Angela Cabado
Angela Cabado is a risk management and insurance leader known for combining strategic thinking, data analytics, and human-centered problem solving to transform claims and risk operations. As Director of Insurance & Risk Management at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, she oversees global casualty and property claims programs across multiple lines of business, driving operational excellence through technology innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and performance-focused risk strategies. Her work centers on building proactive systems that connect operational decisions, financial outcomes, and human factors to strengthen organizational resilience and improve claims outcomes.
Angela’s career path reflects a unique blend of business process improvement, insurance expertise, and analytical leadership. Originally studying biomedical sciences at University of South Florida, she entered the insurance industry through claims operations and quickly developed a reputation for solving complex operational challenges. Prior to joining Marriott Vacations Worldwide, she worked in workers’ compensation claims management and operational strategy roles where she gained firsthand experience managing high-volume claims, improving workflows, and translating frontline insights into scalable business solutions. Since joining Marriott Vacations Worldwide, she has helped build and modernize the organization’s risk management framework, leading initiatives that have reduced claims costs, improved return-to-work outcomes, and advanced enterprise-wide reporting and analytics capabilities.
A recognized thought leader in the insurance and claims industry, Angela is passionate about breaking down silos between claims, legal, risk management, and operations to create more integrated and effective strategies. She frequently shares insights on organizational systems, human behavior in risk management, leadership, and the evolving role of data and technology in claims operations. Her contributions to the industry have earned her recognition including the CLM Phenom Under 40 honor and a Young Professional of the Year nomination. She also serves as a mentor and industry advocate, helping guide the next generation of insurance professionals while continuing to advance innovation and collaboration across the field.
• Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP)
• Mentor- WRMC
• Professional Skills Sub-Committee Member- CLM Alliance (Claims and Litigation Management Alliance)
• Associate in Risk Management
• University of South Florida
• Young Professional of the Year Nominee
• Phenom Under 40
• Young Professionals Advisory Board Member
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my father, who passed away when I was 11. Even though he was only in my life during my early childhood years, he gave me so much insight that rings through to this day. I struggled with undiagnosed ADHD for a long time - up until recently, actually - and even though no one knew why I had trouble focusing or why my interests always switched, he was just this rock in my life. He would tell me, 'Kwajasil has never quit' - that was my maiden name. When he passed away, I kept hearing his voice in my mind saying that through every challenge and struggle I faced. That really pushed me despite any imposter syndrome, despite people telling me I don't belong somewhere, despite financial reasons or any other obstacles. It gave me the mindset of: if quitting is not an option, what can you do? That's what allowed me to become resourceful and find solutions. So that is what I would attribute my success to - my father's encouragement and that mantra that quitting was never an option.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received came from two incredible leaders who shaped me and built my confidence. The first is Brandon Acevedo (transcript shows 'landlords' but context indicates this is the correct name based on professional context), who was my leader at the financial firm. He was very open-minded about what his employees brought to the table. He wasn't someone who said 'you have to do things this way' - instead, he allowed everyone the space to tackle challenges however they felt was best, and then provided feedback later. That is something I've adopted in my own leadership because I feel that's the best way for people to learn and grow. By doing that, he gave me the ability to foster confidence, to be resourceful, and to find solutions and figure out the best way forward for myself. The second leader is Vic Marmo, who retired about a year and a half ago but is still my mentor today. He taught me all about executive presence and the leadership side of things. Vic was incredible at what I would call quiet leadership - he taught me the importance of not saying something just to be heard, but because you've been able to dissect something, analyze it, and know that your voice matters. When you speak, you should bring something valuable to the table. I'm extremely grateful for the impact both leaders have had on my journey and the tremendous encouragement and guidance I received from having them as resources and mentors in my life.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to trust your gut. Don't let your fear override what your ultimate desire is. You know, if you wait for all the lights to turn green, you might never move. So you have to trust yourself, even if you're hearing 'you should act more like this, you should be more like that.' Confidence comes with time and experience, and sometimes you have to just put yourself in that moment, in that space, to become the person that you're meant to be, instead of hoping one day to wake up and be there.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value most important to me is relationships. I always value, regardless of where I'm at or what I'm doing, keeping an open mind about the people around me. There's always going to be someone you have to work with, someone you report to, people that report up to you, clients, stakeholders - and I approach everything I do from the lens of relationships. I ask myself: what can they help you with? What wisdom can they impart on you? What can you do for them? I think where we are today as a society, and even with the current state of politics, sometimes there's a mentality of 'if you know what's best, just do it' - it's about speed, it's about getting to that finish line. And while I can appreciate those values, I prefer to do my work before I hit go, to make sure that everyone feels heard, to make sure that everyone involved is placed in the right capacity to showcase their talents, and to explore the appropriate framework and strategy. Then hit go. Because I feel that actually gets you to the finish line at the end of the day faster than bumping into all these hurdles along the way because you didn't do the pre-work and understand the people around you. In my personal life, everything I do is to make sure my 2-year-old son has the life that I struggled to have. I was raised by a single mom and I'm the oldest of three, so I've always been in that 'take care of others' mentality. But I want my son to be able to have the space to become whoever he needs to be, and not feel like he has to do something because circumstances dictate it, like it was for me.