ALL INsurance is a national insurance industry campaign and platform for the recruitment of talent from every societal sector, with emphasis upon the commitment to ethical processes that foster acceptance and promotion of women and varied demographic groups not traditionally included in professional business ranks.
ALL INsurance’s mission is to promote the industry at its best to young people and to all prospective entrants, offering a wide spectrum of educational, promotional and onboarding resources and support to companies seeking to recruit and retain fresh talent.
We believe that by working collaboratively, we can create a better industry that will attract and retain the best and brightest talent for tomorrow, observing as axiomatic the laws that govern fairness in hiring and using the logic of sound personnel engagement and advancement based upon true merit devoid of any illegal, unfair, or unethical considerations.
Business Insurance and its family of companies are committed to providing cutting-edge research, thought leadership, and best practices on recruitment and retention to help companies create stronger, better workplaces and optimal results for all stakeholders.
Our vision is a world where the insurance industry becomes known for its innovative approaches to recruitment, hiring and retention of new generations of professionals drawn from every available group, engaged fairly and advanced on merit.
Contact : Omari Aarons-Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Contact : George Woods, Chair
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Contact : Stephen Abrokwah, President/Director
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Contact : Anthony Lucero, President
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Contact : Craig Chu, President
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Contact : Sandy Lowe, President
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Contact : Rehan Siddique, President and Board Member
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Contact : Sherry Chan, Founding Board Member
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Contact : Nick Abraham, President
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Contact : Peter Woo, Board Chairperson/President
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Contact : Susan Johnson
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Contact : Juan Carlos Diaz-Padron, President
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Contact : Benjamin Johnson, Senior Advisory Board Member
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Contact : Dawnmarie Black, President
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Contact : Whitney Harris, Chair
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Contact : Desiree Bennett, Director of Corporate Programs
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Contact : Damariz Rodriguez, President
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Contact : Bing Cheng, President
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Contact : Derek Ng, President
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Contact : Pamela Corey, President
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Contact : Robert Rusbuldt, CEO
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Contact : Diane Martell, President
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Contact : Mernice Oliver, Founder & Executive Director
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Contact : Lee Vuu, Founder & President
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Contact : Elsa Fernandez, President
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Contact : Jody James, President
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Contact : Damian Rivera, Chief Executive Officer
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Contact : Cindy Stanley, Executive Director
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Contact : John Bankhurst, President
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Contact : Karen Horting, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
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Contact : Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President & CEO
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Contact : Suzanna Valdez Wolfe, CEO
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Contact : Omar Duque, President
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Contact : Chika Okwor, National Chairperson
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Contact : Sarah EchoHawk, President
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Contact : Cindy Medina-Cervantes, President
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Contact : Joan Akalaonu, President
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Contact : Stephen Lee, President
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Contact : Nishi Kothari, President
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Contact : Gigi Rollini, President
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Contact : Anya Lynn-Alesker, Executive Director
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Contact : David Richardson, Founder, CEO, and Board Chair
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Contact : Priscilla Guasso, Founder & CEO
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Contact : Erika Broadwater Deaver, National President/CEO
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Contact : Jill Houghton, President & CEO
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Contact : Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO
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Contact : Ben Biles, Co-Founder
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Columbia University
Director of the Master’s in Insurance Management
Teresa is the Director of the Master’s in Insurance Management program at Columbia University. She launched the program in 2020 after 27 years of insurance industry experience in legal, product and business development. The Master’s program is an epicenter for innovation, mentorship and thought leadership, and helps accelerate career advancement for risk and insurance professionals.
Prior to joining Columbia, Teresa was an advisor on the formation of MGU start-ups funded by Willis Group that leverage emerging technological capabilities to underwrite specialized markets on digital platforms, and consultant for energy performance warranty insurance.
During 22 years at AIG, Teresa served as regulatory counsel in support of the domestic commercial insurance group. As Director of Corporate Product Development, she led the creation of new commercial property and casualty, and personal lines coverages. Based on the development of a new product for tribal governments, she built a business around products and services that served the unique needs of tribal nations as Senior Vice President of AIG Tribal Growth. Teresa was introduced to the global energy division where she was SVP for AIG Energy Warranty, and designed bespoke insurance policies to insure and help achieve financing for alternative and renewable energy technologies.
