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Western Division

Our Impact,  Together

As the founding division of IICF, the Western Division has been serving local communities across the western United States since 1994. IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for  more than twenty-five years, contributing $42 million in community grants  along with 305,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry  professionals.  The IICF Western Division focuses grant and volunteer support to nonprofits with programs focused in the areas of children at risk, education, and human services.

"IICF offers our  industry the opportunity to meaningfully support our local community as a  collective industry. Working together we can achieve so much more."
Kurt Stemmler
Senior Vice  President & San Francisco Branch Manager, Chubb

Nonprofits we support

Aging Up

Sacramento
,
CA
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Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels

Phoenix
,
AZ
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Arizona Burn Foundation

Phoenix
,
AZ
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Bay Area Crisis Nursery

Concord
,
CA
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Bay Area Rescue Mission

Richmond
,
CA
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Central California

Frenso
,
CA
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County

Santa Ana
,
CA
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Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa County

Concord
,
CA
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Children's Bureau

Los Angeles
,
CA
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Clothes to Kids Denver

Denver
,
CO
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Covenant House of California

Los Angeles
,
CA
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DAWN - Domestic Abuse Women's Network

Kent
,
WA
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Everybody Dance LA!

Los Angeles
,
CA
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First Graduate

San Francisco
,
CA
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Five Acres - The Boys & Girls Aid Society of Los Angeles County

Altadena
,
CA
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Foster All

Glendale
,
CA
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Friends of the Children, San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco
,
CA
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Friends of the Children, Seattle

Seattle
,
WA
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Girls Inc.

Santa Ana
,
CA
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Golden Heart Ranch

Agoura Hills
,
CA
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Heart of Los Angeles

Los Angeles
,
CA
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Higher Ground Youth and Family Services

Anaheim
,
CA
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Hinds Hospice

Fresno
,
CA
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Horizon Awards Gala

Los Angeles
,
CA
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Human Options, Inc.

Irvine
,
CA
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Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego

San Diego
,
CA
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Jumpstart - Northern CA

San Francisco
,
California
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Jumpstart for Young Children, Inc

Los Angeles
,
CA
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Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower

Castro Valley
,
CA
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Koreatown Youth Community Center

Los Angeles
,
CA
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Legacy Ladies, Inc.

Calabasas
,
CA
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Make-A-Wish

Phoenix
,
AZ
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Make-A-Wish Greater LA

Los Angeles
,
CA
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Mar Vista Family Center

Culver City
,
CA
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MaxLove Project

Orange
,
CA
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Million Dollar Teacher Project

Phoenix
,
AZ
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Olive Crest

Santa Ana
,
CA
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One Voice

Santa Monica
,
CA
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Outdoors for All

Seattle
,
WA
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Para Los Ninos

Los Angeles
,
CA
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Project Angel Heart

Denver
,
CO
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Project Hope Alliance

Costa Mesa
,
CA
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Project Lemonade Inc.

Portland
,
OR
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Raphael House of San Francisco

San Francisco
,
CA
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Reading Partners of Colorado

Denver
,
CO
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SMART

San Francisco
,
CA
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STAND! For Families Free of Violence

Concord
,
CA
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Safe and Sound

,
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San Diego Youth Services

San Diego
,
CA
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Solid Rock

Phoenix
,
AZ
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Summer Search

Tukwila
,
WA
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The Beat Within a Program of Intersection for the Arts

San Francisco
,
CA
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The Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges: Office Professional Training Program

El Cajon
,
CA
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The Giving Spirit

Los Angeles
,
CA
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United Through Reading

San Diego
,
CA
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Warren Village

Denver
,
CO
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Zion Institute

Phoenix
,
AZ
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Grant Guidelines

Learn more about the IICF grant guidelines
View Guidelines

About

Making a Local Impact

IICF helps communities and enriches lives by combining the collective strengths of the industry to provide grants, volunteer service, and leadership. IICF reinvests funds and resources back into local communities across the west for maximum community impact.

