Building a Global Career at Tokio Marine Group: The Path of Two Recent Graduates
- People & Culture
Fostering talent has been embedded in the culture of Tokio Marine Group since our foundation as we truly believe it is our people that deliver unique value to all of our stakeholders. Our commitment to developing future leaders transcends borders, cultures, and disciplines and is part of our long-term purpose and vision.
One way we foster talent is through the International Management Associate Program (MAP): a prestigious global entry-level talent development program. Each participant moves through a two year customized, rigorous, and performance-focused rotation schedule across Tokio Marine Group companies to develop their skills and help them determine the career path they would like to build within the Group. There are four functional tracks within the MAP Program: Actuarial, Internal Audit, IT Security, and International Business. Tokio Marine North America Services (TMNAS) manages the program on behalf of Tokio Marine Holdings.
Recruitment efforts are intensive and Tokio Marine works with some of the best universities to recruit top talent.
For the 2024-2026 class, significant recruitment was conducted at Columbia University, specifically within their Actuarial Sciences MS program. The TMNAS HR Recruiting team on behalf of TMHD, along with Tokio Marine’s Chief International Actuary, Dan Thomas, made several visits to campus to share information about the MAP Program and conduct interviews.
From these visits, we were able to identify and hire two key talents for the MAP Program. We’re proud to spotlight these remarkable Columbia University graduates in MAP on the Actuarial Track for 2024-2026.
Columbia University Class of 2024
Columbia University Class of 2024
Zihao Zhao
“THE WARMTH AND KINDNESS EXTENDED TO ME BY EVERYONE AT TOKIO MARINE DURING MY FIRST ROTATION HAS MADE SETTLING IN SEAMLESS. I'VE BEEN WARMLY WELCOMED AND FEEL A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING HERE.”
Zihao Zhao, originally from mainland China, has always been interested in cross-cultural immersion. Having spent his undergraduate years studying Actuarial Sciences in Australia, and then moving to New York City for his Master's degree at Columbia, entering a global insurance organization felt like the right fit.
Career Vision and Contributions to the Tokio Marine Group
In his first two years with Tokio Marine, Zihao has a goal to achieve professional development milestones and practical experience, aiming to obtain a fellowship in the Actuarial Society and maximize global rotational learning opportunities.
His long-term aspirations include creating a positive impact on our society and customers.
Developing Skills and Growth for Success at Tokio Marine
Zihao is working on enhancing his communication skills and is further developing technical proficiency in actuarial science, including statistical modeling and risk assessment.
Leadership skill development is a major priority, too.
“I’m eager to refine my leadership capabilities. I believe effective leadership involves not only technical proficiency but also emotional intelligence and a deep understanding of organizational dynamics.”
Navigating Challenges in a Global Workforce
“One of the main challenges I anticipate is navigating diverse working styles and cultural norms. Differences in communication patterns, decision-making processes, and approaches to problem-solving can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or inefficiencies if not managed effectively.”
But Zihao has a strategy to mitigate these challenges:
“In my experience, I try to approach interactions with a mindset of mutual respect and understanding. Recognizing that despite cultural differences, we share fundamental human values and aspirations helps in bridging cultural gaps.”
The Importance of Company Culture
In Zihao’s onboarding for MAP, he reminds us of the importance of a safe, and inclusive workplace culture.
And when asked about the future workplace environment?
“I expect Tokio Marine to provide ample opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and knowledge sharing, and I look forward to experiencing a culture that values open communication, transparency, and teamwork, fostering an atmosphere conducive to continuous learning and professional growth.”
Leo Tien
“SINCE JOINING TOKIO MARINE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ITS COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT FIRSTHAND THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE PROGRAM. I FEEL CONTINUOUSLY ENCOURAGED TO PURSUE LEARNING AND ADVANCEMENT.”
Leo Tien, originally from Tawain, spent his undergraduate years at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and then received a Master’s degree in Statistics from Columbia University. Now part of the Tokio Marine Group, Leo understands that relationship-building is an important factor in career success. Through the MAP program, He’s investing time in getting to know Tokio Marine Group’s diverse products, services, and people.
Career Vision
“In my first two years at Tokio Marine as part of the MAP program, I aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse products and services offered by our various sister companies and build relationships across Tokio Marine”.
For his long-term career goals, Leo mentioned a deep aspiration to become a collaborative and valued leader and earn the trust of his peers, enabling him to make impactful decisions for Tokio Marine’s long-term growth.
Contributions to the Tokio Marine Group
Leo’s mathematical and statistical skillset will serve the company well. But more importantly, his enthusiasm and focus on relationship building and making a positive impact deeply align with Tokio Marine’s purpose: to protect our customers and societies in times of need.
“I am passionate about contributing to meaningful and impactful work. By aligning my efforts with the company, I am excited to support Tokio Marine’s purpose and growth while developing my own professional skills.”
Future Outlook at Tokio Marine
When it comes to the future, Leo has a plan.
“I anticipate needing to adapt to varying work practices. From my personal experience, I think it is important to learn about different cultures and maintain an open mind and a willingness to learn.
As for Tokio Marine’s vision for the future, Leo feels closely tied to putting words into practice.
“I deeply value Tokio Marine’s commitment to a customer-centric approach, its emphasis on being a Good Company, and its dedication to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I am committed to embodying these core values in my daily work, as they guide the company’s actions and shape its culture.”
For our group and the industry as a whole, it is essential that we continue to attract, recruit, develop and retain talent like Zihao and Leo. As we face unprecedented volatility in the external environment, we will need the unique value that the best talent can provide so that we can continue to inspire confidence and accelerate progress, and work to create a better tomorrow.
If you are interested at building a career a please refer to our Careers Page
