Lucy Fato of AIG to be honored at Spencer’s 2023 Gala.
Jackie Bolig of WTW and Michael VanAcker of RT Specialty Join Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors; Marya Propis Appointed as Director of Distinction
Jackie Bolig of WTW Joins Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Michael VanAcker of RT Specialty Joins Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Board Appoints Past Chairperson and Board Member Marya Propis of RT Specialty as Director of Distinction
New York, NY (May 1, 2023) – After nearly 12 years of Board Service, including two years as Chairperson from 2019-2020, Marya Propis has retired from the Spencer Board of Directors. To thank her for her tremendous contributions to the Foundation’s success and growth, the Board has named Propis to its elite group of Directors of Distinction effective immediately.
During her more than a decade of leadership at the Foundation, Propis directly contributed to the growing success of the organization’s marquee annual gala, which now raises nearly $1.5 million each year in support of the next generation of industry talent. During her tenure as Chairperson, she created the role of Executive Director, paving the way for strategic leadership of the then 40-year-old organization. She also helped steer the Foundation through the global pandemic, ensuring continuity of fundraising and programming alike.
“Few board members have had the tremendous impact on the Foundation as Marya has had,” expressed current board Chairperson Teresa Black, COO of Surety at Chubb. “Her limitless energy, passion for talent, and strategic vision have positioned Spencer for enormous growth and impact. We cannot thank her enough for her immense contributions.”
As successor to Propis, the Spencer Board of Directors has confirmed the addition of Michael VanAcker, Executive Vice President of RT Specialty, to the Board.
VanAcker has leadership responsibilities over RT Specialty’s operations and digital offerings and works closely with RT’s valued clients, markets, and internal brokers and underwriters to provide best-in-class solutions. He joined Ryan Specialty in 2011 and previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Ryan Specialty Group. In this role, he ensured the firm’s successful transition to a public company and oversaw more than 1,200 teammates across the operations, technology and service teams. Preceding this role, VanAcker served as Controller and COO for RT Specialty, establishing and leading numerous departments for the firm and being heavily involved in the strategic positioning and integrations of Ryan Specialty’s multitude of acquisitions.
Spencer also welcomes Jackie Bolig Head of P&C for Corporate Risk Broking North America at WTW, to the Board.
With management oversight for the Property, Casualty, and Environmental teams across North America, Bolig’s role is focused on client retention, product development, talent strategy, and driving successful carrier relationships across all twelve industry verticals. Additionally, she is responsible for growth across the business through alignment with the industry vertical leaders on strategic product development and innovation to maintain distinct competitive advantage and provide best-in-class solutions to meet client needs.
Prior to joining WTW, Bolig had 30 years of experience at Aon starting in the Risk Management Practice in Baltimore, MD (formerly Alexander & Alexander). After stints in Philadelphia and Bermuda, Bolig landed in NYC leading the Greater New York property practice. From there she moved through roles of increasing responsibility in Aon’s Inpoint and facultative businesses, ultimately being appointed as Co-Lead of Aon Inpoint.
“The addition of these two industry titans to our board further enhances Spencer’s brand and our ability to impact the next generation of insurance and risk management leadership,” expressed Ron Davis, Global Head of Customer Management for Zurich, and Chair of Spencer’s Board Composition and Governance Committee. “We’re delighted to welcome Jackie and Michael to the Board, and equally delighted to honor Marya’s legacy with her appointment to our distinguished group of Directors of Distinction.”
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation:
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $8 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
Media Contact:
Tandeka Nomvete
External Engagement Director
Spencer Educational Foundation
Email: tandeka@spencered.org
Elizabeth Ricciardelli of Travelers and David Arick of International Paper Company Join Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Elizabeth Ricciardelli of Travelers Joins Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
RIMS Board Vice President David Arick of International Paper Company Joins as Ex-Officio Board Member
Board Elects 2023-24 Chairperson, Teresa Black of Chubb
New York, NY (January 31, 2023) – The Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors has confirmed the addition of Elizabeth Ricciardelli, Vice President of Talent Acquisition for Travelers to the Board. She is succeeding Peter Heard, Executive Vice President of Enterprise Distribution for Travelers, who had served in the role since 2002.
Elizabeth Ricciardelli currently serves as the Vice President of Talent Acquisition for Travelers, a leading provider of property casualty insurance. As a member of the company’s Human Resources Senior Leadership Team, Ricciardelli is responsible for Travelers’ global recruiting efforts related to all employee levels and functions, as well as employment branding and administration. Ricciardelli has more than 30 years of experience in human resources. Prior to joining Travelers in 2016, she led the recruiting function at Chubb for more than five years. She has also held roles of varying responsibility at Citi, Salomon Brothers, Lehman Brothers and Lord & Taylor. She received her master’s in organizational psychology from Columbia University and her bachelor’s in marketing from Boston College.
Spencer also welcomes RIMS Board Vice President David Arick, Assistant Treasurer, Global Risk Management at International Paper Company as an ex-officio Board Member. For her year of Spencer Board service, we thank outgoing RIMS liaison Jennifer Santiago, Head of Risk Management and Safety at Wakefern Food Corp., who has been promoted to RIMS Board President.
David Arick currently serves as the Assistant Treasurer, Global Risk Management, for International Paper, one of the world’s leading producers of fiber-based packaging and pulp. His Memphis-based team is responsible for global risk financing and captive management, property conservation and loss prevention, and claim management. Arick has worked in insurance and risk management for over 30 years, beginning his career in claim services at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio. He then progressed through risk management roles at Bank One (now JPMorgan Chase), Abbott Laboratories, Emerson Electric, and General Electric, prior to joining International Paper in 2004. Arick is a member of the board of directors of RIMS, the Risk & Insurance Management Society, and serves as RIMS’ Vice President in 2023. He is also a long-standing member of the M200 Association and is a former chairman and board member of that group. He has previously served on the board of the Fire Museum of Memphis, including a year as chairman, and has also served on various customer advisory boards throughout the course of his career.
Spencer has also named Teresa Black, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, North America Surety at Chubb, as the 2023-24 Board Chairperson. Black has been a Spencer Board Member since 2014 and succeeds Robin Roeder who finished her two-year term as Chairperson in December 2022.
Serving with Teresa Black on Spencer’s Executive Committee is President - Johnell Holly (FM Global); Vice President - Jeffrey M. Cohen (Zywave, formerly Advisen); Treasurer - Kristen Bessette (QBE North America); and Secretary - Bob Thomas (Liberty Mutual). Spencer looks forward to Teresa’s term as Chairperson and will benefit greatly from her business acumen and professional prowess. The Foundation thanks the outgoing Chairperson, Robin S. Roeder of Sedgwick, for her outstanding work over the past two years. Roeder will continue to serve on the Spencer Board. Under Roeder’s two-year leadership as Chairperson, the Foundation experienced record revenue growth and revamped its staff model, attracting several talented industry professionals. Amongst various accomplishments achieved for the Foundation, Roeder’s passion inspired her trading partners also to support Spencer’s mission. These efforts ultimately blossomed into the development of a Risk Management and Insurance program at an HBCU.
Ricciardelli’s, Arick’s, and Black’s appointments are effective as of January 1, 2023.
“Spencer benefits enormously from the experience, insights, and advocacy from a broad range of insurance industry leaders on our Board of Directors,” expressed Ron Davis, Global Head of Customer Management for Zurich, and Chair of Spencer’s Board Composition and Governance Committee. “We’re delighted to welcome new board members Elizabeth Ricciardelli and David Arick. Elizabeth is replacing Peter Heard of Travelers to whom we’re grateful for his past 20 years of active engagement, and David joins as the representative for the Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS). We’re also delighted that Teresa Black has been promoted to Chairperson of Spencer. Teresa has an accomplished history with the Spencer Board and has been instrumental in the growing success of our annual gala, while also creating focus around our programs and their impact.”
