brianna Buchanan
Age: 26
Industry: Financial Services
Position: Audit Manager
Place of employment: KPMG
Number of years working: 3.5 years
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Alabama in Huntsville and Master of Accountancy from University of Alabama in Huntsville.
What is the best part about working for KPMG?
The best part about working for KPMG is working with people from diverse backgrounds. I have opportunities to work with employees from different countries and cultures. Interaction with the diverse work force has exposed me to different ways of thinking and has broadened my horizons significantly. My closest coworkers-turned-friends are from India, South Africa and Jamaica, and they have all made a lasting impact on me.
What are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for the support I have received from KPMG thus far, from support in preparing for my CPA exams through to my promotion to manager. I felt fully supported by everyone at KPMG Bermuda, from the staff accountants to the CEO, from day one.
Words to live by?
“She believed she could, so she did.”
What advice would you give your younger self?
Take time and enjoy the present! I have pushed myself extremely hard, both through university as well as through my early career years. I have constantly been looking for and working towards reaching the next milestone. I would let my younger self know it is okay to take a moment to breathe, that I don’t need to be consistently looking for the next challenge; it’s okay to enjoy the present moment.
James Gregory
Age: 29
Industry: Commercial Insurance
Position: Underwriter
Place of employment: AXA XL
Number of years working: 6 years
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Babson College
Why did you choose to be a part of this industry?
International insurance is one of the most dynamic segments of Bermuda’s economy. When I was awarded a BFIS scholarship I was given a foothold in the industry as it was paired with an internship, and I was fortunately able to rotate through several departments until finding a niche in underwriting.
What is the best part about working for your company?
Undoubtedly learning from my colleagues, many of whom have spent decades in the industry. The D&O market experienced a “hard market” in 2020 and I was fortunate to underwrite alongside those who had been through two or three in the past.
What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?
My wife and I have four beehives, three barred-rock hens, and two rabbits – overseeing them all keeps us busy and entertained at the end of the day.
Who at your company has helped you the most?
My former and current managers, Jennifer Minors and Meghan Earle, respectively, who have been unbelievably supportive since I joined the company and have taught me essentially all I know about underwriting.
What’s the best part about working in your industry?
Working in Bermuda’s insurance industry gives one exposure to the global economy, which is always in flux and therefore rarely uninteresting.
Christopher Maypa
Age: 29
Industry: Banking
Position: Risk & Control Manager, Wealth & Personal Banking
Place of employment: HSBC
Number of years working: 4
Education: Bachelor of Management from Dalhousie University
What is the best part about working for your company?
The best part of working at HSBC is the incredible support system available for employees and the way the company strives to make everyone feel valued. There’s a really good community here with a culture that’s focused on encouraging employee growth.
Who at your company has helped you the most?
It’s really hard to pick one person that’s helped me “the most.” I started off my HSBC career in the Graduate Development Programme and in doing so I was blessed with many opportunities to meet a wide range of people within the organisation. Dejuanna Burrows first encouraged me to apply for the programme, Sean Dunkley was my first mentor who constantly pushed me to grow outside of my comfort zone, and Sophia Madeiros (my current manager) has been key in helping me thrive in the position I’m in today. I can honestly say that there’s a lot of people who have positively impacted my life at the bank to grow both as an employee and as a person.
Words to live by?
Sometimes you encounter a word that really resonates with you. For me, this word is “sonder,” which ironically does not exist in the dictionary. It’s a term coined by an author named John Koenig used to describe the realisation that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. I first heard the word through his TED talk and from then on it really stuck with me. It’s a nice reminder to take the time to really listen to people, to ensure you understand them and to be present in each and every interaction you have with someone. I’d highly recommend finding and listening to the TED talk!
Danielle Moniz
Age: 29
Industry: Captive Insurance
Position: Audit Manager
Place of employment: PwC Bermuda
Number of years working: 7
Education: Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Professional Accountancy from Bryant University.
Why did you choose to be a part of the captive insurance industry?
