Rising Star Yasser Baia
Yasser Baia, 23, underwrites digital assets, cyber and professional lines at digital insurer Relm Insurance. The 23-year-old came to re/insurance with support from the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies.
Give us a snapshot of your career to date.
I had finished a summer internship after graduating university in 2021 and was on the job hunt for about three months before I got a phone call from my Fairy Godmothers (Jane & Donna at BFIS) who mentioned that there was a startup which had just come to town that was looking into all things emerging risks and I knew it was the place from me. I managed to get involved in all aspects of the business and have been fortunate enough to now be an Underwriter in our Digital Assets, Cyber and Professional Lines team.
How did you come to choose a career in re/insurance?
I had always been around insurance my whole life, from internships to panel talks to various other events that the community would host. Additionally, the prospect of getting to meet the leaders at some of the biggest companies in the world and understand how they function and their ambitions and how we can ultimately partner with them only served to captivate me further.
What makes the re/insurance industry attractive to young professionals?
What Times Square billboards are to New York, insurance companies are to Bermuda. There’s a great allure of seeing all these big names all around you as you grow up. Your interest is piqued regardless of what field you’re interested in. There is also a plethora of events which are either hosted or sponsored by the industry that makes it really easy to engage with professionals.
What are the opportunities and challenges you’ve faced?
As a first-generation college graduate and young professional, I've encountered a unique set of opportunities and challenges. Navigating the corporate world without prior exposure has required a lot of self-initiative. Fortunately, I've been able to learn from various individuals and gain valuable perspectives that helped shape my career goals.
Was there someone who inspired you or acted as a mentor in your career?
Absolutely, my current manager, Donavan Burgess! Entering a new industry can be daunting, and having someone who genuinely cares about your success is invaluable. Donavan consistently pushes me to reach my full potential, both personally and professionally. His ability to navigate challenges while also guiding his team through them is truly inspiring. He exemplifies the ideal leader – someone who is still on their own journey while generously sharing their knowledge and experience.
What differences does your generation bring to the industry?
Our generation brings a strong focus on innovation to the re/insurance industry. Rigid structures and uninspiring environments hinder young talent. Fortunately, many industries, technologies, and educational materials resonate deeply with our generation, and these can be leveraged to drive significant growth and optimisation, not just for individual companies, but for the entire industry.
Is the industry welcoming to younger people?
When I started working at Relm, everyone that I interacted with over email or the phone thought I was in my 30s! I think people are more impressed when they hear from young people who are engaged, willing to learn and contribute.
What are your career goals?
My career goals are ambitious yet adaptive. I aspire to explore every dimension of risk transfer, aiming for comprehensive expertise in this multifaceted field. Along this journey, I seek to absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible, with the eventual aim of imparting this wisdom to the next generation.
If you had chosen a different career, what would it have been?
It's challenging to pinpoint just one alternative career path. I have a deep passion for coding and development, a profound fascination with law and policies, and find the realms of incident response and forensics incredibly intriguing. If I had a musical bone in my body, I would take the opportunity to be a composer! Ultimately, what truly drives me is the chance to create something meaningful and contribute to helping others. As long as I have that opportunity, I'm content with whichever path I tread.
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