ITC Special Part 3B - Tradition Meets Innovation: Collaboration in Insurance with Carlos Cendre

Is the insurance industry ready to embrace collaboration as the key to modernization? How are traditional players leveraging technology to deliver customer-centric solutions while preserving their heritage? In this third installment of our series from ITC, we uncover how three industry leaders are driving innovation through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology.

Our conversations with Dorothy Kelly of Verisk, Carlos Cendre of MAPFRE, and Steve Johnson of Insured.IO reveal how established organizations redefine success by blending tradition with innovation. Their insights highlight that transformation isn’t just about adopting the latest tools—it’s about addressing core customer needs and building lasting value.

 

Episode Highlights

Episode 1: Dorothy Kelly, VP of Innovation at Verisk

• [00:15] Verisk's approach to fostering innovation through employee-generated ideas.
• [03:30] The importance of aligning innovation with customer needs.
• [07:00] How Verisk integrates cross-divisional data for impactful solutions.

Notable Quote: "Data is the currency of the future, and we’re here to help companies spend it wisely."

Episode 2: Carlos Cendre, Scouting and Investment Lead at MAPFRE

• [00:05] Insights into MAPFRE's global strategy and its significant presence in LATAM markets.
• [06:40] Building partnerships to address issues like climate change and cybersecurity.
• [09:30] Embracing trends such as embedded and parametric insurance to stay competitive.

Notable Quote: "Innovation doesn’t replace tradition; it builds upon it."

Episode 3: Steve Johnson, Founder of Insured.IO

• [00:20] The importance of user experience in customer retention.
• [05:00] The transition from professional services to a scalable SaaS platform.
• [09:10] Overcoming resistance to digital transformation in established markets.

Notable Quote: "Trust is earned one interaction at a time, and technology helps us get there faster."

Key Themes

Innovation in Insurance

• How industry giants foster a culture of innovation internally and through external partnerships.
• The critical role of customer insights in shaping new products and services.
  
  

Global Strategy and Local Adaptation

• The balance of operating with a large global footprint while addressing local market needs effectively.
  
  

Digital Transformation and User Experience

• The shift to mobile-first and omni-channel strategies to meet changing customer expectations.
  
  

Emerging Trends

•  The growing importance of AI, embedded insurance, and sustainability solutions.

 

About the Guests

Dorothy Kelly

Dorothy Kelly is at the forefront of innovation at Verisk, where she spearheads initiatives that democratize ideation and empower employees across the organization to contribute transformative concepts. By fostering a culture of collaboration and prioritizing customer-centric solutions, Dorothy drives impactful changes that address the evolving needs of the insurance and risk management sectors. Her passion for innovation and strategic leadership ensures Verisk remains a trailblazer in its industry.

 

Carlos Cendre

Carlos Cendre leads MAPFRE’s global startup collaboration efforts, where he focuses on harnessing cutting-edge innovation to address critical challenges, including climate change, cybersecurity, and other emerging trends. With a keen eye for identifying strategic partnerships and disruptive technologies, Carlos bridges the gap between traditional insurance practices and the dynamic startup ecosystem, driving meaningful progress for MAPFRE and its stakeholders.

 

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson is the visionary founder of Insured.IO, a pioneering SaaS platform dedicated to transforming the insured experience. With a deep understanding of the insurance landscape, Steve combines technical expertise and customer insights to deliver innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance user satisfaction, and optimize outcomes for insurers and policyholders alike. His leadership has established Insured I.O. as a leader in the insurtech space.

Resources

 

Dorothy Kelly

• LinkedIn
• Verisk

Steve Johnson

• LinkedIn
• Insured.io

Carlos Cendre

• Linkedin
• mapfre.com