Teresa has a J.D. from Fordham University and B.S. in Operations Research from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University. She has been recognized by Business Insurance as one of “25 Women to Watch” and ReActions Magazine as one of the “Top Insurance Women”.
Safari
Founder & CEO
Jelani Fenton is the Founder & CEO of Safari, a workforce development technology company that is building a modern solution to address the insurance industry talent shortage. Jelani started his career as a commercial insurance broker in Marsh’s leadership development program.
Jelani subsequently transitioned into roles as an investment banker at Evercore covering insurance companies and as an underwriting manager at Rhino, a venture capital funded insurance technology company. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
WTW
Head of Corporate Risk and Broking, North America
Michael Chang is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in the insurance industry. He has a proven track record of building and leading high-performing underwriting and broking operations at global organizations, with a particular focus on driving innovation and business transformation.
A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Michael began his career as a financial analyst at a major retailer before transitioning to Chubb, where he started as a surety underwriter. Over the next 19 years, Michael advanced through the ranks at Chubb, eventually founding the Real Estate Unit. Under his leadership, the unit grew from a five-person start-up into a $1B+ operation with over 200 employees.
Throughout his tenure at Chubb, Michael held several senior leadership roles, most notably the head of Chubb’s Commercial Insurance Global Risk Management Group and President of the Global Real Estate and Hospitality Division. He was a pioneer in creating industry specialization across all lines of business, embracing a data-driven approach to serving middle-market and large accounts.
In 2016, Michael transitioned to Endurance, which was acquired by Sompo International in 2018. He served for six years as Co-Leader of Global Insurance and CEO of Global Risk Solutions, which he built from the ground up. He designed a white-glove service underwriting operation that offered
comprehensive multi-line capabilities to clients across key industry verticals, including real estate, hospitality, financial institutions, life sciences, technology, and professional services. Under his leadership, Sompo’s Global Risk Solutions grew from a startup operation to reach $1.4 billion in gross written premiums within six years, expanding to over 500 employees across nine global hubs in cities like New York, London, Singapore, and Mexico City.
In 2022, Michael was recruited as CEO of Corporate Risk and Broking (CRB) for WTW North America, managing more than 4,000 employees across 63 offices in the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. Under his leadership, WTW’s North American business achieved stellar growth with top-quartile financial performance relative to industry peers with significantly improved profit margins. He orchestrated a major transformation by launching twelve client-focused industry verticals (e.g., Construction, Real Estate, Hospitality & Leisure, Aerospace, and Private Equity & Transaction Solutions), as well as six
innovative alternative businesses, including Verita, the company’s first-ever Managing General Underwriter (MGU). He also transformed the service delivery model for North America by introducing global servicing hubs in Manila and Mumbai. His efforts contributed to the overall company’s market
capitalization growth from $22 billion to $33 billion during his tenure.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB) and the Business Insurance ALL INsurance Institute. He resides in Tarrytown, NY with his wife and three children.
Argo Group
AVP, Underwriting ‑ Financial Institutions
Sean Gleason is an experienced financial lines underwriting professional, with a focus on financial institutions (FI) business and over 10 years of industry experience. He currently leads Argo’s central region for their FI team. Through this role he manages longstanding industry relationships, drives profitability, and shares expertise with the next generation of underwriters.
While driving underwriting success, Sean has kept a passion for DEI, which he sees as an important piece of fair business practices. His passion has manifested via engagement with employee resource groups at multiple employers, the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, the National African American Insurance Association, speaking up for those who were not present, and brining DEI into conversation through a lens of win, win results.
He has been quoted to say “treating people well is an appreciating asset” and is happy to participate on a board that displays that sentiment.
Gallagher Bassett
Chief Executive Officer, North America
Mike is responsible for leading Gallagher Bassett’s North America business. Prior to his role as CEO, North America, Mike served as the Chief Client Officer (CCO) and was responsible for leading all client-facing activities within Gallagher Bassett’s U.S. operations. Mike joined GB as CCO in 2012, leading Account Management. Shortly thereafter, he assumed leadership of Analytics and Implementation. In 2016, his role was expanded to include the responsibilities of Business Development and Client Engagement. Under Mike’s leadership, GB rapidly expanded the size of its analytics team, but more importantly, added enhanced capabilities to stewardship, program benchmarking, and solution impact demonstrations. His impact on the industry was recognized by Business Insurance as a 2017 Breakout Award winner. Mike has a unique ability to understand the intersection of processes and solutions. He understands GB’s vast array of solutions and platforms and how each fits within the context of our clients’ diverse businesses, and the impact on clients’ financial performance.
