Get to know the individuals that ignite the insurance industry as they answer our icebreaker questions. 

As a senior leader at Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, Melissa Goto oversees four business units across North America including technology, environmental, entertainment and excess property. She has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience and has worked in various underwriting and leadership roles.

Melissa has a Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification in cyber risk management and holds a master's degree in business. She has participated in various industry boards and associations, including the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) and the Professional Liability Underwriters Society (PLUS). Melissa is a Mensa member and has served as a member of Chief, the network for senior executive women.

Melissa strives to lead and empower teams to grow, develop and deliver innovative and tailored solutions to clients, partners and brokers. She is also passionate about serving the community and supporting diversity & inclusion initiatives.

Thanks, for joining us! Nothing breaks the ice like a joke. Can you tell us a joke?
Where do cows go on a Saturday night? To the moooooovies.

So, what film have you watched the most times and will probably keep watching over and over again? 
These days, I'm at the mercy of my kids when it comes to movies, so my answer is probably “Minions" or “Boss Baby." But I'm not complaining. I enjoy those movies as much as they do. We are all kids at heart.

But what is the moment that you realized you were actually an adult? 
When 8 p.m. started to feel so late!

So late! Can you tell us about your morning routine?
I am the first one to wake up in my house because I'm an early-to-bed, early-to-rise type of person. Our mornings are chaos with kids and pets, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

How many pets do you have? 
I'm an animal lover. We currently have two dogs (Raven and Bella), one cat (Lily), and two blue death-feigning beetles (Betty and Bartle). We have fostered animals for years and have up to seven dogs in the house at any one time.

Seven! That's a lot of ... hair. What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics? 
Can multitasking be considered a sport? I can never sit still.

It sounds like you'd win gold. What superpower do you wish you had? 
Super strength like the Incredible Hulk, though I'd rather not turn green.

Do you have any tattoos? 
I have a plumeria tattoo I got while visiting Hawaii many years ago. 

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Protein smoothies with banana and peanut butter. I'm addicted. Second on the list would be sushi.

What's the strangest tradition in your family? 
We pass around a crystal lotus flower during dinner and whoever is holding the flower is the one who is talking and sharing their highlight and lowlight for the day.

Lastly, what's the best phrase or slang used by your family or in your hometown?
“If wishes were fishes, they'd fill the sea."

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