April 27, 2026
On April 13, 2026, St. John’s University hosted the inaugural IWIN Education Series at its Manhattan campus, bringing together senior leaders from across the insurance and asset management industry for a candid, in-depth discussion alongside students. The session, titled "From Liabilities to Assets: Understanding the Insurance Product and Investment Life Cycle," sold out completely.
Organized by the Tobin Center for Executive Education in partnership with the Insurance Women’s Investment Network (IWIN), the event created space for open dialogue on the forces shaping modern insurance investing.
The insurance industry manages trillions in assets and plays a central role in the global economy, yet many of its most important insights rarely extend beyond the firms themselves. The IWIN Education Series was designed to change that, opening access to the thinking, frameworks, and decision-making that define the field.
Students in the Room, by Design
A defining feature of the evening was the intentional integration of students into the conversation.
Students from The Peter J. Tobin College of Business and the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science engaged directly with industry leaders, including Chief Investment Officers, a Chief Actuary, and senior executives from leading institutions.
More than observers, they asked thoughtful questions and gained firsthand insight into the realities of the industry. For many, it was a rare opportunity to hear candid perspectives on careers, investment strategy, and decision-making directly from those shaping the field.
This exchange reflects the mission of the Tobin Center for Executive Education: connecting academic learning with real-world practice.
A Growing Platform for Industry Learning
Founded in 2013 by a coalition of leading firms, including Allstate, The Carlyle Group, Prudential, Willis Towers Watson, and Wellington Management, IWIN was created to support and advance women in insurance investing.
Today, the network includes more than 1,600 members worldwide and hosts events in major financial centers. The launch of the Education Series expands that mission, creating structured opportunities for deeper learning and knowledge sharing.
Its collaboration with St. John’s reflects a shared commitment to broadening access to industry expertise while strengthening the pipeline of future leaders.
A Legacy of Leadership in Insurance Education
St. John’s has prepared insurance professionals for more than a century. Since the founding of the College of Insurance in 1901, the University has remained a leader in risk management and actuarial science education.
Today, the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science continues that legacy through nationally recognized programs that connect theory with practice. The Davis Library, home to one of the largest collections of insurance and risk management materials in the world, reflects that longstanding commitment.
The partnership with IWIN grew from a shared vision to expand access to industry knowledge and create a space where professionals and students can learn alongside one another.
Inside the Conversation
The conversation was wide-ranging, substantive, and candid. Together, the panelists walked the audience through the full lifecycle of an insurance product and the investment decisions that underpin it — from the moment a product idea is conceived to how asset managers build and manage portfolios against those liabilities across decades.
A core theme ran throughout: you cannot build great investment solutions or design the right product set without understanding the full balance sheet.
Key themes included:
- How liabilities shape investment strategy
- Balancing yield, liquidity, and capital efficiency
- Managing volatility across market cycles
- The impact of global regulatory frameworks
- From product concept to market launch
- The growing role of asset-liability management
Looking Ahead
The inaugural IWIN Education Series marks an important step in positioning St. John’s as a convening space for the insurance industry, where professionals and students come together to learn, exchange ideas, and engage with emerging talent.
The Tobin Center for Executive Education plans to expand programming like this, continuing to deliver industry-informed learning experiences aligned with the evolving demands of the marketplace.
St. John’s thanks IWIN, its panelists, and sponsors for making the evening possible.
Partner with St. John’s
The Tobin Center for Executive Education collaborates with organizations to design custom programs in person, virtually, or in hybrid formats, spanning leadership development, technical training, and industry-specific education.