Founded in 2017, RISE (Rising Insurance Star Executives) was created with a mission to identify and support emerging talent within the insurance sector. In today’s challenging talent recruitment and retention landscape, RISE offers a pipeline of future leaders, becoming a hub for professional development, mentorship, and community. Now in its fourth year, the RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala has become a flagship event — a three-day gathering that celebrates innovation, fosters connections, and cultivates career growth.
As anticipation builds for the 2025 Summit, we caught up with Amy Cooper, Founder of RISE and VP — Carrier Practice Sales, to hear about this year’s must-see events and reflect on some of 2024’s highlights.
As the Founder of RISE, what does it mean to you to be marking its fourth annual Leadership Summit & Awards Gala?
I am energized by the growth and support that RISE has experienced for the last four years, with this year tracking to be the largest one yet. It is exciting to know that our industry supports and actively contributes to our future leaders. As someone who enjoys my career in insurance at Gallagher Bassett (GB), it matters that we are supporting and sustaining the insurance industry’s success, which in turn fuels our society.
This year’s awards gala will once again celebrate the people who are making a real impact on the industry with GB’s own Kristy Sands, VP — Strategic Initiatives, Employee Experience, serving as emcee for the gala. Sandra T. Nikodimos, Senior Associate — Consultative Analytics, is among RISE’s 2025 “35 Under 35” Award winners, which recognizes young talent who are making an impact in their organizations and shaping the future of the industry. Additionally, Caryn Siebert, VP — National Director, Carrier Engagement, is a finalist for the LEAD (Leadership in Equity and Diversity) Award, recognizing individuals who are helping create a more diverse and inclusive industry culture.
What should attendees look forward to most at this year’s summit?
We have several new programs that attendees should look out for, including an interactive AI workshop, a LinkedIn masterclass, sessions on addressing mental health and strategies for avoiding burnout, and how to recover from professional missteps.
Following the success of last year’s Career Lab, we are bringing it back with more interactive activations on interview tips, resume assistance, and advice from hiring managers. We’ll also be introducing Nook meeting pods that promote collaboration between attendees.
What must-see sessions do you think attendees will benefit from most?
This year’s lineup of speakers is fantastic. We are always bringing new speakers onboard, so I’m looking forward to hearing a whole slate of fresh perspectives.
One session we’re particularly excited about is the Leadership Summit’s keynote speaker, Matt Dunsmoor, from Simon Sinek’s The Optimism Company who will be speaking on The Infinite Game.
Another popular must-attend session is our ‘Future Leaders Panel’, which features past RISE 35 Under 35 winners. These panelists will discuss their successes, lessons learned, and advice to young professionals. It’s consistently an attendee favorite for a reason.
What would you recommend to first-time attendees to ensure they get as much as possible out of the three days?
My advice to first-time attendees is to show up to the scheduled events, come to the first-time attendee reception, meet people with intention, bring business cards or have your personal QR code ready, and most importantly be present! The networking and learning opportunities available to young professionals at this event are unmatched, so put your out of office on, don’t check your emails during the sessions, and make sure you fully engage.
We also provide attendees with several resources that help make the most of the event, such as the app for designing your personal schedule and the Leadership Summit workbook in which you can take notes and create your own action items.
Speed mentoring was a highlight for many at the RISE 2024 Leadership Summit. Why do you think this is such a valuable format and opportunity for attendees at RISE?
Speed mentoring at RISE has become such a valuable format for rising leaders to meet senior executives. Through our speed mentoring program, attendees can hear firsthand the experiences that shape executives and learn what crucial lessons they can take away and use to elevate their own careers. Similarly, senior executives love meeting so many rising stars in just one hour.
However, speed mentoring at RISE wouldn’t be what it is without the attendees. Last year, many members of the GB team told me that their highlight for RISE 2024 was the wonderful people they met. You can feel the energy, enthusiasm and excitement emanating from attendees. It’s truly inspiring to see the immense potential within our young professionals who hold the future of our industry in their hands and it’s important that we provide them with the right support systems that help them grow.
This year, Joe Berrios, Managing Director — Carrier Practice, Jennifer Cogbill, SVP — GBCARE Client Services, and Caryn Siebert, will each be leading a speed mentoring table.
What do you hope students who are interested in a career in insurance take away from the event?
I hope students interested in a career in insurance will come away from the 2025 RISE Leadership Summit excited about all the opportunities and energized about the future of our industry. Many student attendees, especially our RISE/Insurance Cares scholarship winners, have left with internships and full-time roles. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened again.
Looking to attend the 2025 RISE Leadership Summit? Register your interest here and connect with our team.
