My first job was at a pool club in Raleigh, North Carolina. I was 14, sweeping the pool deck and keeping things tidy while the older kids got to be lifeguards. The next summer, I finally earned the whistle and got to sit in the high chair. That early job taught me what it felt like to be responsible for keeping people safe. I didn’t know it then, but that was the start of a career in risk.

For more than two decades, I’ve learned that risk isn’t something you manage from the sidelines. It’s woven into every decision a business makes — how you grow, how you protect what you’ve built, and how you prepare for what’s next. Today, as chief risk officer at Sequoia and president of the Risk Management Insurance Society (RIMS), I spend a lot of time thinking about how we help companies connect those dots. Because when you understand risk, you can tell the stories behind it. And that’s when the real value shows up.

That’s what this column is about.

Each month, I’ll be writing about what’s changing in the risk and insurance world, how to think more holistically about the total cost of risk, and how legal and risk leaders can better align to make smarter, faster decisions. I’ll also dig into what’s behind the headlines —from extreme weather to cyber security — and what it all means for companies trying to protect their people, data, and bottom line.

Risk is full of unknowns. That’s why storytelling is so important. As a risk professional, CFO, or in-house counsel, navigating these decisions — you need to understand how to craft the right story. That means understanding your risk appetite, asking leadership uncomfortable questions, and creating a clear narrative for underwriters, boards, and internal partners. What makes a risk a good bet? What’s missing? And how do you show that you’ve thought three steps ahead?

At Sequoia, we ask these questions every day. We place corporate insurance programs, we underwrite coverage for startups, and we advise our clients as if we were in their shoes —because many of us were. I started my career on the corporate risk side. That experience helps me think through problems from the inside out, and it’s why I believe so strongly in where Sequoia shines: exceptional client service. We’re not just selling coverage — we’re building partnerships that help our clients grow smarter and safer.

The truth is, not every company has a risk manager. But every company has an insurance broker. That broker needs to be more than a middleman. They need to be a translator, a strategist, and a storyteller. And that’s exactly what we aim to be at Sequoia.

So, whether you’re a legal leader trying to understand your organization’s exposure, or a startup wondering if your cyber coverage actually covers what you think it does, this column is for you. Let’s talk about what’s ahead, what’s changing, and how to navigate it together.

Because if nothing bad happens, we’ve done our job. But if something does? We’ll be ready.

Related:

Cyber Liability Risk in the Age of AI: Smarter Tools, Higher Stakes

Is Computer Science the New Liberal Arts Degree?

Kristen Peed — is the Chief Risk Officer at Sequoia and has over two decades of experience in the risk industry. She leads the placement of Sequoia’s corporate insurance programs, including captive operations, enterprise risk management, and the Risk team. Kristen also serves as the 2025 President of the Risk Management and Insurance Society (RIMS) and was named one of Captive Review’s Top 20 Captive Owners for 2025. She earned her B.A. in Industrial Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of work, Kristen enjoys training for half-marathons with her dog, golfing with her husband, and going to the beaches of South Carolina.