In an era of economic turbulence and rapid change, insurance professionals are increasingly expected to deliver more than policies. They are called on to provide foresight, resilience, and strategies for growth.
Few understand this shift better than Ben Wright (pictured), principal US economist at The Hartford’s Global Insights Center, where he and his team analyze macroeconomics, geopolitics, and sectoral risks to provide actionable insights across the insurance industry.
For Wright, who will celebrate his two-year anniversary at The Hartford this October, the role represents both a new chapter and a natural extension of his career. His background spans consulting, government, and financial services, including roles at Visa, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a California-focused consulting firm.
Yet insurance has offered something uniquely rewarding. “It offers interesting, high-impact roles that add resilience to the economy while helping industries navigate risk,” Wright said.
When asked what it means to “future-proof” the insurance sector, Wright pointed to the power of data-driven insights.
“The world has become increasingly volatile and uncertain, so adding more analysis is critical. But doing the big-picture research isn’t enough,” he said. “We take it a step further and connect the dots between global trends and the insurance business, and we focus on topics that move the needle for our partners and clients.”
“When new tariffs were introduced in early 2025, and as the tariff landscape changed over the following months, this framework added speed and agility to our firm,” Wright said.
Insurance is contending with both turbulence and opportunity, from economic shifts and regulatory changes to rising customer expectations. To stay ahead, The Hartford has expanded its team of economists and geopolitical analysts, embedding them more deeply across the business.
“We now have five professionals devoted to this work full-time, with a presence on both coasts, and we’re expanding the topics we cover. We’re actively monitoring more parts of the globe, and also more corners of the US,” Wright said. “If our clients are successful, we’re successful, and it’s been rewarding to watch the impact of our work.”
Wright was drawn to The Hartford for its culture of innovation. At the Global Insights Center, his team goes “beyond the headlines,” examining causes and effects rather than surface-level narratives.
“Our work is designed to help businesses gain a deeper understanding of the trends shaping the world economy, leaving them better prepared to navigate challenges and maximize opportunities,” he told Insurance Business.
What excites him most about the future of the industry is how it is redefining its purpose.
“The Hartford is reimagining its role, not just as risk managers, but as partners in resilience and growth,” Wright said. “We focus on connecting the dots between global trends and the insurance business. If our clients are successful, we’re successful, and it’s been rewarding to watch the impact of that approach.”
For those eager to make an impact in insurance, especially women seeking to drive innovation and become resilience partners, Wright offered four guiding principles:
Wright will share more of his insights as a featured panelist at the Women in Insurance Summit Los Angeles on October 30. He will participate in the “Future-proofing Insurance – Navigating trends, turbulence, and tomorrow’s opportunities,” where executives will discuss:
The Women in Insurance Summit is an annual event that gathers industry leaders to exchange strategies, foster collaboration, and empower professionals to shape the future of insurance. Women in Insurance Summit is also one of the top global and US insurance events in the list to find key growth opportunities for brokers.
For more information and to register, visit Women in Insurance Summit Los Angeles.
