USC Arkley Institute for Risk Management

The Trailblazers Council San Francisco branch hosted its second event at dim sum restaurant, Yank Sing. The gathering included three Trailblazers—Marsh Assistant Vice President Jasmine Klein, Beazley Underwriter Terra-Lynn Tokiwa, and Valerie Xu. Prospective Trailblazer and Marsh TRAC Associate Natalie Chan, Beazley Underwriter Kyle Shin, AIG Senior Underwriter John Wang, along with Professor Ward Ching and Arkley Institute Executive Director Kristen Jaconi also joined. “It’s been incredible to see the growth of this chapter in the Bay Area. Being able to reconnect with familiar faces and build new relationships with fellow alumni has been an amazing experience,” said Terra-Lynn. “I’m so happy to remain tied into the USC community while being in SF and I’m looking forward to our next meeting!” Professor Ching said, “All of the individuals at the lunch are prime examples of what the USC Trailblazers Council and USC Arkley Institute are designed to do. Each Trailblazer is rapidly growing their expertise and commercial reach within their respective organizations by taking on increasing levels of responsibility in brokerage and underwriting. During the group conversations between bites of dim sum, we were amazed by how quickly this group has established commercial relationships with each other. Additionally, we were all astounded at how open everyone was to leverage sharing contacts and opportunities. Then again, that’s the value of being a Trojan!”

The Arkley Institute appreciates the participation of the Asian American Insurance Network in our Meet the Risk Management Professionals event.

The Arkley Institute for Risk Management had a successful Spring 2025 Meet the Risk Management Professionals event! Over 170 undergraduate and graduate students had the opportunity to engage with 35 organizations and 82 industry professionals, who were actively recruiting for a variety of opportunities within the risk management and insurance industry. This event gave students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, explore career paths, and gain a broader perspective on the risk management and insurance field. A particularly rewarding aspect of the event was seeing alumni with a risk management minor or emphasis return as industry professionals to share career insights and network with current students. This full-circle moment highlights the strength of the USC community, fostering mentorship and meaningful connections that support mutual growth and success. Participants included members of the Arkley Institute Advisory Council, Trailblazers Council, and the following organizations: AIG, Asian American Insurance Network (AAIN), Alliant Insurance Services, Allied World, Amwins, Aon, Axos, Beazley, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Brown & Riding, Chubb, CRC Insurance Services, Deloitte, The Walt Disney Company, FM, Gallagher, HUB International, KPMG, Lockton, LA CPCU Society, RIMS (Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.), LA RIMS Rising Risk Professionals #larimsrrp, Marsh, Monarch E & S Insurance Services, A Division of SPG Insurance Solutions, LLC., NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association, Oliver Wyman, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, RT Specialty, Southern California Edison (SCE), Starr Insurance, The Surplus Line Association of California, Tokio Marine America, Tokio Marine America HCC, WSIA (Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association), and WTW. We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for making this event such a valuable and impactful experience!

The USC Arkley Institute for Risk Management held its Spring 2025 Meet and Greet, bringing together students, young alumni, staff, and faculty for an evening of networking and connection. Young alumni from the Trailblazers Council including AIG Adrian Frank, Amwins Natalie Kojababian, Grant Thornton (US) Garrett Penderghast, Aon Geoffrey Fong, Gen Re Max Kinsel, and Allied World Tanvi Yadav, engaged with students, sharing their valuable experiences and industry insights. Risk Management Professors Daniel Gottlieb (Introduction to Enterprise Risk Management), Lanore Larson (Risk Management in Entertainment, Sports, and the Arts), and Kiko Harvey (Advanced Enterprise Risk Management) connected with students to discuss their interests and support their integration into the USC community. Students also met with the Gamma Iota Sigma - Gamma Omicron Chapter (USC) executive board, who shared resources, insights on getting involved, and details about upcoming events. This was a great opportunity for students to expand their network, build connections, and learn more about the risk management and insurance industry. Thank you to everyone who helped to create a welcoming and supportive environment for USC Risk Management students.

The Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management’s Trailblazers Challenge concluded with three impressive winners: Hayley Au-Yang, Carmel Tong, and Joe Fang. The challenge provides USC risk management students the opportunity to showcase their knowledge of risk management while practicing real-life skills in research and presentations. Hayley Au-Yang, First Place: Congratulations to Hayley Au-Yang for earning first place in the Fall 2024 Trailblazers Challenge for her presentation on the risks of AI in malware creation. Hayley shared the following about her experience: “As a Cybersecurity major and Risk Management minor, the Trailblazer Challenge allowed me to combine my interests and dive deeper into the emerging risks shaping the cybersecurity landscape. It was a rewarding experience to share my insights and passion with the judges while engaging in meaningful discussions about these challenges. Through the process, I was able to develop my presentation, research, and critical thinking skills. Overall, it was a fun and fulfilling opportunity that reinforced my interest in risk management!” Carmel Tong, Second Place: Congratulations to Carmel Tong for earning second place in the Fall 2024 Trailblazers Challenge for her presentation on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals in college sports and their impact on professional women’s sports leagues. Carmel shared the following about her experience: “I had a great time participating in the Trailblazers Challenge and presenting a topic I was passionate about! I appreciated all the supportive feedback from Trailblazers Council members and USC's Risk Management program as a whole for providing opportunities like these.” Joe Fang, Third Place: Congratulations to Joe Fang for earning third place in the Fall 2024 Trailblazers Challenge for his presentation on Tesla and unsupervised FSD (Full Self Driving). Joe shared the following about his experience: “Participating in the Trailblazers Challenge provided me an opportunity to delve into identifying and assessing real-world risks. I'm especially grateful for the suggestions offered by the Trailblazers Council. Overall, it was a great learning experience, inspiring me to learn more about risk management and insurance within the technology industry.”

The Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management hosted the Fall 2024 Advisory Council Meeting at USC. We were honored to welcome Dean Geoffrey Garrett from the USC Marshall School of Business, who delivered inspiring remarks, highlighting the Institute's commitment to advancing education in risk management and fostering student professional development. Advisory Council representatives from Alliant Insurance Services, Allied World, Amwins, Aon, Artex Risk Solutions, AXIS (AXIS Capital), Brown & Riding, Chubb, The Walt Disney Company, East West Bank, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, Gallagher, Gen Re, HUB International, Keenan, Marsh, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Pioneer Program, RT Specialty, Shaw, Moses, Mendenhall & Associates Insurance Agency, Starr Insurance, and The Surplus Line Association of California joined the meeting.? One key highlight of the meeting?was the announcement that the USC Marshall will expand its global learning opportunities with the founding of the Moore Family London Scholars Program. A generous gift from Davis and Diane Moore will endow and establish the new program for an experiential learning trip to London for ten risk management students each year.? In addition to this milestone, the Arkley Institute shared exciting updates on its research initiatives and the development of a graduate-level curriculum, designed to expand academic opportunities and advance knowledge in risk management. Furthermore, the Arkley Institute will enhance marketing efforts to increase awareness of the resources and career pathways offered to students in the dynamic field of risk management. The meeting concluded on a heartfelt note with two USC risk management students, Sergio Castillo and Hafsa Chaudhry, expressing their gratitude toward the Arkley Institute and the many resources it has provided. They shared how the mentorship, support, and guidance from the Advisory Council and the Institute have shaped their educational journey and career aspirations. Thank you to our Advisory Council members and supporters for your ongoing dedication to the success and growth of the Arkley Institute and our students!

The USC Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management recently hosted a panel, “Risk Management at Disney,” featuring experts from Disney’s risk management team: Kathryn Christensen, senior manager, Enterprise Risk Management and Captives; Deanna de Armas, manager, Production Risk Management; George Fernandez, Corporate Risk Management; and Melissa Ho, manager, Corporate Risk Management. Students enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into Disney’s approach to risk management, learning how the company anticipates and addresses risks across its diverse operations to create safe, seamless experiences. In today’s world, effective risk management builds resilient organizations and trusted brands. Disney’s strategic approach demonstrates how proactive risk management not only ensures safety but also strengthens brand trust and loyalty. Thank you to Disney’s experts for sharing their insights and inspiring future leaders in risk management!

On October 27-30, the IRMI Construction Risk Conference (CRC) welcomed two USC students, Sergio Castillo and Allen De Leon, as IRMI Scholars, inviting them to the 44th IRMI CRC.?Arthur Alba, director of the Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management, also attended the 44th IRMI CRC, to support our students and connect with leaders in the field. The conference featured top industry leaders sharing insights on innovative technology, fresh perspectives on construction risk and insurance, and excellent networking opportunities. Sergio, Allen, and Arthur participated in impactful sessions on topics like managing risk across the construction life cycle and the expanding role of AI in construction. A special thank you Alliant National Retail Brokerage President Peter Arkley for taking the time to meet and connect with our IRMI Scholars. We’re also grateful to IRMI President & CEO Jack Gibson for extending the invitation, as well as to Danette Beck from Astrus Insurance Solutions, LLC, and Eric Hsu and Karen Keniff from CNA Insurance for their warm welcome and guidance throughout the conference. This experience was truly inspiring for our future leaders in risk management! #RiskManagement #ConstructionRisk #IRMICRC #USCMarshall #PeterArkleyInstitute #FutureLeaders

The USC Arkley Institute for Risk Management and the USC Chapter of Smart Woman Securities hosted an inspiring panel discussion on Women in Risk Management. The featured speakers were Niloo Bedrood, managing director at Deloitte, Natalie Kojababian, vice president at Amwins Access, Victoria (Vu) Dinh, director of risk management at Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), and Olivia Lindsay, chief risk officer at Banc of California. Moderated by USC students Alexis Choi and Maria Clara Quiroga from the Smart Woman Securities Development Team, the panelists shared their unique career journeys, including the unexpected paths that led them into risk management. They also highlighted as critical tools for long-term success seeking mentors in their professional development, building a strong LinkedIn presence, and actively expanding one’s professional network. The event was filled with insights and an inspiring message that resonated throughout: You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. A special thanks to our incredible panelists for their advice and guidance, and to Smart Woman Securities for co-hosting such a memorable and impactful event!

The USC Arkley Institute for Risk Management and the USC Chapter of Smart Woman Securities hosted an inspiring panel discussion on Women in Risk Management. The featured speakers were Niloo Bedrood, managing director at Deloitte, Natalie Kojababian, vice president at Amwins Access, Victoria (Vu) Dinh, director of risk management at Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), and Olivia Lindsay, chief risk officer at Banc of California. Moderated by USC students Alexis Choi and Maria Clara Quiroga from the Smart Woman Securities Development Team, the panelists shared their unique career journeys, including the unexpected paths that led them into risk management. They also highlighted as critical tools for long-term success seeking mentors in their professional development, building a strong LinkedIn presence, and actively expanding one’s professional network. The event was filled with insights and an inspiring message that resonated throughout: You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. A special thanks to our incredible panelists for their advice and guidance, and to Smart Woman Securities for co-hosting such a memorable and impactful event!