Melissa Sowa
About Melissa Sowa
Melissa Sowa serves as the Senior Vice President and Head of Miscellaneous Professional Liability for North America at AXA XL, specializing in program management from both carrier and managing general agent perspectives. With extensive experience in the insurance industry, she has held various leadership roles at notable firms including AXIS Capital, Alliant Insurance Services, and Marsh.
Current Role at AXA XL
Melissa Sowa serves as the Senior Vice President and Head of Miscellaneous Professional Liability for North America at AXA XL. She has held this position since 2022. In her current role, she leads a team of underwriters and is responsible for recruitment, training, coaching, and mentoring. Sowa collaborates with various teams, including actuarial, claims, and GCUO, to monitor and review strategic initiatives within the organization.
Previous Experience at AXIS Capital
Prior to her role at AXA XL, Melissa Sowa worked at AXIS Capital as Vice President from 2014 to 2022. During her eight years at AXIS, she gained extensive experience in program management from both carrier and managing general agent perspectives. This role contributed to her expertise in the insurance industry.
Professional Background in Insurance
Melissa Sowa has a diverse background in the insurance sector, having held various positions at notable companies. She worked at Alliant Insurance Services as Vice President from 2008 to 2013, and at Marsh in multiple roles, including Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2008 and Assistant Vice President from 1995 to 2001. Additionally, she served as Assistant Vice President at Liberty Mutual Insurance for one year in 2001-2002 and as Senior Account Executive at Herbert L. Jamison & Co., LLC from 1991 to 1994.
Education and Academic Qualifications
Melissa Sowa holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Marketing from Wilkes University. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from King's College, where she completed a double major in Marketing and Psychology, along with a minor in Business Administration. Her educational background supports her expertise in marketing strategies and client engagement.
Marketing and Strategic Initiatives
Throughout her career, Melissa Sowa has developed non-traditional marketing strategies aimed at enhancing client engagement and product visibility. She plays a senior role in cross-selling and joint marketing initiatives, particularly with other professional and cyber insurance lines. Her focus on strategic initiatives reflects her commitment to advancing the insurance offerings at her organizations.