4 minute read
Q&A with Brendalisse Rivera
Brendalisse Rivera, JD, CIC, CRM, CISR is a commercial account executive with Gunn-Mowery, a full-service independent agency located in Lemoyne, PA. She is also the recipient of Pennsylvania’s 2023 Outstanding CSR of the Year.
Q. You earned your law degree in Puerto Rico before entering the insurance industry. Tell us about your career path and how it brought you to Central Pennsylvania!
A. I passed the bar exam in 2005, but rather than working at a law firm, I joined the team at Marsh Saldaña in Puerto Rico. At first, I thought the job was temporary, but I was hooked when I began my career as a Client Executive at Marsh’s Financial Lines Department, a highly specialized sector within the insurance field that requires legal experience. In this role, I was responsible for all aspects of analysis and placement of management and professional liability programs, including strategic planning, risk analysis, coverage analysis, and program design. A few years later, I was promoted to Vice President and Financial Client Advisor, servicing many of Marsh’s Puerto Rico-based risk management large and middle market clients. In 2017, my husband and I decided to relocate to the United States to continue our professional growth and to provide our four-year-old daughter with the best opportunities possible – a decision we do not regret. I joined the Gunn Mowery family in 2017 and have accomplished a lot of my dreams and goals. Everything has been worth it!
Q. What does your typical workday look like currently?
A. Every day is different, for sure. There are days when I spend most of my time evaluating what risks need to go to the market and gathering the necessary information I will need to present to underwriters. This may involve speaking to clients directly. Once I have the relevant information, I send everything to our underwriters to negotiate terms and conditions and get final quotes. I am one of those insurance agents who likes to put together complete proposals for the insureds and to take the time to discuss everything further.
Q. What’s your favorite part of your job?
A. Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients. As an insurance agent, we are always helping to identify the needs of our clients and providing effective solutions in their best interests, and this process involves building a relationship of trust. Communication, integrity, and transparency let clients know we are reliable and trustworthy.
Q. You’ve received numerous accolades for your work – from the Caribbean Business 40 Under 40 list to the Pennsylvania Outstanding CSR of the Year Award. What motivates you to succeed?
A. The short answer to this question would be my family. They are my biggest source of inspiration and my strongest supporters as well. My parents worked very hard to provide a stable foundation for my life and future, so I am happy to see them proud of everything I’ve accomplished so far. They taught me self-discipline, to never give up my morals and ethics, to set goals and work hard toward them, and to always be kind and grateful, just to mention a few. I am blessed to be their daughter. And then, my husband and daughter … they are my cheerleaders! They are the ones who always drive me to try my hardest and reach for the stars. I want to show my daughter that if you put your mind to something, you can conquer it. We just need to believe and work hard!
Q. What advice would you give to someone just beginning her career as an independent insurance agent?
A. My advice would be to invest in and commit to continuous education to start building expertise. Insurance is continuously evolving, and as insurance agents, we need to stay up to date on all current insurance practices, coverages, and terms to assess our clients’ exposures and act as an advisor in providing the correct insurance solutions. In my opinion, the key to success in life is to never stop learning and growing.
Q. When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?
A. I love to spend time with my family and loved ones. Life is short, so I truly believe that life is all about spending time and creating great memories with the people who make you laugh and feel loved. And good wine, delicious food, and music are always a good idea!
