Maureen Higdon is a multidisciplined international  leader with over 30 years of success in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. A tenured senior executive and European corporate board member,  Maureen has extensive practice in GRC (governance, risk management, and compliance), risk analysis, and risk assessment across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, retail, media, the arts, commercial real estate, and technology. Her extensive skill set includes setting strategy, business development, commercial operations and organizational management, marketing, planning and budgeting, talent management, and teambuilding.

Maureen graduated with her Bachelor of Science Marketing  from Miami University Oxford, Ohio in 1980, received her Women’s Leadership Training from Smith College in 1985, and received her Directors Training from the London Institute of Directors in 2007. In 2018, she became a National Association of Corporate Directors Governance Fellow and an American College of Corporate Directors Professional Director.

Maureen has held various leadership positions with the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, a multibillion dollar international Fortune 500 Insurance Company. During the latter part of her tenure with Chubb, Maureen was senior vice president, United Kingdom and Ireland, and managing director, London. In this capacity, Maureen managed all operations, including finance, product development, human resources, marketing, sales, and broker/customer relations and fostered an award-winning team environment. As a result of increased revenue and profitability, the company achieved both product and geographic expansion. Maureen also expanded broker and client relationships through enhanced communication, planning, and execution and significantly raised visibility to enhance a U.S. company presence. Additionally, as a member of the Chubb European Board, Maureen was accountable for all strategic, operational, and financial decisions.

Having lived and worked overseas, Maureen understands the importance of community and community involvement as an essential part of her life. Currently, she is a board member and fundraiser for American Friends of the Musée d'Orsay Paris and an advisory board member of the internet start-up Game Change Agency, Philadelphia. She is president  of the Houston Symphony League  and a board member of the Houston symphony Society, providing support to the Houston Symphony with fundraising, community outreach, and Houston representation at national events. She is also a member of the Houston Symphony wine auction committee.

Maureen is also an Executive Board member of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and President-Elect. She was appointed  board member to oversee the Auxiliary’s largest fundraiser, which resulted in approximately $1million raised, and also produced a significant operating budget for the organization. The budget supported family organizations, women’s shelters, veteran’s shelters, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. It has been Maureen’s pleasure to have chaired the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary Reflections on Style Runway Show and Luncheon, and she is proud to be the auxiliary’s incoming president for 2020. Maureen has also been an executive member of the Salvation Army of Greater Houston since 2008.

Maureen is a former 7- year Bayou Bend docent with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.  Skilled in American decorative arts with expertise in history and fine arts, Maureen was also an Executive Board member responsible for Arrangements and Special Events.

Maureen has also served as  a board member for ten years of her condominium association in southwest Florida.

Family is of great importance to Maureen. She delights in spending time with her sister and loves being aunt to her three nieces and nephews, supporting them in their education, athletics, joy of sports events, and love of exploring and learning through travel. Her friendships are her treasures and special partner Tom from Boston shares life’s journeys and travels.

Throughout her life, Maureen has always pursued and achieved excellence. Providing leadership by example and putting others first is her guiding principle.

It is for all the reasons mentioned above, and many more, that Maureen Higdon has been named a Top 20 Inspiring Woman Impact Maker for 2020. 

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