The D&O Diary’s busy fall travel schedule continued with back-to-back visits to Toronto and New York City, where I participated in a PLUS panel, led an educational session for The Bridge, and delivered a guest lecture at Columbia University.
PLUS Canada
On October 1, I traveled to Toronto at the invitation of Nicole McAuley of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, to participate in the sold-out Canadian chapter of Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) event, “Inside Today’s D&O Market: Reinsurer Insights, Client Demands and Claims Trends.”
The panel was moderated by Philippe Côté, Senior Vice-President and National Practice Leader, Executive Risks, at BFL CANADA. Joining me on the panel were Dounia Khali, Senior Vice President, Financial Services Group, Aon; Catherine Lanctôt, Executive Vice President and National ProExec Leader, Lockton Canada; Alison Penney, Senior Vice President, Canadian Product Manager North American Financial Lines Chubb Insurance; and Matthew Mann, Senior Vice President, Gallagher Re.
Artificial intelligence was a central topic. We discussed the growing wave of AI-related securities litigation and how AI-related D&O exposure increasingly arises from governance, disclosure, and oversight issues rather than the technology itself. We also discussed how AI-related securities litigation is being closely monitored from a reinsurance perspective, though any meaningful impact on the reinsurance market would likely require a broader impact to multiple coverage verticals.
Finally, we addressed several uniquely Canadian issues, including recent developments in Canadian securities litigation.
My thanks to Philippe, Dounia, Catherine, Alison, and Matthew for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion; to PLUS CEO Robbie Thompson for his support; and to the Canadian PLUS chapter organizers for bringing together such a knowledgeable group of industry professionals.
NYC
The Bridge Transcends
On October 6, I participated in a virtual educational session hosted by the Boston Chapter of The Bridge, an inclusive not-for-profit networking organization that supports the development of female talent in Financial Lines insurance and reinsurance.
The discussion focused on current securities litigation trends, several of the topics featured in The D&O Diary’s “What to Watch” discussions, including ways artificial intelligence continues to impact D&O liability and insurance. We also discussed my career journey, the role mentorship has played throughout my professional development.
My sincere thanks to Mary Coughlin, Managing Director and Head of Strategy & Execution, FINEX Commercial North America at WTW (Willis), and Eileen Purcell of Travelers for inviting me to speak. I am also grateful for their efforts in organizing the virtual event and in-person watch party and for serving as moderators of the discussion.
Columbia University Guest Lecture
The next day, I guest lectured at Columbia University on the evolving NIL landscape and the management liability challenges facing universities and athletic departments in the post-House settlement environment. The presentation examined the growing centralization of NIL oversight within universities, along with the resulting governance, D&O, professional liability, and employment practices exposures, as well as recent legislative and regulatory developments.
As always, the discussion benefited from a highly engaged and knowledgeable group of students, many of whom have prior experience working in various segments of the sports industry.
I am grateful to Carla Varriale-Barker, Partner, and Courtney E. Dunn, Associate, both of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, for once again inviting me to speak to their Columbia University Sports Management and Law class.
