Meet AIG
Meet our teams, and find out how we lead through resilience, collaboration, and dedication. From helping our clients overcome challenges to collaborating across borders, discover what inspires us and helps our careers grow.
Adobea Atsrefi
Senior Internal Auditor
VIEW PROFILERole: Senior Internal Auditor, Internal Audit Group, UK, North and South Zones
Current Location: London, England
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Adobea says that her role as an auditor is to “look at what we’re doing right and share that knowledge with other teams, while also looking at what we can do better and working with teams to improve things.” When she joined AIG in 2014, she was initially attracted to the company’s brand, “but what has kept me is the people I’ve met, and the experiences and opportunities I’ve had.”
Known for being positive – “I’m told that I smile a lot” – Adobea is proud that she “always sees the best in situations and people.” She is most looking forward to “seeing where my new role in the audit team takes me, and learning more about AIG but also seeing what happens next with the diversity agenda at AIG” as she continues her work with the African and Caribbean Inclusion Group.
Caroline Maher
Performance and Investment Reporting Analyst
VIEW PROFILERole: Performance and Investment Reporting Analyst
Current Location: Dublin, Ireland
Hometown: Kilkenny, Ireland
Caroline is responsible for producing the investment committee papers for AIG’s Commercial businesses throughout the world. These booklets outline the characteristics of AIG’s investments, as well as how those investments have performed in the period leading up to the investment committee meeting. She joined AIG in 2013 as a graduate of Dublin City University: “I was excited to work for a global company and felt it would offer me a wide range of opportunities.”
She says that her contribution toward AIG being clients’ most valued insurer can be seen in her role as Chairperson of the CSR Committee in Ireland – “managing the relationship with charitable organizations and demonstrating AIG’s commitment to the communities where we operate.” Looking to the future, Caroline is most looking forward to the technological advances, which “will change the way AIG does business and bring exciting opportunities to develop high-quality products for consumers.”
Wish Shanley
Business Transformation Lead
VIEW PROFILERole: A Business Transformation Lead within the AIG Transformation Office
Current Location: New York, NY
Hometown: Souderton, PA
As a member of the AIG Transformation Office, Wish works on initiatives underway to support the company’s strategic objectives. One such initiative – the development of a “first-of-its-kind AIG-wide process taxonomy” – will help AIG continue to simplify by “providing a view into which processes require the most effort, technology, and cost.”
Wish has been “fortunate to have had more than five unique roles over 10 years at AIG.” He believes that the company’s greatest strength is “our people and their ability to quickly adapt to an ever-changing world.” A father of four children under 10 years of age, he says that his greatest strength is “managing complex situations with numerous competing interests and opinions. This is something I’m known for at home and at AIG.”
Alfredo Palma
Attorney
VIEW PROFILERole: Attorney, AIG Chile
Current Location: Santiago de Chile
Hometown: Santiago de Chile
Alfredo Palma is an attorney for AIG Chile Compañía de Seguros Generales S.A.. “My role,” he says, “is to be a trusted legal advisor to all areas of the corporation.” He also co-leads activities including volunteering and is the founder of the Young Professionals Employee Resource Group’s Chile Chapter.
Alfredo came to AIG in 2012. He says that his contribution toward being clients’ most valued insurer is “providing professional, responsible, and constantly improving legal advice.” Alfredo believes that AIG’s greatest strength is “the virtuous circle of respect, candor, and trust among its stakeholders. This makes us the most reliable insurance company.”
Matan Slagter
Head of Market Disruption
VIEW PROFILERole: Head of Market Disruption
Current Location: New York, NY
Hometown: Armonk, Westchester, New York
Prior to becoming the Head of Market Disruption for AIG, Matan Slagter was Chief of Staff for AIG’s Personal Insurance business. Dependable and diligent, Matan says that his role allowed him to “hone and exercise skills across the spectrum – from expediting and managing projects to carrying out strategy development. Each day, I got to face new and invaluable challenges.”
