Michael Donovan
Profession & company: SVP Ocean Marine Underwriting at Sompo
How do you celebrate your Irishness? As a family we continue to teach the children their Irish history and of the Irish immigrant stories that helped shape NY. My daughter used to Irish step dance and threatens to start up again. Now my son MJ is continuing the legacy by taking bagpipe lessons at the Mineola Irish American Heritage center.
Name a maritime hero you admire and why? John Paul Jones, the father of the American Navy. His bravery and determination during the American revolution has become a symbol of American heroism and resilience.
What did you learn in your first job which has been useful to you throughout the career? My first job was as a 3rd officer on the cable ships for Tycom. As a junior officer there were so many learning points. One of the most important things I learned was to learn from others. Observe others and learn what to do, what to say, and more importantly, what not to do and what not to say.
Biography: Michael Donovan has dedicated 25 years to the marine industry, with over 20 years in Marine Insurance. Before joining the insurance sector, he served as 3rd Officer aboard Tyco’s Cable Ship Fleet. A proud graduate of Maritime College at Fort Schuyler (2001) with a degree in Marine Transportation, Michael also holds an MBA in Risk Management from St. John’s University. Currently, he is SVP of Ocean Marine at Sompo International, managing a diverse portfolio across all marine sectors. Deeply rooted in Irish heritage, Michael’s grandparents hail from Tipperary, Cork, Mayo, and Armagh. Raised in Breezy Point, NY, he now resides in Garden City with his wife Jaime and three children.
