Fiona Spinelli

How does this program differentiate from an M.B.A. (if applicable)?

Having previously obtained my bachelor’s in business administration, I felt like a traditional MBA would be repetitive of the many broad topics I had already studied. After some research, I decided that I would personally gain greater benefit from a program tailored to my chosen career path in Insurance. Upon discovering Columbia’s Master’s in Insurance Management program, I knew it would be a perfect fit. I appreciated not only the program's focus on industry knowledge, but also the large emphasis on the development of the skills necessary to become a forward-thinking, innovative, and strategic leader in a rapidly evolving industry. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to prospective students? 

My biggest piece of advice to prospective students would be that you will get out of the program what you put into it. Be inquisitive, ask questions, challenge ideas, and develop deep relationships with your peers and professors. Your professors want you to succeed and are excited to share their vast knowledge with you – so utilize them! 

How were you able to build meaningful relationships in this online program? How did you engage with faculty, students, and guest speakers? 

The best part of the program was the connections that developed. Our class became extremely close during the first in-person residency and these connections continued to flourish throughout the program (and beyond!). Almost every course had a group project component and for most of the courses, the professor assigned us our groups. These professor-selected group assignments ensured that we were able to work with as many different members of the cohort as possible, which I appreciated. Office hours were another great opportunity to build meaningful relationships with professors and classmates, and many productive discussions were had during these sessions. 

How have you been able to integrate what you have learned in the program into the workplace? Please give a specific example if applicable.

Artificial Intelligence continues to be a hot topic amongst clients, colleagues, and carrier partners. Before beginning the program, I had a very basic understanding of AI and was unaware of the transformative impact that it would likely have on the insurance industry. Columbia's Master’s in Insurance Management program equipped me with the knowledge necessary to understand the foundations of AI, its potential impact, the associated risks, and the insurance coverage implications that could arise as a result. During our final semester, I focused my Applied Research project on the creation of an AI Risk Register to better understand client’s risk exposures around AI implementation and usage. I am now much more confident in discussing these risks with my clients and underwriters.