Courtney Davis Curtis, MBA, CPCU, ARM, ARM-E

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One thing about working in higher education risk management that surprised Courtney Davis Curtis is that those managing the compliance, insurance and risk needs of competing universities and colleges almost always share trade secrets. “We share information, raise questions and help one another. We can say, ‘I checked with 10 other institutions, and here’s what they said,’” she said. “Before COVID-19, somebody has usually dealt with something before.” Campuses, such as the University of… Show more

One thing about working in higher education risk management that surprised Courtney Davis Curtis is that those managing the compliance, insurance and risk needs of competing universities and colleges almost always share trade secrets. “We share information, raise questions and help one another. We can say, ‘I checked with 10 other institutions, and here’s what they said,’” she said. “Before COVID-19, somebody has usually dealt with something before.” Campuses, such as the University of Chicago’s sprawling urban campus on the south side of Chicago that enrolls more than 16,000 students, are like “little cities,” she said, listing the various components, including housing, hospitality, facilities, grounds and a medical center.
The challenge of keeping the campus safe in the pandemic is a novelty, Ms. Davis Curtis said, adding that when the time came in the spring to make plans for a fall opening at the university she volunteered to help.
“A pandemic is a long-term event, and you have to figure out how to adapt and move forward,” she said of a discussion that is now universal in the college setting and comes up often in her role as president-elect of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association. “This has created a lot of opportunities to get involved to help the institution, where there was no road, no right or wrong way to do things. It’s been phenomenal, talking with epidemiologists and consultants. … Wearing my risk management hat, I have been in working groups to think through some of these issues.” Ms. Davis Curtis’ first two jobs of her career were with brokers — Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Marsh LCC — both in higher education risk management.

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Striking the Right Balance

Where colleges see insurance coverage problems, Courtney Davis sees opportunities to leverage her negotiating skills.

At the University of Chicago, a liability insurer’s stringent claims-reporting requirements were hurting the institution’s ability to internally handle claims efficiently. At renewal, Davis persuaded the insurer to modify the requirements so the school could, among other things, submit only quarterly bordereau reports for certain… Show more

Striking the Right Balance

Where colleges see insurance coverage problems, Courtney Davis sees opportunities to leverage her negotiating skills.

At the University of Chicago, a liability insurer’s stringent claims-reporting requirements were hurting the institution’s ability to internally handle claims efficiently. At renewal, Davis persuaded the insurer to modify the requirements so the school could, among other things, submit only quarterly bordereau reports for certain claims.

For the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Davis spearheaded the marketing of a property/casualty and workers’ compensation program.

“Throughout the entire process, Courtney offered exceptional guidance and options, and managed to balance the needs of seven private, nonprofit higher education institutions,” said Suzanne Lidtke, director of member services.

After a marketing campaign involving nearly 20 insurers, the group opted to remain with the incumbent insurer — for a 5 percent premium cut. By comparison, most renewals of similar programs resulted in single-digit increases. “Through her efforts, our program remained competitive, with members saving 15 percent overall,” Lidtke said.

Additionally, group members had questions and opinions about the distribution of their workers’ comp dividend. “Courtney turned around information and options to the group quickly and often — at least three times — since there were a variety of options for our members to choose from,” Lidtke said.

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Courtney Davis joined the University of Chicago as director of risk management in 2015. She got her start in the industry during an internship with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., which she joined full time as an account executive in the firm’s higher education practice after she graduated. She continued her education focus as a vice president and education placement specialist for Marsh USA Inc. in 2012. At the University of Chicago, she is accountable for achieving strategic objectives and… Show more

Courtney Davis joined the University of Chicago as director of risk management in 2015. She got her start in the industry during an internship with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., which she joined full time as an account executive in the firm’s higher education practice after she graduated. She continued her education focus as a vice president and education placement specialist for Marsh USA Inc. in 2012. At the University of Chicago, she is accountable for achieving strategic objectives and ensuring effective risk management for the organization.

Top industry concern

If you would have asked me a year ago, this would probably be different, but I think it’s politics and the regulatory impact it has on our industry, especially when comes to things like international exposure and cyber liability.

What inspires you?

I think what inspires me is my ability to impact and lead others. I have a lot of younger family members who I want to be an example to and other family members who I want to make proud. I also feel like I represent in my everyday life a minority in the industry. I’m a minority because I’m a woman, but I’m also a minority because I’m a woman of color, and I feel like I should be the inspiration to others and impact my community whether that’s closely with my family or larger in terms of the demographics I represent.

Hobbies and interests

Working out. I love spending time with my family. Watching sports and traveling. I do have a few guilty pleasures like a few of the TV shows I like to watch or play games on my phone. I like watching football so much, I do fantasy football with a group of women, which you don’t hear very often. We’re pretty good, too. I haven’t won yet, so there’s some good competition.

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