When Sandra Ramos (pictured) first set foot on a major New York construction project she knew she’d found her calling. “I could see it, touch it and know its impact. In 2015, I worked on a large mega project in New York, and it was one of the largest privately funded projects at the time,” she said.
Now SVP West Region leader, construction and infrastructure in NFP’s construction practice, Ramos recalls the experience as “love at first bind”, a turning point that ignited her technical passion. The experience, she said, grounded her in the tangible impact of construction insurance and sharpened her drive to push beyond industry norms.
“I noticed that there weren't many Latina women in senior executive roles. That fuelled me. My passion, not just for work, but for representation and breaking down barriers,” Ramos said. She is direct about the realities of entering the construction insurance space as a Latina woman. While she did not face overt setbacks, the path required working harder and being the only woman of her background in most boardroom meetings. “I had to learn the business and the professional side of construction,” she said, “it’s more of a passion to break that barrier versus a setback for me.”
Support from her employers and a robust network of other women on the construction side of the industry helped fuel her momentum but, in insurance specifically, she continues to see fewer women in senior roles. That absence motivates her as much as any market trend.
Across the West and globally, Ramos sees a complex risk environment emerging. Labor shortages, rising materials costs and supply-chain volatility remain front-and-center, compounded by aging infrastructure and the growing scope of modernization projects.
These challenges feed directly into her day-to-day pain points as a broker, a tightening talent pipeline across the insurance sector and ongoing disruption driven by AI, automation and insurtech. While she sees technology as a “game changer”, the industry is still adjusting.
“They require upskilling and culture shifts,” she explained. “Technology is something we use in our jobs and our personal lives. Once we get comfortable, it will absolutely help bridge gaps.”
Market conditions, meanwhile, remain mixed. Ramos notes a softening cycle, but selective pressure points persist, particularly in high-hazard classes such as roofing and electrical work. Jurisdictions like California and New York continue to experience double-digit rate increases and shrinking capacity, especially on excess layers.
These pressures are amplified by social inflation and nuclear verdicts, but Ramos highlights another factor pushing severity: third-party litigation funding. “It’s fueling longer and costlier claims,” she said, forcing carriers to raise reserves and retentions.
From wildfire exclusions to tighter underwriting around water, wind and fire exposures, climate-related losses are reshaping the coverage landscape. But Ramos also sees opportunity in technology adoption on the contractor side.
Sensor-based water detection tools, predictive solutions and other job-site technologies are helping insureds demonstrate risk control and in some cases earn premium credits. Carriers are also beginning to explore parametric products designed around objective triggers such as snow load or storm conditions. “It’s being introduced,” Ramos said carefully, noting that she expects to share more as the market matures but the concept is clear: faster payouts tied to defined thresholds rather than traditional loss adjustment.
Sustainability and ESG considerations are also becoming more influential in project financing, lender requirements and bid processes. “Compliance is the biggest word,” she said. “We want to support our contractors and developers with the requirements they’re getting to secure funding.”
On the builders’ risk side, Ramos describes the market as generally stable, supported in part by technological advancements that are improving underwriting and pricing for large projects. Controlled insurance programmes are also getting more attention as owners seek greater control and cleaner contractual risk transfer.
Subcontractor default insurance is another product gaining traction among large general contractors, though Ramos notes the market remains highly selective.
Professional liability, meanwhile, is no longer a box-checking exercise. “It went from a contract requirement to an actual need,” she said. Contractors that purchased minimal limits years ago may now be underinsured relative to their growth. NFP’s team, led by Rich Hartman, works closely with clients on contract reviews and project-specific solutions. “We look at their growth since they first bought their one million dollar policy. Now you've doubled in size, we need to look at a three million dollar policy.”
Rounding out the risk conversation is a shift toward modern building methods, from off-site manufacturing to 3D printing. These innovations bring efficiency but also cyber and liability considerations that carriers are assessing closely.
Ramos’ role today is defined by constant collaboration, “My role is something I enjoy very much. The day is full of conversations with different leaders” and by the balance of technical insight and people-centred leadership that has shaped her rise in the sector.
Looking ahead, Ramos believes the industry’s progress will hinge on its ability to embrace technology, navigate litigation trends and support more diverse leadership. For brokers, contractors and carriers alike, the future will reward those willing to adapt and to build responsibly in a more complex risk environment.
