Jackie Bolig of WTW and Michael VanAcker of RT Specialty Join Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors; Marya Propis Appointed as Director of Distinction
Jackie Bolig of WTW Joins Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Michael VanAcker of RT Specialty Joins Spencer Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Board Appoints Past Chairperson and Board Member Marya Propis of RT Specialty as Director of Distinction
New York, NY (May 1, 2023) – After nearly 12 years of Board Service, including two years as Chairperson from 2019-2020, Marya Propis has retired from the Spencer Board of Directors. To thank her for her tremendous contributions to the Foundation’s success and growth, the Board has named Propis to its elite group of Directors of Distinction effective immediately.
During her more than a decade of leadership at the Foundation, Propis directly contributed to the growing success of the organization’s marquee annual gala, which now raises nearly $1.5 million each year in support of the next generation of industry talent. During her tenure as Chairperson, she created the role of Executive Director, paving the way for strategic leadership of the then 40-year-old organization. She also helped steer the Foundation through the global pandemic, ensuring continuity of fundraising and programming alike.
“Few board members have had the tremendous impact on the Foundation as Marya has had,” expressed current board Chairperson Teresa Black, COO of Surety at Chubb. “Her limitless energy, passion for talent, and strategic vision have positioned Spencer for enormous growth and impact. We cannot thank her enough for her immense contributions.”
As successor to Propis, the Spencer Board of Directors has confirmed the addition of Michael VanAcker, Executive Vice President of RT Specialty, to the Board.
VanAcker has leadership responsibilities over RT Specialty’s operations and digital offerings and works closely with RT’s valued clients, markets, and internal brokers and underwriters to provide best-in-class solutions. He joined Ryan Specialty in 2011 and previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Ryan Specialty Group. In this role, he ensured the firm’s successful transition to a public company and oversaw more than 1,200 teammates across the operations, technology and service teams. Preceding this role, VanAcker served as Controller and COO for RT Specialty, establishing and leading numerous departments for the firm and being heavily involved in the strategic positioning and integrations of Ryan Specialty’s multitude of acquisitions.
Spencer also welcomes Jackie Bolig Head of P&C for Corporate Risk Broking North America at WTW, to the Board.
With management oversight for the Property, Casualty, and Environmental teams across North America, Bolig’s role is focused on client retention, product development, talent strategy, and driving successful carrier relationships across all twelve industry verticals. Additionally, she is responsible for growth across the business through alignment with the industry vertical leaders on strategic product development and innovation to maintain distinct competitive advantage and provide best-in-class solutions to meet client needs.
Prior to joining WTW, Bolig had 30 years of experience at Aon starting in the Risk Management Practice in Baltimore, MD (formerly Alexander & Alexander). After stints in Philadelphia and Bermuda, Bolig landed in NYC leading the Greater New York property practice. From there she moved through roles of increasing responsibility in Aon’s Inpoint and facultative businesses, ultimately being appointed as Co-Lead of Aon Inpoint.
“The addition of these two industry titans to our board further enhances Spencer’s brand and our ability to impact the next generation of insurance and risk management leadership,” expressed Ron Davis, Global Head of Customer Management for Zurich, and Chair of Spencer’s Board Composition and Governance Committee. “We’re delighted to welcome Jackie and Michael to the Board, and equally delighted to honor Marya’s legacy with her appointment to our distinguished group of Directors of Distinction.”
For more information on the Spencer Educational Foundation, please visit www.spencered.org.
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About Spencer Educational Foundation:
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships, grants, internship opportunities, on and off campus experiential learning, and support of risk management/insurance curricula. Since Spencer was founded in 1979, we have awarded nearly $9 million in scholarships and over $8 million in grants to universities and professional institutions impacting an estimated 70,000 students through our programming. For more information, please visit us at www.spencered.org.
Media Contact:
Tandeka Nomvete
External Engagement Director
Spencer Educational Foundation
Email: tandeka@spencered.org