APIW Insurance Woman of Year: industry needs to attract talent.

Communication is a key part of Rebecca C. Amoroso's job as vice chairwoman and U.S. insurance industry group leader of Deloitte LLP, but words didn't come easily when she learned that the Association of Professional Insurance Women Inc. selected her as this year's recipient of the APIW Insurance Woman of the Year Award.

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"I'm almost speechless at times when I think about it,' said Amoroso. "But I think it is a great honor."

Amoroso, who has been at Deloitte for 22 years and in her current position for two, oversees more than 2,000 professionals in more than 50 cities across the United States and sits on the steering committee of Deloitte's Women's Initiative.

Amoroso said she sees very specific trends impacting the industry during the next several years.

"On property and casualty, we're heading Into a very soft traderwriting cycle," she said. "Prices and rates are starting to come down, and that's putting a lot of pressure on the system."

Also, she said, the industry is facing the possibility that it is not attracting people who can meet the new challenges.

She began her career as a property/casualty actuary, first at ISO and then five years with American International Group. She has seen the role of women In the insurance industry morph over the years. "I do think the opportunity is definitely improving, but we definitely have more progress to make in the industry," she said.

* Listen to the entire interview with Rebecca C. Amoroso at www.bestdayaudio.com