IICF Leadership

Idea Council

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris nulla tellus, semper dictum tortor a, tempus iaculis mi.

IDEA Council
Brian Brashears
Regional DEI Consultant
Swiss Re
Member, IICF Idea Council Leadership Subcommittee
Kim Briones
Chief Human Resource Officer
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Kim Briones is Head of Global Human Resources at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance. Kim has been in the human resources field in the financial services industry since 1989. Prior to joining BHSI, she has held a number of senior positions leading and managing global human resource teams. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

+ IICF Advisory Board; IICF Idea Council; IICF Global Membership Founders Circle
Barbara Bufkin
Financial Services Independent Director

Barbara's four decades in the insurance and reinsurance industry have spanned leadership roles encompassing operational and strategic responsibilities, including business origination and product development, underwriting, claims, risk management/corporate governance and ceded and assumed reinsurance, while fostering a culture of innovation, mentorship, and diverse talent. 

[read-more]

Throughout the past eight years, Barbara has focused her career at the intersection of distribution, underwriting, technology and capital in specialty businesses. Barbara currently serves as a Senior Advisor at Amwins Group and a founding member of the D&I Council, an independent director of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) and subsidiary Cedar Hamilton, and an independent director The Westfield Companies. She previously held leadership roles at Assurant, Hamilton USA, Guy Carpenter, Argo Group and Swiss Re.

 

During her 3-year tenure (2017-2020) as Chair of the International Board of Governors of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) and current President of the Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW), Barbara has been directly engaged in the global and national Women in Insurance Conference series. Furthering her commitment to the IICF she serves as Co-Chair of the IICF Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Council which brings together over 50 of the top D&I officers in the insurance industry to advance the mission of diversity and inclusion. Concurrently, she is a member of the North American board of directors of ISC Group  and advocates for the value of the insurance industry as a career of choice in her role as immediate past president and chair of the governance committee and member of the Board of Trustees of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS).

 

As a keynote speaker on The Power of Purpose  and The Archaeology of a Network in various insurance industry forums, Barbara has been driving the Big Tent of culture, inclusion, innovation, sponsorship, mentoring talent and the power of networks.  

A tireless advocate on issues of philanthropy, product innovation and talent, among other awards, Barbara was named Insurance Woman of the Year by APIW in 2012, Inclusion Champion by the IICF in 2015 and Woman of Distinction at the 2017 Insurance Business America Awards. In 2019, she was inducted into Insurance Business America’s Hall of Fame.

 

Co-Chair IICF Idea Council, Board Grant Committee, IICF Boston Chapter
Carmen Duarte
VP, Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact
Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions

Carmen Duarte is Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact for Intact Insurance’s U.S. operations. In this role, she is focused on building an inclusive culture where all employees may thrive and achieve their full potential. Additionally, she enables employee generosity targeting local nonprofits that build economic resiliency for disadvantaged communities.

[read-more]


Carmen joined Intact through one of its legacy companies – Commercial Union Insurance – in an HR capacity, where she progressed to positions of increasing responsibility. She concluded her HR tenure as Director of Compensation & Benefits before transferring to Marketing to establish the company’s Corporate Communications function. Her role expanded to include Corporate Marketing, where she led major initiatives, such as rebranding the organization through a merger and two acquisitions. Carmen began her career as an insurance underwriter for Chubb in New York City. She served as Intact’s U.S. diversity and inclusion champion since late 2020 and became fully dedicated to diversity and social impact matters in September 2021.

Carmen received her BA in Sociology from Hobart & William Smith Colleges, and Master of Business Administration from Boston University. She earned her Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) Boston Chapter and the IICF’s IDEA Council. Carmen also serves  as Board Chair of Boston’s United South End Settlements (USES) and  is a Trustee of the Intact Charitable Trust USA.

Dawn Frazier-Bohnert
EVP & Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Liberty Mutual Insurance

Dawn Frazier-Bohnert joined Liberty Mutual Insurance in the spring of 2013 to shape the new office of Diversity and Inclusion.  As Executive Vice President, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Dawn is responsible for leading the design, development and implementation of Liberty Mutual's diversity and inclusion strategy and programs. This includes enhancing employees’ D&I capability

[read-more]

and skills, internal and external communications, metrics and measurements, benchmarking, external partnerships and the development of employee resource groups. 