Bain & Company 2007 – 2012 Served as a Principal in the firm’s Chicago office, focused on initiatives involving customer growth strategy, cost-reduction, post-merger integration, and organizational design. Worked across numerous industries including insurance, medical devices, petroleum, and mining.
Bridge Strategy Group 2003 – 2007 Manager with boutique consultancy, focused on cost-reduction and offshore processes for a leading insurance organization.
Arthur Andersen 1998 – 2001 Consultant focused on complex litigation disputes. Duties involved analyses in support of damage calculations and preparation of reports for firm’s partners to serve as expert witnesses
National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
Director of Emerging Talent Programs and Head of the Research Academy
Noelle Codispoti, CPCU, ARM, is the Director of Emerging Talent Programs and Head of the Research Academy at the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. Through a holistic approach that encompasses education, talent development, research, advocacy, and collaboration, The National Alliance Research Academy shapes a resilient and socially responsible insurance industry to benefit individuals and society. An accomplished leader in the early talent space, she also leads the national growth strategy for all Emerging Talent Programs at the collegiate and high school levels, including the CISR High School Program, which allows students to earn the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation before they graduate high school.
In 2021, Noelle co-founded Verto LLC, a boutique consulting firm focused on advancing the next frontier of talent through authentic engagement at every level of an organization. Before founding Verto, Codispoti spent ten years with Gamma Iota Sigma, the insurance industry’s premier collegiate talent pipeline, as CEO, actively advancing the discourse on recruiting, retention, and the future of the industry.
Codispoti is deeply committed to diversifying the insurance industry’s talent pipeline. In 2016, she brought the Global Dive In Festival to North America and served as Co-Champion for Dive In in the Americas until 2020.
Codispoti was honored by Business Insurance as one of its 2013 Women to Watch, by Insurance Business America as one of 2015’s Hot 100 and one of its 2015 Elite Women, by NAMIC as a 2017 Merit Society award winner and as their 2021 Service Award recipient.
She received her BBA from Temple University, with a dual major in Actuarial Science and Risk Management and holds her Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations from The Institutes.
Builders Insurance Group
Chief People Officer
Katherine “Kat” Kyle grew up in a large multicultural family as one of 10 children, with five different cultures represented among her siblings. This upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for the richness and beauty of diversity, a value she has carried with her throughout her professional journey. At Builders Insurance Group, Kat serves as the Chief People Officer and leads initiatives that align human capital strategies and operations with the company’s overarching business goals. Her work emphasizes cultivating a workplace culture centered on professional growth, employee wellbeing, and inclusivity.
Before joining Builders, Kat held a dual role as Chief Human Resource Officer and Chief of Staff at Georgia Gwinnett College. She has gained extensive experience in human resource leadership across various industries—from high-growth start-ups to large public and multinational organizations, including manufacturing, technology, financial services, utilities, and insurance.
Kat is a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee where she studied Human Resource Management. Beyond her professional life, Kat is a wife to Jeff and a proud mom of two young adult sons, Ryan and Nick. As a family, they share a passion for adventure, often seeking out new destinations, sunsets, and sandy shores.
MRIA (Multicultural Reinsurance Insurance Association)
Founder & President
Lee H. Vuu is Founder and Board President of the organization called Multicultural (Re)Insurance Association, better known as MRIA. She is a proud member of Chief, a prestigious network for powerful women, and she is Vice President at Argo Group where she leads a small team managing Reinsurance claims.
Lee started in the Reinsurance industry in 2004, where she began her career as an Executive Assistant to a C-suite level executive. Throughout her career, she expanded beyond her job description and while at her position, self-taught herself the fundamentals of the industry.
With her technical knowledge growing, she applied her already honed skillset of creating and maintaining interpersonal relationships which propelled her up the corporate ladder to the position she is in today. Her emotional intelligence acuity has developed her into a skillful networker that to this day, opens doors for her and her vision of unity.
Lee has a deep passion for ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the forefront of all she does. Her unconventional leadership of using emotional intelligence as a tool of progress has proven to be highly effective and is well-known by industry peers and executives. Her confidence is the calling card of her reputation. She develops relationships with everyone ranging from the mailroom staff to industry titans. Everyone gets the same level of respect.
