Rising Stars 2022

“I am skilled in many areas, but I don't think my personal talents would mean much without the ability and willingness to collaborate with others”
Tamra Johnson, American Property Casualty Insurance Association 

Generation Z (born after 1996) have been starting their first jobs while Millennials (born 1980–96) have been bolstering their résumés and are positioned to move into senior-level positions, according to David E. Coons, senior vice president of The Jacobson Group, a global provider of talent to the insurance industry. As Baby Boomers (born 1946–64) and Traditionalists (born 1928–45) retire, Generation X will fill their roles, thereby freeing up opportunities for those 35 and under.  

“Generation Z and Millennials are more likely to view work as something you do, not a place you go. They value flexibility, but they also crave connections and collaboration. Given where they are in their careers, many are focused on their next steps professionally,” Coons adds. 

Tech-savvy talent  

Once again, IBA has selected some of the finest insurance professionals aged 35 and under. The nominees’ roles, achievements, and goals were assessed as well as their contributions to the industry. This year, 59 luminaries were found to be blazing a pathway to excellence.  

One of the judging panel, Danette Beck, partner and head of industry verticals and national construction practice leader at USI Insurance Services, says, “The quality and the caliber of talented young professionals who were nominated for the IBA Rising Stars recognition was impressive. I am personally excited for the future of our industry if these are the young men and women leading the charge. The insurance industry will be in great hands.” 

Evidently, it’s an opportune time to be in the top tier. Due to an expected increase in volume and some understaffing, most companies are planning to hire new workers over the next 12 months, according to a recent study by the Jacobson Group and Ward. Employment is expected to jump 0.94%.  

National Association of Professional Insurance Agents CEO Mike Becker agrees with this viewpoint. “Attracting top, emerging talent to insurance is so important. For insurance agencies in particular, it’s a critical factor because advancing digital strategies and working with next-generation customers are key to growth. Agents need comprehensive digital strategies, and this is an area where Millennials and Gen Zs can have a big impact. There is good momentum with insurance agencies today, and Millennial and Gen Z agents will be key to sustaining it,” he says. 

“There can be a substantial learning curve when someone enters the industry, and it takes time to get fully up to speed”
Allen Canaday, CRC Group 

Perseverance pays off

The Rising Stars of 2022 have excelled, but what are the challenges they’ve had to overcome to achieve that? 

Rising Star Allen Canaday, managing director of the CRC Group, notes that while the stigma persists that insurance is boring, he’s found it to be flawed.

During the pandemic, Coons observed that nearly 40% of Generation Z struggled with mental health – compared with 27% of Millennials, 24% of Generation X, 15% of Baby Boomers and 8% of Traditionalists. A study by the Society for Human Resource Management also revealed that “Gen Zers are significantly more likely to feel tired or lacking in energy due to the pandemic, compared to members of other generations. Additionally, more than half of Generation Z reported feeling burned out at work, compared with 24% of Baby Boomers.”  

Work-life balance is an issue for another Rising Star, Tamra Johnson. In a previous position, the assistant vice president at American Property Casualty Insurance Association found herself missing commitments with family and friends. "I’ve learned that no matter the career, balance is a challenge for us all. I’ve been inspired by [my] conversations with our leaders at APCIA, members and industry colleagues about how organizations or companies are applying research and development programs to support everyone in the workplace, including parents and caregivers,” she says. “Having these conversations has never been more important, especially as many found themselves working through a pandemic.” 

However, Canaday pinpoints a lack of patience from colleagues as a major hurdle to overcome. “There can be a substantial learning curve when someone enters the industry, and it takes time to get fully up to speed,” he says. “It also takes time to build a book of business and strong, trusting relationships with carriers, agents and brokers. Society has become used to stories of instant gratification and overnight success, but in reality, a solid career takes patience, learning from your mistakes, and years of consistent effort to build.” 

Meanwhile, Cheeks says comfort, complacency and impatience are primary factors.  

“While many young insurance professionals are working hard and climbing the ladder quickly, some continue to remain in the same position,” she explains. “What are the separating factors for these individuals? Those who are climbing continually push their boundaries going above and beyond and doing more than asked. They are working harder to exceed expectations and don’t allow themselves to become comfortable or complacent. They understand the industry is not fair and some colleagues will get a jumpstart. They are happy for others’ success but still have a competitive edge. They understand success doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a process that takes a lot of time and energy. While I’m unsure of exactly what it is that holds young professionals back, this is what has jolted me forward.” 

