Cynthia Stanton
Providence,RI
Summary
Strategic, results-driven leader with more than 18 years of risk management experience in both the corporate and public sectors including gaming operations, hospitality, higher education, and government operations. Demonstrated expertise and success in creating and executing best-in-class risk management and insurance programs to mitigate loss and maximize opportunities. Dedicated to long-term risk management by building strong internal protocols and instilling culture of responsibility and attentiveness.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
County Risk Manager
Indian River County
04.2021 - Current
- Proactively guide and oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive risk management and insurance program, ensuring the necessary steps are taken to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential risks.
- Direct insurance brokerage activities in managing the County's self-insured and traditional insurance programs efficiently, balancing needs with budgetary constraints while maintaining adequate protection against losses.
- Oversee property and casualty claim management program provided by insurers and third party administrators.
- Participate in claim negotiations and legal proceedings with third party claims administrators, legal counsel, and excess carriers.
- Conduct regular audits of existing policies and procedures, ensuring their continued effectiveness in addressing organizational goals related to mitigating risks.
- Develop compliance and education programs related to safety, workers compensation, motor vehicle operations, and other regulatory obligations applicable to municipal operations.
- Develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders, promoting a culture of risk awareness and accountability.
- Guide the County Administrator and Commissioners in decision-making processes with risk-based insights, leading to more informed strategic initiatives.
- Continuously monitored the effectiveness of risk management practices, adjusting strategies as needed to address changing business needs and external factors.
- Championed process improvements that led to more efficient risk identification, evaluation, and response practices throughout the organization.
- Established and oversaw application of operational risk policies, technology and tools and governance processes to create lasting solutions for minimizing losses.
- Served as subject matter expert for development and implementation of corrective action plans where substantial unnecessary loss resulted regularly from current policy
- Developed short-term goals and long-term strategic plans to improve risk control and mitigation.
Director of Risk Management
University of Rhode Island
11.2013 - 03.2021
- Worked closely with the President’s executive team to advance the University’s overall strategic objectives and ensure risks are adequately defined and managed.
- Developed risk management strategies to encourage elevated risk standards and ensure financial integrity in support of the University’s goals and objectives.
- Conducted risk assessments across the enterprise to identify opportunities to improve business processes and mitigate risks.
- Managed the life cycle of the global insurance program and provided analytics and advisory support related to risk transfer and financing options.
- Instructed brokers in the solicitation and procurement of insurance policies and services for the university and its subsidiaries to include general liability, employment liability, professional liability, ocean and inland marine, fiduciary liability, D&O, property, auto, crime, medical malpractice, international travel and defense base act insurance.
- Consulted with department leaders to revise and create departmental policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure regulatory compliance and best practices.
- Provided substantial guidance and support of collaborative efforts in loss control, risk management, and compliance with environmental health and safety, ADA guidelines, athletic activities, youth programs and data privacy and security regulations.
- Responsible for claim oversight functions to include incident reporting, investigation, negotiation, reserves, settlement authority, and subrogation strategies on all claims against university such as liability, discrimination, Title IX, information, and privacy, etc.
- Assisted legal counsel with the development of litigation strategies including preparing the University’s response to request for production, interrogatories, attending trials, and participation in mediations.
- Co-chaired the University Policy Task Force Committee; assisting with the development and implementation of institutional policies and procedures to ensure policies are effective and reflective of current business operations and activities.
- Fiduciary of the risk management insurance budget of $4.2 million to ensure effective management of university resources for insurance and risk initiatives.
- Facilitated workshops for employees at various levels, fostering a culture of proactive risk management within the organization.
- Collaborated with General Counsel in the contract management process, to include indemnification language, insurance requirements and potential opportunities for risk transfer.
- Conducted safety training to internal and external business partners on risk management systems, protocols and expectations.
- Managed and created the risk management website to ensure updated content of policies, procedures and training programs.
- Conducted benchmarking studies to monitor market conditions and industry standards to identify opportunities for improvement and to ensure industry best practices.
- Conducted thorough due diligence on potential acquisitions or partnerships, mitigating any unforeseen risks associated with these transactions.
- Applied subject matter expertise and industry knowledge to provide independent oversight to operational risk management activities.
Corporate Risk Manager
Foxwoods Resort & Casino
12.2005 - 11.2013
- Responsible for leading the risk management and insurance programs for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s government, hospitality, and gaming operations.
- Responsible for the oversight and direction of a dedicated risk management staff to include a claims team, loss control team and onsite workers compensation TPA.
- Managed the tribe’s insurance portfolio to include administering the self-insurance, captive and surety bond programs.
- Directed the claims administration program to include reporting, investigation, cost-containment, reserving and legal matters.
- Worked directly with legal counsel, attended mediations, arbitrations, and worker’s compensation hearings to efficiently resolve all claims and disputes.
- Administrator of the risk management claim database system for claim reports, reserves, and insurance certificate management.
- Analyzed operational risk-related data and produced statistical reports to quantify risk for each business unit.
- Designed sustainable governance and oversight standards using technology to develop metrics reports and risk assessments to identify, prioritize, and treat risks throughout the organization.
- Proactively reduced incidents and claim costs through consistent and effective safety-training, inspections, corrective actions, and crisis response protocols.
- Assisted in the implementation and oversight of an onsite occupational health clinic to establish first class care and an effective return to work program for occupational injuries.
- Responsible for reporting OSHA recordable incidents and posting summaries in accordance with OSHA regulations.
- Managed the OCIP insurance program for the buildout of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.
- Developed and implemented employee safety-training programs for new hires orientation and continuous department training.
- Chaired Safety Committee to promote collaboration and teamwork to identify, control, and mitigate risks across the organization.
- Active member of the Business Continuity Committee to develop plans to support continuity readiness, sustainability of critical systems and essential business functions in the event of a catastrophic event.
- · Maintained open lines of communication with regulators, ensuring ongoing alignment with evolving compliance requirements.
Education
Master of Science - Public Administration
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RIBachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RISkills
- Budget Management and Cost Forecasting
- Claims Oversight and Administration
- Cross-team Collaboration
- Develop Key Performance Indicators
- Excellent Organization and Communication Skills
- Global Insurance Procurement
- Process Innovation and Improvement
- Program and Project Management
- Risk Reporting Metrics
- Risk Analysis, Transfer and Mitigation
- Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Train, Coach, and Mentor Staff
Designations, Certifications and License
Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
Senior Claims Law Associate (SCLA)
Certified Risk Manager (CRM) 2025
Licensed Adjuster – FL, RI
Producer License – RI
Affiliations
- Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA)
- The Risk Management Society (RIMS)
Timeline
County Risk Manager
Indian River County
04.2021 - Current
Director of Risk Management
University of Rhode Island
11.2013 - 03.2021
Corporate Risk Manager
Foxwoods Resort & Casino
12.2005 - 11.2013
Master of Science - Public Administration
University of Rhode Island
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Rhode Island
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