Be nice to people.
Garrett Koehn
PROGRAM: MBA, IE Brown
GRADUATION YEAR: 2012
CURRENT LOCATION: San Francisco, California
ABOUT GARRETT:
Garrett Koehn acts as President of Brokerage for CRC Group, one of the largest wholesale insurance brokers in the world. He is responsible for operations in excess of $11 billion in written premiums annually and strategy relating to international markets, fintech, diversity and inclusion and executive lines of insurance.
Outside of CRC Garrett is an active venture investor in the fintech and insurtech space. He was the managing partner of The Batchery incubator in Berkeley and remains a partner, he is also a partner with Barcelona Ventures and a general partner with IA Seed Ventures in San Francisco. He acts as a mentor for 500 Startups, Lloyd’s Lab in London, Broker Tech Ventures, and Brown University Lab. He is an investment panel member for Funders Club Venture Capital and sits on numerous boards, including companies involved in blockchain-crypto, cyber insurance, energy finance, insurance capital markets, MGAs, parametric insurance, real estate, software, and tech-based insurance brokerage.
Garrett also sits on the board of Kairos Acquisition Corp, which is traded on NASDAQ.
Prior to CRC, Garrett was a partner and senior management equity holder in 4-successful private equity transactions involving Tri-City Brokerage, Bisys, Crump, and ultimately CRC Group.
Q&A WITH GARRETT
Define your experience in the MBA, IE Brown in one word.
Eye-opening.
What were some of the main challenges that you encountered on your way?
To do it well it takes time, and it takes a bit of time in the program to figure out how to manage this.
How did your master program and IE help you through these challenges?
I was able to draw on the advice and experience of both alumni and faculty.
How did your experience at IE prepare you for your professional career?
I became a better thinker — Better at understand all sides of an issue. Also, I gained more strength in some areas of economics and finance.
In what ways do you think the program has changed your life professionally and personally?
Personally, its help me to see the connectivity of the world, our people, our planet. I like this outlook. Professionally, it’s a supplement to my career progress and adds an increased level of credibility.
What was networking like in the program?
It was great and remains so. During the program you meet your faculty and classmates and also some alumni, who are supportive. In my case, as the program is the joint one with Brown, I’ve been able to network with alumni, students, and faculty of both institutions.
What was your favorite memory from your time at IE?
There were many — getting a great score on a writing assignment or marketing plan — the social time with classmates.
If someone was considering going to IE, what would you tell them?
Great choice.
Why did you choose to study this program at IE?
For me, I wanted a true international experience, not simply a US school that described itself as providing international experience. I wanted to go to one of the best schools reputationally, and I like Spain.
What is one thing you wished you knew when you were a student?
You can’t actually do all of the work – it’s impossible. What advice would you give to students who are about to begin the program? Get organised and drop your egos. Rely on your teammates to help you learn and complete all the work. This is some of the point of the curriculum.
Tell us about the IE alumni community and the impact they have had in your life and/or career.
There is a bond between IE alum. When I’m evaluating a start-up and they have a founder from IE, I’ll try to help them out more and give them more time, for example. With other IE alumni and my classmates there is constant interaction.
Why do you think it’s important to engage with the IE alumni community?
It’s a great community, why wouldn’t you!
As one of the first contributors towards the Illuminated Bricks campaign, how does it feel?
I like supporting the General Scholarship Fund – each year it helps many students that might not be able to attend IE otherwise.
What made you decided to give your first gift?
I’ve had a great career; IE is one of the reasons. I can give back and help to pass it along to those who are next.
What would you tell someone who was thinking about contributing?
If you have the means, this is a wonderful cause to support. Give Back.