Mary Rowan-Ishikawa has visited all 50 states and lived in over a dozen as part of her military family. Eventually settling in California, Mary graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in insurance and leadership. Upon graduation 37 years ago, she began her partnership with Allstate.
Mary’s education and experience are rare in the insurance industry. For the first 10 years, she served customers as a claims adjuster handling property, liability, and injury claims. As a member of the National Catastrophe Team, she was deployed throughout the US to help customers rebuild their homes and lives after natural and man-made disasters. Mary was assigned to Allstate’s corporate headquarters near Chicago where she served in a variety of leadership roles for compliance, education, technology, marketing, and customer service teams.
After 17 years in Chicago and a major blizzard for which she ran the Business Resumption Plan for three states and 800 insurance agent locations, Mary planned her route back to California.
Having served customers on the Central Coast as a claims adjuster, Mary felt fortunate to continue the client-centric service provided by retiring 25-year agent, Matt Rice. Matt was an active member of the “Chamber” and encouraged her to get involved. Her most recent role has been as a Chamber Ambassador the past nine years helping new members leverage the many benefits of being a Chamber member.
As President/CEO of Suncoast Insurance Services, Inc., she oversees 10 team members providing personal lines and commercial insurance services. Mary especially enjoys serving her 401k and retirement-focused clients bringing her knowledge of retirement product taxation and social security to the discussion.
She is a member of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, the Home Builders Association, and Lions Club International.
She volunteers with and sponsors a number of organizations including The Clark Center for the Performing Arts, American Cancer Society, Studio of the Performing Arts/Remembering Sam Ford, Boys & Girls Clubs, GALA Pride & Diversity Center, Friends of Waller Park, SLO Goldens in the Park, and Lumina Alliance. And there are the many youth, art, education, and sports programs as well!
Mary is excited to serve as a Director for the South County Chamber of Commerce for the 2023-2025 term.
