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Champion of Positivity & Engagement Finalists
Angelica Casana
Angelica is a true Champion of Positivity and Engagement and one of the brightest lights on our team. She consistently encourages those around her, celebrates the successes of others, and brings an infectious enthusiasm to everything she does. No matter the challenge, she approaches her work with optimism, resilience, and a willingness to help wherever needed.
One of Angelica’s greatest strengths is her ability to make people feel welcome and connected. She openly shares her culture, traditions, and family experiences, helping all of us feel like we are part of her extended family. Whether she’s sharing stories, introducing us to special traditions, bringing treats to the office, or returning from Peru with thoughtful gifts, she creates meaningful connections that strengthen our team culture and foster a true sense of belonging.
Angelica’s warmth, compassion, and authenticity naturally draw people in. She helps teammates feel valued, supported, and included, inspiring them to bring their best selves to work each day. She is often the first person to find the fun in what we do, lifting spirits and helping the team stay engaged even during busy or challenging times.
Her positive influence extends beyond our team to our customers and agency partners. Angelica provides exceptional customer service and consistently makes agents and clients feel like they are a priority. She embodies our culture every day through her grit, positivity, and genuine care for others. Angelica not only brings out the best in her teammates but also helps make Arrowhead a place where people want to be, making her an outstanding candidate for the Champion of Positivity & Engagement award.
Nominated by Becky Holt
Ashley McCall
If there’s one person keeping the energy alive at ProctorLP, it’s Ashley McCall. From planning fun activities to being the first to bring positivity into the room, Ashley has become the heartbeat of team morale. Whether it’s organizing a team celebration, finding a reason to make an ordinary day a little brighter, or just being the most upbeat person in any conversation, Ashley consistently reminds the team that work can be both productive and fun.
Her energy is contagious — and in a high-pressure environment like a call center, that kind of steady positivity isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a real contributor to retention and team cohesion.
Thank you, Ashley, for keeping the fun going!
Nominated by Carolann Servis
Ashley McCall
Ashley is a diehard fan of the Proctor Loan Protector Departments. She is enthused every day and finds the best ways to reach all agents. She is responsible for all three sites, Troy, Florida, and Ohio FunTimes. All engagement activities and budgeting fall to her, and she still finds time to stop by and share a few encouraging words with everyone. She is the glue that binds all departments: Mortgage Servicing, Insurance, and Loss Drafts. She is there to greet and meet with new hires, and then she helps with the follow-through of transitioning them to the floor. She is the face of FunTimes, even going above and beyond the call of duty when we have personal issues we need help to conquer. She provides puzzles and coloring for stress relief and great games each month for fun and relaxation during downtime. She ensures we have exciting snacks and drink specials. each month based on a theme. There are crossword puzzles as well. She makes coming to the office a positive part of the day.
Nominated by Twanda Booker
Beverly Eckman
I am honored to nominate Beverly Eckman for the Champion of Positivity and Engagement award. Beverly consistently embodies the qualities of being gritty, engaged, supportive, and committed to creating a positive experience for everyone around her. She serves as both a connector and culture champion, helping teammates feel welcomed, supported, and valued from their very first day.
A recent example that highlights Beverly’s dedication was her leadership and ownership of our team summit in Daytona Beach. Beverly coordinated countless details behind the scenes to ensure the event was a success, including activities, logistics, conference room arrangements, lunches, dinners, and the overall attendee experience. Her thoughtful planning helped create a welcoming and engaging environment for the entire team, particularly for newer teammates who were attending their first team event. Because of her efforts, the summit fostered stronger relationships, collaboration, and a sense of belonging across the group.
In her day-to-day role as our onboarding and training supervisor, Beverly has an equally profound impact. She approaches every new hire with enthusiasm, patience, and a genuine desire to help them succeed. She has developed a detailed and organized onboarding curriculum that provides new teammates with the knowledge, resources, and confidence needed to become productive members of the team. More importantly, she creates an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, learning, and growing.
What truly distinguishes Beverly is her unwavering positivity and commitment to others. She remains engaged and supportive even when navigating challenges and competing priorities. Her collaborative nature, willingness to help, and encouraging attitude inspire those around her to do their best work. She naturally brings people together, strengthens team connections, and helps cultivate a culture where teammates feel valued and empowered.
Beverly is a true ambassador of our culture. Through her leadership, resilience, and dedication to creating positive experiences for others, she embodies what it means to Be Gritty, Be the Link, and Be a Talent Magnet. Her influence extends far beyond her individual responsibilities and has made a lasting impact on both our team culture and the success of our teammates. For these reasons, Beverly is highly deserving of the Champion of Positivity and Engagement award.
Nominated by Guillermo Garcia
Dan LeDonne
Dan exemplifies what it means to be a Champion of Positivity and Engagement. No matter the challenge, he approaches his work with grit, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to supporting those around him. His positive attitude is contagious, helping teammates stay motivated and focused even during periods of change, high workloads, or unexpected obstacles.
As a natural connector, Dan lives the spirit of “Be the Link” by bringing people together, fostering collaboration, and ensuring everyone feels included and valued. He consistently encourages open communication, celebrates team successes, and helps create an environment where individuals feel supported and empowered to do their best work. His willingness to lend a hand, share knowledge, and recognize the contributions of others strengthens both team morale and overall engagement.
Dan is also a true Talent Magnet. He embodies the culture and values of the Profit Center through his actions every day, serving as a role model for professionalism, teamwork, and optimism. His enthusiasm and genuine investment in others make people want to be part of the team and inspire them to contribute at their highest level. Whether championing a new initiative, uplifting a colleague, or creating opportunities for connection and fun, Dan consistently brings out the best in those around him.
Through his positivity, perseverance, and dedication to building a strong and engaged team culture, Dan is highly deserving of the Champion of Positivity and Engagement Award.
Nominated by Dan LeDonne
Diana Duke-Cody
Diana is always a go-getter. She is constantly going 150% for ANYTHING she does, and always empowers her coworkers to do the same. She is the first to teach someone something new, whether its an agent with floor insurance or explaining to a coworker why we need a specific document – she is never too busy to stop and teach. She also wants to give people the power, by making them feel confident in their knowledge and, again, teaching at any chance she can. She is in charge of our office’s Fun Committee, always looking for ways to have our employees express themselves artistically or organically to give everyone a sense of belonging. She is easy to talk to, even easier to work with, and is always going to challenge you so you CAN grow. She really could be nominated for any of these awards, but Diana truly oozes positivity in the workplace by making everyone feel important, smart, confident, and calm to get through any sort of work day.
Nominated by Connor Milan Cody
Kevin Meehan
I would like to nominate Kevin Meehan, Director of Trust Services for PRU Florida, for the Champion of Positivity & Engagement Award.
Since joining PRU just a few months ago, Kevin has gone above and beyond to make me feel welcome and supported. From day one, he has been genuinely invested in my success, taking the time to help me learn the organization, build meaningful relationships, and gain a deeper understanding of our business and culture.
Kevin consistently looks for ways to help others succeed. He has proactively connected me with key individuals and teams across Arrowhead, shared his knowledge and experience, and made himself available whenever I have needed guidance or support. His willingness to collaborate and share insights has been invaluable as I’ve transitioned into my role.
What stands out most about Kevin is the positivity, energy, and enthusiasm he brings to every interaction. He is approachable, encouraging, and always willing to lend a hand. Beyond supporting me personally, he is constantly thinking about how we can strengthen our team, enhance the value we provide to our agents and members, and position the Trust for continued success. Our ongoing conversations and brainstorming sessions reflect his commitment to continuous improvement and his passion for helping myself and others achieve their goals.
Kevin’s leadership is evident not only in what he accomplishes, but in the way he brings people together, builds relationships, and inspires those around him. He has become a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend whose influence has made a meaningful difference in my onboarding experience at PRU.
Kevin embodies the spirit of positivity, engagement, and being member focused. I am incredibly grateful for the impact he has had on my personal and professional growth, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.
Nominated by Michelle Perry
Lisa Johnson
I would like to nominate Lisa Johnson for Champion of Positivity and Engagement. Lisa consistently brings a positive, encouraging, and engaging energy to the team, even when faced with challenges and uncertainty. A great example is the many changes Oxford Risk Management Group has experienced over the past year. Through all of these changes, Lisa has remained positive, resilient and engaged, helping to keep those around her motivated and focused. She is someone who naturally lifts others up, serves as a cheerleader and ambassador for the team, and creates an environment where people feel supported and valued. Lisa’s ability to remain optimistic while navigating change, encourage her teammates, and bring out the best in those around her truly embodies what it means to be a Champion of Positivity and Engagement. She is a wonderful example of the kind of teammate who helps make the team stronger and inspires others to do the same.
Nominated by Sherrie L Robinson
Teresa Dickinson
Teresa consistently brings a positive attitude to every interaction and has a unique ability to make those around her feel supported, appreciated, and encouraged. Whether she is helping solve a problem, collaborating on a project, or simply responding to a thank you, her optimism and kindness shine through.
One example that stands out is an email she sent after receiving recognition from colleagues. Instead of focusing on her own contributions, Teresa responded with genuine enthusiasm and gratitude, saying, “I am so happy to be able to help… That is truly what we strive for here on the RAPID team.” Even when being thanked, Teresa redirects the focus back to supporting others and showing appreciation for the people around her.
