The 2025 spring semester was filled with academic development, community-building, and exciting new experiences for the Risk Management and Insurance Society (RMIS). We are incredibly grateful to all the industry professionals, alumni, speakers, and faculty who helped make this semester possible. As a result of their time and effort, our students were introduced to a myriad of valuable learning opportunities.
Near the beginning of the semester, RMIS embarked on its first-ever career trek, generously sponsored by the Spencer Educational Foundation. Nineteen students traveled to the Twin Cities to participate in a series of insightful panels, office tours, and valuable networking experiences. Students visited Best Buy, Gallagher Re, Travelers, and Marsh, where they heard from underwriters, brokers, risk managers, and actuaries on topics such as CAT modeling, reputation risk, and new technology within the industry. Outside of the office visits, students had the chance to socialize, explore the Mall of America, and, most importantly, create and deepen meaningful connections with fellow RMIS members. This experience was especially impactful for first- and second-year students, offering early exposure to the industry and helping them gain a clearer understanding of potential career paths in risk and insurance.
Additionally, RMIS organized several social and speaker events aimed at further enhancing students’ knowledge of the industry and facilitating opportunities for club bonding. Our first social event took place at 7-Iron Social, where students enjoyed food, practiced their golf swings, and connected with others in a fun, relaxed setting. We also collaborated with other business school organizations, including the Real Estate Club and the Actuarial Club, further expanding our network and encouraging interdisciplinary learning. A highlight of the semester was hosting Ryan Fee from InvenTrust Properties to speak about emerging risks in real estate. These events offered students meaningful exposure to different areas of business and helped strengthen our community, reminding us how valuable collaboration can be, both personally and professionally.
As the semester wrapped up, twenty-three of our students had the opportunity to attend RISKWORLD in Chicago, an international conference dedicated to fostering industry education and connections. Over the course of a few days at the conference, hosted by the Risk and Management Society (RIMS), our students engaged with hundreds of industry professionals, explored cutting-edge tools and innovations, and participated in lively discussions about the future of risk and insurance. Highlights included networking with alumni at the Gallagher-hosted UW-Madison Alumni Reception and attending events with Marsh, HUB International, Amwins, Everest, AIG, Chicagoland RIMS, and other companies/organizations that generously shared their time and insights with our students. From forming new professional connections to deepening our understanding of the industry’s evolving landscape, the experience was a major milestone and an incredible learning experience for our members.
While some of our students spent time at RISKWORLD networking and learning, others spent it competing! Notably, Grace Dai, Hatatu Killeen, Noah Oachs, and Joshua Schaefertook first place in the 2025 Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge. The competition, which drew 61 teams from 16 countries, consisted of writing an essay on climate-related risks facing the city of Huntington, WV, analyzing the impact and potential solutions for each risk, and presenting a comprehensive risk management report to a panel of judges. We were so proud to see all their hard work over the semester culminate in such a success!
And they weren’t the only team bringing home wins, as Rachel Claire Gibson and Ella Pernsteinertook first in the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) Student Essay Contest! The event, hosted at the CICA 2025 International Conference in Tucson, AZ, provided them with valuable insights into current trends in captives, including medical stop loss and emerging health-related risks. These outstanding achievements are a testament to the dedication, talent, and excellence that define our organization, once again proving that Badgers rise to the top!
We’re extremely proud to reflect on a semester of growth, connection, and achievement for RMIS and its members. With continued momentum and a strong community behind us, we look forward to building on this success in the semesters to come!
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