Constantine “Dinos” Iordanou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Capital Group Ltd., Named 2017 Insurance Leader of the Year

St. John’s School of Risk Management (SRM), part of the university’s Peter J. Tobin College of Business, honored Constantine “Dinos” Iordanou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Capital Group Ltd., as the “2017 Insurance Leader of the Year” last night in Manhattan. The 23rd  Annual “Insurance Leader of the Year Award Dinner” brought in over $3.6 million to benefit the university’s SRM students with scholarship funds and to provide needed resources and support for SRM programs. Included in the total dollars raised was nearly $1.2 million in an endowed scholarship fund established by the honoree’s company.

Arch Capital Group Ltd. launched a campaign among employees, board members, and friends to establish a scholarship fund at St. John’s University, in the honoree’s name. The “Dinos Iordanou International Scholarship Fund” is endowed with gifts from supporters to honor Mr. Iordanou, in perpetuity. The fund will support scholarships for SRM students, with preference given to international students, particularly those from Cyprus or Greece, acknowledging Mr. Iordanou’s heritage and own route to success.

The prestigious “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 Anthony F. Markel, Vice Chairman of the Board, Markel Corporation.

Serving as Honorary Chairmen for the dinner were Brian Duperreault, President and Chief Executive Officer, American International Group, Inc.; Marc Grandisson, President and Chief Operating Officer, Arch Capital Group Ltd.; Patrick G. Ryan, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Specialty Group, LLC; and Joseph V. Taranto, Chairman of the Board, Everest Re Group, Ltd. 

“I have worked with Dinos for 16 years,” Mr. Grandisson told the crowd of over 1,600 attendees at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. “Anyone who has worked with him has seen the reflection of his own core values—determination and care for others.” Mr. Grandisson added, “All of you here tonight will soon discover that Dinos’ story is one of rags to riches.” Mr. Grandisson painted the picture of how Mr. Iordanou arrived in New York with next to nothing. “He is the classic American story—almost made for movies. If you ask him what made a difference in his life, he will tell you without question, how much education played a role in his success. For over 30 years, he has helped countless young men and women improve their lives through education.”

Mr. Grandisson continued, “Our hope is that this new scholarship fund we have established will ensure that kids who might not otherwise have access to a quality education will earn one at St. John’s University. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to honor Dinos.”

“Dinos went from short-order cook to CEO in a distinguished career that spans 40 years,” said Mr. Taranto, who marveled at the life’s work of Mr. Iordanou. “His success and his indomitable spirit is what we celebrate tonight.” Mr. Taranto went on to describe their bond and friendship, and how much he admired how Dinos worked in a 24-hour diner in one of the toughest neighborhoods in New York—and how Dinos’ lifetime of hard work and determination led to the evening’s fitting tribute.

Upon accepting the award, Mr. Iordanou told the capacity crowd how education has made all the difference in his life and successful career.  Recalling the advice that his hard-working and entrepreneurial parents gave him before he immigrated to the United States, Mr. Iordanou recounted their words, “Education is at the center of goal setting for an education can never be taken away from you—and failure is not an option.”

Mr. Iordanou went on thank the many people who came together to honor him and support future industry leaders. “Tonight, you have helped raise funds that will go a long way to make it possible for young people to make their dreams into reality. You have also made it possible for our industry to educate the next generation of talent to do exactly what we do for society—which is so important.”  

The Award Selection Committee was chaired by Ellen Thrower, Ph.D., Professor Emerita and Retired Executive Director, St. John's University’s SRM, and includes George Bernstein, Esq. of The Bernstein Law Firm, P.L.L.C. (Washington, D.C.); Robert P. Hartwig, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Finance and Co-Director – Center for Risk and Uncertainty Management; Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina; Joseph Mauriello, Retired Deputy Chairman and COO of KPMG LLP; Michael J. Morrissey, President and CEO of the International Insurance Society; Patrick J. Shouvlin, Retired Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; and Peter B. Walker, Director of McKinsey & Company (New York).

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 inside The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. From its location at 101 Astor Place near Midtown South’s business district and the rapidly emerging technology corridor, St. John’s and the Tobin College of Business awards undergraduate, M.B.A., and M.S. degrees in the insurance, risk management and actuarial science disciplines. Through its Center for Executive Development, St. John’s also provides education, training and consulting services to industry, governments and regulators worldwide.

For more information or to support the School of Risk Management, please contact Maureen Furlong Weber by calling 212-277-5111 or at [email protected].

Interested media can contact Jen Tucholski, at St. John’s University, by calling 718-990-1621 or at [email protected].