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.
Photo Gallery
“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 sciannad@stjohns.edu.