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EdCo 2026 Educational Conference
January 29th, 2026


Please join us at The Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Pkwy SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30339. 

AGENDA


Thursday, January 29, 2026


7:30 - 8:30 AM Registration  & Breakfast


8:30 - 8:45 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks

  • Brian Nulty, Chapter President, Atlanta RIMS
  • James Burgess, Conference Chair, 2026 Educational Conference

8:45 - 9:45 KEYNOTE

  • Sam Wilkin: Director of Political Risk Analytics, WTW

    Session Title: Navigating the New Geopolitical Risk Frontier

    Sam Wilkin is director of political risk analytics at WTW, where he advises clients globally on geopolitical risks. He is also the author of three books on geopolitics and political risk. He previously served as head of business research at Oxford Economics and associate director of the consulting practice at Oxford Analytica. In 2017 and 2018 he was a visiting fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University.



9:45- 10:30 AM Break/Networking Time

10:30 - 11:30 AM Breakout Sessions


Session A1:
2026 Risk Manager Roundtable Trends and Sparkling Conversations

This roundtable will feature expert insights, engaging discussions, and collaborative idea-sharing to address critical challenges and opportunities in risk management. 

Moderator - Wendy Sumrell, Gallagher Bassett

Panelist

Tamieka Weeks, Director Global Risk Management & Insurance Southwire 


Kevin Wnukiewicz, Sr. Director of Insurance and Risk Management, Floor & Decor

Brian Nulty, Director of Insurance, Safety & Risk Management, Tailored Brands, Inc

    Session A2:

    An exploration of cyber insurance claims, tailored for professionals seeking to deepen your expertise

    We will guide the audience through the intricacies of the claim process and negotiating claims with insurance companies, providing strategies to secure favorable outcomes. The session will address potential coverage issues that may arise during the claim process, equipping the audience with the knowledge to navigate these challenges effectively. From the vantage point of the risk management department, we will examine the holistic management of claims, emphasizing coordination and strategic oversight 

    Moderator- Kendra Coleman, Ankura Consulting Group

    Panelist

    Mona Sullivan, Lead, Senior Advisor, CP



    Peter A. Halprin, Partner, Insurance Recovery Practice Group



    Session A3: 
    Premises Liability: Legal Foundations, Claim Investigation, and Expert Strategy

    Provides a practical overview of the legal foundations of premises liability and how they inform effective claim investigation, from classic slip, trip, and fall cases to more complex exposures requiring specialized expertise. Attendees will explore accident causation, property owner responsibilities, and best practices for selecting and using consulting versus testifying experts, including factors that can lead to expert disqualification


     Justin M. Grammer, P.E., CPSI, Rimkus



    11:45 - 1:15 PM Lunch and Networking 

    1:30 - 2:30  PM Breakout Sessions (Choose 1)

    Session B1:

    Decoding the 2026 Landscape: Strategic Risk Management Across Builders Risk, Surety, and Casualty Lines


    This panel of insurance brokers will break down the 2026 market outlook across Builders Risk, Surety, and Casualty, highlighting key capacity shifts, pricing trends, and underwriting pressures impacting risk managers. Attendees will gain practical strategies for structuring programs, managing volatility, and aligning coverage decisions with broader enterprise risk goals in a rapidly evolving insurance landscape



    Moderators

    Claressa Dowell, Risk & Compliance, Vanderlande



    Kim Jarrett, VP Workers Compensation & Safety, PruittHealth




    Mark Swank,CPCU, ARM, EVP, Commercial Services, McGriff





    Chad Radford,  VP,  Marketing Account Executive, McGriff



    Ann Coleman, CIC, CISR, CRIS

    Builders Risk Broker – Senior Vice President

    Ben Stahl, MS, AFSB, CPCU Senior Vice President & Commercial Surety Broker 

    Session B2:
    DIY and DIR (Do It Right) Considerations for as Great and Useful SOV

    This session will focus, via quick session awareness (and some solutions) on the development and reliance on specific areas of the SOV: Property Damage values, COPE, some BI, best practices by addressing property Valuation Tools and Fundamentals, Strategic Impact, Operational Efficiency

    Ian Groves - StempleCrites

    Jeff Stemple -  President and CFO of StempleCrites

    Session B3:

    Reputation Risk is now a Balance Sheet Risk - and an Insurable One 

    Reputational risk can impact your organization at any moment. Are you prepared to safeguard your brand before, during, and after an event? An insightful session designed to empower risk managers with actionable strategies to protect and enhance their programs.

    Learning Lessons:

    --Pre-Event Measures: Proactive strategies to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate risks before they escalate.

    --During the Event: Effective crisis management techniques to control the narrative and minimize damage.

    --Post-Event Actions: Recovery plans to rebuild trust and strengthen your reputation for the future.

    Presenter: Casey Boggs, President & Chief Reputation Officer, Reputation US

    Casey Boggs

    2:30 - 2:45 PM Coffee Break

    2:45 - 3:45 PM Breakout Sessions (Choose 1)

    Session C1:
    Leveraging Alternative Risk Transfer for Long Term Resilience

    In the current market environment, it's essential to manage capital efficiently and plan for long-term volatility. Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) Solutions are customized to client requirements. The participants will learn about the mechanics and value propositions of different ART solutions to think about ways they can allocate spending for insurance maximizing capital efficiency.


    Presenter- Siddhartha Tapaswi, Senior VP, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions America Holding


    Session C2:
    Successfully Preparing, Managing, and Auditing Water Mitigation Losses- The Loss Team Perspective

    This session provides a loss team perspective on successfully preparing for, managing, and auditing water mitigation losses to reduce cost, confusion, and delays. Attendees will learn how establishing a dedicated Loss Management Team and clear procedures before a loss occurs improves collaboration, identifies complications early, and accelerates claim resolution. The session also explores how technology, cost segregation, and detailed loss analysis help align scope, costs, and policy requirements for faster, cleaner outcomes.

    Presenters: Timothy Eplee

    Theresa Power Severson: Senior Vice President of Insurance and Risk - Kite Realty Group

    Joe Patten

    Mark Cantalamessa: Managing Partner -  YA Group

    BRETT DOUGLAS


    Session C3
    AI and your cyber insurance policy: Best Practices, Risks and Insurance Coverage considerations


    4:00 - 5:00 PM Breakout Sessions (Choose 1)

    Session D1:
    Student Session: Personal Branding

    Personal Branding - We all know and prefer certain brands when we're shopping, traveling, or picking a place to eat. The same is true for employers, hiring managers, and your colleagues. Do you know what your brand says? Join me in learning more about how your brand influences others.

    Rodger Simms: Human Resources Business Partner

    Session D2:
    Actuarial Strategies That Move The Needle

    Discuss practical ways to apply actuarial principles beyond traditional reserving and pricing, helping organizations make informed decisions and optimize performance. 

    Presenter- Frank Huang, CEO, Davies' Insurance Solutions North America 


    Session D3:

    The AI Shift: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future disruptor—it is a present force

    AI reshaping how organizations operate, manage talent, and mitigate risk. This session explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce

    Presenters

    • Marinus Van Driel, Workforce Transformation Leader, AON
    • Andrea Walsh, Partner, Talent Solutions, AON

    • Meghan Anzlec, Global Leader of Transformation Solutions





    5:00 - 7:00 PM HAPPY HOUR RECEPTION

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