Spotlight: RISE 2025 “35 Under 35” Honorees
The RISE Awards “35 Under 35” honors gifted emerging professionals in insurance who have already made significant achievements. Eligibility required being 35 or younger by June 17, 2025.
Notable recipients include:
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Alexandra Santo, Claims Consultant at Golden Bear Insurance
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Alison Murphy, Senior Underwriting Manager, Liberty Mutual
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Emily Cameron, Head of Product, Gain Life
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Sandra Nikodimos-Houston, Specialty Analytics Lead, Gallagher Bassett
Each honoree is shaping the future—from underwriting and claims to product innovation .
Rising Stars from Risk & Insurance
The “2025 Rising Stars” class from Risk & Insurance showcases professionals driving innovation in specialized lines:
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Phil Baker (25), Gallagher – Nonprofit
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Heather Haseman (26), Gallagher – Employee Benefits
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Emily Yoswa (26), Marsh – Retail
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Olivia Bachelet (27), Marsh – Renewable Energy
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Elena Rolseth (27), Aon – Technology
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Wesley Ward (27), Marsh – Environmental, etc.
These individuals blend technical depth with industry-tailored creativity—for example, customizing broker submissions and adopting client-preferred communication platforms .
Influence in Cyber Insurance
The 2025 Cyber Insurance USA Awards recognized Leah Peckerman (Claims Manager, Cyber/Tech, Liberty Mutual) as Rising Star in Cyber Insurance . Her role underscores the importance of young talent guiding specialized risk teams.
Emerging Leaders at AAA/CSAA
At the APCIA Emerging Leaders Conference (2025), five CSAA Insurance Group professionals under 35 earned recognition:
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Lupe Clark – SVP, IT
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Chris Dixon – SVP, Finance
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Michelle Reed – SVP, Customer Experience
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JD Sanchez – Manager, Innovation (also Technology Leadership winner for AI focus)
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Adam Terneus – Claims Manager.
JD Sanchez’s work in AI-driven insurance tech highlights how early-career leaders are embracing advanced tools.
Innovators & Entrepreneurs
Michael & Matthew Vega‑Sanz — Co‑founders of Lula
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Michael Vega‑Sanz (forbes 30-under-30 alumnus) and Matthew launched Lula, a platform now insuring 5K+ businesses and 8M+ individuals, backed by major VC funding.
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In 2024, after Lula’s core sale, they founded Gail, an AI insurance platform that reportedly passed U.S. insurance licensing exams .
✨ Why They Stand Out
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Cross‑industry innovation
From Lula and Gail to AI integration at CSAA, these professionals are not just practicing insurance—they’re redefining it. -
Client‑first creativity
Brokers like Pelak and Adwani tailor solutions and communications to client preferences, such as using WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger . -
Specialty depth
Fields like cyber, environmental, renewables, and fintech are being embraced and led by a rising generation. -
Diverse perspectives
Many honorees come from different backgrounds, fueling innovation in underserved markets—as with bilingual broker Deuel Romero working with Hispanic business owners .
Final Word
These professionals exemplify how today’s under-35 talent is shaping insurance’s future:
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Adventurous innovators: Michael & Matthew Vega‑Sanz
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Tech-forward leaders: JD Sanchez, CSAA
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Specialty line experts: Leah Peckerman, Olivia Bachelet
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Groundbreakers in communication & culture: Phil Baker, Heather Haseman, Elena Rolseth
They remind us that age isn’t a barrier—vision, creativity, and impact are. Looking ahead, we can expect under-35 leaders to continue driving AI adoption, refining client-centric approaches, and transforming niche markets.