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation:
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $8 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
Media Contact:
Tandeka Nomvete
External Engagement Director
Spencer Educational Foundation
Email: tandeka@spencered.org
Spencer's Funding Their Future Gala Raises Over $1.4M; Scholarships and Grants for 2023 Expected to Reach Highest Levels
Industry Leader Neeti Bhalla Johnson, President of Global Risk Solutions at Liberty Mutual, Honored for Unwavering Support of Rising Risk and Insurance Professionals
New York (October 17, 2022) – More than 500 insurance and risk management executives gathered at the Spencer Educational Foundation’s Funding Their Future Gala on September 22 at the New York Sheraton Times Square Hotel. The group celebrated gala honoree Neeti Bhalla Johnson, President of Global Risk Solutions at Liberty Mutual. The event raised more than $1.4M that will fund scholarships, internships, course development and other educational programming for the next generation of risk management and insurance professionals.
The gala featured Spencer leadership as well as two Spencer Scholarship recipients – Jamal Evans, an undergraduate student at Temple who was awarded the Liberty Mutual Scholarship this year as well as the Allied World scholarship in 2021; and Anne Bowen, an Orr Fellow with partner company Apex Benefits who is a three-time Spencer scholarship recipient as well as a recipient of funding provided by Spencer to attend various industry conferences.
“After a two-year hiatus, Spencer was thrilled to be able to bring the industry together around a cause that speaks to each of us – preparing the next generation to lead our businesses into the future,” said Megan Miller, Spencer Executive Director. “We cannot thank our sponsors and donors enough, in particular Liberty Mutual, for their tremendous support.”
At the close of her remarks, Liberty’s Bhalla Johnson announced a $1M pledge to support Spencer, over and above the $1.4M that was raised through event sponsorships and donations. This generous gift from Liberty Mutual will enable Spencer to broaden its student reach and attract a diversity of talent to the industry. Spencer is poised to administer $650,000 in scholarships and another $850,000 in grants to attract and support rising risk professionals in 2023 – a high water mark for the foundation in a time of increasing economic uncertainty.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation:
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $7 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
Media Contact:
Tandeka Nomvete
External Engagement Director
Spencer Educational Foundation
Email: tandeka@spencered.org
Ben Sloop of Amwins and Sue Srinivasan of Arch Insurance Group Join Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Ben Sloop of Amwins and Sue Srinivasan of Arch Insurance Group Join Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
New York, NY (September 19, 2022) – The Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors has confirmed the additions of Ben Sloop, Chief Operating Officer for Amwins and Sue Srinivasan, Executive Vice President, Distribution for Arch Insurance Group to the Board. Sloop’s and Srinivasan’s appointments are effective as of September 1, 2022.
“We are thrilled to expand our board to include long-time corporate supporters Amwins and Arch,” expressed Ron Davis, Spencer’s Board Composition and Governance Chair. “And moreover, we are delighted to add colleagues of such high caliber in Sue and Ben. Their unique skillsets and influential positions in the industry will only enhance Spencer’s trajectory of success and expand our reach to more and more students.”
Benjamin R. Sloop currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Amwins. Prior to taking on the role of COO, Ben had served as president of the small business division, Amwins Access, since its inception in January 2015. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Harvard, he began his career in management consulting at Bain & Company, and then joined Parthenon Capital, a private equity fund, where he worked on the Amwins capital raise in 2005. The following year, he joined Amwins in an M&A role. He left Amwins in late 2007 to attend Stanford Business School. Ben worked for Bills.com, a Silicon Valley start-up, until October 2011, when he joined Amwins once again.
“We are thrilled to have Ben serve in this role for the Spencer Educational Foundation,” said James Drinkwater, President of Amwins. “It is very important for our firm and for our industry to prepare the next generation of leaders. Working to help advance the important work of Spencer is one way we can make sure we actively participate in providing educational opportunity for those who soon will serve in leadership positions.”
Sue Srinivasan is the Executive Vice President of Distribution for Arch Insurance Group Inc., a position she’s held since 2020. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Retail Strategy and Marketing. Prior to joining Arch in 2019, she spent nearly 15 years in several different roles at Marsh USA Inc. Sue has a Master of Business Administration from St. John’s University and a Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University.
“With the addition of Sue to the Spencer Educational Foundation Board, the group is gaining a top-notch leader and someone who embodies the organization’s mission,” said Matt Shulman, CEO of Arch Insurance North America. “We truly value Arch’s partnership with the Spencer Educational Foundation, and I know the organization will benefit from Sue’s deep industry experience and personal passion for fostering a diverse pipeline of talent for tomorrow’s insurance leaders.”
Amwins and Arch Insurance Group are newly represented companies on the Spencer Educational Foundation Board. Spencer welcomes Ben Sloop and Sue Srinivasan to the Board and thanks Amwins and Arch Insurance Group for their continued support and dedication to Spencer.
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation:
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $7 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
Media Contact:
Tandeka Nomvete
External Engagement Director
Spencer Educational Foundation
Email: tandeka@spencered.org
Spencer Welcomes Tandeka Nomvete as Program Director and Ken Goldstein as University Partnerships Director
The Spencer Educational Foundation is excited to announce the addition of two new staff members - Tandeka Nomvete as Program Director and Ken Goldstein as University Partnerships Director. Tandeka began her role at Spencer on July 18, 2022 and Ken will begin his new role on August 15, 2022.
As Program Director, Tandeka Nomvete will manage Spencer’s Scholarship, Internship, and General Grants Programs. She will also lead external relations efforts with the Foundation’s various stakeholder groups including managing the mentorship program, webinar series for students, local RIMS chapters, Spencer alumni, and more.
Ken Goldstein is joining Spencer in a newly created role as University Partnerships Director and will be responsible for overseeing and cultivating relationships with higher education institutions, including RMI Course and Program Development through Spencer’s Course Development Grants and Spencer’s Risk Manager on Campus Program.
“The value that the Spencer Educational Foundation brings to the insurance industry through its student-centered programming is more critical than ever,” said Spencer Executive Director Megan Miller. “Tandeka and Ken bring essential skills to the team with their insurance backgrounds and their hands-on experience in educating and recruiting the next generation of talent. I could not be more thrilled to welcome them to our small but mighty team.”
Tandeka Nomvete joins Spencer with a wealth of risk management, insurance, and nonprofit experience. Prior to joining Spencer, she worked as an Associate Account Executive at Marsh. After her role with Marsh, she worked as the Director of Chapter Engagement at Gamma Iota Sigma, where she managed national resources for 90+ local chapters to foster effective chapter management and inclusive membership. Most recently, Tandeka worked as Director of QGrads at Questpro Consultants, leading their internship and early career hiring efforts. In addition to her work experience, Tandeka has received several industry awards, the most recent being the 2022 RISE Award: 35 under 35.
Prior to joining Spencer, Ken spent five years in higher education at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business, managing robust teaching, professional development, and service obligations associated with risk management and insurance. Ken is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and New York, and during his seventeen years in the insurance industry, worked his way up at Chubb from Claims Attorney to holding positions that included Vice President & Worldwide Cyber Security and Media Liability Manager and Vice President & Media Segment Manager.
