Kelly Kinzer

Skills and experience

Kelly Kinzer is Global Head of Construction and Surety for Zurich Insurance, responsible for profitable growth, strategy development and execution, and coordination of Construction and Surety leadership across the U.S., Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Kinzer, who is based in the U.S., reports to Global Specialty CEO Saad Mered and is the U.S. Representative to Global Specialty. She is a member of the Zurich North America Executive Committee and the Group Leadership Team.

She previously was Zurich North America’s President of Specialties, encompassing the U.S. Construction, Surety, Financial Lines, Energy, Marine, and Accident and Health (A&H) businesses.

From 2022 to early 2025, she was Head of Construction for Zurich North America, after serving as both Head of Construction Property and Head of Construction Casualty at Zurich. She started her career in Zurich’s Underwriting Training Program.

Kinzer’s underwriting experience is complemented by extensive broking experience, including at Willis Towers Watson, where she was Head of Construction Broking for North America, providing leadership and oversight across all lines of business. She also has worked in various roles at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty and Marsh & McLennan, including as Senior Vice President. She rejoined Zurich in 2019.

External appointments

Kinzer has served on the Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management’s Advisory Board at Illinois State University and as Executive Sponsor for Z Zurich Foundation and Women’s Executive Development initiatives. Kinzer was named a Business Insurance Woman to Watch in 2022 and a Business Insurance 40 Under 40 honoree in 2014.

Educational background

Kinzer graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Finance. She completed the Zurich Insurance Leadership Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.