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Corbett Doyle, who founded Aon's health care industry practice group, isn't shy about saying what's on her mind. An accomplished public speaker, she's an advocate for diversity in the workplace and admits that insurance brokers and insurance companies have not been known for a commitment to or an investment in diversity. She was recently named Aon's first Chief Diversity Officer, reporting to CEO Gregory Case.

"I have strong opinions and I tend to voice them," she says, speculating that may be why Case picked her for the job. It may also help that she founded the firm's health care industry practice and, at the time she was named, oversaw 12 practice groups.

The executive ranks of brokers and insurance companies have been known as the last bastion of the white male, complete with the pinstripe suit, white shirt and regimental tie, making her job all the more challenging. Case lists "talent management" as part of his "three imperatives" for Aon which include a compelling value proposition and operational excellence. Doyle's job will be to retain, expand and develop a pool of talented and diverse employees throughout the organization, in every business function and across the world.

She points out that Aon has made significant progress especially among new hires. Last year Aon hired five newly minted college grads. This year Aon will hire 65 new college grads and, Doyle reports, next year Aon will add another 120 right from graduation. She says many of those, if not most, will be women or minority executives.

She's refreshingly blunt in her assessment. "You can't get the best talent if you hire only white males," she added.

Doyle, 49, an accomplished motivational speaker, a Risk & Insurance® Power Broker, a career mentor and a novelist, says it will take five years to accomplish her major goals, although she expects to see results quickly.

May 1, 2006

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