Since joining AIG in early 2012, Matan says that he continues to be dedicated and excited about “AIG’s pursuit of becoming a more customer-centric organization – a highly responsive and efficient company that is able not only to keep up with, and capitalize on, the ever-changing market climate, but to do it sustainably.”
Steven Barnett
President and CEO, AIG Korea
VIEW PROFILERole: President and CEO, AIG Korea
Current Location: Seoul, South Korea
Hometown: London, England
Inspire
How do you inspire others?
“Initially by painting a picture of the positive nature of change and the opportunities it proffers. I also do so with energy and enthusiasm – encouraging their engagement, while recognizing their ability. To quote Gandhi, encouraging the team “to be the change you want to see.”
Focus
What success are you most proud of so far in 2016?
“We completed our transformation project on time and within budget. We called the project Miraero, which means ‘to the future‘ in Korean. We also delivered a new operating model and fully integrated technology platform.”
Develop
What do you look for in developing talent at AIG?
“Resilience; individuality that shines through as a contribution to the team; being comfortable with change, complexity, and ambiguity; and a willingness to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
Personal
Please tell us something we wouldn’t know by looking at your bio.
“I was the Managing Director and CEO of AIG Thailand during the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004 and dealt with the significant challenges posed to our customers and colleagues. I mobilized our team immediately after the tsunami so that I could provide information to AIG in New York. I coordinated and led search parties, to find AIG employees who were on vacation in Thailand, and we were successful in all cases other than one."
Terri Fiedler
EVP, Strategic Accounts
VIEW PROFILERole: EVP, Strategic Accounts
Current Location: Houston, Texas
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Inspire
Who has inspired you professionally and why?
“My mother has been a tremendous influence in my life. Over the years, she has dealt with many challenges – intense physical pain and emotional turmoil from the loss of several significant loved ones. Not only is my mother incredibly resilient, but she is also grateful and has maintained her sense of hope and optimism.”
Focus
What is your team most focused on this year?
“We are very focused on understanding and meeting our clients’ needs in response to the recent Department of Labor fiduciary regulation. We view this as another opportunity to position AIG as our clients’ most valued insurer.”
Develop
What was the greatest turning point in your career?
“After a couple of years leading the account management team for the independent channel at my former employer, I was given the opportunity to be the head of account management for all channels. That was a “stretch” role for me at the time, and I didn’t feel completely ready. But fortunately I accepted the role and loved it.”
Personal
Please tell us something we wouldn’t know by looking at your bio.
“You may not be aware of this from my bio or my diet, but my degree is from the College of Natural Sciences specializing in nutrition. My favorite elective was a finance class and I soon learned that I enjoyed investing and retirement planning much more than developing diet plans!”
Michael Leahy
VP, Deputy General Counsel and Head of Litigation
VIEW PROFILERole: Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Head of Litigation, AIG
Current Location: New York, New York
Hometown: Westport, Connecticut
Inspire
Who has inspired you professionally and why?
“I worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd, and learned from him the value of striking a balance between zealous advocacy and practical compromise.”
Focus
How do you stay focused through change?
“Take things one day at a time – and, if necessary, one hour or minute at a time – remain focused on what you can control, and continue to perform at the highest possible level with respect to things right in front of you. The rest tends to take care of itself over the longer term.”
Develop
What is your best advice for employees who want to grow their careers?
“First, honestly ask yourself if you are fully invested in what you are currently doing. If you are not, then find something else. If you are, be patient and trust that additional responsibilities and opportunities will come."
Personal
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Ideally, I am with my wife and four-year-old daughter either out on the water, up on a mountain, or recharging at home.”
Alexander Nagler
Managing Director, North Europe
VIEW PROFILERole: Managing Director, North Europe
Current Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Hometown: Norwalk, Connecticut
Inspire
Who has inspired you professionally and why?