Her positive outlook is also evident when new opportunities arise. When I reached out regarding a potential opportunity, Teresa responded immediately with enthusiasm, writing, “Count me in!” and “Looking forward to hearing more!” Her willingness to engage, participate, and embrace new challenges helps create an encouraging and collaborative environment for everyone she works with.
Beyond her own words, the impact she has on her colleagues is reflected in the recognition she receives from others. A teammate described Teresa as someone who is always there when help is needed and credited her with making their workday “better, easier and more efficient.” Teresa’s ability to combine technical support with a genuinely positive attitude leaves a lasting impression on the people she works with every day.
Teresa’s optimism is genuine, contagious, and consistent. She helps lift people’s spirits, celebrates successes, approaches challenges with enthusiasm, and always makes time to help others. She truly makes every destination a little brighter and is an excellent example of a Champion of Positivity and Engagement.
Nominated by Ashley Mallen
Tiffany Short
I’m nominating Tiffany Short as our Champion of Positivity and Engagement because she embodies every pillar of this award — Be Gritty, BE the Link, and Be a Talent Magnet — through consistent, genuine action.
Tiffany is the heartbeat of our team’s motivation, especially when it counts most. At the end of every month, while the pressure is on and goals are on the line, she’s right there cheering us on — reminding everyone what we’re capable of and pushing us to reach for our targets instead of settling. Her energy doesn’t waver under pressure; if anything, it gets stronger.
As our sales leader, she has a gift for turning the pursuit of goals into something that brings the team together. She uses friendly competition to connect teammates, sparking camaraderie as everyone pushes toward the same targets. Rather than fostering rivalry, her approach builds relationships — teammates cheer each other on and stay engaged because she’s made reaching goals feel like a shared mission. That’s the essence of BE the Link — she doesn’t just lead the team, she binds it together.
Tiffany continuously assists teammates with market recommendations, sharing her knowledge freely so others can succeed. This generosity is part of what makes people want to join her team and stay — making her a true Talent Magnet who reinforces our culture at the Profit Center level.
Nominated by Stacey Pierce
Unsung Hero Finalists
Aisha Apeldoorn
Aisha is continuously working behind the scenes to help our organization develop efficient workflow processes. She is always improving her skills and adapting to new changes in technology. She is not only and Unsung Hero, but an amazing mentor and inspiration. She is a huge part of why I have moved departments because I love the work our team does and how it helps our organization. Aisha is always looking to improve our teams’ workflows, she is constantly analyzing and trying to come up with the best solution possible to improve workflows and processes to support our teams’ success! She is incredibly smart and talented. She is an excellent teacher, and you can see that she loves what she does. Aisha is problem solving constantly and she is resilient, she does not give up and if there is a how, she will find the way! Aisha is an amazing example of someone who loves their work and shares that passion with others, helping to inspire them to be the best they can be. Aisha’s work impacts so many of our teammates, her workbooks create efficient and streamlined processes for individuals, saving them time and energy to focus on larger tasks within the organization. Aisha has a vast knowledge of Excel, and she continually develops workbooks for many different teams to help their workflows become more efficient! She has been developing new ways to generate email automation, automate reports and streamline so much other data across teams! I’m so lucky to get to work alongside this powerhouse, I hope to be as amazing as her one day!
Nominated by Teresa Dickinson
Amanda Herbison
Amanda Herbison is the definition of an Unsung Hero. While she may not always be in the spotlight, her impact is felt across our team, our customers, and our business every day.
No matter the challenge, Amanda approaches every situation with a positive attitude and an unwavering commitment to finding a solution. When teammates encounter a difficult issue or a customer needs support, Amanda is often the first person willing to jump in and help. She takes ownership, brings people together, and stays engaged until a resolution is in place. She does not let obstacles stand in the way of success and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure others have what they need. Whether she is helping a teammate gain access to a critical system, coordinating with a vendor to resolve an issue, tracking down needed information, or ensuring regulatory and compliance requirements are met, she approaches every request with urgency, professionalism, and a genuine desire to help. Her responsiveness and commitment to finding solutions make life easier for both internal and external customers, and she consistently delivers support that keeps important work moving forward.
Her commitment to Brown & Brown is evident in everything she does. Amanda is fiercely loyal to her team and continually works to ensure our organization shines in the eyes of teammates, customers, and business partners. She consistently exceeds expectations, not because she seeks recognition, but because she genuinely cares about helping others and the Company succeed.
What truly sets Amanda apart is her humility. She quietly solves problems, supports those around her, and contributes to countless successes without ever seeking credit. Her positive attitude is contagious, her work ethic is unmatched, and her willingness to help others makes a lasting impact on everyone she encounters.
Amanda exemplifies what it means to be customer-focused. She is the dependable person behind the scenes who keeps things moving forward, helps others succeed, and consistently makes a difference without expecting recognition. For these reasons, I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of the Unsung Hero – BE Customer Focused award.
Nominated by Tamara Loper
Dara Leavy
Dara is the definition of an Unsung Hero within our team. He quietly and consistently delivers to an exceptionally high standard without ever seeking recognition or praise. Reliable, professional, and highly self-sufficient, he simply gets on with the job and ensures everything runs smoothly around him.
Working across multiple product lines, including the challenging Homeworks product, Dara plays a vital role in keeping the business moving. His commitment to service excellence, strong broker relationships, and ability to manage his workload effectively mean that colleagues, brokers, and customers can always rely on him to deliver. His file management, organisation, and timekeeping are exemplary, allowing him to maintain high standards even when demands are at their greatest.
What makes Dara particularly deserving of this award is that much of his contribution happens behind the scenes. He doesn’t look for the spotlight and rarely receives the recognition his efforts warrant, yet his impact is felt every day through the support he provides, the consistent service he delivers, and the dependable presence he brings to the team.
Dara’s professionalism, customer-focused approach, and willingness to quietly go above and beyond make him a truly deserving recipient of the Unsung Hero Award.
Nominated by Jack Doherty
Jody Coyle
I am honored to nominate Jody Coyle for the Unsung Hero Award.
Jody exemplifies what it means to be customer-focused while working tirelessly behind the scenes to create lasting improvements that benefit our entire organization. Her contributions may not always be visible to everyone, but their impact is felt every day.
One of Jody’s most significant accomplishments has been her instrumental role in developing and implementing the JET platform for Travel Reinsurance within the Equinox branch. Just a few years ago, all of our processes relied heavily on Excel spreadsheets, creating inefficiencies, increasing the risk of human error, and resulting in a challenging and time-consuming accounting environment. Recognizing the need for modernization and accuracy, Jody partnered closely with a developer to help transform these manual processes into a streamlined, technology-driven solution.
What makes Jody’s contribution even more remarkable is her unwavering commitment to ensuring the platform delivers accurate and reliable results. She works side by side with Beatrix Tavarez, Sr. Reinsurance Accountant, meticulously validating data, testing processes, and refining workflows to ensure the JET platform supports accurate reporting to our carriers and reinsurers. Her attention to detail, dedication to quality, and deep understanding of the business have been critical to the platform’s success.
Jody consistently goes above and beyond without seeking recognition. She quietly solves problems before they become issues, supports teammates whenever needed, and remains focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for both internal and external stakeholders. Her work has strengthened operational efficiency, improved reporting accuracy, reduced risk, and provided a solid foundation for future growth.
Simply put, Jody is the kind of teammate who keeps the lights on and the boat afloat. Through her expertise, perseverance, and commitment to excellence, she has become an indispensable force behind the success of our team and our customers. She is truly an Unsung Hero and highly deserving of this recognition.
Nominated by Theresa Cimino
Julie Chu
Julie defines “quietly solving problems” – she is not always the loudest voice in the room, but her work speaks for her. Not only has been instrumental in helping get a technology project, to upgrade Commercial Earthquake’s forms generation solution, moving towards completion more quickly, but she has gone above and beyond the original scope of work. We were lacking documentation for many of the forms being upgraded, and Julie took it upon herself to start digging up missing information and documenting it so we have it for future reference. This will save a huge amount of time for future forms maintenance or project work. Thank you Julie for all your efforts!
Nominated by Jess Jones
Lauren Weisberg
Lauren is the definition of working behind the scenes and her impact on our organization is undeniable. Lauren is the driving force behind the development of our agent facing rating platform, dedicating countless hours to ensuring it functions effectively and supports our front-line teams. She consistently goes above and beyond, thoroughly testing functionality, identifying issues before they reach users, and working through challenges to ensure a seamless experience for agents and internal stakeholders alike. What makes Lauren particularly valuable is her unique ability to bridge the gap between technology and underwriting. Her deep technical expertise, combined with her strong understanding of underwriting guidelines and processes, allows her to translate business needs into practical solutions that truly support our users. She is often the person quietly solving problems, answering questions, and finding a path forward when obstacles arise. Laurens work may not always be visible to everyone, but our underwriting teams and agents benefit from it every day. Her dedication, responsiveness, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering the best possible experience make her an invaluable partner to the business. She consistently demonstrates a customer-focused mindset, ensuring the tools and process she supports help others succeed. Simply put, Lauren is the kind of teammate who keeps the lights on and he boats afloat.
