Tamara Ashjian is a seasoned insurance claims leader with nearly 20 years of experience across complex and evolving risk areas. She began her career as a litigation attorney after earning a BA from UCLA and a Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School. This legal foundation shaped her clear, practical approach to problem-solving.
She later moved into insurance and quickly advanced into senior roles at AIG and Ironshore Insurance. At Ironshore, she managed the West Coast environmental claims unit, handling high-impact cases tied to environmental, property, and professional liabilities. These roles helped her build a strong reputation for managing complex claims with structure and focus.
In 2016, she shifted into cyber insurance at NAS Insurance Services. This move marked a key turning point in her career. Following the company’s acquisition by Tokio Marine HCC, she went on to lead the Cyber & Tech Claims department as Vice President. There, she oversaw cases involving data breaches, cyber extortion, and regulatory liability, while also building and scaling the department over nearly a decade.
Tamara Ashjian is known for her direct leadership style and steady approach. She focuses on clarity, teamwork, and practical execution. Her career reflects adaptability and deep industry insight in a fast-changing space.
Let’s start at the beginning. What first shaped your approach to work and career?
I grew up in Los Angeles in a household where education and work ethic was very clear. My mother was a teacher and my father worked in the photo finishing industry, a long time family business. There was consistency. You showed up, you did your job, and you took pride in it. That stayed with me.
You began your career in law. What drew you to that path?
I studied Philosophy at UCLA, which really trains you to think critically. Law felt like a natural next step. I went on to earn my JD from Whittier Law School and started out as a litigation attorney. It was a great training ground. You learn how to analyse problems, manage pressure, and communicate clearly. Those skills ended up being very transferable later on.
What led you to transition from law into insurance?
It wasn’t a dramatic shift at the time. It was more about applying the same skill set in a different environment. Insurance claims, especially at a higher level, involve a lot of legal thinking. You are assessing risk, reviewing facts, and working through complex situations. Moving into insurance felt like a practical extension of what I was already doing.
You held senior roles at AIG and Ironshore. What stands out from that period?
At AIG, I served as Vice President of Claims Services, and that gave me exposure to large-scale operations. Then at Ironshore, I managed the West Coast environmental claims unit. That role was particularly formative. Environmental claims can be very complex. You are dealing with multiple parties, regulatory issues, and long timelines. It taught me how to stay organised and focused, even when situations are layered and evolving.
In 2016, you moved into cyber insurance. What motivated that shift?
At the time, cyber was still developing. It wasn’t as structured as it is now. There were new types of claims emerging, and not a lot of established playbooks. That actually made it interesting to me. I joined NAS Insurance Services, which was an MGA and cover holder for Lloyd’s London, and it gave me the opportunity to work in a space that was still being defined.
How did your role evolve after NAS was acquired by Tokio Marine HCC?
The acquisition in 2019 brought more scale and resources. I stayed on and eventually became Vice President of Cyber & Tech Claims. Over about nine and a half years, I helped build and lead that department. We were handling everything from data breaches and cyber extortion to regulatory liability and technology errors and omissions. It was a period of steady growth, both for the team and for the industry.
What does leading a Cyber & Tech claims team actually involve day to day?
A lot of it comes down to managing complexity. Every claim is different. One day you might be dealing with a ransomware situation, the next it could be a large-scale data breach. You need strong processes, but you also need flexibility. It’s not just about the technical issue. There are real people and businesses behind these cases, and that adds another layer of responsibility.
You spent years building that department. What was the biggest challenge?
Scaling in a sustainable way. It’s easy to grow quickly, but harder to build something that works long term. We had to hire the right people, create consistent workflows, and make sure we could handle increasing volume without losing quality. “You can’t rush that kind of growth,” as I often say. It really is step by step.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I would say it’s practical and direct. I don’t believe in overcomplicating things. The goal is always to solve the problem in front of you. I also rely heavily on the team. Claims work is collaborative by nature. You need good communication and trust. Without that, it becomes very difficult to manage complex situations effectively.
Cyber risk has changed a lot over the years. What shifts have you noticed?
The biggest change is how widespread it has become. Early on, it was more contained. Now, it affects organisations of all sizes, across all industries. The types of incidents have also evolved. You’re seeing more sophisticated attacks and more regulatory involvement. It’s a space that doesn’t stand still.
Looking back, what has kept you grounded throughout your career?
Staying focused on the work itself. It’s easy to get caught up in titles or changes, but at the end of the day, you are there to do a job. For me, it’s always been about handling situations properly and supporting the people involved. Outside of work, I try to keep things balanced. I enjoy reading, hiking, and travelling. That helps me reset.
You’re currently between roles. How are you thinking about what comes next?
I’m taking the time to reflect on everything I’ve worked on so far. The industry continues to evolve, especially in cyber. I’m interested in roles where I can apply what I’ve learned and continue to build. At the same time, I’m not in a rush. After nearly two decades, it’s important to be thoughtful about the next step.
What has your career taught you overall?
That you don’t always have a clear roadmap. My path went from law to environmental claims to cyber. Each step built on the last. “You just focus on doing the job well,” and the rest tends to follow.
