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Inclusion Innovation in the Insurance Industry: A discussion with leaders of today moving towards a new tomorrow
Speakers: Margaret N. Redd, Marcel Blythe,
Fred Colon, Mike Hessling, and Tesha Nesbit
We are battling a biological pandemic with the best and brightest scientists in the world. We are also battling a sociological pandemic and have invited a few of the best and brightest leaders in the insurance industry for a courageous conversation. Join us as we talk about how inclusion and diversity can make significant impacts to mitigating the risk of racism in our world today.
Sponsored by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee
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Margaret N. Redd - Moderator
Executive Director
NAAIA
Margaret N. Redd is the Executive Director of NAAIA. Margaret is the first individual to hold that position for the esteemed organization.Margaret entered the insurance industry as an underwriter trainee with The St. Paul Companies in 1977. Her career journey includes seventeen years with CNA where she held key positions of leadership including National AVP of Distribution and Vice President, Chicago Branch; MetLife Regional VP of Sales, and VP and COO for Lambent Risk Management. She's a graduate of Jackson State University. Additionally, Margaret has held numerous board positions throughout her career.
Marcel Blythe, CPCU, CLU, MBA
Assistant Vice President - Property Claims
USAA
Marcel Blythe is the Assistant Vice President – Property Claims for USAA where he also leads the diversity and inclusion efforts for the claims organization. He has been in the insurance industry for over thirty years and prior to joining USAA, he was with State Farm Insurance Companies. Marcel earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Montclair State University, his MBA from Dowling College, is currently a doctoral candidate at North Central University and received his Six Sigma designation from Villanova University.
Fred Colon
Vice President, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Head of Enterprise Organization Effectivness
Travelers
Mr. Colon joined Travelers in 1999 as a Director in Commercial Lines University to lead leadership development efforts. Fred grew the leadership development function into a robust Leadership & Organization Development practice supporting the Enterprise. Fred continued to take on expanded responsibilities and was promoted to Vice President in 2007. In 2014, Fred’s scope was again increased with the addition of Enterprise Talent Management. As a key player in the execution of our Diversity & Inclusion strategy, Fred continues to bring forth the leadership and mindset critical to advancing diversity and inclusion as a business imperative. Mr. Colon holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services & Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire. He resides in East Hartford, Conn.
Mike Hessling
Chief Executive Officer, North America
Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc.
Since 2012, Mike Hessling has been a key member of Gallagher Bassett’s (“GB”) global leadership team. As leader of GB’s North America business, Mike is an active champion of inclusion and diversity, serving as the organization’s Executive Sponsor for these initiatives. Prior to joining Gallagher Bassett, Mike had an extensive career in client service as a management consultant. Mike is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Accounting, Mike also holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Tesha L. Nesbit
Director, Diversity & Inclusion at
Erie Insurance,
Principal at Phoenix Rising Coaching, LLC
Tesha Nesbit leads diversity and inclusion efforts in 12 states and Washington, D.C. for Erie Insurance Group. As an influencer and leader in her organization, she also is a thought partner on community and economic development outreach efforts, and oversees employee engagement survey administration and practices. She manages ERIE’s relationship with CEO Action, the corporate collaborative of more than 600 organizations and academic institutions working to drive organizational change and advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace and has been a fellow at the National Association of African-American Women in Leadership Institute. Tesha is a Registered Corporate Coach and experienced leadership facilitator who supports employee development as a popular career coach through her organization’s internal Erie Coaching Network and she also leads career/life coaching and personal brand workshops as the founder and Principal of Phoenix Rising Coaching.