Prior to joining Liberty Mutual Insurance, Dawn was Chief Administrative Officer and Partner at Global Novations, a Korn/Ferry International Company, where she developed their human capital strategy and led their post-merger company culture-shaping efforts.  Before employment with Global Novations, she was at The Gillette Company as Vice President, Global Diversity and Inclusion, where she developed and led their Global Diversity Strategic Plan.  Dawn has also held HR leadership positions at Lotus/IBM, Fidelity Investments and Millennium Pharmaceuticals.

Growing up in an Air Force family as an Air Force brat, Dawn lived and traveled all over the world. She believes that these experiences helped her to develop the ability to be effective in most any culture. Building her cultural dexterity has enabled her to learn to navigate new organizations and to value and appreciate differences.

Dawn attended Mount Holyoke College and graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. In addition to past membership on the Woman’s Advisory Board for the Boston Chamber of Commerce, Dawn is on the Advisory Board for Commonwealth Institute and on the Advisory Board of the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership.

Dawn is also on the GK100 list of Boston’s 100 Most Influential People of Color, a list the Boston Globe reports, “showcase(s) minorities who are shaping the region across various sectors, including academia, business, health care, and philanthropy.” Dawn is also a four-time recipient of the Profiles in Diversity Journal Diversity Leader Award. She was awarded the Race Amity Medal of Honor in 2017and recognized in 2017, 2018 and 2019 on the Black Enterprise List of “Top Executives in Corporate Diversity.”

Member, IICF Idea Council Talent Subcommittee
Jani Groza
Corporate Responsibility & Diversity Officer
Westfield

With over 20 years in the insurance industry, all with Westfield, Jani Groza has held positions in HR, Hospitality, Communications, Westfield Group Foundation, Community Investment and is currently Westfield’s Corporate Responsibility & Diversity Officer. She left Westfield in 2000 to serve as communications director at Charles Schwab Retirement Plan Services in Brecksville, Ohio

[read-more]

returning to Westfield in 2003. Prior to joining Westfield in 1996, worked in the nonprofit field spanning 15 years and held a variety of positions with the American Cancer Society and then Director of United Way in Northeast Ohio.  

 

In her current role, Jani oversees Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion including responsibility for across-company strategy including agents, customers, employees, community and government relations and suppliers. In addition, Westfield operates six employee resource groups where over forty percent of colleagues are members.  The Westfield Insurance Foundation, strategic philanthropy initiatives and employee volunteerism are also a part of the Corporate Responsibility functions.

 

Groza currently serves on the board of directors of the Westfield Insurance Foundation, the Fund for our Economic Future and the Medina County Police Activities League. She also serves on the DEI focused committees for Big I, APCIA and IICF. She’s past president of Leadership Medina County and past board member of Habitat for Humanity of Ohio, Hospice of Medina County, Greater Medina Area Chamber of Commerce, Medina Lacrosse Association and Medina County Habitat for Humanity.

 

She earned a bachelor’s degree in childhood development and family services from Ashland University. Jani and her husband Jeff live in Medina, Ohio and have six children between them and six grandchildren.

 

Sherita Hardy
Assistant Vice President, Relationship Development Coordinator
Amwins

Sherita Hardy is a Vice President of Relationship Development at Amwins Insurance Brokerage. She’s been in the insurance industry for over 27 years, with 23 on those years being with Amwins.  She is a liaison for the national Diversity & Inclusion Council at Amwins and leads the Dallas office local D&I efforts. She was a member of the first Women’s Leadership Program (WLP) at Amwins and graduated in 2023 from this program.  

[read-more]

She is on the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Council and was instrumental in helping them draft and launch their mentorship program in September 2022.  She is a member of the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) Diversity Foundation committee. Through this organization, she has helped them introduce the insurance industry to several students on HBCU campuses as well as Community College campuses. She is a member of the Dive-In Program Committee and was a member of the Racial Equity team for the September 2022, 2023 and 2024 events. She has a strong dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the insurance industry.  

