January 19, 2012
St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management (SRM) honored Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of ACE Limited, as the “2011 Insurance Leader of the Year” before more than 1,600 guests last night at the 17th Annual Insurance Leader of the Year Award Dinner.
Held at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, the event raised more than $2.47 million, breaking the previous dinner record of $2.45 million set in 2008. Proceeds will support the University’s SRM students and programs.
“I am sincerely honored to be accepting this award,” Greenberg said in his acceptance speech last night before a throng of his peers. “It means a lot to me and my family — and, by the way, ours is the only family to be recognized twice with this honor.” His father, Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, received Insurance Leader of the Year accolades in 1998.
“The difference we can make in the social and economic development of countries, businesses and in the lives of individual people — and the contributions we make to society — are significant and long-lasting,” Greenberg added. “I love our industry and I love what we do for a living.”
Greenberg began his journey in the insurance business at the age of 20 and has been a national and global innovator and leader in the field for close to 35 years. Elected President and CEO of ACE Limited in May 2004, he gained the title of Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2007. He joined the company in 2001. Prior to his service at ACE Limited, Greenberg spent 25 years at AIG, where he served as President and COO from 1997 to 2000.
Brandon W. Sweitzer, SRM’s Dean, had high praise for this year’s honoree and appreciation for the insurance industry’s support of St. John’s academic initiatives.
“For many years, Evan Greenberg has been a determined force in the risk industry, skillfully guiding one of its finest franchises,” said Sweitzer. “The School of Risk Management’s students would do well to look closely at Evan’s unswerving focus on good business fundamentals and a global outlook as they prepare for future leadership roles in the insurance and reinsurance arena.”
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University, delivered the Invocation for the evening. He specifically directed his words of faith to the insurance leaders in attendance.
“Our loving God is the source of all peace, of all security, of all trust in this ever-changing and turbulent world,” said Fr. Harrington. “The insurance industry has as its fundamental purpose — in this ever-changing and challenging world — to assist people to foster that security. May those who labor in this industry never forget that special responsibility.”
The Award Selection Committee is chaired by Joseph Mauriello, Retired Deputy Chairman and COO of KPMG LLP. The committee 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; Michael J. Morrissey, President and CEO of the International Insurance Society; Ellen Thrower, Ph.D., Professor of Risk Management and Retired Executive Director of SRM; and Peter B. Walker, Director of McKinsey & Company (NY).
Presented annually since 1995, the “Insurance Leader of the Year Award” 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 Joseph V. Taranto, Chairman and CEO of Everest Re Group, Ltd.
The School of Risk Management was founded in 1901 as the Insurance Society of New York. Over the years, it 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 dinner and of Evan G. Greenberg are available upon request. For more information, contact Maureen Furlong-Weber, St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management, at (212) 277-5111.
Interested media representatives can contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President of Media Relations at St. John’s University: (718) 990-6185; email inquiries to [email protected].