Spotlight: 2019 RISE Award Recipient Chelsea Fowler

Chelsea Fowler, Claims New Product Specialist at Liberty Mutual Insurance

The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity. She consistently rises above the occasion when it comes to volunteering for projects and assignments and is the first person to reach out to a fellow team member to help and assist in any way possible.

She thinks others first which is a remarkable quality. Chelsea has quickly ascended in her role with Liberty in CD, but more than that she has formed trust bonds with her team and those outside of her team in cross functional projects. Chelsea’s nature is to be inquisitive and ask questions, but she is thoughtful about her approach, seeking others input and not just asking for the sake of asking, but asking deeper and insightful questions which provokes thoughts and discussion rather than just seeking an answer, she seeks to understand and for others to join her in this process.

“Chelsea is a rising star in our organization because she sees every challenge as an opportunity. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity.”

Tom Gesner, Claims Manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance


Chelsea recently was awarded the “Unsung Hero Award” in her department of roughly 60 people. This award is presented to an individual who goes above and beyond to make others better. Her team was recently received recognition as the Top Team in our department because of people like Chelsea who unselfishly think about others first. Chelsea has received numerous “Bravo Awards” and “Spotlight Awards” recognizing her participation in a variety of Projects and was recently a leader in working through some kinks revising a current claims operating system.

Chelsea was nominated by her supervisors and peers. The annual RISE Awards is a showcase of the Insurance Industry’s top rising talent. Each year we receive dozens of nominations and the RISE Advisory Board votes to narrow down to the top. Among the winners are young professionals from all areas of the industry, from claims to brokers to SIU and TPAs. The winners all have one thing in common: They are making a big impact in their company and to the industry as a whole. They are role models and examples of what someone can do with the amazing opportunity of a career in insurance.

The 2020 RISE Award Nominations are now open through April 30th

Nominate a deserving young professional today!

/0 Comments/by

Spotlight: 2017 RISE Award Recipient Bert Dizon

Bert Dizon, Senior Account Manager at Gallagher Bassett

Bert demonstrates a thirst to share knowledge while still learning from others in the company, field and legal/insurance community.

Bert is still in his 30s and interfaces with people who have been in this industry or in their jobs for longer than he’s been alive. That being said, he brings new ideas to them, assists in making them look wiser, brings claims insights to his peers and those reporting to him, and understands that while his role is that of a claims manager, he needs to keep the bigger picture in mind. Bert works with those in underwriting, programs, information system and accounting.

RISE to the Occasion: “Upon my arrival to Knight Insurance, Bert, who is 15 years younger than I am, was able to assist me in on boarding, including training me on five different computer systems, helping me navigate through the corporate structure, and ultimately being an ally while others were more concerned about their own roles. Over time this selflessness has served Bert well at Knight as a member of my claims leadership team and as an overall contributor to Knight’s future.” – Caryn Siebert

Bert was nominated by his supervisors and peers. The annual RISE Awards is a showcase of the Insurance Industry’s top rising talent. Each year we receive dozens of nominations and the RISE Advisory Board votes to narrow down to the top. Among the winners are young professionals from all areas of the industry, from claims to brokers to SIU and TPAs. The winners all have one thing in common: They are making a big impact in their company and to the industry as a whole. They are role models and examples of what someone can do with the amazing opportunity of a career in insurance.

The 2020 RISE Award Nominations are now open through April 30th

Nominate a deserving young professional today!



/0 Comments/by

Spotlight: 2019 RISE Award Recipient Candice Elliot

Candice Elliot, Personal Injury Claims Manager at Meemic Insurance Company

Candice is a young, vibrant manager that has transformed and overhauled her department. She is a very effective leader and is highly respected among the members of her team.

Even at a young age, she has shown wisdom in resolving disputes between employees and management. She leads by example and continually expresses optimism in the face of any obstacle. As a woman and an ethnic minority in management she has attended several events planned by the Meemic Foundation and Detroit Public Schools to show young girls that they can pursue management positions in the insurance industry.

“Candice possesses essential leadership traits. She faces problems and/or obstacles with confidence and assurance. Candice steadily leads her team with authority and respect. She readily creates an environment where all employees feel valued, respected and trusted. She is a valued leader within our organization.”

Dominique Stalling, Director of Claims, Auto Club Group

RISE to the Occasion: Early in her management career, she encountered a dispute between two employees with far more seniority than her regarding a management decision that she was forced to make. She brought the employees in and explained to them that she understood their frustration and gave them the rationale behind the decision then reassured them that she and the other managers would use their feedback to fine tune the decision making process. These two employees became very valuable members of her team because they were impressed with the way she handled their feedback.

Candice was nominated by his supervisors and peers. The annual RISE Awards is a showcase of the Insurance Industry’s top rising talent. Each year we receive dozens of nominations and the RISE Advisory Board votes to narrow down to the top. Among the winners are young professionals from all areas of the industry, from claims to brokers to SIU and TPAs. The winners all have one thing in common: They are making a big impact in their company and to the industry as a whole. They are role models and examples of what someone can do with the amazing opportunity of a career in insurance.

