Appalachian State University Wins 2022 Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge

April 15, 2022

NEW YORK (April 15, 2022) — At the Spencer Educational Foundation reception, Spencer’s Executive Director Megan Miller announced Appalachian State University student team as the winners of the 2022 Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge. The team, comprising four risk management students, competed against 18 other universities and delivered the award-winning risk management presentation in front industry leaders at RISKWORLD™ in San Francisco.

Members of Appalachian State University’s winning team included:

  • Madison Browne         
  • Benjamin Kolodny
  • Addisyn Sharkey
  • Omar Gonzalez
  • Academic Advisor: Lorilee Medders 

“Beyond the outstanding presentations delivered by our participating students, we saw undeniable passion and the desire to become, not just members but, leaders in the risk management and insurance profession,” said Megan Miller.  “Spencer is so proud to provide students with opportunities to learn, grow and succeed and we sincerely congratulate Appalachian State and all of our competing teams.”

“Our Challenge competitors are inspiring and, year-after-year, skillfully articulate complex risk management solutions to address a world of evolving risks,” said RIMS CEO Mary Roth. “Appalachian State and our other competing teams continued to instill confidence that the global risk community’s future is bright. RIMS is proud to collaborate with Spencer to strengthen the pipeline of future business leaders.”

The challenge began with 18 universities, eight months ago, who were each presented with a risk management case-study, provided by the executive risk management team at Starbucks Corporation. During the conference, the field was narrowed to three and those finalists presented one last time in front of risk professionals at RISKWORLD.

Second place in this year’s Challenge was St. Mary’s University (Texas) and the third-place team was Peking University (China).  The first-place university received $4000, second $3,000 and third $2,000.

For more information about opportunities and resources developed for risk management students, visit RIMS Student Resource Center at www.rims.org/community/students.  For more information about Spencer, visit www.Spencered.org.

The 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 $7 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.

About RISKWORLD (TM)
Launched in 1963, RIMS annual conference, now RISKWORLD, has routinely attracted some 10,000 risk and insurance professionals at all experience levels, business executives with risk management interests, brokers, insurers and service providers for the ultimate educational and networking experience. In past years, the four-day event has offered more than 160 educational sessions, keynote presentations, special events and an expansive Marketplace Exhibit Hall with nearly 400 exhibitors. To learn more about RISKWORLD or to register, visit www.RIMS.org/RISKWORLD.

About RIMS
RIMS, the risk management society®, is a global professional association committed to advancing the practice of risk management throughout the world. We bring networking, professional development, certification, and education opportunities to our membership of 10,000 risk management professionals in over 60 countries. Founded in 1950, the Society represents more than 3,500 industrial, service, nonprofit, charitable and government entities throughout the world. To access RIMS Risk Knowledge resource library and for additional information about the Society, visit www.RIMS.org.

# # #

For more information, contact:

Josh Salter, Director of Communications, (212) 655-6059 or JSalter@rims.org

About RIMS

As the preeminent organization dedicated to promoting the profession of risk management, RIMS, the risk management society®, is a global not-for-profit organization representing more than 3,500 industrial, service, nonprofit, charitable and government entities throughout the world. Founded in 1950, RIMS is committed to advancing risk management capabilities for organizational success, bringing networking, professional development and education opportunities to its membership of more than 10,000 risk management professionals who are located in more than 60 countries. For more information on RIMS, visit www.RIMS.org

About Us