Skills and experience
Kelly Kinzer is Zurich North America’s Head of Specialties, which encompasses Zurich’s Construction, Surety and Financial Lines businesses. Kinzer reports directly to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn and is a member of the Zurich North America Executive Committee and the Group Leadership Team.
In her current role, Kinzer is responsible for delivering underwriting results and driving sales execution, talent management strategies and innovative products and services for the businesses that constitute Specialties.
From 2022 to early 2025, she was Head of Construction for Zurich North America, after serving as both Head of Construction Property and Head of Construction Casualty at Zurich. She started her career in Zurich’s Underwriting Training Program.
Kinzer’s underwriting experience is complemented by extensive broking experience, including at Willis Towers Watson, where she was Head of Construction Broking for North America, providing leadership and oversight across all lines of business. She also has worked in various roles at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty and Marsh & McLennan, including as Senior Vice President. She rejoined Zurich in 2019.
Kinzer is the Executive Sponsor for Zurich North America’s Women’s Executive Development Program. She is the Z Zurich Foundation Executive Sponsor for Head in the Game, which leverages sports to promote the mental wellbeing of teens in the United States. Kinzer was named a Business Insurance Woman to Watch in 2022 and a Business Insurance 40 Under 40 honoree in 2014.
External appointments
Kinzer is on the Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management’s Advisory Board at Illinois State University.
Educational background
Kinzer graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Finance. She completed the Zurich Insurance Leadership Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.