January 22, 2010
Annual Insurance Industry Event
Raises More Than $1.53 Million for Scholarships to Benefit St.
John’s Students
St. John’s University’s School
of Risk Management (SRM), a part of the Peter J.
Tobin College of Business, honored Lord Peter Levene, Chairman
of Lloyd’s, as the “2009 Insurance Leader of the Year” at its 15th
Annual Insurance Leader of the Year Award Dinner last night in
Manhattan. The event, held at the Marriott Marquis before an
overflow crowd of more than 1,200, raised $1.53 million in funding
for SRM students and programs.
Photo Gallery
“Your generosity has been remarkable,” said Dr. Ellen Thrower,
Executive Director of the School of Risk Management, to insurance
leaders and supporters who had gathered for the annual industry
gala. “Our students, many of whom come from modest economic
backgrounds, will be the direct beneficiaries of the high esteem in
which Lord Levene is held by the global insurance community.”
Nicholas D. Chabraja, Chairman of the Board of Directors, General
Dynamics Corporation, and Maurice R. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, C.V. Starr & Co., Inc., served as Honorary
Chairmen of the dinner and both spoke candidly about the profound
impact their friend and colleague Lord Peter Levene has had in the
insurance world.
“Lord Levene is a go-to problem solver with a rare track
record of success,” said Chabraja. “He gets into details,
determines what’s not working and fixes it while making it look
easy.” Greenberg continued with another ringing endorsement, “I’m
honored to be here to pay tribute to Lord Levene. In the last three
years, Lloyd’s (under his direction) has had the highest profits in
their history and that says something for a man who’s background is
not from the insurance industry. In his time as Chairman of
Lloyd's (since 2002), he has greatly strengthened the Society, to
the benefit of all participants in this most venerable and global
of marketplaces. For his strong and innovative leadership of
Lloyd's over several years, Lord Levene is a most worthy recipient
of the Insurance Leader of the Year Award.”
An inspirational video presentation of Lord Levene’s life also
served as one of the highlights of the evening.
The Award Selection Committee is chaired by Joseph Mauriello,
Retired Deputy Chairman of KPMG and includes George Bernstein, Esq.
of The Bernstein Law Firm, P.L.L.C. (Washington, D.C.); Robert P.
Hartwig, Ph.D., President of the Insurance Information Institute;
and Peter B. Walker, Director of McKinsey & Company (New
York).
The “Insurance Leader of the Year Award,” presented annually since
1995, recognizes the contributions of outstanding individuals whose
leadership in the worldwide insurance and financial services
industry sets them apart from their peers. Last year’s
recipient was Gregory C. Case, President and CEO, Aon
Corporation.
The School of Risk Management was founded in 1901 as the Insurance
Society of New York and over the years evolved into The College of
Insurance (TCI). In June 2001, TCI merged with St. John’s
University, becoming a school of The Peter J. Tobin College of
Business. Located in New York City’s downtown financial
district, SRM awards undergraduate, M.B.A., and M.S. degrees in the
insurance, risk management and actuarial science disciplines.
Through its Center for Professional Education, SRM also provides
education, training and consulting services to the industry,
governments and regulators worldwide.
Photos from the event are available upon request. For more
information please contact Maureen Furlong-Weber of St. John’s
University’s School of Risk Management by calling 212-277-5111.
Interested media representatives can contact Dominic Scianna,
Assistant Vice President for Media Relations at St. John’s
University by calling (718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.