Stephen P. McGill,
Founder & CEO of McGill and Partners
“Our industry has faced its fair share of challenges over the years. But it’s incredible how we’ve come through. Now, we can look to the future: it’s bright, but we know more challenges are coming. Central to overcoming those challenges are leadership, education and innovation. All things that young people bring to the industry.”
STEPHEN P. MCGILL
“For our industry to continue to be successful through these periods, we need to continually bring in young, diverse talent that can help to build the next chapter for the insurance industry. The Spencer Educational Foundation is beneficial to the insurance and risk management community because it helps to nurture the next generation of talent by providing them with tools and programs that present the industry, and the many jobs within it, as attractive career paths.
I was incredibly privileged to accept Spencer’s Honor in 2010. Leadership, innovation and education are integral to the future of our industry. I am passionate about supporting those in education and providing them with the means to succeed. The work that the Spencer Foundation does and the extraordinary fundraising that supports young talent is a fantastic output of the industry.” Read more..
John Lumelleau,
retired President and CEO of Lockton Companies
“Support for the Spencer Educational Foundation is so important for our industry. Their students are talented young people who are well-trained, routinely challenged and passionate to achieve the right outcome. That is what drives our industry.”
JOHN LUMELLEAU
“I think that the work of the Spencer Educational Foundation – educating and supporting the flow of talented young individuals – plays a critical role in our industry. Spencer is both a conduit for and a facilitator of talent and is at the epicenter of expanding the talent pool within the insurance industry. That’s why I was excited to accept the honor at the 2011 Spencer Gala, and viewed the honor as confirmation of our long-standing commitment to developing excellence in those entering the business. Lockton and Spencer have been aligned for many years – both our company and the Foundation see the education experience as core to our industry’s expansion and continuing sophistication.” Read more..
Michael Kerner,
Chief Executive Officer, Munich Re Specialty Insurance
“It’ll take more than just a university education for these students to become leaders in our business – they also need our help. We need to take these students under our wings, give them knowledge and insight, become their mentors, and coach them. Show them what it means to be a true leader and professional in our business.”
MICHAEL KERNER
“I believe that education opens the door to a fulfilling career and a successful life. But who opens the door to an education? For many people, access to an education is elusive – either the money isn’t there, or the guidance and support is lacking. The Spencer Educational Foundation opens the door through scholarships that help meet the individual’s financial needs, as well as through programs that introduce young people to a rewarding career in insurance and risk management, thus providing guidance and support.
Helping young people get started on their career journey has always been energizing to me. So when I was honored at the Spencer Educational Foundation’s annual gala back in 2013, I was more than pleased to accept the honor and do what I could to contribute to this very worthy cause.” Read more..
Patrick G. Ryan,
Founder, Chairman and CEO, Ryan Specialty Group
“I believe in supporting the Spencer Educational Foundation in all that they do. I also believe that all of us need to be mentors to the young people we bring to our organizations. We need to constantly bring in young people and show them the great, unique opportunities we have in this industry.”
PATRICK G. RYAN
“I had known of the Spencer Educational Foundation for quite a long time before I was honored at their 2013 gala. Several of my close friends were early adaptors to the culture and principals of the Foundation, and I had seen how the contributions they were making to the industry through Spencer allowed them to prosper. Stimulated by these good friends who I hold in high esteem, I was thrilled to be chosen. My involvement with Spencer since then has further convinced me that everyone should help our industry’s future professionals through the Spencer Educational Foundation. And, of course, we are continuing to do that at RSG.
When I was honored in 2013, Ryan Specialty Group was only three years old. Throughout the last seven years, RSG has grown exponentially. Consistent with the principals of the Spencer Educational Foundation, we have been developing our recruiting and training program to attract young people coming into the insurance industry. This has been a big contributor to our success over these past 10 years. Recently, we made the decision to merge with All Risks, Ltd., who has developed one of the premier recruiting and training programs in the insurance brokerage industry. This merger is a big step in terms of the developing, recruiting, training, inspiring, and educating young people in our industry.” Read more..
Pat Gallagher,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gallagher
“My father, John Gallagher, and my uncle, Bob Gallagher, were lifelong proponents of recruiting talented young people into the insurance and risk management industries. The way that they committed themselves to giving college students the opportunity to learn – about our business, its many career paths, and its incredible impact on society – mirrors the commitment that Spencer shows towards its educational programs and its mission to support our future industry leaders.”
PATRICK GALLAGHER
"Some of the best advice that I’d like to offer to today’s Spencer Scholars: do well in school, and prepare for a great career in the best business on the planet.
The insurance and risk management industry is exciting and ever-changing, constantly adapting to the changing needs of our clients and enabling them to successfully manage their risks and benefits. As insurance professionals, we constantly hone our skills to support these ever-changing needs of our clients and we work hard to support the communities in which we operate. In uncertain times, like during the current global pandemic, our clients and our communities rely on us more than ever to help them understand and navigate risk. For Gallagher, people, communities and business have always been, and will always be, dominate priorities.” Read more..
Christopher A. Maleno,
Senior Vice President, Chubb Group
Division President, North America Field Operations
“Spencer’s mission, to fund the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders, could not be more important today. Recent college grads face a very challenging job market and staggering student loan debt…It’s in the face of these odds that the Spencer Educational Foundation does its best work.”
CHRISTOPHER A. MALENO
“It’s incredible to think about how much has changed since I was honored at the Spencer Gala back in 2015. On a personal level, I’ve gone from running the Major Accounts practice for Chubb, to taking over North America Field Operations. They’re very different roles, going from underwriting management to distribution management. The industry at-large has also changed massively since then: we’ve seen broker consolidation; continued emphasis on making underwriting profit while balancing growth and exposures; more collection, analysis and application of data in decision-making; and the development of self-service tools that agents, brokers and clients can utilize.” Read more..
RENATA BRUNO, SPENCER SCHOLAR
Renata is a two-time Spencer Scholar recipient; 2019 Spencer Gala Speaker; Senior at St. John’s University; and Vice President of Alpha Iota Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. Renata was the first recipient of the Elizabeth Lisle Scholarship.
VARUN SIVAKUMAR, SPENCER SCHOLAR
Varun is a two-time Spencer Scholar recipient; 2019 Spencer Gala Speaker; and recent graduate of Temple University. Varun is currently a health and benefits analyst at Willis Towers Watson.