“AIG’s John Rudolf was my first boss and his impact on me was profound. John always leads by example through hard work, tireless focus on the client and his people, with a deep passion for AIG. He fueled my pursuit to always achieve the greatest impact for our customers. Now I encourage my team to work with entrepreneurial thinking across departments to get the most value for our clients because I truly believe that this will help us exceeding our goals and build a strong bench for the future.”
Focus
What is your team most focused on this year?
“We have laser focus on our clients and brokers, engaging with them using AIG’s key strategic objectives as our guide. In addition, we concentrate on keeping our staff committed and effective, to ensure we achieve the organization’s goals.”
Develop
What is your best advice for employees who want to grow their careers?
“Take the time to think about how you would like to develop. If asked what you would like your next job to be, be ready with an answer. Effective networking is also absolutely crucial. Stretch out on your own and forge connections with strangers, and confidently initiate conversations at company and industry events. Finally, take on responsibility. Figuring out how to get what you need will help you grow and provide new opportunities."
Personal
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Spend time with my wife, Melanie, and our two children, Philipp and Marie. We love to travel, taking advantage of living in Europe. Over the summers, we enjoy seeing my family in Connecticut. Otherwise, we enjoy time at home, and activities like skiing, tennis, and boating.”
Suhas Yerra
Global Head of Commercial App Delivery
VIEW PROFILERole: Global Head of Commercial App Delivery
Current Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina
Inspire
Who has inspired you professionally and why?
”My father. He was an engineer, and growing up, I would closely watch the way he approached a question. He was able to create simple solutions for complex problems, and I was inspired to understand the thought process behind how he did it.”
Focus
How do you stay focused through change?
“When any organization is going through significant change, a focus on business and customer outcomes helps deliver immense value. We should provide relevant solutions and be able to keep them flexible to the ever-changing needs of our customers, partners, and employees.”
Develop
What was the greatest turning point in your career?
“About 19 years ago, I grabbed onto an opportunity to move from the core software development industry to financial services, bringing technology acumen to a field that thrives on information exchange.”
Personal
What do you like to do in your free time?
”I love to travel and learn about the history and culture in different parts of the world. As a history buff, I find that studying the past helps us make better decisions. This year I plan to visit Peru. Every year I go to a new country and am always struck by the rich diversity that we are all a part of. I have been to 21 countries so far, and my goal is 50 before I turn 60."
Don Allers
Business Information Officer
VIEW PROFILERole: Business Information Officer of Investments and Corporate Systems
Current Location: Wilton, Connecticut
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Inspire
Who has inspired you personally and why?
“I have long admired Steve Martin for his ability to perform at the highest level with everything he does, from comedy to drama, and from acting to playing bluegrass banjo. He is disciplined, provocative, and insanely creative, and I aspire to emulate his combination of wisdom and humility.”
Focus
How do you stay focused through change?
“I make time every day to remove myself from the office, take a walk outside, and think alone. I need this space between the constant stream of meetings and collaboration, so that I can process information and plan out my actions.”
Develop
What was the greatest turning point in your career?
“Midway through graduate school in math, I took a break and worked as a programmer at a bank. It was an unpredictable leap from an ivory tower to a trading floor, but I discovered a passion and curiosity that have guided me ever since.”
Personal
What do you like to do in your free time?
“After years of daydreaming, I recently got an Airstream trailer, and I keep busy planning adventures on the road with my wife and our two young girls.”
Liz Werner
Head of Investor Relations
VIEW PROFILERole: Head of Investor Relations
Current Location: New York, New York
Hometown: Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Inspire
How do you inspire others?
I tell people what they do well, and thank them for their contributions. I explain to them why what they do is important to the company. I always address head-on any rumors or miscommunications and keep people informed on the direction of the company.”
Focus
What success are you most proud of so far in 2016?
“I look at every quarter as one small success that builds on our communications with the investment community.”
Develop
What do you look for in developing talent at AIG?
A willingness to listen to new ideas.
Personal
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I enjoy gardening and spending time with my family.”