Crystal Lynn embodies the best of finance, data, process, interpersonal relationships, business excellence, and professionalism.

Since joining Lockton in 2005, Crystal’s business acumen and knack for relationship building have led her to a successful career in operations at many different levels within the Lockton organization.

“I started my career at Lockton shortly out of college as a senior staff accountant in our accounting and finance department. I assumed early on I would follow the typical accounting career path, but that hasn’t been the case based on where my passion lies,” said Crystal.

As a staff accountant, Crystal’s first role helped her develop a deeper knowledge of large corporate financials and the Lockton business model. But despite excelling with numbers, Crystal had a vision for the bigger picture business plans. Her ability to forge relationships, create practical and effective business solutions, and build teams from the ground up accelerated Crystal to her current position as COO of Lockton’s Transaction Liability Practice.

"There are so many areas for growth outside of a traditional growth path at Lockton. My last two roles are newly created positions. As Lockton grows, so do the opportunities,” continued Crystal.

At Lockton, your career is yours to customize, and Crystal is one of many Associates across the globe bringing that value to life. Read more below, in Crystal’s own words, about the career she’s built at Lockton.

When did you start working at Lockton?

I started at Lockton in 2005. I had just moved to Kansas City and was working with a recruiter to look for a new role. I had an offer from another highly regarded company when I received a call from the recruiter saying Lockton had a senior staff accountant position open. While I was ready to accept the other offer, the recruiter was very convincing that I should at least interview with Lockton. I interviewed with two people, one of which is still a mentor, and I knew within the first five minutes that I needed to be at Lockton. I declined the offer at the other company and this started my journey at Lockton.

What were the catalysts for your changes in positions at Lockton?

After two years as a senior staff accountant, I felt like I was ready to take the step to divisional controller. I was pregnant with my first child but had conversations before leaving for my parental leave that I would be promoted when I returned. I loved that role. I worked closely with the COOs, Producers and other executive leadership for my offices. Through these relationships and conversations, they knew I was interested in exploring operations, and did whatever they could to bring me into operational matters to help me develop. Then came my second child. Once again, when I came back from parental leave, I was promoted to divisional accounting manager. I was worried about what the role might be, as I was worried it would take me out of the operational aspect that I loved so much, but I had multiple Lockton leaders tell me that I can make the position what I wanted it to be. I ended up taking it.

A few years into that position, I received a call that there was a need for an operations manager on the property and casualty side of the business and the P&C leadership had heard this was an area of interest to me. There was no existing role at the time. After interviewing with the leader of P&C, I was offered the position. In that role, I built strong relationships with our carrier partners and worked closely with the best P&C leaders in the industry and our Transaction Liability (TL) team, among others.

Because of my close involvement with the TL team, when Lockton made the decision to invest in TL in 2020, I was asked to help acclimate the four new leaders to Lockton. As I continued to work closely with them, they asked me to be their COO.

Why Lockton?

What attracted me to Lockton and what has kept me at Lockton, is the people.

No matter what role I’ve been in, it feels like a team. Everyone has each other’s back. Everyone is invested in others’ success. Everyone treats the business as their own.

What is your favorite part about your current role?

The team that we’ve created. As we are building the practice out, we are really careful about who we are hiring and bringing in to make sure they are the right cultural fit; hiring people who treat the business like it’s their own, are invested in each other’s growth and development, and dedicated to a team atmosphere. We work extremely hard, and everyone is in it together.

How has Lockton supported you professionally?

Lockton provided the infrastructure to grow and the people at Lockton provided the inspiration to reach.

What is your “Lockton moment”?

When our new TL leaders joined Lockton, I was asked to help acclimate them to Lockton. No one was forcing us to work together – I was there to temporarily help them. In February 2021, as we were working through financial plans and figuring out how we wanted to staff and bring in key hires, they started talking about needing a COO. They asked me when I was going to come over full-time and be their COO… I said, “The second you ask.” My goal was always to be a COO and that was the moment for me that was like wow, this is my shot. It was the best decision I ever made and couldn’t be happier to be in the role I’m in today, working with the most amazing team.

Our employer branding tagline is “You Belong at Lockton.” What does this statement mean to you?

Throughout the time that I’ve spent at Lockton, I’ve never even considered other outside opportunities. There is no place I would rather be.

Crystal and the Transaction Liability team