Nominated by Danielle Ervien
Paul Regan
Paul could be nominated under each category but unsung hero hits the nail on the head. I doubt many people in the company realize all the different ways he keeps things moving along smoothly day-to-day. He’s wicked smart, he’s a problem solver, he’s tenacious and goal oriented, and if one way doesn’t work — he finds another way. He manages his own crew on the daily, and is always willing to lend his expertise and solutions when tapped. He prefers to fly under the radar, but he is actually one of those dedicated teammates who could never truly be replaced. His dedication and over two decades of pure hustle at Wright Flood deserve to be recognized.
Nominated by Kristi Galloway
Sean Bowen
Sean has been an unsung hero behind our AHI Data Strategy and AJG Premier Partner Reporting. While much of his work happens behind the scenes, he works closely with Finance to ensure the final reporting is accurate, complete, and fit for its intended purpose.
What stands out most is his willingness to step in wherever needed to keep the work moving. He combines a strong understanding of the underlying data with an understanding of what Finance ultimately needs, effectively serving as a bridge between the data collection effort and the end-state financial reporting.
Sean’s contribution may not always be the most visible part of the initiative, but it is foundational to its success. His reliability, attention to detail, collaborative approach and willingness to work through difficult problems have given the broader team confidence that we can turn a complex collection effort into a credible final deliverable.
Nominated by Sara Fickinger
Tara Kronenberger
Tara works behind the scenes, solves problems with grace and determination, and consistently puts the needs of our clients, brokers, and teammates first. While her work often happens behind the scenes, her impact on our team and our clients is significant. She consistently goes above and beyond to support our programs, providing exceptional customer service and helping ensure our clients receive the coverage solutions they need.
As a key liaison between our programs and Bridge, Tara expertly navigates complex coverage challenges and works tirelessly to find additional coverage options for our clients. No matter the obstacle, she approaches every situation with a positive, can-do attitude and a determination to find solutions.
What makes Tara especially valuable is her reliability and professionalism. She is responsive, knowledgeable, courteous, and dependable, making her a trusted resource for both our team members and our broker partners. When challenges arise, she quietly steps in, tackles the issue, and keeps things moving forward, often before others even realize there was a problem to solve.
Tara may not seek the spotlight, but she consistently makes the rest of us look good. Her contributions may not always be visible, but they are felt every day by those of us who have the privilege of working with her.
Nominated by Becky Holt
Tish Masucci
I am proud to nominate Tish Masucci. The Unsung Hero is the person who keeps the lights on and the boats afloat, often without recognition because the work is completed before others fully appreciate how difficult it was. That description fits Tish Masucci perfectly. During a year defined by organizational change, new operating models, evolving systems, leadership transitions and unfamiliar challenges, Tish has been the steady Team Resources leader whom teammates and business leaders trust to find a path forward.
Tish’s impact is often delivered quietly, through dozens of decisions and actions that make change workable for everyone else (myself included). When our Marketing team needed several interconnected teammate changes completed, including a title update, a backfill posting, promotion documentation, compensation allocation and a compensation assessment, Tish accepted responsibility for the full set of actions and confirmed that every item had been completed. A fellow leader even asked to shadow Tish to learn her processes, a meaningful reflection of the standard she sets.
That example is representative of how Tish operates every day. She identifies gaps before they become disruptions, secures the Workday access her team needs, coordinates across functions and follows details through to resolution. As her support responsibilities expanded, Tish proactively pursued the appropriate Absence Partner, Compensation, Timekeeper and TR Partner access so her team could support teammates more efficiently. She repeated that same disciplined approach as additional organizations and supervisory structures came into scope, ensuring continuity rather than waiting for a problem to surface.
Tish is equally focused on the human experience behind every process. When a new leader was joining, she personally worked through the offer, Workday, equipment, system-access and communication details so he knew what to expect. After meeting with him, I heard directly that he had great things to say about Tish and the support she provided. In another circumstance, when unexpected teammate absences threatened payroll continuity, Tish had already coordinated backup coverage, kept leadership informed and ensured the work could continue without placing additional strain on teammates who were dealing with serious personal circumstances.
Her leadership also multiplies the performance of those around her. Tish’s Payroll and HRIS team received recognition for consistently thinking ahead, planning with purpose and supporting teammates with professionalism, compassion and commitment. The praise specifically credited the team with making others’ jobs easier and lifting people up. Tish’s response was characteristically generous: she emphasized pride in the team and the strength of the partnership rather than drawing attention to herself.
Tish also looks beyond today’s work. She accepted the opportunity to coach a Leadership Kickstart cohort, committed to serving as a REIMAGINE Change Champion for the company’s AI rollout, and continues to drive participation in required compliance learning. These actions demonstrate her willingness to help teammates develop, adopt new capabilities and prepare for the future, even while carrying a demanding day-to-day workload.
What makes Tish an Unsung Hero is not simply the volume of work she completes. It is the confidence she gives others. Leaders know she will take ownership. Teammates know she will help them navigate change. For her customer focus, leadership, humility, foresight and unwavering commitment to our teammates, Tish Masucci is truly deserving of this recognition.
Nominated by James Jiloty
Front-Line Innovator Finalists
Ashley Mallen
Ashley is a true innovator who consistently looks beyond the way things have always been done and identifies opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and the overall team experience. What makes Ashley exceptional is not only her creativity, but her ability to turn ideas into practical solutions that make a meaningful impact on daily work. She has a unique talent for spotting potential where others see limitations and is constantly thinking about how today’s solutions can be leveraged and expanded to benefit the team and the organization in the future. Her forward-thinking mindset, willingness to challenge the status quo, and passion for continuous improvement make her an outstanding candidate for the FrontLine Innovator award. Ashley’s ideas and leadership have inspired new ways of working that continue to create value well beyond the original problem being solved.
She doesn’t just solve the problem in front of her; she sees three future opportunities hiding behind it.
That feels very FrontLine Innovator to me.
Nominated by Aisha Apeldoorn
Laurencio Leyva
Laurencio has an incredible way of seeing straight through a problem. Where others might get stuck, he cuts to the heart of the issue and comes back with not just one answer, but multiple solutions for the team to consider. That kind of practical, creative thinking is exactly what makes a Frontline Innovator.
Because he’s so hand’s on, Laurencio knows what will actually work on the front lines. He takes that knowledge and turns it into thorough outlines that give our team a clear path forward. His preparation helps us work efficiently and get things done right the first time, which saves time, reduces rework, and makes life easier for everyone around him.
Laurencio has been instrumental in the implementation of all our new products. He has a superpower for finding the details and working through complex ones that others might miss. His attention to detail and willingness to speak up and offer solutions have made every rollout smoother and more successful for the whole team.
Laurencio doesn’t wait to be asked. He takes the initiative to make things better, and the entire team benefits from it. He is a true example of a teammate driving improvement from the front lines, and I am proud to nominate him.
Nominated by Crystal Million
Paul Sexton
What distinguishes this individual is their ability to bridge underwriting expertise and product innovation. Drawing on daily interactions with brokers, clients, and market conditions, they proactively identify opportunities to improve products and processes, provide thoughtful enhancement recommendations, and help test and refine solutions before implementation. Their initiative, collaborative mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement embody the spirit of this award by making meaningful, lasting improvements that benefit the entire team
Nominated by Kristen Murnane
Richard McManus
Rich has been a driving force behind innovation within RiskWrite, championing the adoption of Claude and Copilot to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness. Through his willingness to explore new technologies, challenge existing processes, and share his knowledge with others, he has helped transform the way the Test Team and wider RiskWrite team work. His practical approach to innovation has delivered tangible improvements, reducing manual effort, increasing productivity, and enabling colleagues to work smarter. Rich’s ability to translate emerging technology into meaningful business benefits makes him an outstanding example of a Frontline Innovator and a highly deserving nominee for this award.
Nominated by Ayesha Copsey
Will Anderson
I would like to nominate Will Anderson, the business intelligence manager at Wright Flood, for the Opt-In Award in the Frontline Innovator category. Will has spent 36 years turning day-to-day operational friction into lasting improvements for the technology and engineering team.
Since joining the company in 1989, he has built a reputation not for one big idea, but for a steady stream of them – the kind of frontline innovation that comes from truly understanding how the business runs and never being satisfied with “that’s just how it’s done.”
What sets Will apart is what he does with the data. He doesn’t just produce reports – he builds the narrative around them, translating complex datasets into insight that people can actually act on. When a team is stuck on a confusing trend or needs to make a real decision from the numbers, Will is who they turn to. That’s a rarer skill than it sounds: plenty of people can pull a report; far fewer can tell you what it means and what to do about it.
He also leads the way he works. Some teammates know Will only as “the reports guy.” The people who work alongside him know better – he’s a business partner, a trusted advisor, and a mentor. He never asks his team to do something he hasn’t done himself, and he’s made sure every one of them is cross-trained and understands the full flow of work in and out of the department. That’s leadership by example, not title.
Will was central to the successful rollout of DEX360, providing the data validation and project support that kept the launch on track. Marketing and Agency Services credit him with turning an unwieldy affiliate spreadsheet into a tool their team actually enjoys using, and his report automation work has saved supervisors countless hours they now spend on higher-value work. In private flood operations, he built out monthly premium reporting, resolved data discrepancies within hours instead of days, and automated quote reports for Marketing. When the Arrowhead dashboard transition hit a critical juncture, his support pushed it ahead of schedule. And when the “InForce Report” ran into recurring issues, he was the one who responded fast enough to keep the business moving without interruption.