She is a past President of the National African American Insurance Association – Dallas-Fort Worth chapter (NAAIA DFW) and is one of the founding members of the DFW chapter. She was elected to the NAAIA National Board in December of 2022 and will serve a 3-year term, which started in January 2023. Under her leadership, the DFW chapter received the inaugural award for “Chapter of the Year” at the NAAIA National Conference that took place in October 2022.  She continues the charge of educating, mentoring, and offering financial assistance through scholarships for the next generation of insurance professionals.

She has held P&C Casualty License since October 2000 along with a Surplus Lines Agent license since March 2004.  She has also earned the CISR (Certified Insurance Service Rep) designation from National Alliance, ACSR (Accredited Customer Services Rep) designation from Independent Insurance Agents of Texas and the CRIS (Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist) designation from International Risk Management Institute, Inc.

She was named in the Insurance Business of America magazine as “Leading the Change” in September 2020 and then named on the “Hot 100 List” in December 2020.

Member, IICF Idea Council Talent Subcommittee
Beverly Harris
Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Product Management
Texas Mutual Insurance Company

Beverly Harris is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Product Management at Texas Mutual Insurance Company. She has nearly two decades of experience analyzing and influencing operations, developing budgets and business plans, and recommending adjustments to ensure success. Beverly harnesses the power of research and data to develop strategy and uses storytelling to foster

[read-more]

organizational buy-in of strategic plans. She is passionate about innovation and strategic thinking and helping leaders prepare for known and unknown challenges of the future. Beverly is also passionate about supporting leaders in growing to become the best version of themselves.

Kari Hilder
EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer
Coaction Specialty Insurance

Kari joined Coaction in 2012 and has been instrumental in cultivating our unique culture of accountability and success. Prior to joining Coaction, Kari served as Human Resources Manager for the National Football League Alumni Association focusing on workforce planning and talent management, and she led the campus recruiting function at Rothstein Kass. Kari began her HR career

[read-more]

at New York University Clinical Cancer Center and has nearly 20 years of experience as a human resource professional. Kari holds a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from Ramapo College of New Jersey and her SPHR designation from the HRCI.

Susan Johnson
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
The Hartford

Susan Johnson is the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at The Hartford, responsible for leading enterprise-wide DEI initiatives and aligning them with business strategies. She partners with leaders across the organization to ensure that The Hartford's workforce reflects their customer base, that they drive successful acquisition, development and retention of talent, and that they focus on the right internal and external business and operational activities related to diversity.

[read-more]

Prior to her role at The Hartford, Johnson led global talent, diversity and HR functions at Pitney Bowes Inc. Under her leadership, Pitney Bowes was selected as the #1 company for diversity by DiversityInc. Johnson has also held HR management positions at Pepsi-Cola and Campbell Soup Companies. Additionally, Johnson has participated in local, state and national political campaigns and has worked on domestic policy and management issues in the public sector.

Johnson’s community involvement includes being a Board of Trustees member for The Amistad Center for Art & Culture and Board Secretary for the National African American Insurance Association. She is active with The Links Incorporated and with her church community. She speaks nationally on topics covering diversity, leadership, career development and talent management.

Johnson’s recognitions include being named the Diversity & Inclusion Champion of the Year by Reactions publications, a Featured Risk Leader by Risk Matters magazine, listed in Savoy Magazine’s Top Influential Women in Corporate America, a Top Executive in Diversity by Black Enterprise Magazine, and an Industry Icon by Insurance Business of America.

Johnson received her BA degree from Spelman College and a Master’s in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

About The Hartford

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice.

Barbra Katz
Chief Human Resources Officer, SVP
Crum & Forster
Kira Kimball
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Marsh McLennan Agency

Kira Kimball serves as the Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer at Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), a business of Marsh McLennan, specializing in business insurance, employee health & benefits, retirement, and private client insurance solutions.

[read-more]

Kira provides strategic and tactical leadership to advance efforts to attract and celebrate diverse perspectives while promoting and protecting a level playing field for all colleagues. Creating a workplace culture where everyone can be their authentic selves, an environment that fosters a strong sense of belonging, and a business strategy that harnesses the power of diversity are her energy drivers.