Chelsea Sirovatka, of Risk Placement Services, is another Rising Star. The transportation underwriter cites her age as a cause for people to underestimate her ability. She says, “I would say a major challenge I’ve faced in my career is being younger in this industry. Sometimes people worry that you won’t be as aggressive to get a deal done or you’re not as knowledgeable as someone older.” But Sirovatka stresses she is “still eager to grow” and adds, “considering I have about 35 years left to go in my career, I might as well have fun along the way and to have a personality in this industry is huge.” 

“Most companies are hungry for bright, young talent to be their future. The under 35s are in a great spot for growth and will soon be leaders within our industry”
Carrie Cheeks, Jencap Insurance Services

Passing the baton

Managing the generational knowledge gap has been a significant concern, according to Coons. With a lot of people working remotely, it’s been more difficult to facilitate knowledge transfer.  

“Most seasoned workers enjoy sharing their expertise and experience with younger colleagues,” he says. “Yet, it can be difficult to recognize when a younger individual is struggling with a particular component of their work in the remote environment.”  

To counter this issue, he recommends cultivating a supportive culture with mentorships and meetings.  

Johnson can empathize with this, adding, “I am skilled in many areas, but I don’t think my personal talents would mean much without the ability and willingness to collaborate with others.” 

“The insurance industry employment market has been very favorable for younger people over the past two years,” says Canaday. “As the older generation starts to look toward retirement, there will continue to be ample opportunity for young talent to step up and prove themselves in a transitioning marketplace. I think this trend will continue as companies work to implement and expand their leadership programs.” 

This learning curve is being helped by mentorship schemes in the industry. “In the past, there’s been a big focus on experience, experience, experience and you’re seeing some insurers now being more open to some of the softer skills as a priority, explains Marguerite Murer Tortorello, managing director of Insurance Careers Movement. “And then if you go to those seasoned professionals, they are helping them provide mentoring opportunities to bridge that gap of years of experience.”  

After starting out as an underwriting assistant in 2016, Canaday rose to his current director role in 2020, where he oversees a P&C binding authority team writing business in all 50 states. During his tenure, he’s grown his book of business to more than $2 million in revenue.  

Carmen McKeon, office president at CRC, adds, “Allen continues to be a team player, never asking more of his team than he ask of himself. He works hard to provide insight in efficiencies in processes, tracking revenue for each region, making marketing visits with his team and answering day-to-day questions around underwriting, systems and how to provide solutions when problems arise. We started this unit with a zero, and he has been a constant to an ever-changing start-up opportunity to generate revenue for our organization.”  

Cheeks is responsible for the growth of Jencap’s WC book and agency and carrier relationships across the southeast region. She started out in 2018 as a small accounts new business broker in Georgia with under $15,000 in premium. Soon, she was not only doing business throughout the east coast but also managing approximately 500 accounts per month and binding around 75.  

“Our WC book has seen double-digit increases in the last few years as rates, on average, continue to decrease nationally,” she says. 

Jencap’s managing director of sales Paul Orlando compliments Cheeks’ achievement, saying, “She’s hands down one of our best territory managers in the company. Carrie is always on the clock helping her agents at the 11th hour if necessary. I don’t think I’ve ever not gotten a call back from her within an hour or so. That’s hard to find these days. Every time we speak, Carrie is offering up new ideas and solutions to help better our sales team at large.” 

Regarding market trends, Cheeks describes the workers’ compensation segment as soft. “Rates are at an all-time low with no bottom in sight. WC is in its eighth year of profitability. The rise of inflation has yet to play a role in the increase of WC rates, and it may never be the driving force behind a turn in the marketplace,” she says. 

“Increases in salaries and minimum wage have bolstered the payrolls, causing an increase in WC premiums. Additionally, there has been more of a focus on workplace safety in the last decade that will only increase in years to come. The rise of technology in insurance will continue to assist in this movement.” 