Ask anyone who’s worked with Will and the words repeat: customer-focused, action-oriented, trustworthy, ahead of schedule. He doesn’t meet expectations – he resets them. Thirty-six years in, he still shows up with the curiosity and drive of someone building something new, because that’s exactly what he’s doing, one process at a time.
Few people embody this category as completely as Will does. I’m proud to nominate him for the Frontline Innovator award.
Nominated by Rob Langrell
Esteemed Mentor Finalists
Cheryl Ahmad
Although I report directly to Cheryl Ahmad, I have the privilege of witnessing every day the remarkable leadership qualities that make Cheryl an exceptional mentor and leader. Cheryl has a unique ability to coach, guide, listen, and provide meaningful support in a way that empowers others to succeed. The impact Cheryl has had on my personal growth, and professional development has been significant and lasting.
What stands out most is Cheryl’s genuine commitment to people. Regardless of title, role, or level within the organization, Cheryl always makes time to help, offer guidance, and remove obstacles. Cheryl leads with humility, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose, creating an environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and encouraged to grow.
In addition to outstanding leadership skills, Cheryl brings extensive industry and business knowledge that inspires confidence and drives results. Cheryl not only shares that expertise generously but also challenges others to think differently, develop new skills, and reach their full potential. Cheryl’s influence extends far beyond day-to-day responsibilities, leaving a lasting impact on the people and teams fortunate enough to work alongside Cheryl.
Nominated by Elizabeth Boettcher
Christina Clarkson
I have been lucky enough to have Christina as my manager since starting at instaCOVER 3 years ago and she has been an example to look up to ever since. When I first started, I was coming from Real Estate and knew very little about insurance, which made me very nervous. Christina created an environment where I felt comfortable asking questions, built my confidence in an unfamiliar industry, and helped me understand not just what to do, but why it mattered. By sharing her knowledge and giving me opportunities to observe and participate in higher-level projects, she helped me grow from someone new to insurance into someone who feels confident taking on new challenges.
One of the things I appreciate most about Christina is that she is always thinking about how to help the team grow. When I needed to take an extended leave from work, she used that time not simply to redistribute tasks, but to thoughtfully evaluate how my role could evolve. She began transitioning some of my routine responsibilities to another team so that when I returned, I could focus more on larger projects and opportunities that aligned with my development. That level of foresight demonstrated that she wasn’t just thinking about what was best for the business in the moment, but also what would help me continue growing professionally.
Christina also makes a point of having regular conversations about my career goals, how I feel about my role, and where I want to grow. She encourages me to be the driver of my own career while providing guidance and support along the way. What makes her mentorship especially meaningful is that she is also one of my biggest advocates. She is quick to recognize and highlight my contributions, whether by acknowledging my work in meetings or reaching out directly when something has gone well. Her encouragement not only helps build confidence but also motivates me to continue growing and challenging myself.
Nominated by Brissa Chavez Mendoza
Daren Eiri
Daren Eiri is the person people go to when they want to actually understand something, not just get an answer. He is deeply knowledgeable, but what sets him apart is how approachable and patient he is with that knowledge. He makes room for questions at any level, never makes anyone feel behind for asking, and takes the time to explain the reasoning behind a decision rather than simply handing over the conclusion. He is generous with the full picture, including the missteps and the “what not to do” lessons from his own experience, which is often the most useful thing a mentor can offer. That willingness to pull back the curtain has made a real difference in my own growth and in the growth of others across the organization who have come to rely on him for guidance.
Daren’s mentorship also extends well beyond his day-to-day responsibilities. I regularly refer current data analytics students to him for career guidance, and he consistently makes time for them, listening carefully to where they are, helping them think through their options, and pointing them toward practical next steps. He treats those conversations as seriously as any project on his plate. He listens first, works toward solutions rather than just identifying problems, and coaches people with the clear goal of getting them ready to lead on their own. That is exactly the spirit this award is meant to recognize, and Daren embodies it every day.
Nominated by Sean Bowen
Jodi Busch
Jodi exemplifies what it means to be a mentor by consistently making herself available to support, guide, and develop others. Despite her many responsibilities, she always takes the time to listen, answer questions, and provide thoughtful guidance that helps people grow both professionally and personally. What makes this even more appreciated is that she does so in a friendly, approachable, and welcoming manner.
What makes Jodi an exceptional mentor is her willingness to share not only her knowledge and experience but also the reasoning behind decisions. She doesn’t simply provide answers; she helps others understand the “why,” empowering them to think critically, build confidence, and develop their own leadership skills. She encourages learning, welcomes questions, and creates an environment where people feel comfortable seeking advice, sharing ideas, and exploring new opportunities.
In addition, Jodi builds strong relationships across the organization by connecting teammates with the knowledge, resources, and people they need to succeed. She values diverse perspectives and actively encourages new ideas, helping turn concepts into meaningful action. She is committed to developing future leaders and takes an active role in ensuring employees have opportunities to grow, both in their current roles and in preparation for future career advancement.
Jodi is approachable, patient, and genuinely invested in the success of others. Whether coaching someone through a challenge, sharing lessons learned from her own experiences, or providing encouragement during difficult situations, she consistently helps people find solutions while keeping our company values at the forefront. Her mentorship has had a lasting impact on many of us, inspiring greater confidence, growth, and success.
Jodi is truly the kind of mentor who helps shape future leaders by sharing her knowledge, empowering others to learn and lead, and always being the trusted “go-to” resource for support and guidance. She is exceptionally deserving of the Esteemed Mentor Award.
Nominated by Heather Barringer
Lynn Johnson
If you look up the word mentor in the dictionary, I’m convinced you’d find a picture of Lynn. Throughout the years, she has been the person so many of us turn to for guidance, encouragement, and support. She has an incredible way of checking in on others, making people feel valued, and reminding us that we’re capable of more than we sometimes believe.
What sets Lynn apart is her commitment to teaching, not just telling. Whenever she offers guidance or direction, she takes the time to explain the “why” behind it. She provides context, shares her experiences, and helps others understand the reasoning behind decisions so they can grow and lead with confidence themselves. Rather than simply giving answers, she equips people with the knowledge and perspective they need to make good decisions long after the conversation is over.
Lynn openly shares both her successes and her lessons learned, making her wisdom relatable and actionable. Her stories, experiences, and practical advice help others navigate challenges while understanding that growth often comes from mistakes as much as victories.
Beyond her knowledge, Lynn invests genuine time and energy into the people around her. She leads with compassion, patience, loyalty, and steadiness. She is a trusted listener, a thoughtful coach, and a constant source of encouragement. I have personally benefited from the many conversations we’ve shared, and I know countless others would say the same.
Most of all, Lynn has a special gift for making people feel wanted, included, and cared for. Her willingness to check in, offer support, and help others succeed has shaped the people around her and made her an example of the kind of leader and mentor we all aspire to be. Lynn doesn’t just help people do their jobs better; she helps them become better versions of themselves.
Nominated by Becky Holt
Martha Oddo
At the beginning of my career with Brown & Brown, I was completely new to the commercial side of insurance. When I first started working with cyber insurance with the Dental program, I honestly had no idea how it worked or where to begin. Martha didn’t hesitate to jump right in to help me learn and grow.
There was never a time that I called or emailed Martha without receiving not only an answer, but also a lesson. She took the time to explain concepts using real-world examples and would often follow up with emails so I could review the information and better understand it. Her willingness to teach went far beyond simply answering questions.
Martha has always brought positive energy to every interaction. During times when I felt overwhelmed or worried, she reassured me and helped build my confidence. Her patience, encouragement, and support made a tremendous difference in my professional development.
I can honestly say there has never been a question she could not answer. She truly knows her “stuff” and is an incredible wealth of knowledge. More importantly, she is always willing to share that knowledge with others.
I am so thankful that Martha was one of the first underwriters to take me under her wing. She helped me become confident in my position and in my ability to communicate effectively with insureds. The impact she has had on my career is something I will never forget, and I am forever grateful for her guidance, mentorship, and support.
Thank you, Martha, for helping shape my career and for always being willing to teach, encourage, and inspire others.
Nominated by Amber Murphy
Matthew Porter
Having been with Pearl for less than a year, I can honestly say that one of the reasons I felt confident joining this organization was Matt. During my interview process, it was clear that he was genuinely interested in me as a person, not just as a candidate. He created an immediate sense of trust, authenticity, and honesty that made a lasting impression. Since joining the team, I have learned that my first impression was absolutely correct.
Matt is the person our team consistently turns to for guidance and support. His deep knowledge, approachable demeanor, and genuine willingness to help make him an invaluable resource to colleagues at every level. No matter how busy his schedule may be, he always makes time to answer questions, explain complex concepts, and ensures others have the tools and understanding they need to succeed.
What truly sets Matt apart is his commitment to helping others grow. He doesn’t simply provide answers; he takes the time to explain the “why” behind decisions, helping team members understand the bigger picture. He openly shares his experiences, including lessons learned through challenges and setbacks, creating valuable learning opportunities for others. His patience and willingness to teach empower people to develop confidence in their own abilities and decision-making.