Lee is known as the source of empowerment and energy within her circle and is a fierce advocate for everyone who is progressing.
Throughout her time, she noticed a shift in the industry, a void that needed to be filled, and this was the genesis of the movement now known as MRIA.
Lee H. Vuu has left a positive footprint everywhere she has worked and a lasting impact on everyone she’s met. Her vast network connects those that otherwise wouldn’t meet, and her technical and social skills are quickly evolving her as a titan of the industry.
Health Plus Trans
Chairwoman
Brandi Lewis has consistently been a model of success and empowerment. Brandi is a vision-driven, goal-focused, business operation specialist. Brandi is known in the Insurance and Risk Management Industry as a forward-thinking business executive with expertise in team management,
business turn-around strategies and a powerful history of innovation in being an “out of the box
thinker.”
Over the past 16 years, Ms. Lewis has grown a successful nationwide ancillary service data analytic firm by the name of Health Plus Trans; providing language services, medical transfers, and travel accommodations. Health Plus Trans has positively impacted lives all over the country.
Throughout her career, Brandi has established a reputation as a transformational leader driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles and committed to furthering standards of excellence.
Her expertise encompasses all aspects of business development, controlling costs and directing all corporate functions. Furthermore, Brandi’s ability to build consensus among executive teams and stakeholders by harnessing team strengths to promote transparency and influence positive change has
been repeatedly proven. Brandi believes in the three G’s “Get involved, Get it Done, and Get Results” without excuses.
Business Insurance launched the Alonzo Herndon Award in 2021, recognizing an individual dedicated to supporting belonging and inclusion efforts in the insurance industry.
The Alonzo Herndon Award is named in honor of an extraordinary businessman who, more than 100 years ago, founded what would become the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the United States’ largest and most successful black-owned businesses.
Mr. Herndon was born into slavery in 1858 and worked as a laborer from a young age. With almost no schooling and no money, his perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit drove him to great success, opening service businesses in Atlanta that were joined to form a landmark company. Today, the Alonzo Herndon Foundation honors his legacy and supports programs and policies in keeping with his vision.
The annual award, which is also made in observance of Juneteenth, recognizes an individual who exemplifies Mr. Herndon’s courage, leadership and extraordinary good will toward others, bolstering their progress and success.
Founder, National African American Insurance Association
Jerald L. Tillman, an independent agency owner and founder of the National African American Insurance Association, is the 2025 Alonzo Herndon Award winner.
Mr. Tillman owns JL Tillman Insurance Agency, a multiline agency in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.
He has been involved in professional insurance and African American insurance associations throughout his career. In 1997, he founded NAAIA with the goal of providing a platform for Black insurance professionals to connect, learn and develop their careers. The organization now has 2,500 members and 24 chapters across the United States.
MRIA (Multicultural Reinsurance Insurance Association) Founder & President
Lee H. Vuu, founder and board president of the Multicultural (Re)Insurance Association and vice president at Argo Group, is the 2024 Alonzo Herndon Award winner.
The award, presented by Business Insurance’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Institute, recognizes an individual dedicated to supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in the insurance industry.
Board members of the DE&I Institute select the award winner from nominations received from individuals and organizations across the insurance sector.
Ms. Lee began her career in the reinsurance sector in 2004 as an executive assistant to a C-suite executive. Expanding her responsibilities beyond her job description, she taught herself the industry’s fundamentals and moved into reinsurance claims. After taking positions of increasing responsibility at various insurers and reinsurers, she was named to her current position at Argo in 2022.
In 2022, she also founded MRIA, a global platform and network designed to bring new perspectives on DEI and form partnerships related to DEI initiatives within the insurance and reinsurance industry.
In addition, Ms. Vuu is a member of Chief, a network of female executives across industries.
The award is named in honor of Alonzo Herndon, a visionary businessman who, more than 100 years ago, founded what would become the Atlanta Life Insurance Co., one of the United States’ largest and most successful Black-owned businesses.
Mr. Herndon was born into slavery in 1858 and worked as a laborer from a young age. With almost no schooling and no money, his perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit drove him to great success, opening service businesses in Atlanta that were joined to form a landmark company. Today, the Alonzo Herndon Foundation honors his legacy and supports programs and policies in keeping with his vision.
