RIMS recognizes 5 risk management professionals at awards program

During RISKWORLD, RIMS annual conference and exhibition, the organization recognized five outstanding risk management professionals and five of its chapters with industry awards.

The RIMS Risk Manager of the Year Award was given to Courtney Davis Curtis, assistant vice president, risk management and resilience planning for the University of Chicago, while Jana Utter, vice president of enterprise risk management for Centene Corporation was inducted into the Risk Management Honor Roll. Both awards aim to “raise the profile of the risk management profession and the outstanding programs practitioners have implemented within their organizations,” according to the organization.

“Courtney Davis Curtis’ risk management philosophy is spot on,” RIMS President Patrick Sterling said in a release. “Risk professionals must make it their priority to deliver solutions and create pathways for strategic initiatives to move forward. Not only is Courtney’s tremendous success at the University of Chicago inspiring but her commitment to giving back to the global risk management community and sharing her experiences to advance this profession is beyond admirable”

The Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award, RIMS most prestigious honor, was given to Lance Ewing, vice president of enterprise risk management and operations for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The award recognizes a person that has worked to further RIMS’ goals and the “risk management discipline through outstanding service and achievement,” according to the organization.

Lori Seidenberg, director and global head of real assets insurance risk management for BlackRock, Inc., was recognized with the Ron Judd “Heart of RIMS” Award. Seidenberg, who is currently RIMS New York Chapter president, was given the award for furthering risk management at the chapter level. The award is named after Ron Judd, who served as RIMS executive director for 22 years.

The RIMS Rising Star Award, which honors up-and-coming risk management pros under the age of 35 with seven or fewer years in the industry, was given to Charles Vu, enterprise risk supervisor for California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund. The organization noted Vu demonstrated exceptional initiative, volunteerism, professional development and leadership potential.

Chapters recognized at RISKWORLD

RIMS Atlanta Chapter received the Chapter of the Year Award, which was accepted by Tamieka Weeks, Atlanta Chapter president and manager of insurance risk for Southwire Company. The award is given to a chapter that goes above and beyond to give local members exceptional resources, rebranding and opportunities.

Additionally, RIMS Chapters located in Chicago, Nevada, Upstate New York and Washington with ECHO Awards, which are given to groups that “aligned their programming with RIMS strategic priorities to innovate, develop, engage and advocate for the global risk management community,” according to the organization.

Related:

• Nearly 40 students receiving grants to attend RIMS conference
• RIMS reveals 8 universities competing in risk management challenge
• Pay for U.S. risk pros has risen more than 12% since 2019