Her Story
About Katie
Katie Hyc, CIC, CRM, CRIS, is a seasoned insurance executive and underwriting leader with more than two decades of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. She currently serves as Vice President and Senior Underwriting Manager at Zurich North America, where she leads the Florida Middle Market underwriting operation and oversees a team of approximately 40 professionals. Throughout her career, Katie has built expertise in underwriting, risk assessment, relationship management, and team leadership, with a particular focus on middle market accounts.
Katie began her career after earning a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from Illinois State University, graduating Cum Laude. Her early experience included an actuarial internship and a rotational insurance training program that exposed her to underwriting, claims, risk engineering, auditing, and billing. She spent approximately a decade with Amerisure Insurance before joining Zurich North America, where she progressed through roles including Market-Facing Underwriter III, Associate Underwriting Manager, AVP Middle Market Underwriting Manager, and ultimately Vice President and Senior Underwriting Manager. Her professional credentials include the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), and CRIS designations.
In her current role, Katie specializes in middle market property and casualty insurance, with particular strengths in risk assessment, underwriting strategy, agent marketing, and relationship development. She places strong emphasis on building trusted relationships with agents and insureds while helping her team navigate an increasingly complex and competitive insurance market. Katie takes pride in the continued growth and performance of her Florida operation and believes effective leadership is rooted in developing people, staying curious, and continuously learning. Her leadership philosophy combines technical expertise with collaboration, mentorship, and a commitment to helping both her team and the broader organization succeed.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continuous growth, staying curious, and helping others grow along the way. I believe that learning and bringing people with me are key to achieving lasting success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received has come from mentors who encouraged me to recognize my leadership potential and pursue new opportunities. Their guidance has shaped how I approach leadership and reinforced my belief that mentorship can make a meaningful difference in someone’s career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the insurance industry is to ask questions, stay curious, and never be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. Take advantage of learning opportunities and pursue professional designations early, as continuous education can build a strong foundation and provide greater flexibility throughout your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity and challenge in insurance right now is the rapid growth of AI. I believe AI can be a valuable tool, but it should complement—not replace—human judgment. We still need to verify information, apply experience, and think critically, especially as technology becomes more influential in both the workplace and society.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are family, balance, and intentionality. I’ve learned that success means knowing where my time and energy matter most, seeking support when needed, and creating space for both my career and family. I also value making time to enjoy the outdoors and the people who matter most to me.
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