Professional Risk Manager profile - by Adam Lindquist

Professional Risk Manager profile

by Adam Lindquist

PRMIA Director of Membership

If there was a PRMIA playbook for risk success, Cleo Li might be called a PRMIA superstar. Not only did she complete the PRM™ Designation program in only a year, she also leveraged her networking skills to meet people within PRMIA to help her land her first risk role. “My first job was secured in large part because of my PRM and the London Chapter.”

To understand Cleo, you must first know that she is smart. She attended the University of Waterloo with a degree in Mathematics, and risk was one of the courses she had to attend. “I liked the metrics and mindset of risk and chose market risk as a career path. The PRM was something I decided to study while I was still in school, and I had the student perspective of studying for tests. It worked well for me.”

Like many who take the PRM coursework, she found the flexibility of studying and taking exams extremely valuable to getting the work done. But she also discovered that it had other effects as well, “With the designation I had more confidence in myself and I feel I really interviewed better. I knew my stuff and those I interviewed with knew I did too.”

That ability to earn both a degree and the PRM gave her a robust resume. It was her connectivity with PRMIA peers that gave her opportunity. “I found PRMIA was essential to landing a job, especially since I was not educated in the U.K. The PRM gave me an advantage, and the London Chapter gave me the opportunity. People were eager to help me find a place to call home. “

Chapters can play a vital role in professional accomplishment because they give you the “Who you know” advantage. What you know, however, lands you in the role that can make the difference.

“I believe PRMIA stands behind its statement of helping me on my career journey. I know that I have opportunities ahead of me because of my PRM and my connectivity to the Association.”

author

Adam Lindquist

Adam Lindquist is the Director of Membership for PRMIA. His career background includes vertical integration disruption as a regional manager in banking, business development resulting in a 5-year run as fastest growing specialty retailer, and many entrepreneurial ventures.