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $7 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
Julie Gibson of Lockton Companies and Linton “B.” Puckett of Gallagher Join Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Julie Gibson of Lockton Companies and Linton “B.” Puckett of Gallagher Join Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
RIMS Board Vice President Jennifer Santiago of Wakefern Joins as Ex-Officio Board Member
June 14, 2022 – The Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors has confirmed the additions of Julie Gibson, EVP, Director of Marketing, Communications and External Affairs for Lockton Companies and Linton “B.” Puckett, Vice President, Market Relations Leader for Gallagher’s U.S. property/casualty division to the Board. Gibson’s appointment is effective as of June 1, 2022 and Puckett’s appointment is effective as of February 1, 2022.
Spencer also welcomes RIMS Board Vice President Jennifer Santiago, Head of Risk Management and Safety at Wakefern Food Corp. as an ex-officio Board Member, and thanks outgoing RIMS liaison Patrick Sterling, Vice President of Legendary People at Texas Roadhouse, who has been promoted to RIMS Board President, for his year of Spencer Board service.
“We recognize B., Julie, and Jennifer’s impressive experience and accomplishments, and we know they’ll be terrific contributors in helping us deliver on Spencer’s mission,” said Ron Davis, Chair of Spencer’s Board Composition and Governance Committee and EVP, Head of Customer Management at Zurich. “We’re grateful to have such a talented group of industry leaders on our Board.”
Since joining Lockton in October 2018, Julie Gibson and her team have led the launch of the global “Uncommonly Independent” brand platform, aligning teams across the world. Gibson’s team also led the launch of Workplace by Facebook, Lockton’s internal communications platform, keeping teams connected and engaged through remote work and beyond. Prior to joining Lockton, Gibson was a Consultant with Global Prairie, a global marketing firm where she led global client teams focused on corporate communications, public affairs, and brand strategy.
“I’m honored to represent Lockton and our ongoing commitment to growing and inspiring the future leaders of our industry through the important work of the Spencer Educational Foundation,” said Gibson.
Linton “B.” Puckett is responsible for the leadership of Gallagher’s national Market Relations practice. In this role, B. is responsible for developing and managing strategic carrier and intermediary relationships in Gallagher’s U.S. Brokerage division. B. leads SmartMarket, Gallagher’s platform that couples data with a dedicated engagement model to enhance carrier relationship strategies. B. also leads Gallagher’s Client Advantage strategy, which partners with carriers to bring proprietary products and solutions to clients.
“The Spencer Educational Foundation has created best-in-class programs to help educate students interested in a career in insurance and I’m thrilled to represent Gallagher on their Board of Directors and help further their mission,” said Puckett. “Insurance is such a dynamic and exciting industry, and it’s critical that resources are available to help guide the next generation of insurance leaders and risk managers.”
Gibson's and Puckett's roles on the Board were previously held by Tim Meacham, Chief Operating Officer for Lockton Companies and Butler Bourgeois, Area Executive Vice President for Gallagher, respectively. Meacham served a 10-year term where he spearheaded the Scholarships Committee and stewarded over a half million dollars in Lockton pledges and contributions which fund the John Lockton Memorial Scholarship Fund and support other Spencer events and programming. Bourgeois served a 4-year term where he sat as Chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the Risk Manager on Campus Committee, and led the annual Spencer Gallagher Golf Tournament. Spencer thanks both Tim Meacham and Butler Bourgeois for their outstanding contributions to the Foundation.
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $7 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
In Loving Memory of Dan Kugler - The Dan Kugler Memorial RMOC Grant
Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness and even greater admiration that we come together as a community to remember Dan Kugler. Dan was a well-respected risk management professional and so much more. He was a beloved father and husband. A charismatic and reliable friend. A thought-leader, a mentor, and a steadfast believer in creating opportunities for others, especially students who chose to pursue risk management and insurance careers.
Dan worked tirelessly for decades to give back to the profession that he loved so much. Often described as “larger than life,” Dan captivated classrooms across the country, helping educate students and professionals alike about the world of risk management and insurance. Dan served on the boards of both the Spencer Educational Foundation and RIMS, the risk insurance management society®, and also taught on behalf of both organizations. Most recently Dan joined Spencer’s scholarship committee and helped select the Foundation’s 2022 recipients.
In celebration of Dan’s unwavering generosity and commitment to supporting the next generation of risk leaders, Spencer is proud to announce the first-ever named Risk Manager on Campus (RMOC) grant in his honor: The Dan Kugler Memorial RMOC Grant.
For nearly two decades, Dan participated in Spencer’s RMOC program – a program praised by both universities and risk professionals as a rewarding educational experience for students and an impactful opportunity to give back to the profession. The program brings practicing risk professionals, like Dan, to universities across the United States and Canada to present and engage with students about the world of opportunities waiting for them in this field.
RIMS has been a long-standing supporter of Spencer and its efforts to reach and support more students in accordance with the Foundation’s mission to fund the future leaders of risk management and insurance. To recognize Dan’s unparalleled dedication to advancing the risk management profession, RIMS is proud to kickoff this tribute with an initial donation of $5,000.
We welcome you to join us in remembering Dan by sharing your favorite memories of him and contributing to an organization and program that Dan remained passionate about through his final days. To learn more about Dan Kugler and his passion to provide for students, and to contribute to the Dan Kugler Memorial RMOC Grant, visit: https://www.spencered.org/in-memory-of-dan-kugler.
To share your thoughts and memories of Dan, which will be posted on the above memorial website, please email creynier@spencered.org.
Sincerely,
Megan Miller
Executive Director
Spencer Educational Foundation
Debra Rodgers
Retired SVP, Global Risk Management
Aramark
Former Board Member
Spencer Educational Foundation & RIMS
Angela Sabatino
Retired Programs Director
Spencer Educational Foundation
Nancy Chambers
Retired Director, Risk Management
Bentall Kennedy
Former President
RIMS
Mary Roth
CEO
RIMS, the risk management society®️
Peggy Accordino
Retired Risk Manager
NFP Corp.
Former Chairperson
Spencer Educational Foundation
Debbi Little
Director of Professional Development
IIAV
The Spencer Educational Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients
Highest Scholarship Award Year in Foundation’s History
April 28, 2022 – The Spencer Educational Foundation is proud to announce the Foundation’s 2022 Undergraduate, Graduate and Ph.D. Spencer Scholarship award recipients. This year, Spencer awarded 99 scholarships to undergraduate, full-time master’s, part-time master’s, and Ph.D. students totaling $650,077. This marks both the highest number of recipients and amount awarded in the Foundation’s history.
Spencer’s merit-based scholarships are awarded to students in the United States and Canada who aim to pursue a career in Risk Management and Insurance. Selection is based on academics, leadership, work/internship experience, and demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in the industry. Since Spencer’s founding in 1979, the Foundation has awarded more than 1,400 scholarships totaling nearly $9 million.
“Spencer is proud to continue to support talent in the Risk Management and Insurance Industry,” said Megan Miller, Spencer Executive Director. “For this to be our highest scholarship award year since Spencer’s founding shows not only the Foundation’s growth and commitment to our future leaders, but also the commitment of our supporters. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients and welcome to the Spencer Family!"
As Spencer continues to grow its scholarship program, the Foundation has joined with several new partners including AF Group, Beckage, Hylant, Travelers, and Spencer Scholar alumnus Gabe Cossio to create 11 new merit-based scholarships in 2022. With the addition of these new partners, Spencer awarded 62 named scholarships this year totaling $360,000, including 23 merit-based diversity scholarships, which are earmarked for students identifying with historically underrepresented groups in the industry.