See a just few ways the IICF Western Division has supported our community this year!
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$479,000+

Grants Awarded
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58

Nonprofits  Supported
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1,892

Volunteer Hours Served
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558,145+

Meals Facilitated

The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Terrance Thompson
Creative Director
Company

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The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Nancy Thomas
Executive Vice President
Hub

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Evan Aldrich
Office President/ Regional Director
CRC Group

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Travis Bethune
Vice President, Customer & Broker Engagement
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Travis leads customer and broker engagement efforts for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance in their western U.S. region. Based in San Francisco, he joined BHSI in early 2015 following marketing, underwriting, and claims leadership roles at Chubb, Travelers and Allianz. Travis is an active and long-time supporter of the IICF. He is also an active member of the National African American Insurance Association. Travis believes in the importance of mentorship and diversity, equity and inclusion imperatives and maintains productive mentoring relationships with multiple industry professionals. He and his family also volunteer and support various other charities including Junior Achievement of Northern California, Friends of the Children, At the Cross-Roads, and the Alameda County Food Bank. Travis is an alumnus of St. Lawrence University, majored in economics, and minored in African Studies (including study abroad in Kenya and Tanzania). He and his wife love to attend their son's weekend soccer games, play golf with family, friends and colleagues, ski, and travel internationally. In his spare time, Travis also enjoys deejaying, gardening and smoking barbeque.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Nathan Carter
Managing Director-Southwest Region
AIG

Nathan runs the AIG Southwest Region as the Managing Director and is responsible for the oversight of the distribution strategy, production and overall leadership of the Southwest Region. Prior to joining the organization, Nathan held many leadership roles in including underwriting, wholesale brokers, personal lines product management and various distribution roles. Just prior to joining AIG, he was a Marketing Manager for the Pacific South in Los Angeles for Chubb Insurance. Nathan earned his Bachelors Degree in Sociology and his Masters in Public Administration from California State University at Northridge.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
David Cummard
Board Member, Partner and Executive Vice President
The Mahoney Group

David Cummard is a Board Member, Partner and Executive Vice President at The Mahoney Group, Arizona’s largest brokerage and one of the largest independent brokerages in the U.S. David’s tenure at the company began in 1996 as a real estate insurance specialist with an emphasis on multi-family risks and third-party property management firms.

David today oversees the firm’s programs division. He also leads the firm’s corporate and charitable sponsorships, as well as its non-profit foundation.

A third-generation insurance professional and fifth-generation Arizona native, David served as 2021-2022 president of the Arizona chapter of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. He was recently appointed Arizona State National Director to the national board of the Big “I.”      

David also has served on a number of regional and national agency councils during his 26-year career.

Married for 26 years with five children and two grandchildren, David is an enthusiastic family man and avid sports fan.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Sarah Dismuke
Account Executive Senior
State Auto Insurance Companies

Sarah has worked on both the agency and carrier side of insurance since 2011. She holds several industry designations and considers herself a true "insurance geek". Sarah is a Colorado native and her true passion is giving back to the community that once gave to her and her family. When Sarah is not celebrating the insurance industry, she enjoys spending time with her husband Christiaan and their two dogs.


The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Matthew Edelheit
West Zone President
AIG

Matt Edelheit is President of the U.S. West Zone for AIG’s North America General Insurance business. He oversees the overall operations and is responsible for the execution of AIG’s local go-to market strategy across the zone.

Matt has more than 25 years of industry experience. He joined AIG from Lockton Companies, where he was Senior Vice President and Commercial Insurance Vertical Leader for the Mountain West Series. Prior, he led Lockton’s Risk Management Department with a focus on complex global and national accounts. Matt began his career at Arthur J. Gallagher, then moved on to hold client management and brokerage leadership roles at Marsh and Aon.

