In this episode, we talk with Kate Stillwell, PE, SE, MBA, president of parametric insurance at Neptune Flood about parametric insurance in structural engineering and how it empowers communities with faster, more accessible recovery after disasters. We explore her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship and the innovative models driving resilience.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Kate Stillwell, PE, SE, MBA:
- When you moved into parametric insurance, how did you aim to help building owners better understand hazards, resilience, and coverage?
- How does parametric insurance work, and in what ways does it make recovery more affordable and accessible for communities after disasters?
- In what ways has your background in structural engineering influenced the work you do in the insurance industry today?
- What challenges did you face when launching Jumpstart in a new insurance industry, and how did you overcome them?
- Looking back across your ventures, what practices have you found most valuable to repeat, and what lessons would you approach differently?
- From your involvement with the U.S. Resiliency Council and the Global Earthquake Model, what insights can structural engineers gain from startups and collaborative resilience efforts?
- How do committees like those connected to FEMA support resilience in engineering, and why should structural engineers consider getting involved in them?
- What role have mentors played in your career, and what should engineers look for when seeking mentors of their own?
- What final piece of advice would you give to structural engineers who want to step into leadership, drive innovation, or start their own companies?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Parametric Insurance Transforms Structural Engineering Resilience:
- Insurance and resilience connect financial incentives with stronger, more resilient buildings. By linking safety to economic protection, it encourages owners to go beyond minimum code requirements.
- Parametric insurance provides a lump sum payout triggered by measurable events like earthquake magnitude. It delivers fast, flexible funds that individuals and communities can use immediately for recovery.
- Structural engineering expertise brings credibility and opens doors in the insurance sector. This technical foundation aligns financial products with positive social impact.
- Breaking into a new industry requires persistence in building relationships and trust. Creative engagement and visibility help secure partnerships and bring insurance innovation forward.
- Collaboration across multiple disciplines consistently proves valuable in advancing resilience. Pacing ambition carefully reduces financial and personal strain while supporting long-term progress.
- Committee participation provides opportunities to learn from diverse industries and shape ideas that strengthen community resilience. Rating systems and global data platforms show how engineering knowledge can serve society more broadly.
- Committees align engineering expertise with public sector initiatives that strengthen disaster preparedness. Participation allows engineers to collaborate, influence decisions, and extend their impact beyond single projects.
- Mentors expand vision by connecting engineering work to economic and social systems. Engineers gain the most from mentors who challenge thinking and reinforce values that guide career growth.
- Defining and articulating a North Star gives engineers clarity of purpose. Organizing efforts around this vision strengthens resilience in leadership and innovation.
More Details in This Episode…
About Kate Stillwell, PE, SE, MBA:
Kate is a past president of SEAONC and an insurtech entrepreneur. As a structural engineer, she worked for Degenkolb, Holmes Group, and Greg Luth. In 2015 she founded Jumpstart, the first parametric insurance for US consumers. Jumpstart was acquired by Neptune Flood, where Kate continues to develop new insurance products. Kate is also a co-founder of FireBreak, a startup using AI to help solve wildfire insurability. Previously, Kate co-founded the US Resiliency Council and the Global Earthquake Model.
About the Host
Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
Mathew is a licensed engineer, practicing on structural projects in California, with an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego. He has designed and managed various types of building structures, including residential wood apartment buildings, commercial steel buildings, concrete parking structures and towers. He also hosts the new YouTube channel “Structural Engineering Life,” through which he promotes the structural engineering profession to engineering students who are not familiar with the industry perspective.
Sources/References:
Neptune Flood
Jumpstart Insurance
California Department of Insurance
Lloyd’s of London
InsureTech Connect
U.S. Resiliency Council (USRC)
Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Degenkolb Engineers
Safe Enough to Stay
SPUR (San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association)
Stanford University
San Francisco Neighborhood Empowerment Network (NEN)
Connect with Kate Stillwell on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
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