As a committed business leader in her community of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kira serves on the board of directors for Southeast Technical College Foundation, Levitt at The Falls, Sioux Falls Development Foundation, 100+ Women Who Care Sioux Falls, Bridging the Gap, Sioux Empire United Way and Pathways to Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces, a nonprofit she founded. Kira serves on the South Dakota State University Ness School of Management advisory board, the national board of the Association of Professional Insurance Women, and is also a member of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sioux Falls Executive Committee. Kira was recognized in Sioux Falls Woman and received an EmBe Tribute to Women Community Services Award for her abounding passion for diversity, equity & inclusion.

Prior to her 17 years in the insurance industry, Kira spent a decade in higher education teaching, advising and counseling students at Purdue University and The Ohio State University with a focus on leadership & organizational development, career exploration and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Passionately believing everyone’s self-esteem and potential are worth supporting, Kira commits to living this belief both in and outside the workplace.

Michele Lamarre
VP, Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
QBE North America

Michele Lamarre is Vice President, Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging for QBE North America (NA), a global insurance leader focused on helping customers solve unique risks. Michele is responsible for delivering strategic direction, thought leadership and inclusion competencies to advance the organization’s mission and business objectives. In 2021, Michele was awarded the Acord Women’s

[read-more]

Insurance Advancement award.

With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services and insurance industries, Michele joined QBE in 2017 as Lead Communications Partner. Before coming to QBE, Michele held several leadership roles at AIG, including Director of Executive Communications to AIG’s CFO, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Auditor; Strategic Advisor to the CEO of the Americas region and to the President of Consumer Insurance, Canada; and Chief of Staff to the Chief Marketing Officer, Accident & Health. Prior to AIG, Michele held leadership roles at Moody’s Analytics, UBS Wealth Management, and JP Morgan Chase.

Michele earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Hofstra University.

Michele serves on the IICF IDEA Council - Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Council, the premier body for advancing diversity best practices and inclusive leadership development throughout the insurance industry.

Michele is an avid global traveler, a self-proclaimed foodie and has earned the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory certification.

Mim Minichiello
Chief Performance and Talent Officer
HUB International, East Region

Mim Minichiello serves as Chief Performance and Talent Officer for the East Region.In this capacity, her primary focus is on enhancing the performance of the HUB team through the implementation of best practices in talent management and the preservation of the organization's deeply ingrained entrepreneurial culture.Additionally, Mim takes pride in her role as a staunch advocate for Diversity,Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as well as community engagement

[read-more]

efforts within the East Region.

Mimis renowned for her unwavering commitment to the Hub team and the broader insurance industry, consistently propelling her colleagues toward their next career milestones and forging new pathways into the sector. Before assuming her current role, Mim served as the President of Employee Benefits at HUBInternational New England.

With a distinguished career spanning executive roles in both the insurance brokerage and health plan sectors, Mim possesses expertise in designing and executing strategic growth plans, spearheading innovative sales and marketing strategies, and fostering high-performing teams.

Beyond her leadership responsibilities, Mim contributes her expertise as a board member for several influential charities, including Facing History, YW Boston, and The Women’s Edge. She also actively participates in board committees for esteemed organizations like the Northeast Human Resources Association, NewEngland Employee Benefits Council, and the Boston Women’s Workforce Council.

Mim's exceptional contributions to her field have earned her multiple accolades, including recognition as a multi-year recipient of the Top 100 Women-LedBusinesses in Massachusetts award and her selection as one of the 2019 BostonBusiness Journal’s Power 50 winners.

Mimis a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She has further enriched her skill set by completing a graduate certificate in management from Radcliffe College and obtaining the Certified Health Insurance Executive designation through AHIP'sExecutive Leaders program.

Member, IICF Idea Council Talent Subcommittee
Barbara Reilly
Sr. Vice President
Amwins

Barbara Reilly is a Sr. Vice President at Amwins. Before joining Amwins in 2021, Barbara served as Sr. Vice President of Human Resources for Worldwide Facilities and Vice President of Administration for The Sullivan Group, all based in Downtown Los Angeles.

Barbara grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Butler University.  She has lived in Los Angeles for 30+ years and is married with two sons. She is

[read-more]

passionate about giving back to our communities and everything benefitting and enriching the lives of children.  She is honored to be serving on IICF’s IDEA Council and working with such incredibly strong leaders.