Matt earned an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University and a B.S. from Indiana University Bloomington. He also holds an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Debbi Forde
Senior Vice President, Account Executive
WTW

Debbi has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, both in brokerage and client service. She manages the day-to-day relationship including project management and coordination of Willis Towers Watson services and resources to our clients. She ensures the team delivers prompt responses to ad-hoc questions, as well as adheres to timelines and goals of the client service plan. Debbi is responsible for driving efficiency and best practices to deliver superb client service. Prior to joining the Willis Towers Watson organization, Debbi worked for a major brokerage firm as a Senior Account Executive, Manager in the Middle Market space (2009-2018), and as a Senior Casualty Advisor in Global Risk Management (1996-2009). In these roles, she was responsible for coordinating the delivery of resources to her clients, supervising the client teams, developing and implementing client service plan, keeping abreast of current market conditions and ensuring clients were informed of developments affecting their insurance program and/or their industry, as well as managing and developing junior staff members. A majority of Debbi’s career was spent in the healthcare sector working on complex hospital systems, community hospitals, outpatient facilities and behavioral health facilities. In addition Debbi has had experience in managing, designing and placing programs for Fortune 1,000 companies’ clients across multiple

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Stuart Ganis
Executive Vice President, Partner Growth and Strategy
The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, Inc.

Stuart Ganis started his insurancecareer in 1989, becoming Producer in 1991. In 2000, Stuart co-founded an independent agency specializing in personal and commercial Lines.

During the sale of hisagency, Ganis recognized smaller agencies lacked access to industry resources which larger firms have leveraged and benefited for decades. Ganis launched aconsulting firm serving local insurance agents in the areas of sales,marketing, operations, and M&A advisory services emphasizing seller representation. Stuart has since consulted over 500 independent agencies,dozens of insurance technology platforms and coached 1,000’s of CEO’s, Producers,and other leaders in the industry.

Ganis has been recognized for his service and support of independent agents and brokers, receiving the Outstanding Partner award from the American Agents Alliance in 2011 and the Legend Award from Brokers Insurance Group in 2012.

Ganis currently serves asthe Executive Vice President, Growth and Strategy for The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, serving partners in all areas of their business. Originallyfrom Yonkers, NY, Stuart has lived in Redondo Beach, CA for 25 years.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Myshell Gresham
Vice President, Partnership Engagement ‑ West Region
Ascot Group

Myshell Gresham is a risk management and finance professional, a thought leader, a champion for diversity, an advocate for her community, with over 20 years of experience across the United States, and, most importantly, a mother.

 

In April 2021, Myshell joined Ascot Group, managing the distribution network, and elevatingtheir experience to find client solutions within Ascot‚Äôs suite of products. Before joining Ascot, Myshell took on the role of Account Executive at Willis Towers Watson in the Phoenix market, managing large and complex global clients. She joined AIG in 2000 as a credit analyst and spent eighteen in various roles,all with increasing responsibility. She was a Client Director within AIG's Major Account Practice in San Francisco, responsible for managing the mostcomplex, multi-faceted client relationships for Fortune 1000 accounts withinthe Western Region. She was Vice President in AIG's Property CasualtyCommercial Credit Risk Group, where she monitored 3rd party credit risk in AIG's commercial risk management insurance portfolio, among other specialprojects. She was also responsible for financial analytics and analyst development.  She spent time as anexecutive liability underwriter for public companies. Before joining AIG,Myshell was a commercial banking credit analyst at Summit Bank, underwriting syndicate commercial loans for media and healthcare companies.

 

Myshellis passionate about serving others and supporting her colleagues to find what motivates them. She displays her support of colleagues through her DE&I work and advocacy for all. She was Business Advisor for the AIG San Francisco Women and Allies Employee Resource Group; she helped relaunch the AIG Black Professionals Employee Resource Group in New York. She also served as President of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) New York Chapterand spearheaded the inaugural New York conference for NAAIA New York in 2018.As a result of all her industry efforts, Insurance Business America named herto their Hot 100 list in 2019.

 

Her community is also a crucial part of her purpose. She currently serves on the United Way Valley of The Sun Women United Committee, Chair of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Arizona Chapter (IICF); Junior Achievement Central Arizona Board, and Playworks Arizona Advisory Board. She has many years of communityservice and fundraising for organizations doing impactful work.