Matt creates an environment where team members feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and seeking guidance. Through his mentorship and coaching, he invests in the success of others and helps prepare them for future leadership opportunities.
Matt exemplifies what it means to be a trusted mentor and a “go-to” resource. His positive influence extends far beyond his own responsibilities, strengthening both individuals and the team as a whole. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Matt.
Nominated by Tracy Atwell
Richard McManus
Rich is a true embodiment of the “BE a Mentor” spirit and has become a trusted go-to person for colleagues across both the RiskWrite Test Team and the wider Development Team. His extensive knowledge, approachable nature, and genuine willingness to help make him an invaluable source of guidance for those looking to learn and develop. No matter how busy he is, Rich consistently takes the time to answer questions, explain complex concepts, and provide thoughtful, practical advice that helps others build both confidence and capability.
What sets Rich apart is not just his willingness to provide answers, but his commitment to helping others understand the “why” behind decisions and approaches. He openly shares his experiences, lessons learned, and insights, including challenges he has faced himself, enabling colleagues to learn from both successes and mistakes. His patient coaching style encourages growth, problem-solving, and independent thinking, empowering team members to develop their own skills and expertise.
Rich is an exceptional listener who takes the time to understand problems and work collaboratively towards solutions. Through his mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and unwavering support, he has made a significant contribution to both the success of the RiskWrite team and the development of those around him. His positive influence has helped foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement, making him a highly deserving recipient of the Esteemed Mentor award.
Nominated by Ayesha Copsey
Sandy Walls
If there is one person who embodies the spirit of mentorship, it is Sandy Walls.
From my early days at Hull, Sandy has been a mentor and support for me, and is approachable and helpful. She is always there when someone needs help, advice, or simply a listening ear. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every conversation and willingly shares her insights to help others succeed. Whether she’s coaching a teammate through a challenge, offering perspective from her own experiences, or helping someone understand the reasoning behind a decision, Sandy has a unique ability to make people feel supported and empowered.
What I admire most about Sandy is her genuine care for others. She is deeply invested in the success and growth of her teammates and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure they have the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive. Her patience, wisdom, and approachable nature make her a trusted resource and mentor for so many.
I can personally attest to Sandy’s impact as a mentor. I would not be in the position I hold today without her guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support. Her willingness to share her knowledge, provide honest feedback, and invest in the growth of others has helped shape not only my career, but the careers of many teammates across our organization.
Nominated by Lindsey Shank
Sarah Rouse
I am honored to nominate Sarah Rouse for the Esteemed Mentor Award.
Sarah has had a profound impact on my growth, not only as a professional, but as a person. When I think of a mentor, I think of someone who helps others become better versions of themselves, and that is exactly what Sarah has done for me and so many others around her.
Professionally, she has taught me invaluable organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills that have strengthened my confidence and effectiveness in my role. What makes her mentorship so exceptional is that these lessons extend far beyond the workplace. The strategies and perspectives she has shared have helped me become more organized in my personal life, better manage technology and processes, communicate more effectively, and even give myself grace when things do not go perfectly.
Sarah is the kind of leader who is always there when her team needs her. She somehow always seems to have the answer, guidance, or encouragement needed to help us work through challenges. More importantly, she never makes anyone feel alone in the process. She advocates for her team, fights for what we need to be successful, and consistently looks out for our best interests.
What stands out most is the culture she creates. Rather than fostering competition, Sarah encourages collaboration, support, and shared success. She genuinely wants her team members to grow, learn from one another, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Because of her leadership, we are stronger together.
Beyond her knowledge and dedication, Sarah brings warmth and joy to every interaction. She is funny, approachable, laid back, and someone people naturally feel comfortable turning to for help. She makes challenging days easier and successes more meaningful.
Sarah’s influence reaches far beyond the tasks we complete or the goals we achieve. She leaves a lasting impact on the people she mentors, helping them grow both personally and professionally. I am incredibly grateful for everything I have learned from her, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition as an Esteemed Mentor.
Nominated by Selina Ducksworth
Unimaginably Effective GSD Finalists
Brenda Jones
I am nominating Brenda Jones because she truly embodies what it means to be a “Get Things Done” teammate. She is extremely knowledgeable and someone I consider a go to resource when I have a question or am unsure where to turn. Her experience and willingness are a definite asset to our company, but also to the members and organizations we have the privilege of serving.
She has continuously been the highest producer for our group. Her results demonstrate not only her knowledge and productivity, but also her dedication to achieving her goals and doing what is best for our members.
What stands out to me most, however, is the compassion and pride she brings to her work. She genuinely believes in making sure every member and applicant is properly taken care of. She encourages ethical, helpful, and thoughtful standards when working with our members, and she treats every applicant with the same care and respect she would give of her own family.
Although some coworkers may at times perceive her as confrontational, I believe that directness comes from the genuine compassion and commitment she has for her job, our members and doing things the right way. She cares deeply about the quality of service we provide and is not afraid to speak up when she believes someone is not doing their job or something needs to be addressed.
She doesn’t let questions or challenges stop her. Instead, she approaches them with persistence, knowledge and a willingness to find the solution. She is productive, dependable, compassionate, and always willing to assist when I ask for help. For these reasons, I believe she is an excellent example of someone who doesn’t just do her job- she takes pride in doing it well and making a difference for both our member and our team.
Nominated by Stephanie Tegtmeyer
Erin Nowakowski
I am proud to nominate Erin Nowakowski, operations manager at Wright Flood, for the Opt-In Award in the Unimaginably Effective GSD category.
In operations, the work never stops. Phones and chats must be answered, incoming work must be processed, and compliance standards must be maintained regardless of volume or staffing challenges. While FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) establishes a service expectation of approximately 15 days, Erin’s team consistently delivers results within 3-5 days. Through shifting priorities, changing workloads, and constant operational demands, she ensures both NFIP compliance and exceptional service levels without missing a beat.
Over the past year, Erin has led a team of seven supervisors and supported more than 75 teammates with a relentless focus on results. She exemplifies what “getting things done” looks like, approaching challenges with creativity, accountability, and determination. She has coached her leadership team to manage overtime as both a business and people issue, helping the department operate more efficiently and come in under budget while continuing to meet performance expectations.
Erin also plays a critical role in building the future of the department. As teammates advance into new opportunities across the organization, she leads the hiring process by reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and coordinating seven weeks of training followed by six weeks of onboarding. This year, she helped lead two successful new-hire classes and mentored three newly promoted supervisors, ensuring the team remained strong and prepared for continued growth.
Beyond day-to-day operations, Erin continually looks for ways to improve the teammate experience and organizational effectiveness. She is developing expanded recognition programs to celebrate teammate contributions, building the structure and budget needed to sustain them long-term. She also evaluates new technology and software solutions that have the potential to improve processes and create value across the company.
When obstacles arise, Erin does not slow down or look for excuses. She tackles challenges head-on with persistence, precision, and a positive attitude that inspires those around her. Her ability to consistently deliver results, support her teammates, and drive continuous improvement makes her an outstanding example of the Unimaginably Effective GSD spirit and a deserving recipient of this award.
Nominated by Rob Langrell
Frank Harris
I’d like to nominate Frank Harris for demonstrating GSD in action for all he does supporting finance, including ownership of specific integration finance responsibilities (costs / synergy tracking).
Early on in the integration Frank developed a Power BI dashboard that served as the ‘gold standard’ for other segments, it was incredibly helpful in managing early integration financials and was eventually adopted by both Enterprise and Retail. This is one example of how Frank consistently sees a need and takes time to implement new tools or make sure that teams have what they need to be successful.
I especially appreciate that even when we are partnered on complex items, he still finds a way to bring some fun and humor into work. Taking a moment to connect while we are ‘doing all the things’ makes him a teammate I love partnering with.
Frank’s willingness to tackle the hard things, stay accountable, and support others along the way is exactly what GSD looks like!
Nominated by Kelly Dean
Julie Kleckner
When I think about someone who truly embodies a “get it done” mentality, Julie immediately comes to mind. She consistently takes on an incredible workload with a positive attitude, unwavering dedication, and a genuine willingness to help wherever needed. No matter how busy things get, Julie shows up every day ready to tackle challenges, support her teammates, and find solutions.
What impresses me most is not just the volume of work Julie handles, but the quality she delivers. She manages countless responsibilities, keeps projects moving forward, and somehow never loses sight of the details. Even during our busiest and most demanding times, she remains responsive, organized, and committed to providing outstanding service. The amount of work she accomplishes is truly remarkable, and she does it with a level of consistency and professionalism that can always be counted on.
Julie also receives tremendous feedback from our brokers, who regularly comment on her responsiveness, professionalism, and willingness to help. She has built strong relationships through her exceptional service and follow-through, creating positive experiences that reflect well on our entire team. People know they can depend on Julie, and she continually goes above and beyond to support both our internal teams and our external partners.
What makes Julie especially deserving of this recognition is her attitude. She comes in early, stays late when needed, and never does it for recognition or because she is asked. She does it because she cares deeply about her work, her teammates, and the success of our program. No challenge is too big, no task is beneath her, and no obstacle keeps her from finding a way forward. Her can-do attitude is contagious and helps elevate everyone around her.
