RISE Announces 2026 Innovator of the Year Finalists

,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Dania Beach, FL, March 31, 2026]  – RISE is proud to announce the 2026 finalists for the Innovator of the Year award, recognizing individuals that have pioneered transformative solutions, setting new standards for the industry. The finalists for the Innovator of the Year award are:

  • Ashish Savani – Vice President, Product Development at Gallagher Bassett
  • Ashish Srivastava – Head of North America, Insurance & Risk Management at Black Stone
  • Bobbie Shrivastav – Co-Founder & CEO at Solvrays
  • Valkyrie Holmes – Co-Founder & CEO at Faura

Each of this year’s finalists is driving innovation forward in the insurance industry through bold strategies, forward-thinking technology, and impactful initiatives. Their leadership and commitment to progress continue to shape what’s next for the industry.

The Innovator of the Year will be announced live at the 2026 RISE Awards Gala during the Leadership Summit on June 9-12 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This prestigious event celebrates excellence in the insurance sector and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry.

For more information about the 2026 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala and to reserve your tickets, visit the event site

About RISE:

RISE® is an insurance community dedicated to developing leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking, and leadership development, RISE empowers professionals to accelerate their careers and helps organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent.

For more information about RISE and our initiatives, visit RISEprofessionals.com

Contact:

Tori Snoddy | VP, Operations & Marketing

tsnoddy@riseprofessionals.com

/0 Comments/by

RISE Announces 2026 LEAD Award Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Dania Beach, FL, March 30, 2026]  – RISE is proud to announce the finalists for the LEAD (Leadership in Equity and Diversity) Award, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within the insurance sector. The finalists for the LEAD Award are:

  • Carlos Herrera – Vice President of Culture & Inclusion, Ryan Specialty
  • James J. D’Errico – Gallagher Risk Consulting Leader, Gallagher
  • Kayla Works – National Client Group Underwriter, Unum Group
  • Pedro Perry – QA Analyst, Tower Hill Insurance Group

From shaping more inclusive workplaces to driving meaningful initiatives across recruitment, development, and culture, these finalists are leading the way. Their efforts have led to increased awareness, understanding, and advocacy of DE&I work throughout their organizations.

The winner of the LEAD Award will be announced live at the 2026 RISE Awards Gala during the Leadership Summit on June 9-12 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This prestigious event celebrates excellence in the insurance sector and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry.

For more information about the 2026 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala and to reserve your tickets, visit the event site

About RISE:

RISE® is an insurance community dedicated to developing leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking, and leadership development, RISE empowers professionals to accelerate their careers and helps organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent.

For more information about RISE and our initiatives, visit RISEprofessionals.com

Contact:

Tori Snoddy | VP, Operations & Marketing

tsnoddy@riseprofessionals.com

/0 Comments/by

RISE Announces 2026 Mentor of the Year Finalists

,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Dania Beach, FL, March 27, 2026]  – RISE is proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Mentor of the Year award, recognizing exceptional leaders in the insurance industry who have dedicated themselves to guiding and nurturing the next generation of talent. The finalists for the Mentor of the Year award are:

  •  Bridgette Ferraro – Chief Executive Officer, iCopy
  • Liva Rivera – Chief Communications Officer, Hamilton Miller & Birthisel
  • Michelle Carter – Chief Underwriting Officer, KINETIC
  • Salena Chaudhry – Manager, Claim Systems Transformation, AAA – The Auto Club Group

These leaders show up for people in a way that actually moves careers forward. They’ve invested time, shared real insight, and created space for others to grow with confidence. The impact they’ve made reaches far beyond their mentees and continues to shape the future of the industry.

The winner of the Mentor of the Year award will be announced live at the 2026 RISE Awards Gala during the Leadership Summit on June 9-12 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This prestigious event celebrates excellence in the insurance sector and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry.

For more information about the 2026 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala and to reserve your tickets, visit the event site

 

About RISE:

RISE® is an insurance community dedicated to developing leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking, and leadership development, RISE empowers professionals to accelerate their careers and helps organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent.

