The Culture Behind the Commitment
How talent, collaboration, and a people-focused environment help BHS serve the human services market with consistency and care.
Meet Jodi Dobbelaere
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources
At Berkley Human Services, specialized insurance expertise is strengthened by the people behind it.
As an HR leader supporting Berkley Human Services, Jodi Dobbelaere helps align talent and organizational strategies with business goals. Her work supports leaders as they build strong teams, develop talent, navigate change, and create environments where employees can grow and contribute.
For agents, brokers, and wholesalers, that people-focused approach matters. Strong internal teams help create a more consistent, responsive, and thoughtful experience for the distribution network and the organizations BHS serves.
In this Leadership Spotlight, Jodi Dobbelaere shares her perspective on culture, collaboration, talent development, and the environment that helps BHS employees bring their best to the human services marketplace.
Driving success through people
Q: What is your role, and what does your team do day to day?
A: As an HR leader, I support Berkley Human Services by aligning talent and organizational strategies with business goals. My team helps leaders build strong teams, develop talent, manage change, and drive growth
Q: How does your team support clients, partners, and distribution?
A: We work with business leaders to ensure they have the talent, leadership, and organizational support needed to serve clients, brokers, wholesalers, and distributors effectively. Our work spans workforce planning, recruiting, leadership development, and employee engagement
Q: What problems does your team help solve most often?
A: We help leaders manage growth, attract and retain talent, develop future leaders, navigate change, and strengthen employee engagement to support business success.
Thoughtful decisions, stronger outcomes
Q: How do you approach decision-making in complex or high-stakes situations?
A: I focus on understanding the business objective, gathering key information, and incorporating perspectives from business leaders and team members. My goal is to make thoughtful, balanced decisions that support both our people and business outcomes.
Q: What guides your judgment when balancing risk, service, and growth?
A: I look at decisions through the lens of both business needs and people impact. By considering potential risks, organizational priorities, and long-term objectives, I work to develop solutions that support sustainable growth and a positive experience for employees and customers alike.
Q: How do cross-functional teams contribute to stronger outcomes?
A: Cross-functional teams bring varied expertise and perspectives that lead to stronger decision-making and more effective solutions. Collaboration helps ensure we are addressing challenges from multiple angles and staying aligned with our broader business goals.
Building talent that drives results
Q: What does your approach mean for the people Berkley Human Services serves?
A: Our approach helps ensure BHS has the talent, leadership, and organizational capabilities needed to deliver exceptional service to clients, producers, and business relationships. Strong teams ultimately create stronger business outcomes.
Q: How does your leadership influence the client or producer experience and what should partners expect when working with your team?
A: While HR’s impact is often indirect, it is meaningful. By helping attract, develop, and retain talented employees, we enable teams to focus on building relationships, delivering expertise, and providing excellent service to clients and producers.
Q: What should brokers expect when working with your team?
A: We focus on building strong relationships and understanding what matters most to the business. From there, we work together to develop solutions that help teams succeed and support business growth.
The power of specializations
Q: What differentiates Berkley Human Services’ approach or expertise in the market?
A: Berkley’s decentralized model is a key differentiator. It allows each operating unit to respond to the unique needs of its market while benefiting from the strength, resources, and shared values of a larger organization.
Q: Why does specialization matter in this segment of the business?
A: Specialization enables a deeper understanding of customers, markets, and business challenges. It helps organizations deliver more tailored solutions and allows us to align talent strategies with the specific needs of each business.
Q: How does your team remain aligned as the business evolves?
A: We maintain strong relationships with our business leaders to understand their evolving priorities and workforce needs. Through ongoing dialogue, talent planning, leadership development, and organizational support, we help ensure our people strategies are aligned with business goals and positioned to support future growth.
Built on People. Strengthened by Culture. Focused on Human Services.
Since 1989, Berkley Human Services has remained focused on serving the human services market with specialized insurance solutions and a consistent commitment to the organizations strengthening communities every day.
That commitment is supported by more than coverage. It is shaped by the people, culture, and collaboration behind the scenes.
Through thoughtful leadership, strong internal teams, and a workplace environment built around connection and shared purpose, BHS continues to support the distribution network with the consistency, expertise, and responsiveness this market requires.