Julie is the definition of someone whose results speak for themselves. Her commitment, work ethic, positivity, and dedication make a meaningful difference every single day. Our team is stronger because of her, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition as an Unimaginably Effective GSD – BE a Winner.
Thank you for considering Julie for this well-deserved honor.
Nominated by Tiffany Poletti
Kim Zarifis
Kim has truly exemplified what it means to be an Unimaginably Effective GSD teammate this year. She has gone above and beyond in leading a significant carrier transition while simultaneously helping streamline our underwriting and quoting processes. She worked tirelessly to learn the complexities of the Tribal Program and played a critical role in making the carrier change as seamless as possible for both our team and our clients.
When challenges arose, Kim consistently approached them with creativity, determination, and a positive attitude. Her ability to identify solutions and drive them to completion helped solve several critical issues for the program and kept important initiatives moving forward. She does not shy away from difficult problems. Instead, she tackles them head-on with persistence, precision, and a smile on her face.
Beyond her individual contributions, Kim is an exceptional teacher and collaborator. She invests in the success of others by providing engaging, practical training and creating an environment where teammates feel supported and empowered to learn. Her efficiency, productivity, and “can-do” attitude are contagious. She inspires those around her to perform at a higher level and consistently demonstrates that for her, this is far more than just a job. Her results, leadership, and commitment make her an outstanding candidate for the Unimaginably Effective GSD award.
Nominated by Becky Holt
Melissa May
On behalf of the National Business Development Team, we nominate Melissa May for the Unimaginably Effective GSD Award. The award recognizes team members who consistently get things done, demonstrate exceptional productivity, remove obstacles, and deliver results with a positive, solutions-oriented attitude. Melissa embodies every aspect of this description and has become an invaluable partner to our team.
Throughout 2026, Melissa provided extraordinary support as our team evaluated Premier Partner performance, incentive programs, carrier commissions, eligibility calculations, growth compensation structures, and strategic agreement enhancements. What makes Melissa’s contributions exceptional is not simply the volume of work she completed, but the way she consistently approached every request. Regardless of competing priorities, month-end close responsibilities, or ever-changing reporting requests, she remained responsive, professional, and committed to finding solutions.
Melissa repeatedly demonstrated an ability to think beyond the initial request and recommend better ways to analyze and present information. Rather than simply producing reports, she partnered with our team to ensure the information told a meaningful story. She proactively suggested alternative reporting structures, created multiple scenarios for comparison, identified additional ways to segment data, and developed new visualizations that helped leadership understand complex business issues more clearly. Whether creating commission analyses, incentive payment scenarios, fee ineligible premium reports, retained revenue studies, or brokerage versus binding authority comparisons, Melissa consistently looked for ways to make the results more actionable and insightful.
One of Melissa’s most impressive qualities is her unwavering commitment to service. Over several months, our team submitted numerous follow-up requests, clarifications, refinements, and entirely new analyses as our understanding of the business evolved. At no point did Melissa complain about the workload or make excuses. Even when openly acknowledging how busy she was or the competing priorities she was balancing, she remained positive, helpful, and focused on delivering quality work. Her attitude never changed. She continuously provided thoughtful updates, set expectations professionally, and followed through on every commitment she made.
Melissa’s responsiveness was equally remarkable. She consistently engaged in collaborative dialogue to ensure she fully understood the business question being asked and often anticipated the next question before it was raised. Her willingness to revise analyses, update reports, create additional tabs, redesign summaries, and build entirely new views helped our leadership team gain meaningful insights that directly supported strategic decision-making.
Most importantly, Melissa’s work significantly enhanced our ability to evaluate Premier Partner relationships, assess incentive program competitiveness, and make informed recommendations that could impact future growth and profitability. Her expertise, creativity, responsiveness, and relentless focus on delivering results transformed complex data into actionable business intelligence.
Melissa is the definition of someone who “gets things done.” She consistently overcomes obstacles, delivers exceptional results, and elevates everyone around her through her professionalism, expertise, and positive attitude. For her outstanding partnership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence, We enthusiastically recommend Melissa May for the Unimaginably Effective GSD Award.
Nominated by Alonzo Dunn
Rob Hill
I am pleased to nominate Rob for the Unimaginably Effective GSD Award. Rob consistently demonstrates an exceptional ability to manage a tremendous workload while maintaining a high level of accuracy, organization, and professionalism. As the Lead Underwriter for USIP, one of the pools we administer, he plays a critical role in ensuring successful renewals and delivering outstanding service to our members and brokers.
One of Rob’s greatest strengths is his ability to stay organized and proactive. He routinely works ahead of renewal timelines, ensuring that key milestones are met and that potential issues are identified before they become challenges. During renewal season, he not only manages the extensive responsibilities associated with leading his own pool but also provides support to other teammates and to the leadership team. He serves as the driving force behind keeping the renewal process moving forward while simultaneously balancing additional projects and priorities that arise throughout the cycle.
What makes Rob especially deserving of this recognition is his willingness to step in wherever needed. Despite managing a demanding workload, he never hesitates to assist teammates, cover responsibilities when others are out of the office, or take on additional tasks to support the team’s success. His reliability and positive attitude make him someone the entire department can count on, regardless of the situation.
Rob’s expertise and deep understanding of underwriting processes have also made him a trusted resource for the department. Because of his knowledge and experience, he is frequently asked to provide training and guidance to fellow underwriters. He is always willing to share what he knows, helping strengthen the team’s capabilities and contributing to the success of those around him.
In addition to his contributions within the department, Rob has built outstanding relationships with both the members and broker partners of USIP. He is highly responsive, quick to answer questions, and committed to providing exceptional service. Whether supporting brokers, members, or teammates, Rob consistently goes above and beyond to ensure needs are addressed and deadlines are met. He often puts in extra hours when necessary, demonstrating a dedication to service that does not go unnoticed.
Rob’s commitment to excellence, strong work ethic, and unwavering reliability make a significant impact on our team and organization every day. His ability to effectively manage complex responsibilities, support his teammates, and deliver exceptional results embodies what it means to “Get Stuff Done.” For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend Rob for the Unimaginably Effective GSD Award. He is truly deserving of this recognition and exemplifies the qualities this award was created to honor.
Nominated by Angela Eloff
Sandi Mills
I would like to nominate Sandi Mills for the Unimaginably Effective GSD (Get Stuff Done) Award.
Sandi exemplifies what it means to BE a Winner who delivers results. Whether she is leading discussions with vendors, driving system implementations, supporting operational teams, or solving complex process challenges, she consistently pushes projects forward and refuses to accept mediocre outcomes.
Over the past year, Sandi has been a driving force behind our HighRadius and BlackLine initiatives. She has invested countless hours ensuring these solutions are designed and implemented correctly, challenging assumptions, identifying risks before they become problems, and advocating for processes that will work effectively for our teams long after implementation. Rather than simply accepting standard configurations, she continuously asks the hard questions and works through the details necessary to improve automation, reconciliation accuracy, and overall operational efficiency.
Sandi’s contributions go far beyond project management. In multiple BlackLine design sessions, she identified opportunities to redesign journal outputs, improve automated bank reconciliations, strengthen matching logic, and increase order-to-cash automation. She consistently focuses on creating scalable solutions that reduce manual work and improve user experience. Her ability to connect operational requirements, system capabilities, and business outcomes has been instrumental in moving these initiatives forward.
What makes Sandi truly exceptional is her relentless commitment to execution. When there is a problem to solve, she tackles it head-on. When a vendor provides an incomplete answer, she keeps digging until the team has the information needed to move forward. When deliverables are due, she ensures accountability across all parties involved. Simply put, if Sandi is involved in a project, everyone knows the work will continue moving toward completion because she does not allow obstacles or delays to derail progress.
She is also an invaluable partner and teammate. Colleagues know that when Sandi is on their side, she will do everything possible to help accomplish the objective. She brings energy, persistence, expertise, and a genuine desire to make processes better for everyone. Her results speak for themselves through the operational improvements, implementation successes, and automation enhancements she continues to champion throughout the organization.
For her unwavering determination, commitment to excellence, ability to drive meaningful results, and unmatched talent for getting things done, I am proud to nominate Sandi Mills for the Unimaginably Effective GSD Award. She truly embodies what it means to “BE a Winner.”
Nominated by Taylor Burnett
Sarah Bishoff
We are honored to nominate Sarah Bishoff for the Unimaginably Effective GSD Award. Sarah exemplifies what it means to BE a Winner through her relentless focus on execution, problem-solving, and delivering results that protect and strengthen our business.
In her role as Enterprise Project Manager, Sarah consistently drives critical initiatives forward, including the successful implementation of new products and the expansion of our operational capabilities. She has a remarkable ability to translate complex objectives into actionable plans and ensure momentum is maintained from concept through execution. When projects face challenges, Sarah is the person who brings teams together, works through obstacles, and ensures commitments become results.
What makes Sarah’s contributions especially impactful is her willingness to take ownership far beyond the traditional scope of her role. She plays a critical role in the reconciliation of more than 40,000 policies, helping ensure every policy receives the appropriate renewal offer, non-renewal, or cancellation and that required documents are generated as expected.
