Spencer announces new leadership

Board names new chairwoman and elects new officers, board members

C. Zakia Phillips

The Spencer Educational Foundation announced that its board has elected new officers as well as new board members. C. Zakia Phillips, formerly of Willis Towers Watson, was elected Chairwoman for 2018-19 and five new board members were named: Dr. Cassandra Cole (Florida State University), Andrea Dudek (Accenture), Stephen Grabek (AIG), Dr. Weili Lu (California State University – Fullerton), and Debbie Michel (Liberty Mutual).

New Spencer Board members: Front row (l to r): Dr. Cassandra Cole (Florida State University) and Dr. Weili Lu (California State University – Fullerton). Back row (l to r):  Andrea Dudek (Accenture), Stephen Grabek (AIG), and Debbie Michel (Liberty Mutual).

Serving with Phillips on the Foundation’s Executive Committee will be Marya J. Propis (formerly of AIG) -- president, Robin Joines (Sedgwick) – vice president, Matthew Schneider (Aon) – secretary, and Peter Heard (Travelers) – treasurer.

“I look forward to working with the board as we continue,” said Phillips. “I would be remiss if I did not thank and acknowledge the great contributions made by our outgoing chair Ron Davis and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of departing board members Peggy Accordino, Roger Andrews and Debbie Rodgers.”

Phillips worked at Willis Towers Watson for ten years, most recently as the East Region Director for Corporate Risk and Broking, Large Accounts. She provided her colleagues and their clients with thought leadership, strategy, coordinated relationship management and other assistance for those large, complex corporate accounts. Her broking experience also includes work at Aon. Prior to being a broker, she was an Executive Director in the Risk and Insurance Management Department of Morgan Stanley, where she worked for 23 years. Phillips graduated with honors from the State University of New York, she is a licensed New York insurance Broker and has her ARM certification. She has been actively involved in RIMS where she served on the board of the New York Chapter for a number of years and is a Past President. She has served on the Foundation’s board since 2013.