For more information about RISE and our initiatives, visit RISEprofessionals.com

Contact:

Tori Snoddy | VP, Operations & Marketing

tsnoddy@riseprofessionals.com

/0 Comments/by

RISE Announces 2026 ’35 Under 35′ RISE Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

[Dania Beach, FL, March 25, 2026] – RISE is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 “35 Under 35” award, a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional rising talent in the insurance industry.

The RISE Awards “35 Under 35” celebrates rising stars who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and contributions to their companies, communities, and the insurance sector as a whole. This year, we received a significant number of nominations from across the industry, highlighting the wealth of talent and innovation present among young professionals.

The 2026 “35 Under 35” recipients are:

  • Alicia Arrington — Underwriting Technical Specialist at Selective Insurance
  • Briana Vu — Underwriting Consultant at CNA
  • Charlotte Rheingold — Instructional Designer, Global Learning, Development and Diversity at AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
  • Chris Barnes — Private Client Advisor at EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
  • D’Jenique Inge — Director of Strategic Communications at NAAIA
  • Elisabeth Westerfield — Client Account Manager at Wilber
  • Elizabeth Popkins — Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations at Otter Claim Solutions, Inc.
  • Eric Bradford — National Partner Manager at Lemonade Insurance
  • Eric Morgan — Director of Education and Compliance at National Insurance Institute
  • Gunnar Reinig — Portfolio Underwriter at Kinetic Insurance
  • Jak Kramer — Principal & Risk Advisor (Employee-Owner) at Gibson
  • Kali Trombley — Executive Director of Growth & Strategy at Gilson Daub
  • Katie Kahlbaugh — Vice President, Corporate Development at Fortegra
  • Katy Photopoulos — Senior Claims Technical Specialist at Clear Spring Property & Casualty Company
  • Mauro Di Buono — VP Commercial & Growth at ClaimSorted
  • Mia Sipe-Powell — Team Manager at Broadspire
  • Michael Stango — Director of Information Technology at A.I.M. Mutual Insurance Companies
  • Myranda Joseph — Flood Sales Leader at The Hartford
  • Nich Wiener — Vice President – Group Captive Financial Management, North America at Artex Risk Solutions, Inc.
  • Nicole Lenzen — Claim Specialist at AAA – The Auto Club Group
  • Omar Baltazar — AVP, Investment Strategy at Fortitude Re
  • Richard Homan — Claims Liability Supervisor at Utica National Insurance Group
  • Sarah Stadler — Small Business Underwriting Manager at Westfield Insurance
  • Sean Fitzgerald — Vice President, Head of Wholesale Cyber/E&O at Westfield Specialty
  • Shane Parcel — AVP, Program Underwriting at MS Transverse
  • Sikhulisiwe Ncube — Reinsurance Business Analyst at AIG
  • Timothy DiPaola — Underwriting Risk Analyst at Preferred Mutual Insurance Company
  • Tom Berzok — Manager, Strategic Analytic Services at Arch Capital Services
  • Tony Pollmeier — BOP Practice Lead at CFC
  • Tre Mason — Digital Operations Production Specialist at Sun Life
  • Tyler Vaughan — Global Risk Manager at Cook Group Incorporated
  • Walker Mullinix — Subrogation Recovery Specialist at Federated Mutual Insurance Company
  • Yas Nahali — Executive Vice President at Amwins
  • Yuganesh Gunalan — Sr. Delivery Analyst at Next Level Solutions
  • Zorinne Green — Claims Support Supervisor, Operations at Hudson Insurance Company

The winners will be honored at the 2026 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala, taking place on June 9-12th in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The 2026 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala is where insurance leaders come to get sharper, think differently, and invest in how they show up at work. For more information about the 2026 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala and to reserve your tickets, visit the event site

 

About RISE:

RISE® is an insurance community dedicated to developing leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking, and leadership development, RISE empowers professionals to accelerate their careers and helps organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent.

For more information about RISE and our initiatives, visit RISEprofessionals.com

Contact:

Tori Snoddy | VP, Operations & Marketing

tsnoddy@riseprofessionals.com

/0 Comments/by