Sarah is also instrumental in overseeing recovery efforts when processing issues are identified. Rather than simply flagging problems, she takes ownership of finding solutions. She works diligently with the team to identify root causes, determine the population of impacted policies, and coordinate cross-functional response efforts involving IT, Programs, Compliance, Underwriting, Accounting, and Service Operations. Her persistence, attention to detail, and ability to bring together diverse teams have helped resolve thousands of issues that could have otherwise created significant operational, financial, or regulatory risk.
Sarah’s work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the organization. Her leadership, diligence, and ability to execute have strengthened our operational foundation, supported business growth, and helped ensure we continue to meet our commitments to agents and policyholders. Simply put, Sarah is the type of teammate every organization needs: dependable, resourceful, collaborative, and relentlessly focused on getting the right things done.
Nominated by James Watje
Victoria McCarthy
Vicky consistently embodies what it means to “Get Stuff Done.” She approaches every challenge with a positive, solutions-focused mindset and can always be relied upon to deliver results. Rather than waiting for direction or support, she takes ownership, drives progress, and ensures objectives are achieved to a high standard.
A standout achievement this year has been the successful transfer of a significant book of business into the company. Despite working with a broker that can be particularly demanding, Vicky managed the process professionally and efficiently, requiring little to no support from the wider team. Her persistence, organisation, and determination ensured the transition was completed successfully and with minimal disruption.
Vicky also sets a fantastic example through her ambition and commitment to self-development. She actively seeks opportunities to grow, embraces new challenges, and is always willing to support the team whenever asked. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic have a noticeable impact on those around her.
Most importantly, her results speak for themselves. Her 2026 performance has been excellent, with a conversion rate exceeding 40%, demonstrating her ability to turn opportunities into outcomes while contributing to the team’s overall success.
Vicky’s productivity, ownership, resilience, and consistent delivery make her a highly deserving recipient of the Unimaginably Effective GSD Award.
Nominated by Jack Doherty
Operational Excellence Superstar Finalists
Aisha Apeldoorn
Aisha Apeldoorn consistently demonstrates operational excellence through her commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement. She is always looking for ways to make processes smarter, reduce manual effort, and create solutions that are both effective and user-friendly.
Aisha has a proven track record of improving workflows and driving efficiency gains. She helped develop an “enter it once” processing template that significantly streamlined policy workflows and supported teams in reducing backlogs. She has also led ongoing enhancements to reporting and analytics tools, including improvements that reduced a process that once took approximately 30 minutes to complete down to under a minute. In addition, she has continually refined production tracking and management tools through multiple iterations to better support both operational teams and leadership reporting.
More recently, Aisha has played a key role in designing future workbook and workflow solutions by documenting business requirements, mapping data structures, identifying dependencies, and challenging the team to think critically about usability, scalability, and long-term maintainability. Her structured approach helps ensure solutions are built correctly from the start while remaining flexible enough to evolve with changing business needs.
What stands out most is Aisha’s dedication to continuous improvement. Whether evaluating existing processes, automating manual tasks, exploring new technologies, or refining user experiences, she consistently encourages smarter ways of working and inspires those around her to look for opportunities to improve. Her focus on quality, efficiency, and practical innovation makes her an outstanding example of operational excellence.
Nominated by Ashley Mallen
Angela Oroian
I’m nominating Angela Oroian, MS for the Operational Excellence Award because she embodies operational excellence in everything she does.
Angela brings a rare combination of positivity, curiosity, and drive to our team every single day. She’s always learning, always asking questions, and always looking for ways to make our operations run better, not just for herself, but for everyone around her. Her energy is genuinely contagious. She’s the kind of teammate who makes the whole team want to raise their own bar and is an inspiration to all of us.
What sets Angela apart is how intentional she is about improvement. She doesn’t wait for problems to surface. She proactively engages with the entire team to understand where support is needed and where efficiencies can be gained. Her monthly round tables are a great example of this in action. She’s built a real feedback loop where the team can share ideas, surface challenges, and access best practices, ensuring nothing falls short of the high standards she holds for our operations.
Angela is also a broad thinker and a go-getter. She doesn’t just refine existing processes. She looks at the bigger picture, connecting operational improvements to the experience our clients ultimately receive. She is customer obsessed and in everything she doesn’t she doesn’t lose sight of our team delivering an exceptional customer experience. Because of her, our clients get a smoother, more exceptional experience, and our team operates with greater consistency and confidence.
Simply put, our team wouldn’t be where it is today without Angela’s dedication to building exceptional operational systems. She’s a role model for what it looks like to genuinely love your work and bring that passion into how you support others. She sets a high bar and then helps everyone around her reach it too, which is exactly what this award is meant to celebrate.
Angela truly is BE Smart in action, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.
Nominated by Kari Kohal
Britney Yatrakis
Britney is always the go to person in our department, whether it is underwriting or the implementation of our new system. She is always helpful. She has the patience to answer any question and to help anyone with any problem. She is the person that will always get things done or will help to ensure that things get done. She is always pleasant to work with. She will always go above and beyond to help with anything you ask her for.
Nominated by Patti Sacino
Britney Yatrakis
Britney was a key player in transitioning from our old processing software. She helped build and modify our current software to suit our needs, which helped to increase productivity and ease of use.
Nominated by Spencer Irving
Britney Yatrakis
Britney is dedicated, knows everything and if she doesn’t she will help get the answer you are looking for. She is always five steps ahead and will train and guide the underwriting teams as well as other teammates in other departments.
Nominated by Robert Rowe
Britney Yatrakis
Britney is an amazing teammate. She is super knowledgeable of her job and a great trainer. When training she provides great examples and gives a step by step of the process. She is smart and has great communication skills. Every insurance question I have had, she can answer.
Nominated by Maureen Chino
Britney Yatrakis
Britney consistently demonstrates proactive leadership. She has been an essential resource to our underwriting team. Whether it’s questions or challenges regarding the program software used or underwriting strategies, Britney’s prompt response and support enables us to perform our jobs better.
Nominated by Margaret White
Britney Yatrakis
Britney is so hardworking & incredibly helpful to the entire team. She is truly deserving of this
Nominated by Kelsey Cahill-McQuan
Britney Yatrakis
Britney is the Superstar of NYMIR! She is continuously making sure the programs we use all day, are up to speed and then teaching/helping us on every one of them. She always makes herself available to assist her co-workers, even meaning putting her own work to a halt. We would be absolutely lost without her!
Nominated by Jessica Morrison
Britney Yatrakis
Always very helpful, expertise in all areas. A total Champion in the team.
Nominated by Javier Arango
Britney Yatrakis
Thank you, Britney, for always having the answer.
Nominated by Jailyn Archer
Britney Yatrakis
Britney is an amazing teammate. She is hard wording, dedicated and available to teammates for learning procedures and direction of how to handle daily tasks. She is extremely organized and is focused on continuously learning and developing best practices to manage daily activities. Britney is the go-to person for questions regarding our new system Quicksolver. She played a key role in the design, development, rating, testing, and training.
Britney is always available to give advice and assist with problem solving. She has a great understanding of department roles and is always willing to collaborate with teammates for input and instructions. She always takes initiative to streamline processes and explain those processes to teammates.
Britney clearly meets the Operational Excellence Superstar Award. I fully support her nomination.
Nominated by Diane Kramer
Edson De Carvalho
I wholeheartedly nominate Edson for the Operational Excellence Superstar award. Edson consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement in everything he does.
Throughout the year, he has identified opportunities to enhance processes, streamline workflows, and improve the experience for both internal and external stakeholders. Rather than accepting the status quo, he actively seeks smarter, more effective ways to achieve results while maintaining a strong focus on accuracy, service excellence, and long-term scalability.
In addition to his individual contributions, Edson fosters collaboration and shares his expertise generously with colleagues and clients alike. He is proactive in offering ideas, championing process improvements, and helping others adopt more efficient and effective approaches to their work. Personally, I have benefited from his willingness to share knowledge, provide guidance, and challenge me to think differently about how we can continuously improve.
Edson’s dedication to operational excellence, high standards, and innovation has had a meaningful impact on our organization. He consistently leads by example, inspiring those around him to embrace smarter ways of working and to pursue continuous improvement. We would not be the successful eCommerce service provider we are today without his expertise, organizational prowess, leadership, and positive attitude. For these reasons, I believe Edson is highly deserving of the Operational Excellence Superstar award.
Nominated by Rebecca Sivak
Lindsey Shank
When our prior office leader departed the firm, Lindsey was suddenly left holding the reins on our entire office relocation — a project she hadn’t planned to run alone, with no handoff and no playbook. She stepped up immediately and owned it start to finish.
The move was anything but smooth. Midstream changes to the floor plan forced her to rework logistics on the fly, and permitting delays pushed the timeline back significantly, creating real uncertainty for the team about when and how the transition would happen. Instead of letting that uncertainty sit with everyone else, Lindsey absorbed it. She kept the office continuously informed with regular updates, fielded a steady stream of questions from teammates, and held meetings — complete with photos of the space as it progressed — so people could see the process unfolding and feel like part of it rather than left in the dark.
What stood out most was how she balanced two things that are hard to hold at once: managing the actual mechanics of a complicated, delayed relocation, while also protecting the team’s morale and trust throughout it. She advocated for the office’s needs at every turn, and she did it all — as she does everything — with a good attitude that kept the team steady even when the project itself was anything but.