Co-Chair IICF Idea Council, IICF Advisory Board Member
Cheryl Green Rosario
Head of DEI and CSR
Munich Re

Cheryl Green Rosario is the Head of DEI and CSR at Munich Re where she leads the commitment to corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the US, focusing on building an inclusive culture and leveraging internal and external partnerships to strengthen Munich Re’s social impact. Prior to joining Munich Re, Cheryl founded her own consulting business, CGR Consulting, focused on DEI and philanthropy working with corporations, foundations and nonprofits. Before starting

[read-more]

her business, she served as Vice President of Social Responsibility at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, where Cheryl led the global social responsibility strategy for the Company, in areas of DEI, Human Rights, Philanthropy and Sustainability.

Cheryl also spent 10 years at American Express as Director, Philanthropy where she oversaw the strategic direction and grantmaking for the Arts & Culture & Historic Preservation portfolios. Signature programs included Partners in Preservation in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Watch with the World Monuments Fund, Lincoln Center Festival and River 2 River Festival.

Prior to joining American Express, Cheryl worked at Morgan Stanley in its Community Affairs division and managed a Board Leadership program for Time Warner. In addition to her corporate and foundation experience, Cheryl has over 12 years of nonprofit experience with an emphasis on women and girls and people with disabilities, working with organizations like Family Justice, Girl Scouts and Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic).

 

Cheryl is on the board of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation and Junior Achievement of New Jersey. Cheryl speaks regularly on corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity and inclusion. Most recently, speaking for the Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility and a guest lecturer at Columbia University, New York University and University of Pennsylvania on various D&I topics. In 2017, Cheryl traveled to China to speak about CSR in 5 different cities and facilitated a virtual session in 2018 for Malta for the US Department of State. In her spare time, Cheryl writes on issues related to DEI and philanthropy and has been featured in Huffington Post and American Chamber of Commerce in China magazine.

IICF IDEA Council Chair, Leadership Subcommittee + Board member, IICF Northeast Division
John Vale
Global Client Service Partner
EY
Thea Valero
Diversity, Engagement & Inclusion Director
Reliance Standard Life Insurance

Thea Valero is the Diversity, Engagement & Inclusion Director for Reliance Standard Life Insurance and Matrix Absence Management. Thea has significant experience leading teams and delivering innovative strategies to promote accountability and awareness around DE&I and corporate social responsibility programs. Prior to joining RSL/Matrix Thea spent nearly nine years with Tokio Marine Group sister

[read-more]

company, Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY). While there, she led the CSR team, focused on leveraging the company’s commitment to communities, diversity and inclusion, and employee engagement to create long-term value for employees, customers, business partners and communities.

 

Thea played a significant role expanding both the CSR and DE&I functions at PHLY and was integral in the formation of the company’s first Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, where she served as a charter member and co-lead of the Community & Customers sub-team. Thea also chaired the company’s Good Company Committee and was a key member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. Thea has a Master’s degree in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England, with a research focus on CSR communication. Thea lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and 6 year-old twins.

IICF Idea Council Chair, Culture Subcommittee + Member, IICF Advisory Board
Lauren Young, Ed.D.
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Travelers

Dr. Lauren Young is the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Travelers and is responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of Enterprise Diversity & Inclusion. Dr. Young, who joined Travelers in 2021, has more than 15 years of experience guiding senior leaders through complex organizational change and creating culture transformations. Early in her career, she developed

[read-more]

brand marketing for The Kraft Heinz Company. The author of two marketing books and founder of a consulting firm, she expanded her expertise to build sustainable corporate responsibility strategies that drive global organizational change, eliminate biased processes and procedures in corporate culture and advance diverse talent into leadership roles. Most recently, Dr. Young served as the AVP and Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Zurich North America, responsible for driving impactful change for the United States and Canada. She was recognized by Diversity MBA as one of the “Top 100 Under 50 Executive & Emerging Leaders” in diversity, inclusion and equity, and she was named to Insurance Business America’s “Hot 100 2021” list.

Dr. Young earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her master’s degree in organizational psychology and doctorate of education in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California. She also holds an SHRM-CP certification in human resources management and is a faculty member of the University of Southern California’s Psychology department.