COMMITTEE OVERVIEW
RISE is committed to creating actionable initiatives to drive positive change in the industry. With great people and ongoing support, the RISE committees are impacting the future of insurance.
NEW! Student Committee
Welcome to the RISE Student Committee, a passionate community committed to reshaping the landscape of the insurance industry. Our mission is clear: bridge the gap between students and the dynamic world of insurance.
We actively engage with educational institutions, student organizations, and individuals passionate about insurance careers, fostering a vibrant network of like-minded individuals. Expect unique networking opportunities and collaborative projects that enrich your learning and expand your horizons within the industry.
Whether you’re a student eager to explore the industry or a professional seeking to guide the next generation, your enthusiasm and expertise are invaluable in propelling this transformative initiative.
Our committee meets once a month. Check out the event calendar for upcoming events and committee meeting dates.
Meet the Leadership
Milena Russo
Chair
Milena Russo is the Innovation Manager for the Americas at AXA XL. She leads and develops customer-centric, technology-enhanced, innovative service initiatives and insurance programs for AXA XL’s Americas commercial lines business. She has a strong background in underwriting, and a B.A. in Risk Management & Insurance from the School of Risk Management at St. John’s University.
Quynh Nguyen
Co-Chair
I am Quynh Nguyen from Hanoi, Vietnam. I learned about a career in the insurance industry as an actuary after my sophomore year and quickly fell in love with it. Thus, I am dedicated to bringing more students closer to the insurance industry and helping them explore career opportunities through the RISE student committee.
Lauren Angelina
Co-Chair
Lauren Angelina, CPCU, is a Senior Liability Underwriter at Allianz Commercial in downtown Manhattan. She’s passionate about empowering others, diversity/inclusion, and Philly sports. She studied Economics at Penn State, and first joined the insurance industry as a student in 2015.
DEI Committee
The purpose of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee is to promote D&I in RISE and the insurance industry, bring resources to our members, and to connect like-minded professionals. This committee hosts a broad range of speakers, launched a D&I podcast called Off The Record, and is building RISE’s connections with HBCUs to promote insurance to the next generation. If you’re looking to meet other professionals that look or think like you, you want to educate yourself on how to be more inclusive, or you’re passionate about making a difference when it comes to D&I in insurance, this committee is for you.
Our committee meets once a month. Check out the event calendar for upcoming events and committee meeting dates.
Meet the Leadership
Nic Gaither
Co-Chair
Nic Gaither is the Unit Manager in the Claims Department for Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company. He is responsible for managing the Memphis and Richmond WC teams handling claims for TN, MS, VA, MD, and Washington DC. His extensive experience in claims spans over 28 years, with 16 years in management and claims handling across 18 jurisdictions.
Brandi Lewis
Co-Chair
Brandi Lewis the Chairwoman of www.healthplustrans.com has consistently been a model of success
and empowerment. Brandi is a vision-driven, goal-focused, forward thinking business executive with
expertise in team management, proven business turn-around strategy, a business operations specialist,
proven history of innovation and being an out of the box thinker.
Holli Charles
Immediate Past Chair
Holli is a Senior Account Executive with Helmsman Management Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance. Holli loves all things food, reading, dancing to House music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She is also passionate about serving her community through her volunteer work and involvement in various non-profit organizations.
Awais Farooq
Immediate Past Chair
Awais Farooq, CPCU, is the SVP of Strategy & Transformation at Crawford & Company. Insurance industry is evolving at a rapid rate and Awais is a strong advocate of innovative thinking to help insurance companies continue to make a difference for their customers. He is an active member of the insurance community and serves as a mentor to professionals in various areas. When not behind his computer, Awais enjoys exploring small coffee shops.
Charmaine Rice
Advisory Board Sponsor
Innovation Committee
The RISE Innovation Committee discusses and teaches innovative thinking as well as brings innovation and creativity to RISE itself. Our group regularly researches and discusses the impact of insurtechs on internal and customer service processes. We host podcasts, interviews and share innovation news on a weekly basis. Check out our posts every Tuesday on the RISE Linked In page. If you want to stay up on what’s new and exciting happening in the insurance industry, learn how to be more innovative, or take on leadership roles, the Innovation Committee is for you.
Our committee meets once a month. Check out the event calendar for upcoming events and committee meeting dates.
Meet the Leadership
Silvia Diaz-Roa
Co-Chair
Kerry Macca
Co-Chair
Kerry has over three decades of Property and Casualty insurance and enterprise software sales experience. With a proven track record in tackling complex industry challenges Kerry has led digital advancement across the entire industry from underwriting to claims. She has earned acclaim for her adeptness in driving growth through business strategy and customizing sales strategies across diverse landscapes, including startups, solution providers, and carriers. Throughout her career, Kerry has excelled in spearheading dynamic teams and elevating revenue streams across sectors ranging from enterprise SaaS technology, Data and Analytics, and digital transformation.
Ema Roloff
Immediate Past Chair & Strategic Planning Board Sponsor
Caitlin McPhillips
Social Media Liason
Education Committee
The purpose of the education committee is to design the education content available to RISE members. This includes CE & CLE accreditation, webinars, website content, and videos. If you have a passion for learning, would like to share your ideas, or want to make a difference for the next generation, this committee is for you.
Our committee meets once a month. Check out the event calendar for upcoming events and committee meeting dates.
Meet the Leadership
Gracemarie Mende
Co-Chair
Gracemarie is a born and raised Jersey Girl and Arch Insurance Senior Claims Account Manager who spends her free time chasing her toddler around in his bat mobile, baking and trying new recipes, and traveling with her loving husband. With a background in Education prior to her tenure in insurance, Gracemarie brings a passion for teaching to her career and encourages her adjusters to keep learning to be their best.
Bert Dizon
Co-Chair
A resident Los Angeles, he is an avid home cook, aspiring world traveler and will never pass up an opportunity to Karaoke. With a passion for education and mentorship, he believes that everyday it is important to learn something new.
Join a Committee!
