Schedule and Session Details

2020 U40 Virtual Connect | October 19-22

All functions will be virtually hosted. Schedule times are displayed in ET.

Monday, October 19

11:00 a.m. - Noon U40 Board Welcome, WSIA Presidential Address, Association and Legislative Update
   
  Adam Care, Hartford Steam Boiler, U40 Vice President
Erin Dolan, RSUI, U40 President
Brady Kelley, WSIA
Bryan Sanders, Markel Specialty, WSIA President
   
  Hear perspectives from U40 and association leadership on the current state of the market and the complex legislative and regulatory landscape.
   
 12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Network Beyond Bias
   
  Amy Waninger, CPCU, Lead At Any Level
   
  Is your professional network as diverse as the workforce and community around you? If not, you could be missing important opportunities for your career and your company. Learn about the challenges we all face in making meaningful connections, the impacts of these missed connections, and how to recognize and overcome them. This session will help you remove the artificial barriers that may be keeping you from your next mentor, star hire or big customer.

Tuesday, October 20

11:00 a.m. - Noon U40 Leaders Panel
   
  Panelists:
Annie Dawson, RT Specialty
Nicole Krakora, Markel
Kajal Pankhania, White Oak Underwriting Agency
Ravi Singhvi, WKFC Underwriting Managers

Moderator:
Greg Blanford, RT Specialty
   
  A panel representing a cross-section of industry leaders will discuss the future of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines marketplace, the challenges and opportunities E&S professionals may encounter during the next five years and anecdotes from their own experiences as leaders and professionals.
   
 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Roundtable
   
  Join a collaborative dialogue to discuss self-advocacy, building relationships, selling in today's market, D&I and remote work challenges.

Wednesday, October 21

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Claims Case Studies
   
  Brooke Riggs, Frilot, LLC
Brandon Thibideaux, Frilot, LLC
   
  This interactive group discussion will dive into the most interesting claims cases from the perspectives of plaintiff, defendant and jury.

Thursday, October 22

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Navigating Difficult Conversations & Co-worker Conflict
   
  Anthony Boscaglia, USLI
Jennifer Kessel, USG Insurance
   
  During your career, you will come across uncomfortable scenarios such as delivering bad news to someone, resolving internal conflict, talking to your boss about his or her behavior, or giving critical feedback to a team member. These conversations are often filled with anxiety prior to, and can be difficult to undertake, sometimes leading to avoiding the conversation all together. In this interactive session, we will review techniques and skills for preparing for difficult conversations, the use of power phrases, choosing the best platform, communicating with empathy, and the execution of good communication for difficult conversations and conflicts.
   
 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Networking Reception and Philanthropic Fundraiser
   
  Wind down the week with friends old and new. The U40 Board has chosen to partner with the developing Insurance Industry Diversity Foundation. Monies raised will support a charitable foundation for the purpose of promoting diversity, attracting diverse talent and influencing meaningful progress in the diversity of the insurance industry and its talent pipeline.