Lindsey didn’t just manage a move. She led people through a disruptive, uncertain period and made them feel informed, involved, and taken care of the entire way. That’s operational excellence in action.
Nominated by Kimberly Norris
Marisa Tranghese
Since stepping into the Director of Underwriting and Operations role in 2024, Marisa Tranghese has taken on the difficult, often invisible work of resetting our operational foundation. Her impact shows up both in how much the team relies on her and in real, measurable revenue.
Marisa led an extensive rewrite of SOPs and guidelines across multiple carrier partnerships, including long-standing relationships with Swiss Re and Navigators. With Navigators, she spent 18 months building an entirely new bordereaux process from the ground up. She also managed the full migration of our yacht program to a new carrier. That meant navigating a difficult fronting relationship while building new workflows, verifying state compliance, writing forms and guidelines, and moving the program into a new operating system.
Her work with Swiss Re, our largest partner, tells the full story of what she’s capable of. Marisa first resolved the operational and service issues that had been holding the relationship back, rebuilding our audit performance from the low/mid-80s to 96% and restoring monthly CAT and rate monitoring reports we had fallen behind on contractually. That turnaround changed the relationship. Swiss Re had been unwilling to make any concessions until our performance improved, and once it did, Marisa’s work directly enabled a commission increase worth roughly $550K in added annual revenue. She also discovered an existing Swiss Re service fee reimbursement process that One80 wasn’t fully utilizing, maxed it out for 2025, and flagged to management that our actual spend exceeded the reimbursement cap. That led to a conversation with Swiss Re, who realized the cap hadn’t been revisited in years and raised it from $100K to $150K annually. Altogether, the operational fixes she drove with Swiss Re have brought nearly $700K in additional revenue to One80.
Marisa was also instrumental in the launch of StaffPro, a new staffing agency program projected to generate approximately $1M in revenue. StaffPro was PMC’s brainchild, but they brought Marisa in for her operational expertise, and the program simply couldn’t have happened without her. She joined the project in February 2026 and immediately kept things moving on our end, following up with teams and staying on top of every open item. From April to July, the carrier delayed sending the forms and rating plans we needed to move forward. As soon as that information arrived, Marisa had everything ready by August. The October 2026 launch reflects the carrier’s timeline, not ours. Between StaffPro and the Swiss Re turnaround, Marisa’s efforts have contributed to nearly $1.7M in added revenue to One80 marine this year alone.
Marisa is also the person who keeps our underwriting programs moving. Teammates across the practice rely on her for fast, direct answers when questions come up. She has spearheaded the underwriting analysis behind a new inland marine program, in development since April 2026 and set to launch in the fourth quarter. That work has included pitching and finalizing rates with the carrier and confirming forms, system, and compliance readiness. The program is expected to add $400K in revenue in 2027. She also rebuilt our inland marine builders risk rater in 2026 to capture more data, which will let us expand the program to more carriers, rate perils more specifically, and write business more efficiently. That change is expected to generate another $200K in 2027.
Beyond the numbers, Marisa has earned the trust and appreciation of the entire legacy One80 marine team. She has become a true pillar of stability and solutions, the person people turn to when something needs to be done right. If anyone embodies operational excellence, it’s Marisa.
Nominated by Matthew Roper
Marla Mitchell
I would like to nominate Marla Mitchell for the BE Smart Operational Excellence Superstar award. She doesn’t simply improve processes; she improves the experience for everyone involved, creating sustainable operational enhancements that support growth while maintaining exceptional service standards. In her role, she consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence by seeking smarter, more efficient ways of working that benefit both American Specialty’s customers and teammates. A great example of this is her leadership in developing and implementing the new operational workflow for renewals, creating efficiencies that eliminate unnecessary handoffs and redundant tasks, while giving brokers direct access to the expertise they need! All of this while also providing growth opportunities for teammates. Beyond process improvements, she actively seeks feedback from teams to understand their needs and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. She is committed to ensuring teammates have access to the right training, tools, and resources to perform their jobs successfully, while maintaining a top-notch broker experience. Her focus on quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement will undoubtedly play a significant role in supporting the growth of American Specialty. Through her collaborative approach and dedication to operational excellence, she inspires those around her to embrace innovation and continuously look for better ways to work.
Nominated by Norine Culotta
Rachel duCille
Rachel is an exceptional candidate for the “Operational Excellence Superstar” of the Year award. Throughout the past several years, she has successfully navigated a variety of roles as organizational priorities and business needs evolved, consistently demonstrating adaptability, professionalism, and a positive attitude. Regardless of where she has been asked to contribute, Rachel remains a trusted resource and a key player across numerous programs she has supported. Her patience, grit, and determination are unmatched, and she is always focused on ensuring work moves in the right direction while helping others succeed along the way. Rachel’s strong organizational skills and solution-oriented mindset have helped identify and reduce pain points, improving processes and supporting operational efficiency. She is frequently relied upon by colleagues at every level, from frontline team members to executives, to step in, provide guidance, share knowledge, or simply be a dependable partner. One of Rachel’s greatest strengths is her willingness to help; whenever I reach out to her, I know she will respond, offer thoughtful guidance, and help drive the best possible solution. While I believe “Operational Excellence Superstar” is the category that best reflects her contributions, Rachel exemplifies the qualities represented across all award categories at an exceptionally high level. Thank you for considering Rachel for this well-deserved recognition.
Nominated by Tamara Martin
SarahJane Terry
SarahJane Terry is the embodiment of Operational Excellence and is exceptionally deserving of the BE Smart Award. With more than 16 years of wholesale brokerage insurance experience spanning underwriting, brokerage placement, leadership, and project management, SarahJane brings a rare combination of operational expertise, strategic vision, and execution excellence. Since I joined the LocalEdge team 18 months ago, SarahJane has become a transformative force, elevating not only processes and performance, but also the people around her. Her ability to identify opportunities, design scalable solutions, and drive meaningful changes has had a measurable impact across the organization.
SarahJane has been instrumental in engineering and optimizing the operational framework that supports our onshore and offshore service model. Through her leadership, process design, and commitment to continuous improvement, our team of 7 onshore and 26 offshore teammates effectively supported more than 80 brokers and underwriters while processing over 187,000 transactions this year alone. She consistently raises the standard for quality, efficiency, and accountability by creating sustainable workflows, developing best practices, and implementing standardized procedures that improve both customer and teammate experiences. Her ability to rapidly assess challenges, build effective solutions, and execute complex initiatives with precision has been critical to the success and scalability of our operation.
What truly distinguishes SarahJane is her forward-thinking mindset and unwavering commitment to organizational growth. She is not only a process architect but also a trusted advisor who inspires others to challenge the status quo and pursue smarter, more effective ways of working. SarahJane has a unique ability to translate vision into action, balancing immediate business needs with long-term strategic objectives. Her influence extends far beyond her role, fostering collaboration, innovation, and operational discipline throughout the organization. Simply put, the scale, efficiency, and quality improvements our team has achieved would not have been possible without her leadership. SarahJane exemplifies what it means to be an Operational Excellence Superstar, and her impact makes her an outstanding candidate for this recognition.
Nominated by Regina Zehner
Tina Roberts
I am pleased to nominate Tina Roberts, a claims supervisor at Wright Flood, for an Opt-In Award in the Operational Excellence Superstar category.
Tina Roberts leads by asking what the team could do better and then getting it done. During her four years at Wright Flood, she has combined strong operational leadership during catastrophe events with a steady focus on developing the people around her.
Tina is a forward-thinking teammate and is always looking for ways to improve the department and develop her team. One key advancement that she introduced in 2026 is a way to build a career path for Claims Team Representatives (CTRs). Previously, CTRs started as a CTR and remained a CTR, seemingly with nothing structured to grow and aspire to. She restructured the role into Levels 1, 2, and 3, which gave the team a straightforward way to advance. Her supervisor called it “huge” for the CTRs, and they responded enthusiastically.
That was just one area that demonstrates strategic thinking, organizational awareness, and a genuine understanding of the evolving CTR function. It correctly identifies the business problem, continued career pathing, and it supports the claims customer experience.
She strives to bring out the best ideas in her team. Tina doesn’t hand down every solution. She tells her team what she wants to accomplish and asks them to bring back their ideas, because they do the work every day and know where the process can improve.
As a supervisor in the claims department, Tina leads during catastrophes. When a storm hits, she takes on the administrative side of the response, including first notice of loss, customer service, phone coverage, and the administration staff that supports them. During Hurricanes Milton and Helene, she managed three separate groups at once: our direct team and two outside vendor teams, Colonial Claims and Pilot. That included several onsite visits to provide support and ongoing training.
She handled onboarding, offboarding, and vendor invoicing, and she oversaw the equipment our teammates needed, including laptops and headsets. Her supervisor said the department ran so smoothly that she needed to do little in that particular area.
Tina constantly strives for improvements in the overall process. She has also proposed a new way to run the next storm response. Experienced CTRs would mentor and guide the outside teams working for us. One would oversee the admin work and report back to her, and another would watch phone hold times. This spreads the workload so she isn’t pulled in every direction, and it gives her people real leadership experience.
Tina is a trusted partner across the company. She is respected by her own team and by other departments. IT staff consult her because she is eager to learn and quick to act, and she works well with other groups across the company.
Nominated by Rob Langrell
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