Spencer has also partnered with Liberty Mutual to continue awarding their undergraduate named scholarships at a higher award amount. Beginning this year, four undergraduate scholarship recipients who identify with a historically underrepresented group will receive the Liberty Mutual Group Scholarship in the amount of $10,000. This enhanced collaboration brings the total number of $10,000 undergraduate Spencer scholarship awards to five, including the Angela Sabatino Scholarship: a $10,000 merit-based undergraduate scholarship awarded to the highest-ranked student. The remaining undergraduate award amounts are $7,500 or $5,000 each and graduate and Ph.D. awards are up to $10,000.
Thank you to all the following companies, organizations, and individuals for supporting Spencer through the creation of named scholarships:
Congratulations to the following 2022 Spencer Scholarship award recipients:
Caroline Adamsky, Temple University
Austin Aguilar, St. Mary's University
Samuel Akinade, Illinois State University
Edwin Amponsah, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Arshi Bassi, Boston University
Marcella Beasley, Eastern Kentucky University
Delaney Beller, University of Central Oklahoma
Anna Beyer, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Neil Bhardwaja, Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Anne Bowen, Indiana State University
Grant Brooks, Temple University
Jordan Brown, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Javier Brugueras, Saint Joseph's University
Cassandra Butch, Bentley University
Kaylene Candela, Olivet College
Megan Chaffey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Isabella Chang, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Hongfei Chen, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Elizabeth Colpe, Saint Joseph's University
Elise Conrad, Drake University
Sebastian Czerwinski, Illinois State University
Abby Daunt, Florida State University
Meredith Dearing, Olivet College
Teresa Dryden-Smith, Columbia University in the City of New York
Joshua Ebyson, Temple University
Jamal Evans, Temple University
Maura Farrell, Saint Joseph's University
Logan Feaker, Drake University
Mika Fick, University of Georgia
Alex Fotia, Robert Morris University
Tyler Gabis, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Brynne Galloway, Eastern Kentucky University
Jaelyn Gawley, Temple University
Samuel Gilbert, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Omar Gonzalez, Appalachian State University
Joshua Gordon, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Zachary Grasty, Drake University
Rebecca Gyamfi-Koranteng, Saint John’s University - Manhattan
Samuel Hanson, University of Delaware
Maroun Harb, St. Mary's University
Logan Hartney, Temple University
Jacob Heit, Mount Mercy University
Matthew Hensley, Columbia University in the City of New York
Sophie Hochfeld, Temple University
Sofia Holtje, St. John's University-New York
Shimeng Huang, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Gretchen Humphreys, Olivet College
Tyler Jenkins, Illinois State University
Connor Judkiewicz, The University of Alabama
Emily Jung, University of Calgary
Tanmay Karandikar, The University of Texas at Dallas
William Kegg, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Adam Keylin, Temple University
Madeline Lang, The University of Alabama
Tiffany Li, University of Georgia
Wenchu Li, Temple University
Honglin Li, University of Wisconsin Madison
Evan Liffland, Temple University
Jingwen Lin, Temple University
Owen Malinauskas, Drake University
Kristian Marino, St. John’s University
Madison McQuiston, Temple University
Alex Meals, Temple University
Caitlin Murphy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Alena Nguyen, The University of Texas at Dallas
Caitlyn Nielson, Drake University
Breanna Nolan, University of California-Los Angeles
Vincent O'Connell, St. John's University-New York
Samiksha Padiyar, Temple University
Melanie Patten, Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Halsey Perry, University of Georgia
Gabriela Pigan, St. John's University-New York
Gabrielle Prill, Drake University
Maya Ramahi, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Austin Raymond, Towson University
Nicole Sabin, Illinois State University
Ryan Scandale, Temple University
Stuart Seputro, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sienna Sigmon, Appalachian State University
Edward Simmons Rosales, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Julia Sonntag, Indiana State University
Fiona Spinelli, Columbia University in the City of New York
Katie Steckel, Temple University
Olivia Stoltenberg, Florida State University
Dana Telljohann, Florida State University
Connor Thomson, Villanova University
Taylor Trafton, University of South Carolina-Columbia
Praneel Trivedy, Temple University
Nicolas Vilov, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Sean Waddell, Florida State University
Lainey Waldman, Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Robert Walton, Temple University
Jabari Washington, Illinois State University
Tyler Welch, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Megan Whitney, Illinois State University
Audrey Xia, University of Southern California
Dekun Zhai, Temple University
Yiqi Zhao, University of Connecticut
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $7 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
The Spencer Educational Foundation Announces Funding Their Future Gala To Be Held on September 22, 2022
The Spencer Educational Foundation Announces Funding Their Future Gala To Be Held on September 22, 2022
Liberty Mutual’s Neeti Bhalla Johnson to Be Honored
New York, NY – The Spencer Educational Foundation, which supports the next generation of risk management and insurance leaders, will hold its Funding Their Future Gala on Thursday, Sept. 22, in New York City at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
This year’s Spencer Gala will honor Neeti Bhalla Johnson, President, Global Risk Solutions of Liberty Mutual Insurance for her outstanding achievements in risk management and insurance and her commitment to the future of the industry.
Neeti Bhalla Johnson joined Liberty Mutual in September 2013. Prior to her current role, she was president and chief investment officer, Liberty Mutual Investments. She was previously a managing director at Goldman Sachs, where she began her career in 2000 working as an analyst in the firm’s Investment Banking Division in London. Bhalla Johnson is active in Liberty’s employee resource groups, including as the executive co-sponsor of LEAAP@Liberty (Leading and Empowering Asian & Ally Professionals), and as an active participant in WE@Liberty, which is committed to supporting and empowering women professionals and their allies.
“We are proud to honor Neeti, an incredibly accomplished individual in the industry, and to celebrate Spencer’s far-reaching impact on industry talent at this year’s Gala,” said Robin Roeder, Spencer Board Chair and Senior Vice President Risk Management at Sedgwick. “The collective accomplishments of Spencer Scholars are untold. These students have gone on to impact countless lives through their commitment to better the industry, and we applaud their achievements and successes yet to come. And to the many Spencer supporters, we say thank you for your generosity. You, too, elevate the industry and shape the world in ways that benefit us all.”
Since 2009, Spencer’s Gala has brought together hundreds of risk management and insurance industry leaders to honor executives and their companies for their contributions to industry education. Due to the pandemic, Spencer’s Gala pivoted to an annual fundraising campaign titled Funding Their Future in 2020 and 2021 to continue raising funds for Spencer’s five programs. The Foundation looks forward to hosting this year’s Funding Their Future Gala in person, aiming to raise $1.5 million to support scholarships, grants, and additional industry experiential learning and educational programming.
“After a two-year hiatus, we are excited to be back in person at the Spencer Funding Their Future Gala applauding the efforts of our distinguished honorees,” said Duncan Ellis, Chair of Spencer’s Fundraising Committee and Head of North American Retail Property at AIG. “We hope many of you will join us in supporting this year’s Gala and celebrating with colleagues we haven’t seen in far too long.”
In 2021, the Spencer Educational Foundation awarded over $1.2 million providing 89 scholarships, 66 grants, and 36 internships. Since Spencer’s founding 43 years ago, the Foundation has awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and more than $7 million in grants that have directly impacted the quality of risk management and insurance education and the talent entering the RMI profession.
