April 2013 Newsletter

IICF National News

Early Registration for Women in Insurance Global Conference Extended to May 1, 2013

The Women in Insurance Global Conference is a unique, multi-faceted forum that will combine the energy of insurance industry senior leadership and expertise of leading academics and professionals to enhance the opportunities for outstanding women leaders and their organizations.The first-of-its-kind forum will take place June 12-14, 2013 in New York City and will explore topics ranging from changing mindsets that limit diversity to remaining professionally relevant in the rapidly changing business environment.

Register before May 1, 2013 to take advantage of the early registration discount. For more conference information, please visit http://womensconference.iicf.org.

Foundation Feature

IICF Celebrates 20 years of Grants, Volunteer Service and Leadership

During 2013, IICF is very proud to celebrate our 20th year of grants, volunteer service and leadership. What began as a local San Francisco community effort soon grew to be a national foundation meeting the needs to communities across the country. The upcoming Western Division Annual Benefit Dinner will celebrate the IICF's California beginnings and the industry's continued philanthropic commitment to local communities. Taking place May 30, 2013 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco, the Western Division Annual Benefit Dinner will commemorate its 20th anniversary event.

"IICF is so proud to have been founded in California. Celebrating 20 years of grants, volunteer service and leadership, IICF has been able to make a marked impact in our community," said Connie Taylor-McCray, IICF Western Division Chair and Los Angeles Branch Vice President, CNA.

Serving as keynote speaker for the event will be Major League Baseball great Tony La Russa. As manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals, LaRussa is the third-winningest MLB manager in history, managing teams to six league championships and three World Services titles. In addition to his professional sporting success, La Russa is an active philanthropist, founding the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). ARF works to save abandoned and injured animals and coordinates pet visitation programs for abused children, hospital patients, and seniors.

"As a recognizable Californian philanthropist, we are delighted to have Mr. La Russa join the celebration of the California's philanthropic tradition," continued Taylor-McCray.

Nonprofit Fred Finch Youth Center will also be honored as recipient of an IICF special grant for their Turing Point Program that assists homeless youth through housing support, vocational and educational linkages, and mental health services.

Additionally, IICF will also recognize the Chapman Charitable Foundation with the inaugural Golden Horizon Award for outstanding philanthropic contributions and industry leadership. Terry Chapman, Founder of Chapman Insurance will accept the award.

The IICF annual benefit dinner provides an opportunity for professionals from across the industry to come together in a united philanthropic effort, raising vital funds for local nonprofits. Proceeds from the evening will benefit local nonprofits through the Foundation's community grants program. To date, the Industry Foundation has contributed over $19.6 million and 166,000 volunteer service hours to hundreds of community organizations.

For dinner information, including ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Melissa Duncan, IICF Western Division Executive Director at (714) 519-1448 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

New in IICF

IICF Boston Chapter Event Kicks Off Grants Program

The IICF Boston Chapter officially launched its grants program fundraising with a kickoff event April 11, 2013. More than 200 insurance industry guests attended the kick-off event at The Black Rose with live music, food and cocktails.

"The turnout at our first event is indicative of the interest of the Boston insurance community in working together to give back in a greater way," said Pat Rastiello, Senior Managing Director at Aon Benfield and Chair of the IICF Boston Chapter Board. "The chapter board met for the first time in September 2012 and less than a month later participated in the IICF Week of Giving volunteer activities with 232 people, contributing 731 hours of service to nearly 17 New England charities."

A volunteer team of more than 20 board and committee members for the chapter organized and hosted the event. Plans are already underway for a secondary fundraising event, a Fashion Show at the Hard Rock Café, to take place on September 30.

Shaun Kelly, president and CEO of U.S. operations for Ironshore Services and IICF Boston board executive committee member, added: "Being part of IICF allows us to amplify our individual and company giving and to be a positive face of the industry in our community. IICF will be a force for good in New England."

As part of the IICF Northeast Division, grantmaking will be focused in the areas of education, children at risk, disaster preparedness, and the environment. Proceeds the inaugural Boston event and other 2013 activities will benefit two area charities: Cradles to Crayons and Bottom Line.

• Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive at home, at school and at play. The organization supplies these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need.
• Bottom Line provides for at-risk urban students offering disadvantaged students a way to college. Bottom Line's support includes counselling from the college application process to mentoring throughout the college years. This one-on-one support has successfully navigated the college experience and has resulted in an increase in graduations. The privately funded 501(c)(3) program currently serves more than 2,000 students and families. Its core values include: relationships, persistence, results, efficiency, responsibility and excellence.

For additional information on the IICF Boston Chapter or to get involved with the Northeast Division, please contact Betsy Myatt, IICF Northeast Division Executive Director at 917-544-0895 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .