Norman Allen
About Norman Allen
Norman Allen is a Partner and Senior Vice President at Woodruff Sawyer, where he has worked since 2009. With over 25 years of experience in risk mitigation and business insurance, he specializes in providing tailored insurance solutions to startups and Fortune 100 companies.
Current Role at Woodruff Sawyer
Norman Allen serves as a Partner and Senior Vice President at Woodruff Sawyer, a position he has held since 2009. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he specializes in Management Liability, providing customized insurance solutions to both startups and Fortune 100 companies. His expertise has contributed to Woodruff Sawyer's significant market presence, including serving 34% of California IPOs in the last five years and 20% of all California public companies.
Previous Experience at Carpenter Moore and NASDAQ
Prior to his current role, Norman Allen worked at Carpenter Moore as Senior Managing Director from 1999 to 2009, where he gained extensive experience in risk management. He also held the position of Senior Managing Director at NASDAQ from 2005 to 2009. His background in these roles has equipped him with valuable insights into the financial and insurance sectors.
Education and Legal Qualifications
Norman Allen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of the Pacific, where he studied from 1984 to 1988. He furthered his education at the University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law, achieving his Juris Doctor degree with honors from 1991 to 1994. His educational background supports his expertise in risk mitigation and business insurance.
Contributions to California's Business Landscape
Norman Allen has played a significant role in enhancing Woodruff Sawyer's reputation in the insurance industry. He has been instrumental in the firm's involvement with 28% of all California unicorns and has helped position Woodruff Sawyer as one of the top Directors and Officers (D&O) brokers, serving 40% of the top 25 venture capital firms. His work spans various sectors, including Social, Genomics, Healthcare, Greentech, Big Data, Internet, and the On-Demand Economy.
Early Career and Leadership Roles
Before entering the insurance industry, Norman Allen worked with Phi Delta Theta Fraternity from 1988 to 1991. He held several positions, including Director of Chapter Services and Leadership Consultant. This early experience in leadership and organizational management laid a foundation for his later success in the corporate sector.