More information regarding sponsorship and ticket packages will be available soon. For information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About The Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $7 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org
About Neeti Bhalla Johnson
Neeti Bhalla Johnson is the President, Global Risk Solutions, Liberty Mutual Insurance. She leads the company’s commercial and specialty insurance business unit, with operations in 24 countries producing $18.5B in gross written premium. Notably, the business is ranked first in Global Surety and is the fifth largest global commercial and specialty lines writer. Neeti was previously President and Chief Investment Officer, Liberty Mutual Investments.
Neeti joined Liberty Mutual in September 2013. She was previously a managing director at Goldman Sachs. She began her career with Goldman Sachs in 2000, working as an analyst in the firm’s Investment Banking Division in London. In 2002, she joined the Goldman Sachs Investment Management Group in New York, where she was responsible for tactical asset allocation decisions for Private Wealth Management clients. In her position as head of the Tactical Asset Allocation team, she was a member of the Investment Strategy Group. Before Goldman Sachs, Neeti worked at the Central Bank of Kenya and the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
Neeti is the executive co-sponsor of LEAAP@Liberty (Leading and Empowering Asian & Ally Professionals) and an active participant in WE@Liberty, a women’s network and advocacy group at Liberty Mutual. While at Goldman Sachs, she also participated in the women’s network and mentored women in the firm’s Returnship program. Neeti has been featured in Working Mothers Magazine, Glass Hammer, Insurance Business America, Insurance AUM Journal, as well as having been honored by the Foreign Policy Association.
Neeti was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, where she earned an MBA and MSc in Social Anthropology. She also has a BA in Economics from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya.
Neeti currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Peterson Institute for International Economics; member of the Board of Directors of the Trustees Organization; member of the International Council of the Belfer Center, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University; and a member of the Board of Trustees, Rhodes Trust, University of Oxford.
Spencer Board Member Highlight: Teresa Black
Teresa Black, Spencer Board President and Executive Vice President, Commercial Surety at Chubb
Tell us a little about yourself! What led you to your current position as Executive Vice President, Commercial Surety at Chubb?
I've been very fortunate throughout my career with Chubb to have had the opportunity to work in a number of different roles, including underwriting, regional management, and business development for various product lines. Chubb has the scope and scale that allows its employees to try new things and learn new skills.
As I developed my career, I found that I really love underwriting. To be a successful underwriter, you not only need to understand risk factors, you also need to have a genuine interest in your clients, in their business, and in getting to know them. Developing broker relationships is essential. So, underwriting offers a great balance of very technical work and relationship building, which was perfect for me.
Underwriting is how I ended up joining the commercial surety team. Today, I'm responsible for the North American P&L. I oversee a fantastic group of underwriters and support staff who help to make sure we are successful. It's been a really fun journey for me, and I'm learning things every day.
How do you think having female representation in the workplace helps current and future employees?
I think it is both important and extremely beneficial for employees of any gender or racial background to see people they can relate to in different roles within their company. It helps to increase the overall level of engagement from employees when they see individuals in leadership who they can relate to.
It's also easier to figure out what is most effective for your career growth as an individual if you have more than one model to follow as an example. I've had a very long career, and I’ve pursued career growth in many different ways, all to varying degrees of success. Early in my career, if I had tried to simply mimic one executive or one person in leadership to grow my career, it wouldn't have been nearly as effective. Seeing people with different styles of leadership is essential, and while it’s certainly not the only thing, gender can impact a person’s leadership style.
Did this play a part in your decision to enter the insurance industry?
To be honest, when I started in this industry, I really did not think about the level of female representation in the workplace. I was just so happy to have a job and the training program I was part of was very well balanced from a gender and race perspective.
It was not until later in my career when I started to move into increasingly senior roles that it became apparent that there were far fewer women in senior level decision making roles than there were men, but I see that changing. Our industry has always been very welcoming to people of all backgrounds, and many of those women who I started my career with are still climbing the ranks in their companies.
What advice would you have to a young woman who's entering the insurance industry?
My advice applies to any young person looking to join the insurance industry: Get to know as many people as possible. Finding a mentor can be a little overwhelming early in your career, especially if you don’t come into your industry with a lot of contacts. So, in the beginning, make yourself available, be present, and look to forge relationships across the board. That increases the odds of you connecting with someone who can become a formal mentor or sponsor, as well as opens the door to informal opportunities that can help you develop your career. And, of course, there’s something that can be learned from each individual interaction that you have with folks who have been active for a long time.
How do you think the insurance industry has done thus far in promoting gender diversity?
We’ve definitely made inroads when it comes to diversity. When I started in insurance, diversity wasn’t something that I remember people talking about. Now, we’ve done a lot to raise awareness around the topic. We’re aware of an imbalance, which in turn has senior leaders and hiring managers challenging themselves to find diverse hires who will benefit the industry as a whole. This commitment to creating a more diverse industry is definitely helping us move toward a more equitable state.
What made you interested in serving on Spencer's Board of Directors? How did you get involved with Spencer?
This is a great example of how your industry connections can help you throughout your career. I got involved in Spencer because Chris Maleno, who is now Division President of Chubb’s North America Field Operations, thought it would be something that I might enjoy learning more about. He was a Spencer Board member and he told me he was involved in an organization that focused on educational opportunities for students in risk management. He then asked if it was something that I might like to learn more about. I said, “Absolutely.”
I got involved pretty quickly and since then I've assisted with a number of initiatives within Spencer, including joining Board, on which I currently serve as President.
How do you see Spencer advancing ongoing efforts of inclusion in the risk management and insurance industry?
Our focus on diversity and inclusion has really evolved within Spencer over the last five years. We have a lot going on, but one of the initiatives I’m most proud of is that we’re developing scholarship opportunities that are specifically targeted toward diverse candidates.
We're also working to expand the number of schools and universities that we engage with, either by providing scholarships to their students, helping develop an insurance curriculum for their business schools, even if they don't have a specific risk management major, or working to get risk managers onto campuses to present to business students about what insurance is all about. Increasing risk managers’ presence on campus is key. We’re able to reach a lot of students at once and are able to talk about what sets our unique industry apart. It does a lot to show the next generation of business professionals what sorts of opportunities exist in insurance.
What do you like most about the insurance industry?
Insurance professionals touch nearly every part of the global economy, and that makes us and our position very, very impactful. Luckily, our industry is full of people who care deeply about the economy, society, and environment. It’s an amazing culture to be a part of, and I think it's something to be very proud of.
Thank you to to Teresa for being an integral part of the Spencer Board of Directors and for participating in this Spencer profile!
Registration Now Open for Spencer & Sedgwick 5K Fun Run
Time-Honored Fundraiser Takes Place Tuesday, April 12th – Virtually and at RIMS RISKWORLD in San Francisco, CA
March 1, 2022 – Registration for the Spencer Educational Foundation’s 8th Annual Spencer & Sedgwick 5K Fun Run is now open. This year’s 5K Fun Run will be a hybrid event taking place Tuesday, April 12, 2022 in person at RIMS RISKWORLD and virtually for individuals not attending the conference. The 5K Fun Run is one of Spencer’s leading fundraising events in support of Spencer’s various programming efforts and benefiting future risk management and insurance leaders.
“We are thrilled to be back in person at RIMS RISKWORLD this year while also maintaining the virtual component of the run that has been a huge success over the past two years,” said Spencer Executive Director Megan Miller. “As our support base grows, it is nice to be able to come together from all parts of the world in support of our industry’s future. Whether you’re able to travel to San Francisco in April or not, we want everyone to be included in the fun.”
