RISE (Rising Insurance Star Executives) held its third annual Leadership Summit & Awards Gala on June 19–20 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Industry veterans representing several disciplines within the insurance industry gathered to share their expertise and make connections with the up-and-coming professionals who attended.
RISE was founded in 2017 with the overall mission of growing, recognizing, and advancing the best young professional talent in the insurance industry. Amy Cooper, Founder of RISE and VP — Carrier Practice Sales at Gallagher Bassett (GB), recognized the need to create an organization that could support the new entrants to the industry.
When prepping for the Leadership Summit & Awards Gala, what were you hoping to accomplish going into the event’s third year? How did that translate to the event schedule and what attendees took from it?
Amy Cooper (AC): We wanted more opportunities for attendees to network, and we were looking for where we could add more value. This year, we turned one of the days into a half day to make space for group activities that were optional and created purposeful and meaningful ways to connect. We also launched a Career Lab, dedicated to offering individualized career help stations, such as a LinkedIn helper, career coaching, interview tips, and more. Our goal is to keep raising the bar each year in terms of quality speakers and content and attendee value, and we rose to the occasion.
The Leadership Summit & Awards Gala dedicates time to professional development and networking, all to inspire the next generation of talent. This year’s event hosted approximately 450 attendees representing over 280 companies, continuing a pattern of year-over-year growth and, therefore, increased impact across the industry.
Several GB team members attended the two-day event, where they participated in activities and celebrated the industry’s future. We sat down with a few of them to hear their experiences and key takeaways.
Presentations and Speakers
The event featured several keynote presentations and panels with speakers from across the industry, with topics spanning leadership, communication strategies, culture, professional development, and more. This year, sessions were offered in two tracks, management and personal development, and were largely presented by C-suite level speakers. Joe Powell, SVP — Analytics & Innovation, spoke about the increasing presence and use of artificial intelligence (AI) throughout the industry in his presentation, “Surfing the AI Tidal Wave.”
“When I asked for a show of hands of who has been using AI, most hands in the room went up—in fact, more than when I ask the same question at college campuses,” Joe says. “That shows that our industry, in many ways, is ahead of the curve technologically.”
From automating claims processes to elevating communications with clients and colleagues, AI provides professionals with the support they need to work efficiently and stay on top of the industry’s evolving technological capabilities. Joe explains, “The key is to start using AI in your day-to-day life. Once you get familiar with it, you can incorporate it into your work life and become a thought leader on how AI can transform your role and your organization.”
Workshops and Networking
RISE also offers workshops and activities throughout the event that focus on developing attendees’ professional skills and industry connections. The Speed Mentoring session, a crowd favorite, introduces upcoming professionals to career veterans.
What makes the Speed Mentoring sessions at RISE impactful for developing attendees’ professional skills and industry connections?
Joe Berrios (JB): RISE serves as a steppingstone and a key piece of a young professional’s story. Whether you’re a young professional looking for mentorship or network growth or an executive interested in identifying pre-career talent and connecting with current young professionals, the RISE team are manufacturing opportunities and, in turn, helping to strengthen the industry.
Joe Powell: The Speed Mentoring event is a phenomenal way to connect with talented individuals and hear different perspectives on our industry.
Caryn Siebert (CS): As the RISE 2020 Mentor of the Year, it was an honor to be involved in the Speed Mentoring session. I loved being able to meet the shining stars of the next generation of insurance professionals while also catching up and exchanging ideas with seasoned executives. Attendees did not view one another as competitors but rather as industry colleagues all looking to further their careers, learn from and connect with one another, and create a positive experience for these RISE professionals.
Jennifer Cogbill (JC): Speed Mentoring is a risk-free way to connect with industry leaders and get their perspective on the best path forward to grow your career. We all know the impact of mentoring on success—this is a terrific opportunity to build connections and drive a meaningful career. I love this organization and hope all young insurance professionals take advantage of the tools for success within the RISE community.
Celebrating People: The Awards Gala and Juneteenth
The two-day event wrapped with the Awards Gala, recognizing the winners of the RISE 35 Under 35 Award, the Mentor of the Year Award, the LEAD Award, Innovator of the Year Award, and the Elite 50 Internships. The awards were designed to elevate the people and programs that are helping build the industry’s future, especially through the next generation of talent.
“The organization serves as a launchpad.” Amy says. “RISE provides a boost for the young professionals who are looking to make a difference in their careers and the industry, and we are proud to be a piece of their story.”
Beyond individual recognition, this year’s event took time to honor Juneteenth, which fell on the first day of the event. Rodney Johnson, SVP, Diversity & Community — GGB Americas, participated on the panel Voices of Juneteenth: Standing Together in Insurance, which celebrated the achievements and contributions of African Americans in the industry.
What stands out to you from the Voices of Juneteenth: Standing Together in Insurance celebration?
Rodney Johnson: It was great to see a packed room for the panel discussion—a very diverse audience who was extremely engaged and energized for what has been a very polarizing topic. The energy was electric! Even after the panel discussion ended, there was significant interaction between the panelists and attendees.
CS: Following the interactive session, I loved the cultural aspect of the celebration featuring music from several cultures, fingernail art, hat designing, and a painter whose art work included a rendering of the panel. That painting was auctioned off and raised $350 to fund diversity scholarships awarded by Insurance Cares.
Looking Forward to 2025
RISE supports all disciplines of the industry: sales/broking, claims, underwriting, marketing, data and analytics, human resources, legal, client services, etc. From carriers, brokerage/agencies, MGAs/MGUs, and third-party administrators, there are more than 5,000 members and counting. With the opportunities and recognition RISE provides, the next generation of talent can find their futures in this industry.
Would you share a specific highlight from the Leadership Summit & Awards Gala this year, and why it stood out to you?
JB: I was delighted to see fellow industry leaders being so generous with their time. They were very engaged while providing valuable advice and attention to the newer members of our industry. For those who brought fellow colleagues with them, it was a rewarding experience and a great investment in their growing potential. I’m looking forward to next year’s event and I’m excited about where our industry is headed with these impressive young professionals.
JC: The energy, enthusiasm, and excitement around career and leadership opportunities is unique to the RISE conference. Most conferences today are about networking, but RISE goes beyond that. There is an eagerness to connect generations, to learn from each other, and to shape the industry in a positive way.
AC: The highlights are always the people. One specific story was about a young woman who came up to me after the Gala and told me about how her life had completely changed since last year when she attended RISE. RISE gave her the skills and confidence to not only get a promotion at her company, but also to make some personal life changes that removed her from a bad situation. She credited the confidence she gained by being recognized and energized at the event. These are the stories that make everything we do worthwhile. I’ll also note that a personal highlight for me was being surrounded by more than GB, but several brands of the Gallagher family this year. We had representation from Gallagher, RPS, GB, Gallagher Re, and Gallagher Specialty Affinity.
What are you most looking forward to for next year’s Leadership Summit & Awards Gala?
AC: We will continue to raise the bar and wow our attendees. Next year, we hope to grow the Career Lab, offer more interaction through a networking lounge, and potentially launch an exhibit hall. Our team is impressively creative, and you’ll have to attend next year to see all that we have in store.
