There’s no such thing as a typical day for risk managers, but the new RIMS president says a goal of the organization during her upcoming term will be to issue quality guidelines describing typical attributes that distinguish outstanding risk management players.
“I’m waiting for the average day,” said Janice Ochenkowski, describing her work as managing director, responsible for global risk management, at Jones Lang LaSalle—a real estate and financial services company headquartered in Chicago with more than 26,000 employees operating in 50 countries.
Ms. Ochenkowski—who takes on her new role as president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society this month—has a lot on her agenda for the New York-based organization.
Continuing the group’s quality initiative—but shifting the focus from carriers and brokers to risk managers themselves—as well as continuing to communicate with lawmakers on key issues are among the priorities she expects the group to pursue in the coming months.
Communication is central to Ms. Ochenkowski’s work at Jones Lang LaSalle, as well. She said the risk management department is frequently consulted by the company’s various businesses to help with planning and assessing new opportunities, as well as issues arising from existing businesses.
“Our department, I believe—and I’m proud to say—is viewed by our firm as a resource,” she said. The department currently consists of seven employees in the United States, and has legal and risk management assistance in other regions.
Because of the global aspects of her job, Ms. Ochenkowski’s day may comprise of several international conference calls in the morning, late in the afternoon, or even early evening to accommodate international time zones. She meets with her staff daily to touch base on various initiatives, trouble-shoot and provide guidance when needed.
Ms. Ochenkowski also frequently meets with the company’s brokers as well as insurers to discuss new trends, business opportunities and products.
Finally, “I try to catch up with the business units to understand what they’re thinking about and what they’re working on, and that takes me through lunch,” she joked.
“It’s a broad spectrum, and that’s what makes [the job] exciting. There is a wide range of responsibilities, which translates into a wide range of opportunities,” she added.
While an important aspect of her job is purchasing insurance for the company, she said knowledge of her particular industry is even more important. Policy information can be provided by the broker and insurance underwriter, but “I am the catalyst within my company, and I need to understand what our business is.”