The 2020 RISE Award Nominations are now open through April 30th

Nominate a deserving young professional today!

/0 Comments/by

Spotlight: 2019 RISE Award Recipient Ashley Robitaille

Ashley Robitaille, AIS, AINS, Rating Operations Manager at Acadia Insurance (a Berkley Company)

Ashley is one of the most compassionate and passionate young insurance professionals in the industry. She consciously devotes herself to becoming a better manager every day, and to building a better company for all her co-workers.

She has volunteered innumerable hours participating on two separate internal innovation projects aimed at bettering Acadia Insurance as an industry player, employer and community member. Her dedication to her team is most impressive though. Ashley can often be seen standing in the cube of a team member, explaining a process or helping someone sort through a thorny problem, almost always with an easy laugh and a smile on her face. She embodies humility, openness, flexibility, empathy and loyalty to the insurance industry.

“Ashley has a unique ability to effectuate positive change in those that she works with. She consistently develops her staff, preparing them not only for success in their roles but also as future leaders themselves. She leads by example and continuously looks for ways to improve the status-quo.”

Andrew Portwine, Managing Director, Rating and Audit for Acadia Insurance


To Ashley, her greatest successes are team members who get promoted or recognized, and she is the last to ever take any credit for the impressive results turned in by the Rating Department. Ashley is an important and integral member of Acadia’s community who understands that customer service is just as important internally as it is externally.

One of her largest contributions to the industry is that she is taking fresh-out-of-college graduates and getting them excited about being in the insurance industry. She stands out among her peers because she takes the time to meet individually with each member of her team in order to help them choose a behavior on which to focus which would help support innovative thinking goals. She is now working on helping each team member find resources and materials which will assist them in learning about, refining and practicing their individual behavior choice.

Ashley was nominated by her supervisors and peers. The annual RISE Awards is a showcase of the Insurance Industry’s top rising talent. Each year we receive dozens of nominations and the RISE Advisory Board votes to narrow down to the top. Among the winners are young professionals from all areas of the industry, from claims to brokers to SIU and TPAs. The winners all have one thing in common: They are making a big impact in their company and to the industry as a whole. They are role models and examples of what someone can do with the amazing opportunity of a career in insurance.

The 2020 RISE Award Nominations are now open through April 30th

Nominate a deserving young professional today!

/0 Comments/by

Highlight: 2018 RISE Award Winner James Emming

, , ,

James Emming, Senior Claims Auditor at The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

James chose a career in insurance because it gives him the opportunity to help people when they need it most, along with the chance to solve complex problems.


James expresses, “As a claims representative, you show up knowing that you can’t replace the memories or sentimental value, but insurance means we can put a roof back over their heads and help get them back on their feet. Insurance is a noble profession with a growing number of career opportunities. I tell everyone, if you like helping people, insurance might be the right career for you.”

“I tell everyone, if you like helping people, insurance might be the right career for you.”

James Emming, Cincinnati Insurance, RISE Award Recipient

RISE to the Occasion: James is a problem solver, regularly assisting others to help them more efficiently complete their work. When he doesn’t know something, he proactively seeks out instruction or training. He’s not happy with the status quo and is always interested in upping the game and finding better ways to complete audits. James is working to innovate audit processes with the use of artificial intelligence and text mining so that he and coworkers can apply their expertise and knowledge where it’s most needed.

“James has been instrumental in the rollout of our new File Review program for field claims representatives. He designed and helped implement an electronic workbook we use to compile information used in the annual review process for field claims associates. His contributions helped us improve the consistency of the file review process, enabling more accurate comparisons.” Kenneth Kerby, The Cincinnati Insurance Company

James was nominated by his supervisors and peers. The annual RISE Awards is a showcase of the Insurance Industry’s top rising talent. Each year we receive dozens of nominations and the RISE Advisory Board votes to narrow down to the top. Among the winners are young professionals from all areas of the industry, from claims to brokers to SIU and TPAs. The winners all have one thing in common: They are making a big impact in their company and to the industry as a whole. They are role models and examples of what someone can do with the amazing opportunity of a career in insurance.

The 2020 RISE Award Nominations are now open through April 30th

Nominate a deserving young professional today!

/0 Comments/by

Interview with Kenneth Tolson, U.S. President – Claims Solutions, Crawford & Company

, ,

#FlashbackFriday to last year’s ACE conference where we got an exclusive interview with Kenneth Tolson, US President of Claims Solutions at Crawford & Company. Listen in to his story of how he got started in insurance, some of the opportunities he is creating at Crawford & Co, his career advice, and what they look for when promoting. He also discusses innovating around the biggest pain points carriers face and integrating robotic process automation.

/0 Comments/by