The Spencer & Sedgwick 5K Fun Run began in 2015 as an in-person fundraising 5K occurring during the RIMS Annual Conference. Each year, the 5K Fun Run has steadily grown in participation and funds raised. Due to the pandemic, the Spencer & Sedgwick 5K Fun Run pivoted to a virtual event in 2020 and will continue to hold the virtual component allowing anyone to participate no matter their location.
“Sedgwick is honored to continue our support and partnership with the Spencer Educational Foundation by sponsoring this year’s 5K for the eighth consecutive year,” said Jonathan Mast, Digital Strategy Director for Sedgwick. “I am thrilled that we will be able to participate in person this year. Also, there is the virtual option so that everyone can support such a great organization regardless of location. Let’s make this year the best ever! Sign up and run, jog, walk wherever you are.”
Spencer is encouraging individuals to gather their friends, family, colleagues (and pets!) to participate in this year’s 5K Fun Run. Participants can register individually or as a team. Individual registration is a $50 donation and can be accessed online here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and can be viewed here.
In addition to our longtime event sponsor Sedgwick, Spencer would like to thank the following companies for sponsoring the 2022 5K Fun Run:
Platinum sponsors: FM Global, Servpro
Gold sponsors: Allied World Assurance Company, AXA XL, Concentra, Descartes Underwriting, Enlyte, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Marsh, Origami Risk, Ridge Global, Safety National, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, Travelers, Zurich, Zywave
Silver sponsors: AIG, Conduent, Optum
For registration and more information about the 5K Fun Run, please go to https://www.spencered.org/2022-spencer-5k-fun-run
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About Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since its founding in 1979, Spencer has awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting more than 60,000 students through programming. For more information, please visit www.spencered.org.
Spencer Board Member Bob Thomas of Liberty Mutual Talks DE&I Ahead of Spencer Day
The Spencer Educational Foundation believes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the risk management and insurance industry is an imperative that only makes us stronger. In celebration of Black History Month and ahead of Spencer Day on February 28th, we spoke to Bob Thomas, Spencer Board Member and SVP and Northeast Regional Executive at Liberty Mutual Insurance about the importance of DE&I in the insurance industry and how we can continue to advance these efforts.
Bob Thomas
SVP and Northeast Regional Executive, Liberty Mutual Insurance
How do you think having diverse and equitable representation in the workplace helps current and future employees as well as the employer?
Diverse representation is so important. Many people don’t realize how meaningful it is to under-represented groups to see someone who looks like them or sounds like them, to achieve a role of prominence. It provides hope, inspiration and possibility for many people who perhaps have thought, “I’ll never be able to do that…” I cried the night America elected its first black president. I thought, “Finally, we’ve learned to judge a person by the content of their character, versus the color of their skin.” It opened the door a little bit wider for a whole population – many of whom thought that door would never be unlocked. I also thought, now the pressure is really on. It’s not enough to just get there – you have to excel there to prove you were worthy in the first place. Companies are made better by having a broader perspective and are better positioned to attract talented employees and clients by being more diverse.
How do you think the insurance industry has done thus far in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion? Where/how do you think the industry can improve?
The insurance industry continues to make progress in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion – although there’s certainly room for improvement. Large organizations, like mine, have dedicated resources and have really started to evolve culturally with DE&I as an essential pillar. Where some organizations are challenged is in size and scale. For many smaller agents and brokers or insurance company field offices, resources can be scarce. It can be more challenging for this part of our industry to demonstrate DE&I in action. For this group I’d advise taking simple, sincere steps. Acknowledge a desire to do more. Ask your organization for ideas and suggestions. Establish a discussion group focused on DE&I. I think you’ll be surprised and impressed what people will come up with.
What are some ways that Liberty Mutual and Spencer are advancing ongoing efforts of diversity, equity, and inclusion in RMI?
Liberty Mutual and Spencer are passionate about advancing DE&I within our industry. From the establishment of multiple Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), to staff and executives dedicated to HBCU recruiting, to sponsoring scholarships to financially assist students, to providing funding to support the development of college curriculum, Liberty and Spencer are committed to advancing DE&I in our industry. I’m proud to be associated with both organizations and am inspired to continuing finding ways to move our industry forward.
What is a key piece of advice you would give to a student or young professional interested in working within the insurance industry?
For students or young professionals considering their careers, I’d strongly suggest exploring the insurance industry. The beauty of our industry is that we touch just about everything in society. Products aren’t built, services aren’t launched, games aren’t played without our industry being a part of it. So, whatever your passion, there’s a connection to the insurance industry – and a nice living to be made while connecting to your passion. When you enter the industry – network. Get to know someone in Claims, or Underwriting, or Sales. Establish contacts you can lean on to ask simple or complex questions. Everyone can benefit from their own personal network of advisors. Build yours!
Thank you to Bob Thomas for being an integral part of the Spencer Board of Directors!
Spencer and AF Group Partner to Create 2 New Diversity Scholarships and 1 New Course Development Grant
February 7, 2022 – The Spencer Educational Foundation has partnered with AF Group to create two new merit-based diversity scholarships and one new course development grant which will be awarded to a Minority Serving Institution (MSI). Both scholarships and the course development grant will be awarded this year.
"Attracting diverse, high-performing students to the world of insurance is a priority for our organization, and we're confident this collaboration will help create an even stronger pipeline to further build our industry's talent,” said Lisa Corless, President and CEO of AF Group.
Spencer’s new AF Group scholarships, which are merit-based, will be awarded to two undergraduate students who meet Spencer’s standard scholarship criteria and who self-identify with a historically underrepresented race/ethnicity. The AF Group funded Course Development Grant will be awarded to a Minority Serving Institution that is developing an Introductory Risk Management and Insurance course or creating an additional RMI course to expand their existing RMI course offerings.
“We are thrilled to partner with AF Group on these diversity-focused initiatives,” said Megan Miller, Executive Director of the Spencer Educational Foundation. “Real change in the industry can only be achieved by investing in concrete actions to support diverse students and the universities that educate them.”
Spencer’s new partnership with AF Group exhibits the Foundation’s continued work in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the risk management and insurance industry. This year, Spencer is slated to award over $197,000 in DE&I-related funding including a minimum of 18 merit-based diversity scholarships. To date, Spencer has awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants. To learn more about our Spencer Scholarships and Course Development, visit www.spencered.org.
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About The Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since its founding in 1979, Spencer has awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting more than 60,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit www.spencered.org.
About AF Group
Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, AF Group is an industry leader and a premier provider of innovative insurance solutions. The collective strength of AF Group ensures that our customers have access to knowledgeable insurance professionals and the support needed to keep costs down and workers safe. AF Group’s focused and passionate team uses industry-leading best practices, analytics and resources to manage risk and minimize loss for our policyholders while strengthening businesses with our valued independent agent partners. The individual focus of our brands combines their specialized knowledge of the industries they serve with the collective strength and support provided by AF Group. Together, our business is helping businesses — small and large — throughout the country. For more information, please visit https://www.afgroup.com/.
Spencer Kicks Off 2022 Fundraising Season with $250K Pledges from Lockton Companies, Travelers
FEBRUARY 3, 2022 – The Spencer Educational Foundation has received a $250,000 pledge from The Travelers Companies, Inc. and a $250,000 pledge from Lockton Companies. Both pledges signify continued lasting partnerships and strong endorsements for the Foundation’s programming and events.
These pledges, both paid over a five-year timeline, will support Spencer’s mission of funding the future of the risk management and insurance industry by providing critical funds for education and experiential learning opportunities. A portion of the gifts will also be earmarked for the creation of the Travelers named scholarship and the continuation of the existing John T. Lockton Memorial Scholarship that has been awarded since 2005.
