RIMS-CRMP Stories

Kristen Peed was named Chief Risk Officer at Sequoia in 2024 and is widely known as RIMS President in 2025. She discussed how earning the RIMS-CRMP helped facilitate her risk management career.

RIMS: You received your RIMS-CRMP in 2022 with several years in risk management behind you. What led you to pursue the RIMS-CRMP from the outset?

Peed: I am a lifelong learner and really value education. The RIMS-CRMP is the only ANAB accredited certification associated with risk management, and I wanted to demonstrate my expertise to my company.

RIMS: How did your experiences at CBIZ (and other companies) industry prepare you for the exam?

Peed: Every role in risk management I’ve held, dating back to my time at STERIS prepared me for this exam. As I transitioned from a risk analyst to a risk manager and then to a director of corporate risk, my responsibilities grew, and I had more insight into how risk management was much more than just placement of insurance. It was more about being strategic with leadership on how best to identify, mitigate and manage risk—regardless of whether insurance was involved.

RIMS: How supportive was CBIZ when you were studying and preparing for the exam?

Peed: I was fortunate to have an amazing boss and mentor at CBIZ who encouraged me to pursue additional educational opportunities. Since I worked in the legal department, my colleagues had CLE requirements and so it was just integrated in the framework of how we operated.

RIMS: When did you know or realize that the RIMS-CRMP was enhancing your work and your career?

Peed: When I started attending RIMS ERM Conference several years ago, I realized how things were beginning to “click” for me and that I could bring greater value back to my company and enhance their risk profile. It helped me identify opportunities that could enhance company operations—like captives!

RIMS: You are now a chief risk officer. Why should more CROs pursue the RIMS-CRMP?

Peed: The RIMS-CRMP certification has value for all career levels—whether you are an analyst, risk manager, director, VP or CRO. It can also accelerate early career development. For CROs, it demonstrates to your company that you have achieved a proficiency in your knowledge that can help your company. I look forward to the day where a RIMS-CRMP is a requirement on risk management job descriptions.

RIMS: How did you study or prepare ahead of the you took the exam?

Peed: I used the study guide and reviewed that along with the suggested reading materials. Since I have been “on the job” for over 20 years, my own experience was also very helpful!

RIMS: What tips do you have for anyone studying for the exam now?

Peed: I am one who enjoys studying alone—so I used the physical study guide and just set aside time on my calendar each day leading up to the exam. I think this will be highly dependent on a person’s learning style. I know that our instructor-led exam prep workshops have also been very popular.

Hear more from Kristen about her career journey and RIMS presidency on RIMScast.

See the full RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep calendar.

Interview by Justin Smulison, RIMS Business Content Manager