Shae James

Biography

If you compare yourself now with when you first entered the GTP, how have you changed?

One thing that I found I was missing from other project-related roles I had been in was autonomy to lead my own projects. The GTP programme helped to fill this gap for me, which greatly increased my confidence. It has also very beneficial to be able to practically apply the educational knowledge and principles I have learned. This was an important step that the GTP provided and it helped me grow tremendously.

What project or accomplishment during the programme are you most proud of and why?

Professional and personal development have been the most important aspects of the programme for me. Through the GTP, I have been able to earn a designation as an Associate in Risk Management – Enterprise and Project Management Professional. I was also able to obtain my Reinsurance Association of America Scholar certificate. I am very proud of these accomplishments.
 

What course/certification/designation earned during the GTP best prepared you for success in your current role and how?

The Project Management Professional designation that I earned while in the GTP has been the most beneficial designation for my success as a Senior Project Analyst as it cemented the project management fundamentals and methodologies required for success. It has also made sharing the experience and knowledge easier with others on my team who have aspirations in project management.

How did the BMA support your professional growth?

Over the years, the BMA has provided me with multiple opportunities for technical growth. I have even enjoyed taking my team to travel for international exposure, training, speaking on panels and worldwide networking. As the insurance industry develops, the BMA is also advancing to ensure we remain a sophisticated and respected financial service regulator. Therefore, I aim to align with this evolution and am currently focused on enhancing my expertise in emerging markets while further expanding my knowledge of the BMA’s application of our regulatory oversight of life insurance and innovative companies that are gaining traction. I am also continuously expanding my executive presence by being involved in various working groups and committees, where I participate in strategic decision-making matters at a managerial level. 

What additional learning opportunities or special projects has the BMA offered you, and which one was most memorable?

I intentionally make all discussions, applications and even meetings learning opportunities. There is always something new to learn as long as you are fully present and always have a good listening ear so you can understand others’ perspectives. 

One of my most memorable opportunities was speaking on my first panel in Chicago, Illinois, alongside speakers from other domiciles regarding regulatory provisions of captive insurers. Although I was nervous, I learned from this experience that I could focus on what I already knew and on being myself, rather than becoming overly focused on providing a perfect response.

What roles have you held at the BMA, and how long did it take to become a manager?

I was first promoted to Senior Analyst when I completed the GTP in 2012 and then to  Senior Officer in 2017. In 2018, I was promoted to Principal and in 2019, to Assistant Director on the Insurance Licensing team.

How have you applied what you learned from your manager to how you manage your team today?

My managers were very supportive from the beginning and ensured I always developed my technical skill sets. There is such a vast wealth of knowledge to learn at the BMA. As a result, I gained dynamic amount of skill sets ranging from insights into corporate structures to legal and compliance matters, supervisory requirements and developing policies and procedures. While I learned a lot from an insurance perspective as a GTP trainee, I also benefitted from developing relationships with my BMA and industry peers. I am also grateful to the BMA for providing me with an environment that always welcomed my voice being heard, which helped me become my most authentic self during my career progression. Consequently, I continuously aim to provide my team with similar meaningful experiences and training opportunities to develop and showcase their skill sets. 

What transferable skills have prepared you to manage your team?

I have found that being authentic has resulted in the best results for myself and my Team. The positive energy I reflect is respected by my team and it encourages them to collaborate in a healthy environment where openness is valued. As I am always willing to learn new things, therefore I always try to encourage my Team to have the confidence to make decisions and suggest changes so that we all can continuously grow together.

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