On the earth of insurance coverage, few names resonate as deeply as H.W. Kaufman Group. On the coronary heart of this legacy is Daniel J. Kaufman (pictured), government vice chairman, who not too long ago sat down with Insurance coverage Enterprise to debate his journey, the challenges of the pandemic, and his dedication to group service.

“I grew up across the insurance coverage business,” he mentioned. “My grandfather based this firm in 1969. I grew up coming to the workplace, having lunch with him. Again then, we had been very formal. I’d placed on a go well with and tie to go to. I fell in love with the business. It was a people-first business constructed on relationships, handshakes, and friendships.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, Daniel J. Kaufman went to regulation college, regardless of realizing his coronary heart was set on insurance coverage. “After regulation college, I joined the business immediately,” he mentioned. “Having a regulation background could be very useful. It helps me see issues in a sure manner.”

His journey within the business has since been various. From internships at 16, roles in knowledge entry, to changing into a property dealer in Chicago, he has seen all of it. “In 2017, once I moved again to Detroit, I took on the accountability as chief working officer for Burns Wilcox within the US. In 2021, I turned president of Burns and Wilcox with an emphasis on the US.”

Pandemic creates alternatives

The pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges. However for Daniel J. Kaufman and his workforce, it was additionally a time of innovation and development.

“We started our digitalization roadmap previous to COVID,” he defined. “One of many first issues our new CEO did was take a look at our infrastructure. By happenstance, this received us prepared for a very digital surroundings. So, when March 13, 2020, got here round, we had been able to go absolutely distant. We had been forward of the sport.”

The corporate’s proactive strategy to know-how paid off. Whereas others had been making cuts, Burns and Wilcox signed a contract with Salesforce, investing over $100 million to overtake its programs. “We’re three years into that venture now,” he mentioned. “We’re beginning to roll out that system, constructing the way forward for the corporate on this new digital platform.”

A vibrant future

Wanting forward, Daniel J. Kaufman is optimistic. “We’re all the time wanting to herald prime expertise,” he mentioned. “We construct our firm on prime individuals. We’re additionally acquisitions. There’s plenty of consolidation within the area. We’ve got a five-year plan to double in measurement by 2028, organically and thru buying.”

However past enterprise, his coronary heart lies in group service. A proud fifth technology Detroiter, he’s deeply invested within the metropolis’s revitalization.

“Wherever I’m going on the planet, I closely promote Detroit,” he mentioned. “After I got here again in 2017, I invested each my time and {dollars} into the town.” He’s significantly passionate concerning the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the place he’s co-chairing a $75 million endowment marketing campaign. “Organizations in Detroit are very important to the town. They promote companies, tourism, and schooling.”

For Daniel J. Kaufman, giving again isn’t only a private mission; it’s a company-wide ethos.

“It’s essential that each one of our individuals give again to the communities during which we do enterprise,” he mentioned. “If I’m not doing it, then we are able to’t anticipate our individuals to do it. We ask our individuals to provide again in all methods, in all places we do enterprise.”

In a world that’s consistently altering, he stands as a testomony to the ability of legacy, innovation, and group service. His journey, from a younger boy visiting his grandfather’s workplace to main one of many business’s giants, is actually inspiring. And as he seems to the long run, one factor is evident: one of the best is but to return.