NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Group Holdings (NYSE:WSH), the global risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker, today announced Kim Waller, Executive Vice President, Willis Open, Willis North America, has been named to Business Insurance magazine's 2013 "Women to Watch" list.
The eighth annual "Women to Watch" report recognizes a group of 25 high-profile executives who are leading the way in insurance, reinsurance, risk management and employee benefits. Candidates were selected based on recent professional achievements, influence on the marketplace and contributions to the advancement of women in business.
Based in Chicago, Ms. Waller co-leads Willis Open, a practice group launched in March 2013 which serves as a unique resource to help firms meet their supplier diversity goals. As Executive Vice President, she is responsible for business development, partnership development and aligning resources from across Willis' platform to enable companies partnering with Willis to work with the best minority- owned enterprises in today's marketplace.
Commenting on the award, Todd Jones, CEO, Willis North America, said, "Willis is thrilled to see Kim nominated to this prestigious list. Kim has dedicated her professional career to creating opportunities for women and minority-owned business enterprises and she is passionate in leading Willis' initiative to pursue diversity partnerships, an important step to advance the insurance industry. She is an outstanding role model for other young insurance professionals, as well as the broader minority-owned business marketplace."
Ms. Waller joined Willis in March 2013 and has held a variety of leadership roles throughout her 22-year career in the industry. She most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Aon Cornerstone, a unit of Aon Corporation. In 2011, Ms. Waller was named to the following lists: Diversity Journal's "Women to watch," Diversity MBA Magazine's "Top 100 under 50" and Chicago United's "Business Leaders of Color." She currently serves as a board member for the Chicago Sinfonietta.
Ms. Waller is profiled in the December 2 issue of Business Insurance and will be recognized at an awards luncheon in New York City on December 3. Business Insurance is a leading industry news magazine and web site reporting on commercial insurance, risk management and employee benefits weekly in print and daily online.
About Willis
Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker. With roots dating to 1828, Willis operates today on every continent with more than 17,500 employees in over 400 offices. Willis offers its clients superior expertise, teamwork, innovation and market-leading products and professional services in risk management and transfer. Our experts rank among the world's leading authorities on analytics, modelling and mitigation strategies at the intersection of global commerce and extreme events. Find more information at our website,www.willis.com, our leadership journal, Resilience, or our up-to-the-minute blog on breaking news, WillisWire. Across geographies, industries and specialisms, Willis provides its local and multinational clients with resilience for a risky world.