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The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Hank Haldeman
President – Worldwide Programs
Amwins

Hank is the President of Worldwide Programs for Amwins and a member of the executive leadership team of its Underwriting Division, which underwrites over $2 billion in annual premium and is responsible for insurance programs and insurance product development.Hank began his insurance career in 1980 as a wholesale broker, specializing in biotechnology, product and professional liability, alternative risk and environmental liabilities with Stewart Smith West, Inc. where he became Vice President and Director. In 1986, Hank took on the Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President and Branch Manager roles at Henry Ward Johnson & Co., responsible for the Western states operations of the wholesale broking subsidiary of Johnson & Higgins. Hank joined The Sullivan Group in 1997 where he rose to group Executive Vice President and served as the President of Sullivan Wholesale Holdings Company and G.J. Sullivan Co. Reinsurance, until the April 2018 sale of The Sullivan Group to Worldwide Facilities where he became President of Worldwide Programs. In April 2021, Worldwide Facilities merged with Amwins, Inc.Education: University of California, Los Angeles, B.A. Political Science, Cum Laude 1975Affiliations/Associations: Surplus Line Association of California (SLA): Executive Committee & Chairman of the Legislative Committee; Chairman, 1996-1997; Chairman, Legislative Committee 2009-Present California Insurance Wholesalers Assoc. (CIWA): President, 2003-2005; Board of Directors, 1997 - 2014. Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) (formerly National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices Ltd. (NAPSLO)): President, 2014-2015; Executive Committee, 2010 – 2016; Board of Directors, 2008-2016; Legislative Committee Chair, 2009-2012. Insurance Industry Charitable Fund (IICF): Executive Committee, 2010 – 2016; Board of Directors (Western Region). Weingart Center Association: Board of Directors, 1994 – 1999; Vice Chairman, 1997-1999; Founding Member, Weingart Center Partners. AAMGA-NAPSLO Merger Committee: Chairman, 2016-2017.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Margaret Hartmann
Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies

Margaret Hartmann is Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer for Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies- Workers Compensation Division. In this role, Margaret is responsible for National Marketing as well as Client Services and CA Loss Control. She began her career in Claims and joined BHHC 25 years ago as the Northern California Claims Manager. In her tenure at BHHC she has worked in many capacities: Claims, Client Services, Marketing, Underwriting, even a short stint leading Human Resources. She has enjoyed being a part of the company’s growth and expansion into a leading national provider of workers compensation.Margaret graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Liberal Studies. She and her husband live in the Bay Area and have two daughters that are both in the insurance industry.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Marc Hickman
Market Leader / Executive Vice President
Aon Risk Insurance Services West, Inc.

Marc Hickman is the Market Leader for Aon’s Pacific Southwest offices. He oversees all aspects of financial management, personnel management and client relationships for the Pacific Southwest operations.  His major functions in this capacity include best practices development, strategic risk management planning, sorting through challenging insurer discussions and management of the Pacific Southwest’s financial performance across all of Aon’s solution lines.

In additional to Marc’s management responsibilities, he also serves as an Executive Client Contact for several Pacific Southwest accounts.  His core function in this role includes understanding and interpreting client needs, coordinating the delivery of appropriate Aon resources, and ensuring the appropriate delivery of all of Aon’s services.

Marc joined Aon in July of 2007 and has worked in Business Development, the Account Executive Practice and led Aon Southern California Account Executive Practice until 2017. Prior to joining Aon, Marc worked at Marsh & McLennan where he was a member of their Business Development Practice.

Marc’s background centers around large complex accounts providing solutions and solving problems for unique risk exposures.  His account experience represents a broad range of industries and exposures including several Fortune 100 and Fortune 1,000 clients.

He is involved in the community and sits on several boards including the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and Chapman University Alumni Board of Directors.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Linde Hotchkiss
EVP, Regional Managing Director
Newfront

As Executive Vice President and Regional Managing Director,Southwest for Newfront, Linde is responsible for expanding the firm’s reach across Southern California and throughout the entire Southwest.

Before joining Newfront, Linde held various leadership roles at Willis Towers Watson, including her most recent position as Western RegionLeader for Large Accounts and Global Client Advocacy.

