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White logo stating "Emerging Talent Partners Program"
Emerging Talent Brochure
Virtual Career Connections
Virtual Academy

Tomorrow’s Insurance Professionals Start Here!

The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance’s Emerging Talent Program offers a sustainable talent solution. Through the CISR High School and University Associate Programs, students gain technical training, industry immersion, and the opportunity to earn nationally recognized designations BEFORE they graduate! Future Agents, Customer Service Representatives, Brokers, Underwriters, and more are earning the CISR, CIC, and CRM designations, providing a significant advantage as they enter the workforce.

High School Initiatives
University Initiatives

Thank You to Our Emerging Talent Partners!

Industry partnerships make our talent initiatives possible.

 Funding from our Emerging Talent Partners supports high school licenses, FREE digital textbooks, scholarships, summer industry immersion through Virtual Career Connections, and so much more! Local industry partners bolster student success through volunteer speakers, job shadows, and work-based learning opportunities.

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2026 Emerging Talent Contributors

Spencer Educational Foundation

Samba Safety

Higginbotham

Hippo Insurance

PIA of NY NJ CT

Ascot Group

HighStreet Insurance & Financial Services

InterWest Insurance Services

McGriff

PIA Southern Alliance

Alabama IIA

PIA of Virginia & DC

Big I Illinois

Big I Michigan

Big I Minnesota

GSM Insurors

IA&B of PA MD & DE

IIA of Kentucky

IIAB of Arizona

IIAB of South Carolina

Insurors of Tennessee

Massachusetts AIA

PIA Nebraska Iowa

PIA of Kentucky

PIA of Oregon

PIA of Wisconsin

Utah IA

Cindy Baroway, CPCU, M.Ed., AIC

Jill Bisco, Ph.D., CIC, CRM, CPRM, CSRM

Denise D. Brown, CIC, CPCU, AINS, AIC, ARM, CISC, CRIS, AIS, MLIS, AFIS, CAWC

Jack Elliott

Beckie Ervin, CIC, CRM

Lindsey A. Shank, CIC

Lyndsay R. Kooistra, CIC

Texas Mutual Workforce Development Grant

Spencer Educational Foundation

Samba Safety

Higginbotham

Amwins

Hippo Insurance

Texas Mutual

Watkins Agency

PIA of NY NJ CT

Ascot Group

Big I Arkansas

Bold Penguin

HighStreet Insurance & Financial Services

InterWest Insurance Services

McGriff

Insurance Agents Alliance of Texas (IAAT)

Propel Insurance/Alera Group

Seibert Insurance Agency

PIA Southern Alliance

Alabama IIA

IIA of Indiana

PIA of Virginia & DC

Arlington/Roe

Big I Illinois

Big I Michigan

Big I Minnesota

Erie Indemnity Company

FAIA

GSM Insurors

IA&B of PA MD & DE

IIA of Kentucky

IIA of North Carolina

IIAB of Arizona

IIAB of South Carolina

Insurors of Tennessee

Massachusetts AIA

Missouri AIA

PIA Nebraska Iowa

PIA of Kentucky

PIA of Oregon

PIA of Wisconsin

Utah IA

Mandy Alvarado

Mili Banerjee-Pal

Cynthia Baroway

Elizabeth Benhart

Jill Bisco

Fred Rick Bondurant

Charles Bratton

Deborah Brcka

Gary Broesch

Jeff Buck

Meagan Cannada

Brian Chiolan

Noelle Codispoti

Lisa Dillon

Bettie Duff

Mitch Dunford

Beckie Ervin

Lisa Evans

Sharla Floyd

Michelle Haynes

William Hold

Danielle Janecka

Tandeka Nomvete

Terese Schauber

Karl Sherrill

Nick Swartz

Marguerite Tortorello

Mark Wall

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YOUR support helps students discover careers in risk and insurance, earn professional designations early, and step confidently into the workforce. Join us in shaping the future of our industry!

Become A Partner
My early exposure to the insurance industry during high school laid a strong foundation and sparked my enthusiasm for this field. Pursuing a university degree in Risk Management and Insurance helped me identify how and where I could make meaningful contributions, ultimately guiding me to my role as a Risk and Insurance Manager.
Cameron Alford, MSRI, ARM Manager, Insurance CSL Behring
I wholeheartedly support the Emerging Talent Program. Developing young insurance professionals through early education, exposure, and training is essential to building a strong, innovative workforce. Investing in talent not only shapes individual career paths but also strengthens the future resilience and growth of our industry. It empowers the next generation to lead with knowledge, integrity, and passion.
Meagan CannadaEVP, BI Client Services Marsh McLennan Agency, Southeast
I love talking about all the opportunities in the insurance industry because I’m proof that it really opens doors. Whether you’re into analytics, sales, leadership, finance, technology—or just figuring it out as you go—there’s a place for everyone!  Choosing a career can feel overwhelming, but with so many different roles to explore, it’s easy to find the right fit in insurance.
Lisa Evans, CIC, CRMVP Distribution & Customer Engagement, Texas Mutual Insurance Company
Supporting emerging talent ensures the longevity of our industry. When we empower new voices and diverse skill sets from tech, finance, and education, we strengthen the insurance ecosystem for the future. I was lucky enough to grow up in an insurance family, so by high school, I was already working in an agency and learning the business firsthand. I now have the privilege of speaking to high school students about insurance, and their energy and enthusiasm for the industry are truly inspiring.
Rick McCathron CPCU, CICPresident & CEO, Hippo Insurance
Early exposure to professional education is a game-changer! It builds confidence, accelerates growth, and helps young professionals see the bigger picture of our industry. The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance makes that possible by equipping young professionals with the technical tools to lead in our evolving industry.
Claire Richardson, ACI, CISRSenior Captive Consultant, Global Captive Solutions Hylant
It can be overwhelming to think about what you want pursue as a career that fuels your passion, makes an impact and offers security when you are high school! Creating awareness early on what a great pathway can look like, the possibilities, impact of the work and a realistic preview of the work itself is huge to making informed decisions about one’s career!
Mili Banerjee-Pal, AVPLearning & Development, The Cincinnati Insurance Company
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Contact us for more information about our Emerging Talent Programs, bringing the CISR High School Program to a school near you, or to donate today.

Headshot of Noelle Codispoti.

Noelle Codispoti, CPCU, ARM

Head of the Academy
Director, Emerging Talent Programs

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