Profiles in Risk: A Conversation featuring Megan Holt, Risk Management Director

AN INTERVIEW WITH MEGAN HOLT, RISK MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR AT MUTUAL OF OMAHA

Now, more than ever, organizations realize the value in having a strong Enterprise Risk Management team that can help identify, manage and mitigate risk. To understand just how important the role of risk manager plays in an organization, Professor Ed Horwitz, PhD, invited Megan Holt, Mutual of Omaha’s Risk Management Director, to join him for a candid conversation on the role risk managers play in an organization. The interview is the first in a series called “Profiles in Risk”, where Dr. Horwitz aims to help us understand the complex and vital role risk managers play in an organization.

Megan Holt is a Risk Management Director in Mutual of Omaha’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Operation. In this role, she is responsible for monitoring and oversight of emerging and strategic risks facing the Company. These activities are executed through facilitation of a management-led emerging risk committee, maintenance of relationships with regulators and key stakeholders, and engagement in the Company’s strategic planning process. Holt is responsible for reporting quarterly to the Mutual of Omaha Board Risk Committee and for the compilation of the Company’s annual Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Summary Report.

Outside of Enterprise Risk Management, Holt is an active member of Mutual of Omaha’s Financial Development Program (FDP) Leadership Team. In this capacity, she supports the coordination and management of all FDP interns and associates, recruitment of new FDP interns and associates, leadership of outreach efforts at local high schools and universities, and creation and maintenance of a competitive finance and accounting talent development program.

Holt began her career with KPMG and served clients in the asset management and insurance industries for six years before joining Mutual of Omaha in 2016. At Mutual of Omaha, Holt held roles in technical accounting, internal controls, and financial risk management before accepting her current position.

Holt received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in December 2009. She earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in 2010 and is actively involved in the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants as a member of the Careers Committee and sponsor of their accounting mentorship program. Holt also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Live On Nebraska.

When asked about the role risk managers play within the Mutual of Omaha organization, Holt explains that it’s the role of risk managers to “provide effective challenge to the business decisions that are being made.” Now, more than ever, Risk Managers are collaborating across the organization, acting as the “quarterback” and helping manage the influx of activity that has resulted from the pandemic.

Learn more about what it means to be the “quarterback” by listening to the full interview between Dr. Horwitz and Ms. Holt.

This interview was a contribution by Ed Horwitz, Ph.D. Dr. Horwitz is the acting Chief Risk & Compliance Officer for Creighton University, and the Executive Director of the Mutual of Omaha Chair in Risk Management (ERM) at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. A business management senior executive, applied clinical researcher, finance professor, and published author, with over 35 years of experience in the Financial Planning, Academic, and Risk Management industry combined. He is experienced in the development, implementation and coordination of new collegiate educational programs, as well as stepping into leadership roles and applying the research to practice.

Learn more about Creighton University’s Enterprise Risk Management graduate certificate