The Conversation That Changed Everything: Mike Koscielny’s Path to Insurance Education
Mike Koscielny believes that one conversation can change a life because it changed his. Today, as founder and CEO of Born2Lead, LLC, he helps insurance professionals and emerging leaders discover their own potential through education, mentorship, and leadership development. With more than 44 years of insurance experience, an MBA in Risk Management and Insurance, CPCU and CIC designations, and a career that spans underwriting, marketing, product management, sales, and executive leadership, Mike brings both technical expertise and real-world wisdom to the classroom.
His qualifications are extensive. A tenured CIC instructor since 2016, Mike has served in senior leadership roles across the industry, including Vice President of Underwriting at Florida Peninsula Insurance Company. He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching graduate-level risk management and insurance courses and currently serves as President of the Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators. Add in three published books, numerous articles, and decades of volunteer leadership, and it is easy to see why students value the perspective he brings to every class.
Yet Mike traces the start of his insurance journey to a coworker named Laura. Early in his career at a Chicago bank, she noticed something he had not yet recognized in himself. “You’re really good with people,” she told him, encouraging him to explore opportunities in insurance. That simple conversation opened the door to a profession that would become his life’s work. Today, Mike often reflects on Laura as the quiet catalyst who saw leadership potential before he held a leadership title.
That belief in the power of encouragement shapes his teaching. His favorite moments occur when a student suddenly connects a complex concept to a real-world challenge and says, “I finally get it.” One Alliance class stands out in particular. After working through a difficult coverage scenario, a participant remarked, “I’ve been doing this job for three years, and no one has ever explained it this clearly.”
For Mike, those moments are why he teaches. Watching confusion turn into confidence, and confidence turn into action, is deeply rewarding. He sees every class as an opportunity to help someone grow professionally, serve clients more effectively, and perhaps discover new potential in themselves, just as Laura helped him discover his own years ago.
Connect. Learn. Own Your Potential.
Click below to dive deeper with Mike and other Alliance Faculty!
Michael Koscielny, CIC, MBA, CPCU, ITP, ARe, API, AIC, AIS
is the founder and CEO of Born2Lead, LLC. The goal of Born2Lead is education, business consulting, and to develop and mentor emerging leaders in every industry for roles of greater responsibility. Sharing leadership skills that have a proven track record for success in group and personal settings helps young professionals bridge the gap as they prepare themselves not only technically but as future leaders.
Mike has written numerous articles and given many presentations. He published his first book, Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership in 2023, his second Layoffs Suck! How to Survive a Layoff! in March of 2024 and his third in 2026; Ten Hail Mary’s and a Peanut Butter Sandwich. He is also published in The CPCU Society’s Insights Magazine and the International Risk Management Institutes publications.
Mike has served as Vice President of Underwriting at Florida Peninsula Insurance Company, Sarasota, Florida. He has more than 44 years’ experience, recently creating innovative processes in underwriting and pricing, for the insurance industry. He has contributed to the success of MunichRe/American Modern Insurance, Auto Club Group, Kemper Insurance and SAFECO Insurance in various roles including underwriting, marketing, sales, product management and executive leadership.
Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and history from Northern Illinois University in 1980 and a master’s in business administration (MBA) in Risk Management and Insurance from The University of Olivet in 2021.
He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for the MBA programs teaching risk management, Commercial Property Coverages, Commercial Liability Coverages and Property and Casualty Insurance Company Financials. Mike is also an RMI Adjunct Professor at Marquette University.
In addition, he has held the CPCU designation since 1996 and earned his CIC designation in 1991. Mike has been a tenured CIC since 2016. These experiences make him uniquely prepared to share his knowledge of the insurance industry.
Mike has served as a volunteer in various organizations in roles including CPCU Society President in 2017 and 2017-2018 President of the Underwriting Executives Council. Over the past 30 years he served the CPCU Society as Leadership Council member, Chapter Governor, Chair of the Champions Advisory Committee, Chair of the Interest Group Task Force, and President of the Cincinnati and Northwest Chicago Chapters. He currently serves as the President of the Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators.
A past volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America, Junior Achievement of Chicago, Insuring the Children of Cincinnati, and Project InVest Florida has allowed him to champion young emerging leaders.
