At Accelerant, we believe our people are the driving force behind our mission to reshape the insurance industry. Our Employee Perspectives series highlights the talented individuals who are helping us build a smarter, more connected ecosystem. Today, we’re excited to feature Lisa Dauwalter, Director of Business Operations.
What is your role at Accelerant?
As Director of Business Operations, I lead cross-functional strategic initiatives and help teams drive process improvements for greater operational efficiency. My favorite days at work are spent fostering collaboration across silos and witnessing the magic that happens when people think outside the box together. I believe everyone is an analyst—regardless of their role. We just need to create the space, processes, and tools to think critically and creatively.
Favorite book: Where the Crawdads Sing
Favorite movie: Casablanca
Favorite podcast: Armchair Expert—always an excellent conversation about what makes us human. As a former anthropology student, I can’t get enough of this kind of content.
On a day off, you can find me: Hiking or skiing in the Wasatch mountains.
Something on my bucket list: Skiing in Japan.
Go-to comfort food: Pizza, always.
A key staple in my morning routine: Meditation
What is a project you worked on at Accelerant that you’re particularly proud of?
Right now, we’re working on optimizing data capture and tracking across our customer lifecycles, and I’m really proud of how many teams across the organization we’ve brought together in this effort. The enthusiasm and collaboration we’re seeing are what make work fun.
How do you stay creative or innovative when you’re in a rut?
Get outside! I’ll generate way more ideas on a walk than in a chair.
What advice would you give someone exploring career opportunities?
Try ANYTHING. Your unique combination of experiences is what will set you apart. Don’t focus too much on finding the perfect path—there’s something to be learned in everything.
How do you foster teamwork and collaboration on your team?
Everyone knows I love a whiteboard exercise—they’re my go-to tool for giving teams the space to think creatively together. Ten people and a whiteboard are greater than one person and a PowerPoint.