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WALNUT CREEK, Calif., September 13, 2017 – CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, today announced the appointment of Rachel Powers as the company’s new corporate innovation executive.
In this newly created function, Powers will create and lead the company’s innovation growth strategy to build future business ventures. Powers’ function will also operate as a center of excellence for innovation tools and methods within CSAA Insurance Group.
“I’m really looking forward to exploring how we can create new and better ways to make insurance simple, proactive and personal,” said Powers. “I have a passion for envisioning and developing new products and services, and creating the organizational infrastructure and operations to drive innovation. The idea of doing this work that I love for a company whose brand is held in such high esteem is really exciting.”
Powers has over 20 years of experience in bringing unique business models, products, services and new companies to market. She has built innovation programs and practices from the ground up to help companies improve their profitability, while discovering new market opportunities.
Most recently, Powers was head of the Digital Reimagination Center & Design Studio and Innovation Design Thinking at Tata Consultancy Services. At Tata, she led international teams of innovators to create industry-changing user experiences – including services, wearables, hardware, mobile applications and software. She also created a global Innovation Design Thinking Academy to train approximately 10,000 employees worldwide to be future innovators and design thinkers.
Prior to Tata, Powers held multiple roles leading user experience and design at NewDealDesign, Yahoo and Apple. And, since 2003, Powers has been Founder & Principal of Visde, LLC & Visde Labs, Inc.
“Innovation is a key differentiator in our ability to provide new sources of value and relevance to AAA members,” said Debbie Brackeen, chief strategy and innovation officer. “Rachel’s expertise in new business creation, strategic business development and customer experience, combined with a passion for solving complex problems, will strengthen our culture of insight and innovation. This enables us to expand and diversify our business and maintain a competitive advantage.”
Powers earned her M.A. at Notre Dame de Namur University and B.F.A. from the San Francisco Art Institute. She has taught design thinking at numerous academic institutions, including Stanford University, University of Chicago, Northwestern, Columbia and University of Southern California. She also has been an inventor and contributor on multiple patents for consumer electronics, medical devices and software, and has contributed to several prestigious industry awards including the CNET Editor’s Top Pick and TED Fellowship Scholarship.
About CSAA Insurance Group
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, offers automobile, homeowners, and other personal lines of insurance to AAA members through AAA clubs in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1914, CSAA Insurance Group has been rated “A” or better by A.M. Best for 90 years and is one of the top personal lines property casualty insurance groups in the United States, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The company has been repeatedly named one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America by Points of Light.