Risk management isn't about managing risk. It's about managing opportunity.

Why AI Will Replace Risk Managers Who Don't Adapt | Kristen Bessette

In this episode of Risk Management: Brick by Brick, host Jason Reichl sits down with Kristen Bessette, Chief Data Officer at Zurich North America. Kristen shares her extensive background spanning actuarial roles and executive data leadership across top carriers, framing a crucial conversation on why data and AI have evolved from back-office support functions into core strategic drivers. Discover how AI is democratizing access to data, dismantling traditional industry silos, and transforming complex information into actionable business insights. Kristen breaks down the reality of AI adoption—explaining why individuals who embrace these tools will inevitably replace those who do not, and how organizations can balance grassroots AI experimentations with pro-code enterprise solutions. From navigating data preparation and governance to rethinking actuarial models and evaluating build-versus-buy trade-offs, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for risk managers looking to elevate their roles from transactional processors to strategic leaders. To find out how TrustLayer manages risk so that people can build the physical world around us, head to TrustLayer.io. Podcast Host: Jason Reichl Executive Producer: Don Halliwell