Fiona Spinelli is a student in the M.P.S. in Insurance Management ('24) program at the School of Professional Studies and was awarded the Spencer Scholarship twice, for both the 2022 and 2023 academic years. The Spencer Educational Foundation has been a very generous partner with the program, and several Insurance Management program students have been awarded the Spencer Scholarship to date. The Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing a master’s degree, part-time or full-time, who are seeking a career in risk management, insurance, and/or actuarial science and are enrolled at an accredited college/university in the United States and Canada for at least one full academic year (two semesters).
In an interview with SPS, Spinelli talked about how she got her start in the insurance industry, her involvement with the Spencer Educational Foundation, and how the program will help advance her career.
Edited excerpts:
How did you get your start in the insurance industry?
I received my undergraduate degree in business from Temple University in Philadelphia. Entering Temple, I knew I was leaning toward business, [but] I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. Part of their business program is taking an intro course to each [business school] major. So I had to take Intro to Risk Management and Insurance, and I ended up finding it fascinating. Prior to that course, I knew very little about the insurance industry. After discovering the vast opportunities within the industry, I switched my major to risk management and insurance. Upon graduation, I joined Willis Towers Watson’s graduate development program, where I was able to rotate through various lines of business and discover which area I wanted to grow my career in. I am now working at Aon within their Financial Services Group, placing management and professional liability insurance.
Why did you choose to enroll in Columbia’s Insurance Management program?
I knew I always wanted a graduate degree; I just wasn’t sure which one. I had thought about an M.B.A., but then discovered Columbia’s Insurance Management Program and liked that it was insurance-specific. Some of the other insurance programs out there seem to be teaching what I had already learned as an undergraduate and through my CPCU courses. I wanted something that was more innovative and forward-thinking, and that’s what I saw within the Columbia program. I reached out to Teresa Chan, our program director, and had a great conversation with her. I also reached out to a couple other current students and I chatted with them, and everyone had only positive things to say. I was like, “I might as well apply!”
How did the Spencer Educational Foundation help your career?
I was also a recipient of the Spencer Scholarship in undergrad, so I have had quite a bit of involvement with the foundation. The Spencer Foundation has provided me with many networking and mentorship opportunities as well and educational opportunities through the years. Spencer’s goal is to promote the industry by supporting the next generation of talent. The older generation always say they fell into the industry. I think Spencer’s goal is for individuals to choose this industry.
Where are you going to go from here?
The insurance industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, and the program is preparing us to be ready for this change. I am learning valuable skills that I hope to take with me throughout my career.
About the Program
The Columbia University Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management equips a new generation of professionals to lead insurance businesses with advanced industry knowledge, strategic and operational expertise, and the skills to champion new ideas.