After my first year of university, I was lucky enough to be accepted into the PwC Bermuda Headstart programme where I had the ability to work in the various sectors that PwC is involved in. I had exposure to working in their dedicated captive insurance practice and immediately loved the team and the work itself. I was able to intern with the captive team for two more summers and was then offered a full-time position in September 2014 and have been a member of the captive team ever since.
What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?
I actually unwind at the beginning of the day by working out at LifeThyme CrossFit. Working out is not only a hobby but a true stress reliever for me. It’s the hour of the day that is totally for me, with no outside distractions/commitments. I typically work out at 7:30 or 9:00 a.m. and it really helps to get my day started.
Who at PwC Bermuda has helped you the most?
There are two people who have given their time, both professionally and personally, to help me advance in my career. Both Jennifer Masters and David Gibbons have been amazing resources, sounding boards and cheerleaders throughout my career. They have provided me with honest and constructive feedback that has enabled me to continue to progress in my field. I am not sure I would be where I am today without their support and encouragement.
Katie Stevenson
Age: 27
Industry: Reinsurance
Position: US Casualty Treaty Underwriter
Place of employment: Convex Re Limited
Number of years working: 5
Education: Bachelor of Arts from Western University
What is the best part about working for your company?
The people I get to work with. We’re still a lean team in Bermuda but everyone, including our London counterparts, is very energised and collaborative. I love the “all-hands-on-deck” culture and the infectious drive and excitement that accompanies that. I look forward to going into the office every day and I do not take that for granted.
What are you most grateful for?
The opportunity I was given to be a Convexian. It’s not every day you are asked to join a leading insurance business founded by two industry legends.
Who at your company has helped you the most?
My manager and US Casualty Treaty Underwriter, Sharmini Samuels. It didn’t take me long to realise she’s a very well-respected leader in the industry. Moving from insurance to reinsurance is a bigger challenge than it sounds, and she has made it much easier for me. I’m very proud to be her teammate.
Words to live by?
My mom always said to me growing up: “Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind, but in the end the race is long and it’s only with yourself.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to still be looking out at the view from the top floor of Point House, proud of what I’ve achieved and excited for what’s ahead.
What’s the best part about working in your industry?
What I find most exciting about this industry is that it’s ever-changing. Whether it’s the new challenge of a pandemic or growing concerns relating to cyber security, there’s always going to be something you need to keep up to date on in order to remain at the top of your game and provide the best solutions.
Melissa Rodrigues McBeath
Age: 29
Industry: Corporate & Trust Services
Position: Compliance Manager
Place of employment: Appleby Global Services Ltd
Number of years working: 6
Education: (i.e. Bachelor of Science in International Development from London School of Economics) Bachelor of Business from St. Francis Xavier University
Why did you choose to be a part of the compliance industry?
The best part is that each day is an adventure. The industry and the wider environment as a whole are constantly changing which enables room for growth and further education. It provides the constant question “how do we adapt to change?” and provides opportunities to problem solve.
What is your loftiest ambition?
To one day become Chief Risk Officer.
What is the best part about working for Appleby?
The best part about working for Appleby Global Services (AGS) is the people. Not only do I work with talented and knowledgeable industry experts, but they are also very supportive, helpful and caring individuals. It has also been amazing to experience Appleby Global Services in its first two years of business which has enabled me to be a part of something special and help contribute to the growth of business.
Conor McLaughlin
Age: 29
Industry: Banking
Position: Commercial Banking, Relationship Manager
Place of employment: Clarien Bank Ltd
Number of years working: 3
Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University
What drives you?
People are my passion. Connecting and seeing results for my clients and colleagues and knowing I was somehow part of that success is what drives me.
What is the best part about working for Clarien?
I love that our morale is aligned. I am a big fan of giving back to the community and feel that I work for a company that also shares that ethos.
Who at your company has helped you the most?
Our Chief Banking Officer, Simon Van de Weg, who is just brilliant, has always been super supportive and gives the best advice and always seems to have time for a chat when I need it the most.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I think it is easy to be caught up in everyone else’s success and journey but honestly, I would tell my younger self to own your path and don’t judge your life or success by anyone else’s.