Linde also spent over 20 years as both a finance and operations executive for Marsh. Her expertise and experience spans Property& Casualty and Employee Benefits, and she is highly skilled at working with clients ranging in size from middle-market to sophisticated large group and large risk.

Ms. Hotchkiss serves the community on several boards including Junior Achievement, Safe Haven Children’s Medical Outreach, and transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project.  She is a frequent presenter on Inclusion and Diversity and was recognized by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation as one of two North American Inclusion Champions for 2019.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Hale Johnston
Vice President, Business Development and Risk Management Services
CopperPoint

Hale Johnston has over 30 years of commercial insurance experience, with a focus on workers‚ compensation. He joined Alaska National inSeptember 2015. Prior to Alaska National, Hale was responsible for the western U.S. region for EMPLOYERS. His career also includes time with Meadowbrook Insurance Group and Dodson Insurance Group, serving in a variety of senior executive roles.

Hale has served multiple terms on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee for the Workers‚ Compensation Rating Bureau (WCIRB) of California, and the California Workers‚ Compensation Institute (CWCI).

He is a founding trustee of the Command and General Staff College Foundation, Inc. for the US Army at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Jennifer Knox
Southern California Corporate Risk & Broking Leader
WTW

Jennifer Knox is Corporate Risk & Broking Leader for WTW in Southern California. Having been in this marketplace for over 15 years, Jennifer is responsible for leading the delivery of exceptional client and colleague experiences at WTW and accelerating its growth and impact. Jennifer brings with her nearly 30 years of Commercial P&C experience spanning multiple geographies, disciplines and responsibilities. Most recently Jennifer launched the West Coast expansion of PMA, an Old Republic Insurance Company, as the Vice President and West Regional Officer. Prior to PMA, she was a Senior Vice President at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions leading their West Region growth and operations. Jennifer enjoys a marriage of 28 years and is the mother of two teenaged daughters. She is an active volunteer in the Catholic Church and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, in addition to being a member of the Executive Committee of the IICF Western Division Board of Directors. Her hobbies include watching her daughters play sports and traveling with her family, in addition to exploring new epicurean adventures, hiking and reading.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Michelle Lonaker
Foundation & Philanthropy Director
Heffernan

I have been with Heffernan Insurance Brokers since 2001. In my current role of Philanthropy Director of Heffernan Insurance Brokers and the Executive Director of Heffernan Foundation, I am responsible for all facets of Social Responsibility within our company (Volunteer Events, Grants, Scholarships, Dollars-for-Doers, Employee Matching, etc.) I also run our Wellness Division and Corporate Events at Heffernan Insurance Brokers. I feel lucky I get to do what I love for a company I feel honored to work for.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Adam McDonough
Executive Vice President
Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC

Adam McDonough has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years, representing clients in a broad array of industries, including financial services, high technology, real estate, retail, and manufacturing. He specializes in Directors & Officers Liability, Errors & Omissions, Fidelity/Crime and Cyber Liability insurance.At Lockton, Adam is responsible for solving complex risk and insurance problems for large clients with specialized needs, as well as leading the day-to-day service and business development teams.Lockton is the largest private, independent insurance brokerage and risk management consultant in the world, with 7,500 associates serving over 52,000 clients globally.Education: BS, Fordham University, New York, NY (1988)MBA, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley (1995)Affiliations: Board Member, Leadership San Francisco Board Member, Insurance Industry Charitable FoundationLicenses: Fire & Casualty (All 50 States) Life & Health (All 50 States)

The Board

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Chair
Tanya McGrady
VP, Seattle & Portland Branch Manager
CNA

The Board

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Chair
Ben McKay
Executive Director
Surplus Line Association of CA

Ben McKay is the CEO & Executive Director of the Surplus Line Association of California (SLA), the largest association of its type in the country. Prior to leading the SLA, Ben spent eight years with the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) as its Senior Vice President for Federal Government Relations. In that role, Ben was named one of Washington D.C.’s Best in the Business for Business five times by The Hill, one of the city’s leading political newspapers. Before his time at PCI, Ben served as Chief of Staff to a member of United States Congress in Washington, D.C. where he worked on financial services and international relations issues. While in Washington, Ben also taught a class to MBA candidates entitled Business and Government. Ben is a coauthor of the book Annotations to Surplus Lines Statutes.

