On Monday, November 18th, the Wisconsin School of Business Risk and Insurance Co-Curricular Learning Board (CCLB) hosted an inspiring evening that brought together students passionate about leadership and inclusion in the insurance industry. The event featured two remarkable executives from TruStage: Terrance Williams, President and CEO, and Karla Gravis, Vice President and Chief of Staff.
Terrance Williams’ journey is a powerful testament to perseverance and leadership. As the first Black CEO and President of TruStage, Williams has shattered glass ceilings with his exceptional impact. He shared several stories about the importance of mentorship, building inclusive organizations, and his journey to leadership roles.
Karla Gravis brought equally compelling insights to the event. At TruStage, she is responsible for collaborating with leaders and teams to accelerate progress towards the organization’s strategic ambitions and financial goals. For Gravis, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) carry great personal meaning; she was a founding member of the DEI Councils at Mercer and MetLife and is currently leading an effort to better support TruStage’s Spanish-speaking consumers. Gravis exemplifies how inclusive practices drive organizational success.
During this event, students networked with professionals from American Family, M3 Insurance, Milliman, TruStage, and Swiss Re. Through these conversations, students were able to gain career insights, learn about the insurance industry, and understand the transformative power of inclusive leadership.
“Hearing Terrance Williams and Karla Gravis speak about their journeys was incredibly inspiring,” said Stephanie Hayd, a sophomore majoring in Actuarial Science and Risk Management & Insurance. “It showed me that leadership is about more than just titles—it’s about fostering inclusion and making an impact on those around us. During the networking event, I received valuable advice on actions I can take as a leader to foster inclusion, which I’ll be sure to carry forward in my career.”
This event solidified that inclusive leadership is about breaking traditional barriers, embracing diverse perspectives, and leveraging mentorship for growth.