“We are thrilled to continue our existing partnership with Lockton and formalize our long-time partnership with Travelers through these multi-year gifts,” said Spencer Executive Director Megan Miller. “Having such generous, dedicated support from our industry partners allows us to further our mission by leaps and bounds, ensuring a strong and bright future for Insurance and Risk Management.”
Spencer is excited for another prosperous and fulfilling year, announcing the Foundation’s 2022 awareness and fundraising events schedule. Spencer’s 2022 events include:
Monday, February 28 | all day
Sunday, April 10 | 8am PT
Presidio Golf Course, San Francisco, CA
Tuesday, April 12 | 6:30am PT (in-person) OR anytime (virtually)
San Francisco, CA or virtually
Spencer Gala Dinner
Thursday, September 22 | 7pm ET
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York, NY
Giving Tuesday
Tuesday, November 29 | all day
The Spencer Educational Foundation’s events aim to raise funds to support Spencer’s five programs while also celebrating the risk management and insurance industry, including bringing together RMI professionals in different capacities. Spencer’s programming - Scholarships, Internship Grants, General Grants, Course Development Grants, and the Risk Manager on Campus Program – represents a robust, multi-pronged approach to supporting talented RMI students and the organizations that serve them.
Varying partnership and sponsorship levels are available for all events. For more information regarding partnership, sponsorship, and participation opportunities, please visit www.spencered.org/sponsorship-opportunities.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since its founding in 1979, Spencer has awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting more than 60,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit www.spencered.org.
Spencer Announces 2022 Internship Grant Recipients
February 1, 2022: The Spencer Educational Foundation is proud to announce 2022 Internship Grant award recipients. For the 2022 grant year cycle, Spencer awarded 36 internship grants totaling $259,052. Spencer’s 2022 internship grant recipients include:
AES Corporation
Block Communications, Inc.
Bon Secours Mercy Health
Burnham Holdings, Inc.
Calgary Board of Education
Clark Equipment Company
ConAm Management Corporation
Cotton Holdings, Inc.
CSL Limited
Culver Franchising System, LLC
DFW International Airport
Diocese of St. Augustine
Evonik Corporation
Growmark, Inc.
Hearst
Henry Schein
LVMH
Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Match Group, Inc.
McKesson Corporation
NuStar Energy L.P.
Oregon Health and Science University
Palo Alto Networks
Parsons Corporation
Port of Portland
Portillo's Hot Dogs, LLC
Posillico
Rice University
Safelite Auto Glass
Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Space
SP Plus Corporation
Syneos Health, Inc.
The Adecco Group
Topgolf
UFA Co-operative Ltd
The Spencer Internship Program funds student work experiences in the risk management functions of companies. Spencer internship grants provide risk management professionals the opportunity to hire a student intern, who otherwise may not be able to financially support an internship position. Through Spencer’s summer internships, students can learn about the risk management industry in real world business settings where they can quickly apply what they know, respond to new experiences, and begin to develop key contacts in their field.
Spencer also offers a webinar series geared toward students and recent graduates as an additional resource to learn more about the risk management and insurance industry. The webinar series, which launched in 2020, was initially aimed at supplementing the student internship experience for students working remotely due to the pandemic and has since expanded to our vast network of scholars and universities.
Along with internship grants, Spencer also provides other grants aimed at developing and advancing our industry’s future leaders. Past grants include development of RMI diversity and inclusion initiatives; advanced courses in InsureTech, Enterprise Risk Management, Cyber Risk, and Data Analytics; student attendance at industry conferences and symposia; and a variety of other unique proposals. Spencer’s goal to help build a global talent pipeline of risk and insurance professionals is achieved in part by our collaboration with risk and insurance leaders across the United States and Canada.
A special thank you to Archipelago and the RIMS Golden Gate Chapter for contributing to the Spencer Internship Program and helping fund internship grants.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting more than 60,000 students through our programs. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
Spencer Educational Foundation Announces Spencer Day to Be Held on February 28th
Spencer Educational Foundation Announces Spencer Day to Be Held on February 28th
3rd Annual Spencer Day Celebrates the Talented and Diverse Future of the Risk Management and Insurance Industry; Spencer Slated to Award Over $197,000 in DEI Funding in 2022
January 25, 2022 – The Spencer Educational Foundation will hold its 3rd Annual Spencer Day on Monday, February 28, 2022. Since its inception in 2020, Spencer Day celebrates the talented and diverse future of the risk management and insurance industry focusing on Spencer Scholars and alumni.
Spencer Day is an opportunity for industry professionals to recognize Spencer Scholars and alumni and for employers to emphasize the value they place on hiring and supporting Spencer Scholars. Additionally, Spencer Scholars – past or present – can identify themselves and feature their educational and career accolades. The Foundation encourages individuals, companies, and organizations to show their support on their social media channels using #SpencerScholars.
“A Spencer Scholarship provides more than just financial assistance,” said Spencer Executive Director Megan Miller. “It is an honor and a distinction that sets a student apart from their peers and provides unparalleled access to the best and the brightest people in the industry.”
Spencer Day 2022 reflects on the Foundation’s continued work in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the risk management and insurance industry. This year, Spencer is slated to award over $197,000 in DE&I-related funding including a minimum of 18 merit-based diversity scholarships. Spencer’s merit-based diversity scholarships were created in partnership with companies and organizations such as AF Group, Arch Insurance, Argo Group, Allied World Assurance Company, Beckage, Beecher Carlson, Hylant, the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies (LAAIA), Liberty Mutual, New York City Association of Insurance Women (NYCAIW), and Travelers who specifically earmarked funds to be awarded to students who identify with a historically underrepresented group. More about Spencer’s merit-based diversity scholarships can be found at https://www.spencered.org/scholarships.
In celebration of Spencer Day, the Foundation is launching its first-ever recurring giving program providing the opportunity for alumni and supporters to become a Spencer Sustainer. Becoming a Spencer Sustainer allows Spencer to better plan for future programming and to support future Spencer Scholars. Spencer Sustainers can make their recurring gifts in honor of, in celebration of, or in memory of a person or entity of the donor’s choosing.
For more information on Spencer Day or to become a recurring donor, please visit www.spencered.org/spencer-sustainer or contact Executive Director, Megan E. Miller: mmiller@spencered.org.
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About The Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since its founding in 1979, Spencer has awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting more than 60,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit www.spencered.org.
Spencer Educational Foundation Announces Directors of Distinction
November 23, 2021: The Spencer Educational Foundation is proud to announce the creation of a new stewardship role within the Foundation, designed to recognize distinguished insurance and risk management leaders who have consistently supported Spencer’s mission and have endorsed Spencer’s values by example and in practice.
Seventeen (17) distinguished leaders have been nominated and accepted the role as a Director of Distinction. Spencer’s inaugural Directors of Distinction include:
Brion Callori (SVP, Engineering and Research, FM Global)
John Q. Doyle (President and CEO, Marsh)
J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. (Chairman, President and CEO, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.)