Prior to his work in Washington, D.C., he served a tour as a regulator at the Florida Department of State, where he served as Deputy Secretary for International and Legislative Affairs and later as the youngest Chief of Staff in the history of the 750-employee department.

Additionally, he serves as the Chairman Emeritus for First Capital Finance, the nation’s largest certified development company. He serves as a member of the board of the California State, Fullerton, School of Risk Management and Insurance, and the Advisory Council of the University of Colorado School of Risk Management. Also, Ben is a member of the Western Division Board of Directors for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.

Ben received his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University, his Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, and his Juris Doctor from Catholic University. He is a Lifetime member of the FSU Alumni Association and member of their national board of directors.

The Board

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Chair
Troy Mette
Senior Vice President
CNA

Troy serves as Senior Vice President for California, New Mexico and Arizona. He is responsible for driving profitable growth by deepening relationships with agents and brokers, developing and implementing local market strategies, and developing operational efficiencies. Additionally, Troy serves as the Executive Broker Manager for one of CNA’s largest trading relationships. He is responsible for developing strategy to drive enhanced engagement and profitable growth across the US. Troy joined CNA in 2020 with more than 30 years of diversified leadership experience and has led successful teams across sales, operations, claim and underwriting departments at the local and national levels. Prior to joining CNA, Troy ran the national sales and Risk Management for American Technologies Inc. Prior to this role, he spent nearly 20 years at AIG with increasing levels of responsibility during his tenure.Troy earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Northern Arizona University, and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He’s been married to Dena for 30 years, has two children and two grandchildren.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Carol Newman
EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Confie

Carol R. Newman has served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Confie since April 2016. Ms. Newman is an action-oriented leader with deep experience in the private and public sectors and all facets of the property and casualty insurance business. For over thirty years, Ms. Newman has served as Chief Legal Officer for major property and casualty companies. During Ms. Newman’s twelve-year tenure at Chicago Insurance Company/Interstate Indemnity Company, she provided legal advice on reinsurance, carrier, MGA, and agent/broker business in the area of underwriting, claims, sales and operations.There she was instrumental in implementing risk purchasing group business and working with the industry and regulators in establishing the laws and regulations associated with this business. She was also SVP of Human Resources while at Chicago/Interstate.

The Board

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Chair
Martin Ogden
Vice President, West Business Development Manager
Intact Insurance Solutions

The Board

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Chair
Susan Pavone

Susan has over 30 years of unique insurance experience having worked in a variety of leadership positions including underwriting,operations, investment, claims and technology. With her varied background she feels she has many different types of experiences to offer to the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.

 

Susan joined Topa Insurance Company five and half years ago as a Sr. Brokerage Operations and Compliance Manager. She was promoted in July2017 to Assistant Vice President of Underwriting, overseeing underwriting strategy, process, and operations. In November 2020 Susan was promoted to VicePresident of Underwriting. In this role Susan is responsible for setting theunderwriting strategies, overall underwriting portfolio management, guidelines,and production.

 

Susan earned her MBA from California State University,Northridge and is a Zeta Tau Alpha alum. She holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Market Conduct Management (MCM) designations.She served as the Vice President of the El Camino CPCU chapter in 2019 and isthe Underwriting Chair on the CA FAIR Plan’s underwriting committee.

 

Susan is a southern California resident and enjoys playing pickleball, hiking and road trips. She is also an avid reader and crafter.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Lindsey Rey
Regional Vice President
The Hartford

Lindsey Rey has been with Hartford for 11 years, after 4 years in marketing for the media industry. Lindsey’s Hartford career has been in middle market P&C, originating as an underwriter in San Francisco, relocating to Seattle with Hartford as an underwriting manager in 2015, and most recently returning to the Bay Area as a Managing Director for the Hartford Northern California Regional Office General Industries team, based out of Hartford’s Walnut Creek office. Lindsey is most passionate about mentoring and establishing strong, lasting partnerships with business partners. Throughout her career, she has been committed to networking and being an advocate for involvement in professional organizations. Lindsey has enjoyed being part of IICF in both San Francisco and Seattle, and was fortunate to be part of the founding IICF Western Division Associate Board as well as the founding IICF WA Chapter. Outside of work, Lindsey is an avid USC football fan, and lives in Walnut Creek with her husband, Nick, daughter, Taylor, and son, Jackson.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Cory Rider
Vice President, San Francisco Branch Manager
CNA Insurance

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Bill Ross
Chief Executive Officer
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, Inc.

