Diane Larrivee, S & B’s Corporate Risk Manager, named as one of Business Insurance’s 25 Women to Watch for 2008

Donna Green — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Diane Larrivee
Corporate Risk Manager
S&B Engineers & Constructors Ltd.
Houston, Texas

Diane Larrivee is responsible for the procurement of all property, casualty and specialty lines of insurance as well as benefit programs at S & B. Within the organization, she advises the general counsel, assistant general counsel and other directors and managers on all risk management, coverage and claims issues. Ms. Larrivee also has given back to her community by providing risk management services to the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department for more than 10 years. She also is a lifetime member of the organization’s auxiliary and served as its president for four years. She also works with women in developing effective communication skills in creating relationships that work personally and professionally.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE INDUSTRY: "My father owned an insurance agency in Port Angeles, Wash., and I worked for him in high school. I worked for him for about five years, then I ended up buying the agency and running it with my sister for another five years. I then got married and moved to Seattle and worked for a commercial brokerage there for about two and a half years. Then I moved to Texas and worked on the S & B account, and S & B offered me the position as risk manager. That was 19 years ago."

THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: "I’m really into reading and quotes. I have a quote by Wayne Dyer and it’s, 'The attachment to being right creates suffering. When you have a choice to be right or to be kind, choose kind and watch your suffering disappear.' I don’t always remember to do that, but when I do, it’s a beautiful thing. Conversations always work out and it’s satisfactory on both sides. There’s also another one that I got from a leadership program I took, and it is, “You can say just about anything to anyone as long as you love them while you’re doing it.” When I remember to do that, that works too."

ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING IN THE INDUSTRY: "Straight authentic communication absolutely works. People can handle the truth, so just be straight with them. Don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong. That’s how we learn. When you’re honest and forthcoming like that, it allows them to be the same and really furthers your relationship."

WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE PROFESSIONALLY WHILE GROWING UP: "I wanted to be three different things. When I was really little I wanted to be a ballerina. Then I wanted to be a teacher or a writer, because I learned to read when I was four years old and I loved reading and wanted to write. But I ended up living happily every after in risk management and insurance."

5-Jan-09 1:00 PM

S & B Engineers and Constructors, Ltd. - Articles

Diane Larrivee, S & B’s Corporate Risk Manager, named as one of Business Insurance’s 25 Women to Watch for 2008