Author Archive for: Tori Snoddy
Entries by Tori Snoddy
News Release: RISE Announces 2026 Strategic Planning Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dania Beach, FL, November 13, 2025 – RISE is proud to announce the members of the 2026 Strategic Planning Board.
The Strategic Planning Board plays a key role in guiding RISE’s long-term vision—driving initiatives, shaping strategy, and ensuring that the organization continues to meet the evolving needs of the industry’s future leaders. This year’s board brings together a mix of new and returning members who exemplify RISE’s core values of leadership, innovation, mentorship, and inclusion.
Members of the Strategic Planning Board will collaborate closely with RISE leadership and the Advisory Board to share ideas, provide insights, and help drive key initiatives. Together, they’ll transform vision into action—shaping projects that align with RISE’s long-term goals while building leadership skills, strategic thinking, and meaningful connections across the industry.
The individuals selected for this year’s board represent a diverse cross-section of expertise and experience across the insurance industry:
2026 Strategic Planning Board Members:
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Alexandra Santo, Claims Consultant, Golden Bear Insurance Company
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Amanda Jensen, Head of Marketing and Branding, NARS
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Andye Vantol, Underwriting Auditor II, AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
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Anna Pray Holzapfel, Business Senior Lead Project and Program Manager, Westfield Insurance
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Chelsey Boyle, Associate Claims Specialist, Tokio Marine HCC
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Cody Pavlat, Manager, Training & Education, AF Group
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Cortney Helfrich, CPO, Wilber Group
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DJ Gargano, Senior Client Services Manager, CNA
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Giselle Palladino, Vice President, Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers
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Jessica Elsass, Assistant Vice President & Manager, Medical Resource Unit, Cincinnati Insurance Company
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Kaitlyn Dudzinski, VP – Environmental, Westfield Specialty
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Kayla Pigeon, VP MSP Compliance, Sanderson Firm
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Lindsay Tanner, Claims Unit Manager, Westfield Insurance
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Matt DeBernardi, Director, RLI
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Megan Bell, SVP, Marketing, Falvey Insurance Group
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Mercedes Peil, Director, Strategy, Selective Insurance
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Mykaela Ionta, Senior Middle Market Underwriter, The Hartford
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Quron Berry, Litigation Specialist Supervisor, Utica National Insurance Group
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Siena Pizzano, Senior Catastrophe Risk Analyst, Sompo
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Stephanie Badiola, Excess Casualty Underwriter, Gridiron Insurance Underwriters
The 2026 Strategic Planning Board embodies RISE’s mission to cultivate, connect, and champion emerging leaders in insurance. Together, this team will help chart the course for another year of innovation and impact.
About RISE
RISE is a professional community dedicated to developing the next generation of insurance leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking, and leadership development, RISE empowers professionals to accelerate their careers and helps organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent.
Join the community today to get exclusive access to our Mentorship Program, RISE Awards, industry event scholarships, workshops & labs, Committees, e-Learning & webinars, Annual Leadership Summit, and more! JOIN NOW
News Release: RISE® Partners with St. John’s University to Launch Scholarship to Empower the Next Generation of Risk Management & Insurance Leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dania Beach, FL —October 8, 2025 — RISE is proud to announce a new partnership with St. John’s University to offer the RISE Scholarship, providing $20,000 scholarships toward graduate tuition for early-career professionals pursuing advanced degrees in Risk Management and Insurance (RMI), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), or Actuarial Science. All eligible […]
News Release: RISE Announces 2025 Elite 50 Internships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dania Beach, FL, Sept. 30, 2025 – RISE® is proud to announce the release of the highly anticipated 2025 Elite 50 Internships, recognizing the top internship programs in the insurance industry across the United States. Each year, RISE evaluates and celebrates the most outstanding programs that go above and beyond in developing […]
RISE and IRMI Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Education and Career Development in Insurance
Dania Beach, FL— May 30, 2025— RISE is proud to announce a new partnership with International Risk Management Institute (IRMI), a trusted leader in risk and insurance education for more than 45 years. This collaboration marks a major step forward in providing young insurance professionals with meaningful, affordable access to continuing education, certifications, and career […]
Is the RISE Leadership Summit the Best Insurance Conference to Attend?
Short Answer: Yes. Here’s Why. Every year, the insurance industry calendar is dotted with conferences and events promising insights, networking, and career growth. But among the sea of name tags and panel discussions, one event is standing out—and rising fast. That event is the RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala, and if you’re wondering whether […]