Mediator and arbitrator, DEI consultant, adjunct law professor and author
Rebekah Ratliff, an international mediator and arbitrator with the Judicial Arbitration Mediation Service and former complex insurance claims professional, is the winner of the 2023 Alonzo Herndon Award.
The award, which is presented by Business Insurance’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Institute, recognizes an individual dedicated to supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in the insurance industry.
Board members of the DE&I Institute select the award winner from nominations received from individuals and organizations across the insurance sector.
Based in Atlanta, Ms. Ratliff spent 25 years evaluating, negotiating and settling casualty claims at various global insurers before founding Capital City Mediations LLC, a mediation, arbitration and consulting firm, in 2016. She joined JAMS in 2020 as the first non-attorney African American to join the panel.
Ms. Ratliff also founded CCM Consulting Associates LLC, an executive level DE&I consulting and training company.
Among other affiliations, she is a member of the National Board of the National African American Insurance Association, 1st vice chair of the National Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution section and an adjunct professor at Howard University School of Law. In addition, she founded HBCU IMPACT, a nonprofit created to attract educate and employ students at historically Black colleges and universities in insurance, risk management and the law.
In 2021, she was named one of the Business Insurance Women to Watch.
The award is named in honor of Alonzo Herndon, a visionary businessman who, more than 100 years ago, founded what would become the Atlanta Life Insurance Co., one of the United States’ largest and most successful Black-owned businesses.
Mr. Herndon was born into slavery in 1858 and worked as a laborer from a young age. With almost no schooling and no money, his perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit drove him to great success, opening service businesses in Atlanta that were joined to form a landmark company. Today, the Alonzo Herndon Foundation honors his legacy and supports programs and policies in keeping with his vision.
Ms. Ratliff was presented with the award at the annual Business Insurance Diversity & Inclusion Conference on Sept. 13-14 in Chicago.
Founder and managing partner, AKO Insurance Consulting LLC
Ngozi Nnaji, founder and managing partner of AKO Insurance Consulting LLC, is the winner of the 2022 Alonzo Herndon Award.
The award, which is presented by Business Insurance’s Diversity and Inclusion Institute, recognizes an individual dedicated to supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in the insurance industry.
Board members of the D&I Institute select the award winner from nominations received from individuals and organizations across the insurance sector.
Ms. Nnaji formed Hartford, Connecticut-based AKO Brokerage LLC in 2017 after a 20-year career in insurance, including at CNA Financial Corp., where she was Northeast health care zone leader, and Willis Towers Watson PLC, where she led placement services for its Hartford-based health care practice.
Later, she formed AKO Insurance Consulting to help employers in the insurance sector diversify their workforces through the recruitment and retention of minority employees.
In addition, she serves on the national board of the National African-American Insurance Association and co-founded HBCU IMPACT, an insurance education and engagement program focused on historically black colleges and universities.
Among other achievements and activities, she is an adjunct professor at Goodwin College in East Hartford.
The award is named in honor of Alonzo Herndon, a visionary businessman who, more than 100 years ago, founded what would become the Atlanta Life Insurance Co., one of the United States’ largest and most successful black-owned businesses.
Mr. Herndon was born into slavery in 1858 and worked as a laborer from a young age. With almost no schooling and no money, his perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit drove him to great success, opening service businesses in Atlanta that were joined to form a landmark company. Today, the Alonzo Herndon Foundation honors his legacy and supports programs and policies in keeping with his vision.
Ms. Nnaji was presented with the award at the annual Business Insurance Diversity & Inclusion Conference on Oct. 19, 2022.
President and CEO, American College of Financial Services
George Nichols III, president and CEO of the American College of Financial Services, was named the inaugural winner of the Alonzo Herndon Award during the Business Insurance Diversity and Inclusion Institute’s leadership conference Oct. 28, 2021.
Presenting the award during the virtual conference, Lacrecia Cade, president and CEO of Atlanta Life Insurance Co., which sponsored the award, noted Mr. Nichols’ achievements, including being the first African American insurance commissioner in Kentucky and president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In addition, he was the first African American elected to New York Life’s executive management committee.
Mr. Nichols also held various positions in the health and insurance sectors, including CEO of Central State Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
Mr. Nichols is a “beacon of not just excellence but solutions and outcomes creating tangible paths and options for others,” Ms. Cade said.
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