Top Risk Trends for Chemicals, Energy, & Mining in 2026 - Ep. 249

Geopolitical shifts, emerging technologies, and changing business models are reshaping risk for chemicals, energy, and mining companies as they look ahead to 2026. Host Victoria Meyer explores the top risk trends impacting these sectors with firsthand insights from Marsh industry leaders including Kimberly Mann, Bill Kost, Cynthia Hazard, Steve Horstkamp, and Raoul Munoz after attending the Marsh North American Energy Conference. Discussions range from the rising importance of M&A and evolving credit risks, to the critical role of social license and geopolitics in mining, as well as the proactive management of environmental liabilities. 

The conversation also addresses the transformative impact of AI—not just as a potential disruptor, but as a catalyst for new job opportunities and operational efficiencies. Victoria and guests highlight the need for organizations to build adaptive, collaborative, and forward-thinking risk strategies across business functions. With rapid change the new “normal,” these insights offer practical guidance for leaders intent on managing uncertainty and building resilience within the chemicals, energy, and mining sectors. 

Victoria and guests discuss the following: 

• How M&A, market shifts, and geopolitics are reshaping risk in chemicals, energy, and mining for 2026 
• Why global politics and community buy-in are critical for mining and minerals companies' success 
• The impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, business models, operations, and sector vulnerabilities 
• The growing importance of being adaptive, collaborative, and clear-eyed about risk management 
• Managing workforce transformation, setting AI boundaries, and upskilling for a resilient future 

 

Killer Quote: "When I speak to leaders about transformation, it's not about job loss, it's about job redesign. So they need to be thinking, how do we need to work to be the best ABC company to do what we do? It's taking that redundant low value work, giving it to an AI agent and then really upskilling our employees, the humans to be better at what we do.” - Cynthia Hazard 

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