RIMS-CRMP Stories

Chris Mandel is well-known in the risk profession. A former RIMS president (2002), Mandel has received many accolades, including the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award for outstanding service and achievement to the risk management discipline in 2016. Now an educator and the leader of his own consultancy, he reflected on what it was like to be among the first to pass the RIMS-CRMP exam.

RIMS: What inspired you to take the RIMS-CRMP?

Mandel: I decided that though I’d been teaching most of RIMS’ workshops for over seven years at that point, if I couldn’t pass the exam, unassisted by preparation, I probably shouldn’t be teaching. In addition, I’m a knowledge junkie and wanted to brand myself for the next phase of my career in consulting, as a recognized professional.

RIMS: How did your career experiences at organizations like American Red Cross, Yum!, and Pepsi lend themselves as a knowledge base for taking the exam?

Mandel: Though I helped build some of the RIMS-CRMP workshop content, it was clear that the exam was more of a test of experience and deeper knowledge. Having had such a broad risk and insurance career, including as buyer, seller, consultant, broker, CRO and strategist and now educator, I felt and found out that all that diverse experience was invaluable in building a solid knowledge and skill base for being recognized as a RIMS-CRMP.

RIMS: As an ERM practitioner and educator, how frequently will the knowledge from studying for the RIMS-CRMP resurface in an ERM professional’s daily responsibilities?

Mandel: Because the program content is so well designed, some aspects of it emerges in my experience weekly. It may not be 100% the same, but the underlying principles are.

RIMS: You were already pretty well-known in the profession when you passed the exam. How did the RIMS-CRMP aid you in your career?

Mandel: I can’t say I have explicit evidence of that, but then I had already been a CRO well before that point. For others, I think it will become prerequisite to getting the best risk leader roles. Do you find more people reach out to you for speaking engagements or career advice? I seem to stay in demand for both, despite being largely in academics now.

RIMS: How did you study?

Mandel: I didn’t. I prayed.

RIMS: You lead RIMS-CRMP exam prep workshops. What is your style for live and virtual?

Mandel: It’s pretty similar since the content is the same. Certainly, there is more interaction in person, but we have robust discussions and activities online as well.

RIMS: How have you gauged the participation from exam-takers?

Mandel: They seem to be more knowledgeable and offer deeper insights than the average student. People generally are more so when it is in person.

RIMS: What are your own favorite methods for accruing recertification points (such as attending/planning conferences or leading conference sessions)?

Mandel: I speak regularly at chapters and conferences, that would be number one; followed by writing for the trades and teaching assignments.

RIMS: What are your hopes for the RIMS-CRMP?

Mandel: The RIMS-CRMP is the segue to risk management being recognized as a true profession or as close as we might get. Over time, I’m hoping it becomes the CPA of risk, only more fun.

Chris Mandel presenting at the RIMS ERM Conference 2023.

Register for Chris Mandel's next RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Virtual Workshop, December 13–14, 2023

See the full RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep calendar.

Hear Chris Mandel on RIMScast: “ERM’s Value Proposition” (2023) and the RIMS Risk Leaders Series.

Interview by Justin Smulison, RIMS Business Content Manager