Dibet Khobyer
Senior account manager captive practice group
Gallagher Bassett
Personal bio: I was in born 1980 in Iran and my family migrated to the US when I was 11 years old. I have lived in Southern California for most of my life. I am fluent in Farsi and Assyrian, and I am always looking to brush up on my language skills. I married my true love three years ago. I love to meet new people, hear all about their life stories and learn what makes them tick. I apply my high energy and passion for my work and my day-today life. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, travelling, attending sporting events and shopping.
Professional profile: I have a business administration degree with a concentration in business marketing from Cal State Stanislaus. After graduation, I joined Liberty Mutual Insurance, where I worked as a liability adjuster for about 12 years prior to transitioning into my new role with Gallagher Bassett’s captive practice.
How did you end up in the captive industry?
After working as an adjuster for more than a decade, I was ready for a change and to pursue new opportunities for growth. I enjoyed the company I worked for, but I wanted to venture out to take on new responsibilities and expand my capabilities. A supervisor at Liberty Mutual recommended that I look into captive account management and suggested that I would be a good fit for a position within Gallagher Bassett. This position required strong networking and relationship-management skills, which are my strengths. I have been in this position for almost four years now, and I can attest that this was the best decision for my career path.
What has been your highlight in the captive industry so far?
I enjoy working with people and truly appreciate being able to work alongside captive members, brokers, carriers and various vendors, all while growing and expanding my knowledge of the captive industry. I focus on developing and sustaining a trusted advisor relationship with key accounts, client shareholders and executive sponsors. Working with the captives, I am able to hone my communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrate my technical expertise and networking strengths, and practice my problem-solving abilities to ensure all parties achieve a favourable outcome.
What/who have been your influences in the captive industry?
The shareholders have been the most inspiring and fascinating part of working with captives. The ability to understand the benefits of joining a captive is challenging for most business owners. I think it takes an innovative mindset to participate in a captive, and the shareholders who decide to join captives are able to envision how this decision will impact their businesses in the future. They recognise the advantages of a captive in achieving long-term cost-savings benefits, gaining greater control over their claims, and insulating against the pricing and availability swings that are characteristics of the standard market.
What is your impression of the industry?
Avant-garde, sophisticated and revolutionary. I believe that captives are the future. As technology evolves, I am interested to see how much this industry will grow, and how many stockholders will seek the benefits of joining a captive versus remaining in the traditional market.
What are your aspirations for your career in the captive industry?
To bring value to Gallagher Bassett and continue to grow and enhance my relationships with our clients and shareholders. I will continue to educate myself to be recognised as a true expert in the captive field and to understand the consumer behaviours and industry trends of the captive segment.
What advice do you have for someone considering a role in the industry?
Learn and understand the captive model and its numerous shareholder benefits. Insurance is a customer-focused industry. It is important to focus on building and managing client relationships and on ensuring that our company offerings meet the individual needs of our clients. Being a strong communicator and excellent problem solver are the two most important skills you can have in this industry.
William Chapman, senior vice president, Gallagher Bassett captive practice “Dibet (Dee) Khobyer is one of kind. She has developed a unique skill set in the management of her assigned group captive which encompasses a superior business acumen in the servicing of her captive clients and brokers. Her working knowledge within the captive space is exceptional.”