P. Richard Hackenburg (Retired VP of Insurance and Risk Control Services, FOJP Service Corporation)
Lou Iglesias (President and CEO, Allied World)
Michael Kerner (CEO, Munich Re Specialty Insurance)
Patrick Kinney (Retired EVP, Enterprise Distribution Management and Business Insurance Marketing and Communications, Travelers)
Dean Klisura (President, Guy Carpenter)
Christine LaSala (Non-Executive Director, Beazley PLC and Sedgwick)
Seraina Macia (CEO and Co-Founder, Joyn Insurance)
Christopher A. Maleno (SVP, Chubb Group and Division President, North America Field Operations, Chubb)
Stephen P. McGill (CEO, McGill and Partners)
Warren Mula (Strategic Advisor and Non-Executive Director, McGill and Partners)
David North (Executive Chairman, Sedgwick)
Patrick G. Ryan (Founder, Chairman and CEO, Ryan Specialty Group)
Shivan S. Subramaniam (Retired Chairman and CEO, FM Global)
Joseph Tocco (CEO, Americas, AXA XL)
“Spencer is incredibly grateful for the support of these professionals who are pillars of the risk management community and insurance industry. Their insight and expertise will undoubtedly add to Spencer’s growing programs and initiatives,” said Robin Roeder, Spencer Chair. “We are privileged to continue our partnership with those who served as honorees at our annual Gala, and we are honored to recognize those whose distinguished board service paved the way for Spencer to achieve such great heights. We look forward to the future of Spencer and all we can accomplish with the support of our esteemed Directors of Distinction.”
“Most of us are caught up in the need to tend to daily matters. As important as these things are, we pay insufficient attention to the future and how we can positively influence change,” said P. Richard Hackenburg, former Spencer Board Chair and Board Member. “Continued involvement in Spencer gives us a chance to focus on the future and being a Spencer Director of Distinction is the highest honor. Investing time and talent in the future of our students provides great personal satisfaction.”
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since its founding in 1979, Spencer has awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting more than 60,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit www.spencered.org.
Spencer Educational Foundation Surpasses $1 Million Fundraising Goal
Spencer’s 2nd Annual Funding Their Future Campaign Honored Peter Garvey (EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants) and Mary Roth (Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.); Raised Funds for Future RMI Professionals
November 4, 2021 – The Spencer Educational Foundation is excited to announce that their $1 million fundraising goal has been surpassed. Peter Garvey of EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants and Mary Roth of the Risk and Insurance Management Society were honored for their tremendous dedication to supporting future risk management and insurance professionals in conjunction with Spencer’s 2nd annual Funding Their Future Campaign. Spencer is deeply grateful to the many industry sponsors who participated in this year’s campaign which took place from June 15 through October 31.
“I am proud to be part of an industry that forms a financial backstop behind those in need and at times of crisis, and I am equally proud to stand side-by-side with industry leaders who recognize that the future sustainability of our industry relies on us proactively helping new minds join our ranks,” said Duncan Ellis, Chair of Spencer’s Funding Their Future Campaign and Head of North American Retail Property at AIG. “I applaud the many companies who are helping to propel Spencer’s efforts to nourish this bevy of developing talent heading to our industry.”
Spencer’s Funding Their Future Campaign highlighted the past, present, and future of the Foundation. All funds raised through the Funding Their Future Campaign will support future risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, as well as grants that support experiential learning.
This year’s campaign recognized longtime industry supporters and those who helped pave the way for the Foundation’s success, highlighted the growth Spencer has achieved since its founding in 1979, and celebrated the diverse and talented students who have benefited from Spencer’s programming. Over the past 42 years, Spencer has grown its scholarship program from three recipients per year to nearly 100 students per year and has added four other grant programs that allow students to gain hands on experience in the field. Spencer has facilitated the investment of more than $6 million over the past five years alone thanks to broad industry support.
“For the past two years, Spencer has successfully raised awareness of our mission and expanded our fundraising support among corporations and individuals alike,” explained Megan Miller, Spencer Educational Foundation Executive Director. “Our generous partners value the impact Spencer is making and enable us to foster the talented students who are studying to enter the insurance industry and risk management profession.”
Spencer thanks the sponsors who generously contributed to making this year’s fundraising campaign a success:
Patron Sponsors: AIG, Allied World, Aon, Argo Group, AXA XL, Chubb, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, FM Global, Jencap Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Lockton Companies, Marsh, R.I.S.E. Opportunity Foundation, RT Specialty, Sedgwick, Travelers, Willis Towers Watson
Advocate Sponsors: Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, CRC Group, Gallagher, Hub International, Munich Reinsurance America, NFP, QBE, Swiss Re Americas, Zurich Insurance
Friend Sponsors: Acrisure, Alera Group, AmRisc Group, AmWINS, Arch Insurance Group, Archipelago, Ascot Group, Aspen Insurance, AssuredPartners, Beazley, Beckage, Bolt, CAC Specialty, CNA, Coalition, Crum & Forster, Everest Re, Foundation Risk Partners, Harvest Partners, H.W. Kaufman Group, The Hylant Family Foundation, Lloyd's America, Markel Corporation, New Paradigm Underwriters, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company, Sompo International, Starr Insurance Holdings, Tigerrisk Partners, Turner Surety & Insurance Brokerage, Zywave
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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Spencer Announces 2022 General and Course Development Grant Recipients
November 4, 2021 - The Spencer Educational Foundation is proud to announce our 2022 General grant award recipients along with 2 new Course Development grant recipients. For the 2022 grant year cycle, Spencer awarded 12 General grants totaling $252,250 (including multi-year grants). Spencer’s 2022 General grant recipients include:
Spencer received a wide range of General grant proposals, and the Foundation is excited to see these efforts in action to help further broaden the talent pipeline. Many of the initiatives include specific, earmarked support for students of color and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Among the deserving recipients are an early career development symposium for Ph.D. students in risk and insurance; a Financial Services, Insurance and Risk Management (FIRM) Symposium for undergraduate students at an Historically Black College/University (HBCU); a Diversity & Leadership Conference Scholarship Program; a Risk Management and Insurance program at three new high schools, and more.
“The Spencer grants program provides educational and real-life experiences to students who are interested in pursuing careers in risk management and insurance. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we’re able to reach thousands of students and expose them to the great opportunities that await them in the industry,” said Kristen Bessette, Spencer Grants Committee Chair and Chief Actuary at QBE North America. “Each year, we receive many excellent proposals, but our selected partners really stood out with the quality of their programs and their broad outreach. Congratulations to all the grant recipients!”
Through our Course Development funding, Spencer has been keenly focused on bringing new Risk Management and Insurance curricula to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to broaden the base of students who are exposed to the profession. The Foundation is proud to announce support for the following universities totaling $41,000, and has earmarked another $65,000 of funding for further course development at additional institutions:
Stony Brook University was awarded a grant in support of the College of Business’s efforts to launch a Specialization in Risk Management and Insurance, including the development of a new “Foundations of Property and Casualty Insurance” course.
University of North Texas, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), was awarded a grant to support the incorporation of RMI Professional Designations into UNT’s undergraduate RMI curriculum.
“Congratulations to the universities who received a course development grant this year,” said Andrea Dudek, Spencer Course Development Grants Committee Chair and Managing Director of Global Risk Assessment & Financing at Accenture. “Funding RMI education and introducing students to new rewarding career paths in the industry is of utmost importance to us and we are proud to support such important initiatives.”
Spencer provides a myriad of grants aimed at developing and advancing our industry’s future leaders. Past grants include development of advanced courses in InsurTech, Enterprise Risk Management, Cyber Risk, and Data Analytics; student attendance at industry conferences and symposia; and a variety of other unique proposals. Spencer’s goal to help build a diverse, global talent pipeline of risk and insurance professionals is achieved in part by our collaboration with risk and insurance educators across the United States and Canada.
To read more about Spencer’s 2022 grant recipients, go to: www.spencered.org/grant-recipients.
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About the Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded over $8 million in scholarships and over $5 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting more than 60,000 students through our programs. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.