Rising Stars 2022

• 
  Chelsea Sirovatka
  Transportation Underwriter
  Risk Placement Services
   
  
• 
  David Bauer
  Professional Lines Broker
  Risk Placement Services
   
  
• 
  Jake Plagge
  Underwriter/Broker
  Risk Placement Services
   
  
• 
  Tamra Johnson
  Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs
  APCIA American Property Casualty Insurance Association
   
  
• 
  Alex Betlinski
  Regional Vice President, Property
  Arch Insurance
   
  
• 
  Allen Canaday
  Managing Director of CRCOne
  CRC Insurance Services
   
  
• 
  Andrew Filus
  Underwriting Manager
  Applied Financial Lines
   
  
• 
  Brittany Cosgrove
  Regional Vice President, Executive Assurance
  Arch Insurance
   
  
• 
  Carrie Cheeks
  Workers’ Compensation Territory Manager
  Jencap Insurance Services
   
  
• 
  Emily Wegman
  Senior Vice President, Commercial Lines
  Amwins Access
   
  
• 
  Houston Pittman
  Senior Vice President
  Amwins Access
   
  
• 
  Maria Alejandra Bojaca González
  Account Executive
  Synapse Services
   
  
• 
  Pete Kidd
  Vice President, Insurance and Compliance
  Leap Insurance Agency
   
  
• 
  Sarah Combs
  Senior Director, Distribution Management
  Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
   
  
• 
  Timothy Grosso
  Senior Vice President
  Euclid Transactional
   
  
• 
  Tresa Stephens
  Regional Head of Cyber, Tech & Media E&O for North America
  Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
   
  

• Alessandra Rohde
  Head of Customer Success
  Broker Buddha
• Alex Luxenburg
  Senior Vice President
  CAC Specialty
• Alexis Nicole Gutierrez
  Agency Owner/Principal
  New Era Insurance
• Alexis Spoon
  Area Assistant Vice President
  Gallagher
• Alicia Golia
  Director of Cyber and Technology Insurance Solutions
  Ambridge Partners
• Andrew Notohamiprodjo
  Data Scientist
  Delos Insurance Solutions
• Andrew Silva
  Senior Financial Lines Manager
  Woodruff Sawyer
• Angela Oroian
  President
  Society of Environmental Insurance Professionals
• Angela Rimgaila
  Assistant Vice President, Underwriting, Management Liability
  IAT Insurance Group
• Ben Coe
  Partner
  Shepherd Insurance
• Brandon Behun
  Director of Analytics, Underwriting, and Innovation
  HUB International
• Brett Davis
  Senior Business Development Specialist
  GS Insurance Solutions
• Britany LaManna
  Senior Account Executive
  The Loomis Company
• Christopher Clementi
  Assistant Vice President
  CNA Insurance
• Dan Sweet
  Assistant Vice President, Healthcare Practice
  USI Insurance Services
• Dean Hoski
  Assistant Vice President, Underwriting
  Crum & Forster
• Drew Barker
  Sales Account Manager I
  American Modern Insurance Group
• Erich Lowe
  Senior Vice President, Team Leader
  Aon
• Francesca Barbano
  Employee Benefits Consultant
  HUB International
• Gerald Fawcett
  Senior Vice President, Property and Casualty Practice Leader
  The Plexus Groupe
• Heather Billingslea
  Assistant Vice President, Personal Risk Manager
  Chubb
• Jaime Mann
  Vice President, Regional Underwriting Manager
  Chubb
• Jared Bower
  Vice President and Commercial Lines Manager
  HUB International Northeast
• Jason Minnella
  Senior Vice President
  HUB International Northeast
• John Dewart
  Senior Broker, Casualty
  Burns & Wilcox
• John Horneff
  Founder and Chief Executive Officer
  Noldor
• Jon D. Hongsermeier
  Agent
  Adams Insurance Advisors
• Kayla Livingston
  Associate
  Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP
• Kelley Holmes
  Account Executive, Broadspire
  Crawford & Company
• Kenny Eisman
  Assistant Vice President
  HUB International Northeast
• Khris Dai
  Vice President, Actuary
  Aon
• Kilauren McShea
  Director, US Management Liability
  Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
• Kristen Darling
  Vice President, Team Lead
  Lockton Companies
• Kristen Nevins
  Director of Marketing & Operations
  Direct Connection Advertising & Marketing
• Lance Fraser
  Senior Vice President, Transactional Risk
  Chubb
• Lindsey Jordan
  Assistant Vice President, Operations Manager
  Personal Risk Management Solutions
• Megan Pittelli
  Senior Account Executive
  Aon
• Sarah Chandonnet
  Underwriting Manager, Private Client Division
  Burns & Wilcox
• Sarah Lopez
  Claims Specialist
  Gallagher Bassett
• Spencer Friedman
  Risk Management Consultant
  Alera Group
• Sydney Hedberg
  Director, MMC Advantage
  Marsh McLennan
• Tandeka Nomvete
  Director, External Engagement
  Spencer Educational Foundation
• Utsav Ratra
  Executive Underwriter
  Canopius Group