Jessica Fields

Business Administration — Finance | Class of 2005

Although only three years removed from college, Jessica Fields '05 clearly recognizes how the opportunities she was afforded at Susquehanna continue to contribute to her success at Zurich North America.

As senior underwriter of the company's Management Solutions Group, Fields is responsible for evaluating the risk a given insured poses and then negotiating the price and terms of the insurance contract so that they are acceptable to both the insurer and the insured. Her line of business, directors and officers liability, calls for sharp negotiation skills, financial risk analysis, and engagement with a client company's executives, often including the CFO and general counsel.

She credits much of her skills and success to the curriculum and faculty of the Sigmund Weis School of Business.

"Dr. Nivine Richie and Dr. Leann Mischel both have significant industry experience in their respective fields and fostered learning that was highly practical," Fields says. "They prepared me well for the challenges of my career post graduation."

"Former Dean Jim Brock challenged me to expand my horizons and look toward international business experiences," she says, a challenge she accepted as the 2004 recipient of the Wayne H. Fisher International Business Internship and Scholarship.

The scholarship, sponsored by Wayne Fisher '66, who retired as chief risk officer for the Zurich Financial Services Group, allowed Fields to intern at the Zurich offices of three international insurance firms: Marsh Global, Broking Kessler & Co. and Guy Carpenter.

"This internship prepared me for the business world," she says. "It gave me the opportunity to learn the business of corporate insurance from an international standpoint at several firms, all while working with professionals from a diverse cross-section of cultures, including British, Swiss, German and American."

The internship allowed Fields to learn from Wayne Fisher '66, "which was an invaluable experience," she says. "He is one of our most thoughtful and accomplished business alumni."

Her accomplishments are many for a student who transferred to Susquehanna at the beginning of her sophomore year. "When I first visited Susquehanna, I was struck by the beautiful campus and friendly students and staff. Once I was accepted, my advisors and professors made sure I had the direction I needed to find my fit academically."