Tribune executive to become risk management director

Cara Leeman, director of risk management at the Tribune Company in Chicago, has been selected as the new director of risk management in UW–Madison’s Division of Business Services.

Leeman has nearly 20 years of experience in the risk management industry. Prior to her position at Tribune, publisher of the Chicago Tribune and owner of other major media properties, she served as corporate workers’ compensation manager for Fruit of the Loom in Bowling Green, Ky., and claims manager for ServiceMaster in Downers Grove, Ill. Leeman also has professional experience in the areas of human resources administration and workplace safety.

“Cara’s professional experience and credentials make her well-suited for this position,” says Martha Kerner, assistant vice chancellor for business services. “She has a broad base of experience in workers compensation, property, liability, automobile, fidelity and foreign insurance programs. I am confident that Cara will serve our campus well, and I am pleased to welcome her to the leadership team in business services.”

The director of risk management is responsible for the coordination and administration of risk management services to campus, which includes 42,000 students, 17,000 employees, $5.2 billion total building and contents values, and thousands of visitors from all over the world.  Responsibilities also include managing property, liability, and workers compensation loss and prevention programs, as well as managing special insurance programs to meet the needs of the university.

“It’s a privilege to have been selected for this position and I’m excited to become part of a world-class institution like UW–Madison,” Leeman says. “I look forward to joining the Division of Business Services and working to deliver excellent risk management services to campus.”

Leeman holds a B.A. in English from Northern Illinois University, a MBA from Benedictine University, and an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) credential from the Insurance Institute of America.

Leeman starts on March 25. She succeeds Jeanine Critchley, who retired last year.