Zurich North America is strengthening its position with the appointment of Kristen Bessette as chief data officer.
Effective January 6, Bessette will oversee Zurich’s data and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, driving the company’s technological evolution. She will report to Barry Perkins, head of operations for Zurich North America, and will be based on the East Coast. This strategic appointment reflects Zurich’s ongoing commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into its operations.
Bessette brings extensive expertise in data, analytics, capital modeling, and reserving, honed through executive roles at leading multinational insurers. Her notable achievements include spearheading a multiyear data strategy that enhanced customer and partner experiences. Recognized as an industry leader, Bessette was named a Woman to Watch by Business Insurance in 2015 and an Executive to Watch by Risk & Insurance in 2022.
Before joining Zurich, Bessette held several senior leadership roles at Liberty Mutual Insurance, culminating as senior vice president and chief actuary for Commercial Insurance. She also served as chief actuary, data, and analytics officer at QBE North America, further solidifying her reputation as a visionary in the data and actuarial fields.
A fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, Bessette holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Bates College. Her commitment to education and industry development is evident through her service on the board of directors for the Spencer Educational Foundation, holding positions as treasurer and chair of the grants committee.
Founded in Switzerland in 1872 and expanded to North America in 1912, Zurich has been actively implementing AI tools since 2015, applying generative AI across various insurance functions. These applications support underwriters, claims teams, and customers through the development of AI models.
With Bessette at the helm of its data initiatives, Zurich North America is poised to further innovate and redefine the role of technology in insurance.