In September 2004, Bill joined the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the overall operation and strategic direction of the foundation Bill comes to the Foundation after a 31 year career with the Walt Disney Company having worked in the Parks and Resorts division with assignments in Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Resort in Paris and was a member of the executive team that managed the $2 billion dollar expansion of the Disneyland Resort in Southern California. Bill has a broad background in marketing, communications, planning and development and external relations. He is a chairman emeritus of the Orange County Business Council. He served on numerous non profit boards throughout California such as the CaliforniaGolden State Museum, Children’s Hospital Orange County and Cypress College Foundation. He is a strong advocate of education and completed his undergraduate and graduate degree at California State University Fullerton. In 1989 he was recognized as a distinguished alumnus. Prior to his business career he lectured at California State University, Fullerton for five years.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Charlie Rosson
Executive Vice President, Greater San Francisco Bay Area Leader, Property & Casualty
USI Insurance Services

Charlie Rosson is executive vice president and Greater Bay Area Property & Casualty Practice Leader at USI insurance Services. He has over 24 years of experience in the insurance industry, holding numerous leadership positions. Charlie has served on the Board of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB), and was the chairman of the CIAB’s Council of Employee Benefits Executives. Charlie currently serves on the Board of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation—Western Division (IICF) and the Surplus Lines Association of California Stamping Committee.Prior to joining USI, Charlie was Executive Vice President of RT Specialty from 2017 to 2021. He was the CEO of Woodruff-Sawyer & Co, one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the US, from 2008 to 2016. He was also named as Chairman of Assurex Global, the world’s largest privately held commercial insurance, risk management, and employee benefits brokerage group. Before his time with Woodruff-Sawyer, Charlie served as a benefits practice leader for Marsh. He began his insurance career as a benefits consultant for Sedgwick.Charlie received his Bachelor of Arts in history from University of California, Los Angeles.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Dean Schmieder
Senior Business Manager
UnitedHealthcare

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Keith Schuler
President/CEO
InterWest

Keith Schuler entered the insurance industry as an Underwriter with Chubb Insurance prior to joining InterWest’s predecessor organization, Lindo Hanna & Abbott, in 1987 where he became a partner in 1991. He developed an expertise in self-insurance and risk transfer programs for medium to large businesses and focused his sales strategy around providing risk management and claims mitigation solutions. In 1992, Lindo Hanna & Abbott merged with 2 other large successful brokerage firms to form InterWest and in 1995, Keith accepted the role of Northern Division President. Having demonstrated strong management & leadership skills, he was asked by the InterWest Board of Directors to accept the position of President/Chief Executive Officer in 2008.Keith is an officer on the Board of Directors of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers based in Washington DC. He also served on the National Advisory Board of the PGA Tour (1995-1999) and as a board member for De La Salle High School in Concord, CA. Keith is known for his dedication to Philanthropy and Community Support and willingly severed on a number of nonprofit boards. He is currently a Board Member for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Western Division and was instrumental in creating the Annual InterWest Gives Back Champaign.Keith is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Finance and a minor in Biology. He played intercollegiate football at the University of California, Davis, as well as California State University, Sacramento. He is a native of Walnut Creek and resides in Lake Tahoe and Chico with his wife Chelle. Outdoor enthusiast’s Keith and Chelle spend the majority of their time in mountains skiing, backpacking and enjoying water sports, and spending as much time as they can with their three children.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Kurt Stemmler
Senior Vice President & San Francisco Branch Manager
Chubb

