Spencer Educational Foundation Announces New Board Member Appointments and Executive Committee

Lyndsey Christofer of Chubb, Stephen Hackenburg of Aon, and RIMS Board Vice President Manuel Padilla of MacAndrews & Forbes join Spencer Board; Johnell Holly of FM installed as Chairperson

New York, NY (January 23, 2025) – The Spencer Educational Foundation announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors effective January 1, 2025. Lyndsey Christofer, Head of North America Casualty, Major Accounts for Chubb, and Stephen Hackenburg, Property & Casualty Leader, Commercial Risk North America for Aon, have been appointed as new directors. Additionally, Manuel Padilla, Vice President, Risk Management and Insurance at MacAndrews & Forbes Inc., has joined the board as a RIMS ex officio member.  

The following officers have been installed as the 2025-2026 Executive Committee of the Foundation: Chairperson – Johnell Holly, FM; President – Jeff Cohen, Zywave; Vice President – Bob Thomas, Liberty Mutual; Treasurer – Michael VanAcker, RT Specialty; and Secretary – Jackie Bolig, WTW.

The Spencer Educational Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing board members Kristen Peed, Head of Corporate Risk of Sequoia (1 year of board service); Chris Lang, Digital Leader, Marsh Specialty and Global Placement of Marsh (6 years of board service); Kristen Bessette, Chief Data Officer of Zurich (9 years of board service); Matthew Schneider, Executive Vice President, M&A and Transaction Solutions of Aon (11 years of board service); and Teresa Black, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Chubb Surety, North America (11 years of board service). Black also served as the Foundation’s Chairperson for the last two years.

Chairperson Johnell Holly stated, “The appointment of these three new officers illustrates Spencer’s commitment to engaging top leaders in the industry to support the next generation. We have great confidence that these new appointees will be a tremendous asset to the Foundation. We also wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to our outgoing board members for their invaluable service to Spencer over the years.”

To review the full roster of Spencer directors, visit www.spencered.org/leadership. 

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About the Spencer Educational Foundation:

The Spencer Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to fostering the education and professional development of risk management and insurance students. Since its establishment in 1979, the foundation has been helping students succeed by providing scholarships, grants, and internships to talented individuals pursuing careers in these fields. To learn more about the Spencer Educational Foundation and its programs, please visit www.spencered.org.

Media Contact:

Tandeka Nomvete

External Engagement Director

Spencer Educational Foundation

Email: tandeka@spencered.org