Olga Losing-Malota already had an established career as a property broker — fulfilling her leadership ambitions early to become head of broking for Willis Towers Watson in Austria, Germany and Switzerland — when she switched to insurance buying last year.

Although she wasn’t actively seeking a new position, her interest was piqued by the opportunity to set up a global insurance function at German health care group Fresenius Medical Care after a spin-off from its parent company.

“It’s really so different to be on the other side,” Ms. Losing-Malota said. “I’m someone who loves to take on a challenge and this was very interesting for me, to build something new at a company in an interesting transformation phase.”

Meeting Chief Financial Officer Martin Fischer sealed the deal, as he shares the same vision of leadership and support for women in senior roles. “It’s a very good match with how I act as a leader,” she said, casting herself in a supporting role to her team up on the main stage. Her team spirit has been instrumental in delivering on the company’s ambition to handle its own insurance and risk management, Mr. Fischer said.

Ms. Losing-Malota’s unit works alongside the firm’s existing U.S. insurance buying-department. She is also responsible for captives in Bermuda and Malta.

She is a founder and committee member of Women in Industrial Insurance, which since 2022 has built a network for female leaders in Germany. “I found it very important that we have a German initiative, to have a voice in the market,” Ms. Losing-Malota said.

She enjoys the diversity on her Fresenius team. “It’s always good if you have a mix of opinions and people, which can bring more success.”

To balance her professional drive, Ms. Losing-Malota loves being part of a large family and a parent, often ending her working days with long walks with her dog to a lake, although work is never far away. “I have new thoughts, and sometimes get a completely different view,” she said.