Kurt Stemmler is Senior Vice President and Branch Manager of Chubb’s San Francisco, CA office – a position he has held since 2016. In this role, Kurt is responsible for driving growth and profit by working closely with Chubb’s agent and broker partners to deliver tailored product and service solutions to meet the insurance needs of clients throughout the region. Kurt joined Chubb in 1987 as an underwriting trainee in the Boiler & Machinery department in Newport Beach, CA. Over the next 13 years, he held underwriting and leadership positions at branch, zone and home office levels in the Property, Machinery & Marine department. Kurt was named Marketing Manager of Chubb’s Newport Beach and San Diego offices in 2000, and became the San Diego Branch Manager in 2002. In 2005, Kurt became the branch manager for the Chubb office in Pleasanton, with responsibilities for northern California, with the exception of San Francisco.Kurt is a graduate of San Diego State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, and earned his MBA from Chapman University in Orange, CA. He is the Vice Chairperson of the Nevada Insurance Guaranty Association, having served on the board for more than 12 years. Recently, Kurt became a Vice Chairperson on the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, Western Region. Kurt also sits on the Advisory Board of a San Francisco-based nonprofit serving youth within the juvenile justice system, The Beat Within.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Vandana Sule
Principal & Insurance Technology Consulting Leader
EY

Vandana Sule is a Principal in Ernst& Young’s Consulting Services practice and leads the Insurance sector growth strategy in west region. She is primarily focused on the property & casualty Insurance sector leading large transformation programs and serving as trusted advisors to C-level executives of large tier Insurance Clients. Vandana has more than 22 years of experience in business transformation, operational efficiencies, technology enablement and delivery management primarily in insurance and finance services. Areas of expertise include business & IT transformation specializing in financial services, revenue and resource forecasting, contract negotiations & vendor management and client relations development & management.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Pilar Summerville
Senior Vice President
RT Specialty

Pilar Summerville is Senior Vice President in RT Specialty’s Burbank, CA office, leading a diverse RT ProExec team dedicated to delivering creative solutions and exceptional service to clients. Pilar has been with RT Specialty since the company began in 2010 and has experience in all lines of professional and management liability, focusing on complex risks including financial institutions, healthcare services and cyber liability. Pilar has been a wholesale professional and executive liability broker since 2003. Previously, she was a broker with CRC Insurance Services, playing an integral role in leading the largest professional / management liability production team in the CRC Chicago office. Pilar began her insurance career as an actuarial analyst, where she gained experience in actuarial modeling and commercial lines rating. A graduate of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Pilar earned a degree in actuarial science with a concentration in finance.

The Board

Meet the Board

Chair
Adam Witten
SVP, Regional Executive – Western Region
Liberty Mutual

As Regional Executive, Adam is responsible for the direction, distribution, and performance of all commercial property, casualty, and specialty lines business in the West Region. Adam joined Liberty Mutual through the Ironshore Acquisition in 2017 where he held a similar role.Adam started his career at AIG in New York as a D&O underwriter and moved with AIG to Los Angeles in 2000. He later became a broker at Gallagher where he worked for several years prior to making the move to Ironshore in 2010.

Adam holds a Bachelors Degree in Finance from Lehigh University, and currently resides in Encino, CA. When not working, you will normally find him spending his free time with his wife and two small children, but on the off chance he is able to get away, there is a good chance you will find him golfing or quietly enjoying a Red Sox or Patriots game.

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Regional Engagement

The IICF Western Division includes additional opportunities to expand our philanthropic reach within our division through regional engagement throughout the west.

Featured Upcoming Events

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April 20, 2023

IICF Horizon Gala

Los Angeles, CA
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February 21, 2023

IICF Fat Tuesday in 2023

San Francisco, CA
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March 12, 2023

IICF Bracket Challenge 2023

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April 6, 2023

Colorado Trivia Night 2023

2 Penguins Bar & Grill
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May 11, 2023

IICF CAPP Uptown Ed 2023

Oakland, CA
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August 1, 2023

Insuring the Children Golf Tournament

Irvine, CA
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September 12, 2023

Chip for Charity

Littleton, CO
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Melissa-Anne Duncan

Executive Director,  Western Division