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