How Cornelia Coman became the most powerful woman in insurance

The return to capitalism and the development of businesses that did not exist on the market 20 years ago has turned Romania into the country of unlimited possibilities in terms of careers. Whereas in the West one cannot become CEO of a major company before turning 45-50, it is possible, however, for a Romanian to become head of a multinational at 30-35.
The latest example of the rapid rise a manager in Romania can have is that of Cornelia Coman, who, at 33, took over the management of the biggest life insurer, ING.
In insurance, such an evolution is natural, and age is of no importance, because other than those who worked for ADAS (State Insurance Administration) there are no managers with over 18 years experience in the field.
But how has Coman come to be the strongest woman in insurance running a company with 150m-euro turnover and 400 employees? “I didn’t plan to be a CEO, I didn’t aim for this. I just wanted to develop and have the freedom to do more than I would be asked to”.
Fifteen years ago, she arrived in Bucharest from Slobozia to become a student at the Cybernetics Faculty of the Academy of Economic Studies.
The choice proved successful, as in the third year she specialised in mathematical economics, a department that also teaches actuary science, and at that moment the future head of ING Asigurari decided that this would be her field of activity.
She attended UNSAR (professional association of insurers) meetings for discussions about life insurance. This is where she met ING Asigurari managers.
“I liked them a great deal and in January 1998 I applied for a job, but they didn’t offer me an actuary job, so I refused. Two months later, though, they called me and told me they had a vacant actuary job”. She had several interviews and she then joined ING Asigurari; the company she would run ten years later.
“I had major opportunities. Three years after I was hired, I was promoted to run the team of actuaries and later on also took over the investment and operations department”. Two years ago, she had a period when she wanted to work with an ING company in another country; in the same position to see how things work on a market where insurance is an already developed field. However, she was promoted to deputy general manager.