ATLANTA – Georgia State University’s Risk Management Foundation celebrated industry excellence at the fifth annual Risk Science and Insurance Leadership Awards (the Riskies) ceremony on March 7 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The foundation is affiliated with the Department of Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) at Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business. Twelve individuals and one corporation were honored.
- Icon Leadership Award
- Wesley C. Duesenberg, Jr. (M.P.A. ’78), Owner and CEO, Southern Insurance Underwriters Inc. and SIUPREM
- Hall of Fame Award
- Robert W. Klein, Emeritus Professor of Risk Management & Insurance, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
- Hall of Fame Award
- Ramón A. Pérez Domínguez (Ph.D. ’79), President and CEO, Rincón Investment, Inc.
- Hall of Fame Award
- Dorn H. Swerdlin, Founder and Retired CEO, Swerdlin & Company
- Career Achievement Award
- Michael DeKoning, Chief Operating Officer, Allstate Benefits
- Career Achievement Award
- Teresa Russ Winer (M.A.S. ’82), Actuary, Georgia Office of Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner
- Rising Champion Award
- Erica Jones (B.S. ’02), Market Facing Middle Market Underwriter, Zurich North America
- Rising Champion Award
- Tenesia McGruder (B.B.A. ’09), Actuary, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Student Award, M.S. in Quantitative Risk Analysis & Management
- Heera Dadlani (B.S. ’16), M.S.-Q.R.A.M. ’20 / M.A.S. ’20
- Student Award, Master of Actuarial Science
- Nicolas Ardila, M.A.S. ’19 / M.S.-Q.R.A.M. ’19
- Student Award, Undergraduate Actuarial Science
- Victoria Colette Godwin, B.B.A ’19 / B.A. ’19
- Student Award, Undergraduate Risk Management & Insurance
- Ayesha Munnaza, B.B.A.,’20
- Corporate Recognition Award
- INSUREtrust
Wesley C. Duesenberg, Jr., encouraged attendees to "find their why" when he accepted the Icon Leadership Award.
"Few people know or consciously think about why they do what they do. But those who do know why become inspired. They have an overriding purpose, a cause, a belief,” Duesenberg said. “What you do simply serves as the proof of what you believe. Do business with people who also believe what you believe and not just what you do."
Andrew Robinson, co-CEO of Groundspeed Analytics, delivered the keynote address during which he praised the RMI Department's technology and analytics-infused programs and diverse student body, saying the academic unit is "uniquely positioned to be the preeminent program for insurance, risk and actuarial science professionals for the next generation."
Proceeds from the Riskies fund student programming and academic research. A highlight of this year’s celebration was announcing the Wesley C. Duesenberg, Jr. Surplus Lines Endowment Scholarship funded by the Duesenberg family and friends.
The Georgia State University Risk Management Foundation is a tax-exempt, public foundation organized in 1959 with the approval of the administration of Georgia State University and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Its mission is to provide the business services community with a vehicle for raising funds to support programs of the university’s Department of Risk Management & Insurance, assist in recruitment and retention of top faculty, provide financial awards to deserving students, and promote and support faculty research.
2019 Riskies Awards Sponsors
Diamond Level
- INSUREtrust (presenting sponsor)
- Dorn Swerdlin
- Platinum Level
- State Farm
Gold Level
- AIG
- Assurant
- Chubb
- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
- Eversheds Sutherland
- Kristy George Coleman
- Georgia Power Foundation
- Bernie Heinze
- Lloyd’s America
- Locke Lord
- McGriff, Seibles & Williams, Inc.
- Merlinos and Associates
- Munich Re
- New York Life Insurance Company
- Southern Insurance Underwriters
- Strategic Risk Solutions
- UPS Capital
- Willis Towers Watson
Silver Level
- AmWINS Group, Inc.
- Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
- GSU Department of Risk Management & Insurance
- Groundspeed Analytics
- Laurie Champion/Marsh
- Jane Sandler/McKesson
- Markel
- Principal
- Elizabeth White/Peachtree Specialty Risk Brokers
- USI
- WSIA
- Zurich NA
Bronze Level
- Assurance America
- AXA
- Lockton
- Bill Wright/Ringler Associates
- Protective Life Corporation
- Sterling-James
Friends Level
- Accredited Surety and Casualty Co.
- Arch Insurance Group
- Adam Litke/Bridger Insurance