New Perspective from the Programs Sales team

As Zurich Programs continues to strengthen its sales organization, we’re excited to welcome Jack Madsen and Tina Allison Allen to the Programs Sales team.
Each brings a distinct background and perspective shaped by hands-on experience in the Programs space, underwriting, and relationship development.

In the following Q&A, Jack and Tina share how they approach their roles, support Program Administrators, and contribute to Zurich’s long-term, disciplined growth strategy.

Q: What are your primary areas of focus in your sales role within Zurich Programs?

Jack Madsen:

We are currently focused on Workers’ Compensation and Professional lines.

Tina Allison Allen:

My primary focus is identifying, evaluating, and scaling profitable Program opportunities that align with Zurich’s appetite and long-term growth strategy. I concentrate on building strong relationships with high quality Program Administrators.

Q: What region(s) do you cover and how do you typically work with Program Administrators in those markets?

Jack Madsen:

I focus on all states west of the Mississippi River. I consistently hold calls to discuss ongoing needs of the PA’s as well as attend conferences and meetings across the country to discuss PA needs and Zurich appetite.

Tina Allison Allen:

I cover the East Region & Midwest Region partnering with Program Administrators in key markets – Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Southeast. I spend time understanding the PA’s business model, underwriting expertise, and growth objectives ensuring program alignment and maintaining Zurich’s underwriting discipline and profitability.

Q: What three words best describe you in your Programs sales role?

Jack Madsen:

Experience, Trust, Prompt

Tina Allison Allen:

Collaborative. Disciplined. Strategic.

Q: How do those traits show up in how you work with program administrators and collaborate with your Zurich colleagues?

Jack Madsen:

My experience brings a relevance to my interactions with PA’s. I know what they are going through and how they think after 16 years of operating in the PA space myself. My experience brings trust to the PA’s in what we are delivering and communicating to them. I will always be prompt on the delivery of any results, positive or negative, to the process in how we evaluate submissions and get information back to the PA to allow them to swiftly move forward with our process or move on to a new carrier if not a fit for Zurich. A quick no is respected.

Tina Allison Allen:

Collaborative – I engage internal partners (line of business, underwriting, operations, actuary) early to create alignment and avoid channel conflict.

Disciplined – I maintain an underwriting and data-driven approach, ensuring we pursue opportunities that meet Zurich’s standards.

Strategic – I focus on long-term viability of a program – alignment between underwriting, distribution, scalability and profitability.

Q: What would you say are the key strengths you bring to your sales role within Programs?

Jack Madsen:

My experience has quickly developed with many of the PA’s I have spoken with already. I am driven to succeed, but humble enough to listen and learn. I have a desire to learn and that drives me to find and speak with new potential PA’s and discover their needs. I am competitive at my core and that also pushes me to continue the pursuit of new PA’s in the face of constant challenges.

Tina Allison Allen:

• Relationship building that balances growth with accountability.
• Ability to assess both the Program and the Program Administrator
• Strong underwriting acumen from my prior roles

Q: How do those strengths help program administrators navigate today’s market conditions or growth challenges?

Jack Madsen:

With the changing market today, you need to be able to be flexible. Having experience growing companies, wanting to succeed, but also understanding that listening to others can provide you ideas of a path forward while consistently keeping you striving for success. Having a “no quit” attitude is needed in a competitive marketplace. Encouraging PA’s that just because it may not be a fit now is not the end of the road. Being able to deliver tough decisions to the PA’s while being able to keep the lines of communication open is more important than anything.

Tina Allison Allen:

I focus on aligning Zurich’s long-term objectives with each Program Administrator’s growth strategy, so we are moving forward as partners - scaling program thoughtfully to build long term, profitable partnerships.

Q: Can you briefly share your professional background and the role you held before joining Zurich?

Jack Madsen:

I started in insurance as a retail producer in 2007 for a small regional agency in Seattle. I then decided to join a startup group in 2010 that began to build out a high limit excess/umbrella program for real estate/hospitality/habitational risks. We went from a $25M limit to a $300M limit in 2 years and sold it to a large competitor in 2015 and I worked for them for the next 5 years. I spend the prior 5 years to Zurich as the national sales executive for a current Zurich Program that focused on rental dwellings nationwide.

Tina Allison Allen:

I was previously with Zurich in 2020, where I focused on Middle Market Core – Industry Practices, working closely with brokers and internal underwriting teams to drive profitable growth across Real Estate, Retail, and Hospitality risks. That experience gave me a strong foundation in Zurich’s underwriting discipline, risk selection and distribution strategy, as well as how to balance growth with profitability in a competitive market.

Since then, I’ve continued to build my skillset and served as VP in Underwriting where I focused on building and scaling a Program of inner-city Package business. That experience gave me a strong foundation in underwriting discipline and program structure, allowing me to bring both a technical and relationship-oriented perspective to my role.

Q:  What is your educational background? What professional designations or certifications do you hold?

Jack Madsen:

I studied business management at Washington State University. I hold my P&C license in several states. 

Tina Allison Allen:

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a focus on the Theory of Law from the University of Pennsylvania. This background has shaped my analytical thinking and understanding of risk. In addition, I maintain my Illinois Producer’s License, which supports my understanding of insurance distribution.

Q: When partnering with internal Zurich teams such as underwriting, operations, claims, what is your primary focus to help ensure program success?

Jack Madsen:

Collaboration is key. I just have not had the time to really work closely with many Zurich team members yet.

Tina Allison Allen:

My primary focus is ensuring everyone has a clear understanding of the program’s strategy, data and expectations with alignment and transparency from the beginning. I engage early with consistent communication so that underwriting, operations, actuary, line of business are all working toward the same goal.

Q: What excites you the most about being part of Zurich Programs?

Jack Madsen:

I get to use my knowledge and experience as a former PA operator to bring a mindset to Programs that offers a different perspective that maybe traditional carriers don’t think about.

Tina Allison Allen:

What excites me most is the opportunity to be with a company that has been committed to the Programs space for 60+ years and has the reputation of being a reliable, consistent carrier partner. This creates a unique opportunity for the sales team to build high quality programs and to partner with top-tier PAs to drive meaningful growth.

Q: Personal note: Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work. How do you like to spend your time?

Jack Madsen:

I am an athlete at heart. I love competing. Golf and basketball are passions of mine. I coach youth basketball. When I am not coaching or playing, I enjoy any time supporting my 3 kids.

Tina Allison Allen:

I’ve been married for 23 years and have one daughter who is a junior at the University of Michigan – so, yes, fall weekends are very much dedicated to Michigan football and the Big House. I also have a mini goldendoodle named Bear, who runs the household.

Outside of work, I love traveling to see family and friends and taking advantage of everything Chicago has to offer – especially during the Spring, Summer and Fall (because we all know Chicago winters build character, but I prefer the sunshine).

Q: What’s one activity you always try to make time for, no matter how busy things get?

Jack Madsen:

My kid’s school and sports.

Tina Allison Allen:

Reformer Pilates. It keeps me strong, focused and balanced – both mentally and physically.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

Jack Madsen:

I have been to all 50 states.

Tina Allison Allen:

I may seem conservative, but apparently, I have a secret thrill-seeker streak - I’ve zip-lined over zoo animals in AZ….not once, but twice! It appears my inner risk-taker likes a safety harness.