Natalie Lemery
Senior captive administrator
RISC-NFP
Personal bio: I spent most of my adolescence in Texas, but now reside in Milton, Vermont with my husband, Eric and two children, Charlotte and Henry.
in my free time and on the weekends, I enjoy gardening, reading and spending time with family and friends. I especially love entertaining and party planning, I make a fantastic charcuterie board.
Professional profile: I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and a Master’s Degree in Applied Conflict Studies from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
In my previous profession, I served as an assistant regional director for a nonprofit children’s mental health agency where I was responsible for programme development, staff mentorship, and contract management.
I have also spent several years working as a content writer for a marketing firm.
How did you end up in the captive industry?
I have a few friends in the industry and over the years I have found myself learning from them about the work they do. I’ve always been struck by how dynamic the industry is and the level of creativity it allows for.
More recently, I discussed with NFP leadership my skills and how they apply to the capabilities RISC is developing. I had no idea this would turn into a future career within the field.
What has been your highlight in the captive industry so far?
What is exciting about RISC is the opportunity to work with experienced professionals who are well known within the industry to build something from the ground up.
I have appreciated working with a team of mentors who are always available to provide support, training and answer any questions I have. It’s felt incredibly advantageous to have exposure to aspects of the industry that may not always be accessible as an opportunity for learning and growth.
What/who have been your influences in the captive industry?
RISC is overseen by two women leaders, Kara Tencellent and Tracy Stopford, who have a vested interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG), diversity and inclusion and mentoring other women.
Watching their level of expertise, professionalism and creativity has truly been inspiring
What is your impression of the industry?
I am surprised by how little people know about the captive industry. So far, the group I work with seem to spend a lot of time offering education to organisations and professionals. I’m excited to help spread the message so that others can have a greater understanding of the industry and the opportunity that lies within it.
What are your aspirations for your career in the captive industry?
I like that the industry needs professionals to be creative and flexible when offering solutions to clients. In my previous profession, this was a strength of mine.
As someone who is new to captives, I’m excited to learn more about the industry so that I can continue to be a contributing member of the RISC team. Opportunities for professional growth seem endless.
What advice do you have for someone considering a role in the industry?
To immerse yourself in the industry as much as you can, listen to podcasts, watch webinars and talk to as many captive professionals as you can. There is always more to learn.
Tracy Stopford, managing director and co-leader, RISC and Kara Tencellent, managing director and co-leader, RISC “Natalie has quickly become a rising star in NFP’s Risk & Strategy Collective as a senior captive administrator. Her expertise in project management and business operations has lent itself seamlessly to RISC’s captive management operations and consulting space. Natalie’s high energy, curiosity, and drive to self-educate about the captive industry come through in her work every day. With a natural leadership ability, and well-honed business sense and intuition she is able to translate past experiences into relevant and meaningful client communication and collaboration. Natalie is consistently taking the initiative and is participating in industry associations and committees which support the overall growth and value of the captive space. With our experience, recruiting team members from outside the captive space into our RISC group provides us with a diverse perspective that translates into new ideas and better service to our clients. We are so pleased to have Natalie on our team.”
