APCIA Announces Award Winners Among 2026 Class of Emerging Leaders; Recognizes Industry Talent Leaders with Special Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) today announced the award winners among the 2026 Class of Emerging Leaders during the Emerging Leaders Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. This year, 15 individuals (among a class of 289 insurance professionals) were recognized with an award for their exceptional work and outstanding impact in their companies and communities. Additionally, APCIA recognized Brian Duperreault, Chairman of Cedar Trace Limited, Wendy Davis Johnson, Author of Faith & Purpose: The Life and Vision of Insurance Icon Brian Duperreault , and Bill Plastine, Senior Vice President, Talent and Organization Development at Crum & Forster, with special awards for their leadership in strengthening the industry talent pipeline.

"Congratulations to all of the award winners at this year's Emerging Leaders Conference," said David A. Sampson, president and CEO of APCIA. "To be recognized among such an elite group of rising stars is a tremendous testament to their hard work, innovation, and dedication. I also want to congratulate Brian, Wendy, and Bill for being honored for their incredible leadership on industry talent initiatives."

APCIA recognized Brian Duperreault and Wendy Davis Johnson with the Industry Talent Champion Award for their exceptional work in co-founding the Insurance Careers Movement. As co-founders of the Insurance Careers Movement, Duperreault and Davis Johnson have engaged industry leaders around the world to work together to address talent challenges and inspire generations to see insurance as a career of impact.

APCIA also recognized Bill Plastine, Senior Vice President, Talent and Organization Development at Crum & Forster, with the Talent Leadership Award for his dedication to cultivating industry talent and fostering a future-ready workforce.

The 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference award categories include: Business Impact Award, Community Leadership Award, Future Ready Talent Champion Award, Industry Leadership Award, Innovation Leadership Award, Resilience & Mitigation Leadership Award, Talent Impact Award, and Technology Leadership Award.

"These Exceptional Emerging Leaders represent the very best of what leadership looks like today and what it must become tomorrow," said Marguerite Tortorello, executive director of the Insurance Careers Movement. "They are driving innovation, leading meaningful transformation, and shaping the future of work while making a real difference within their organizations and communities. Not only did we get to recognize these outstanding rising stars, but we also had the opportunity to celebrate industry legends Brian Duperreault and Wendy Davis Johnson and the talented Bill Plastine for their extraordinary dedication to cultivating talent and inspiring the next generation of insurance leaders."

The Emerging Leaders Conference provides candid insights by industry executives, networking, and tools and resources for emerging leaders to succeed in this fast-changing world. After the Emerging Leaders Conference, the rising stars will join more than 1,300 fellow alumni in serving as ambassadors for the industry and in helping expand career opportunities in insurance.

Class of 2026 Emerging Leaders Award Winners

AI Leadership Award

Enoch Sutherland, CNA Insurance

Business Impact Award

Mike Sternberg, AXA XL

Community Leadership Award

Sai Vishnubhatla, USAA

Future Ready Talent Champion Award

Sierra Richardson-Brown, Nationwide

Industry Leadership Award

Jess Alanis, Travelers

Jon Cronin, Sentry Insurance Group

Innovation Leadership Award

Jon Messier, Crum & Forster

Claudia Gonzalez, GEICO

Krista Brooks, American Modern Insurance Group

Resilience & Mitigation Leadership Award

Rebecca Wagner, Rockwood Casualty

Talent Impact Award

Dan Husser, RLI

Quron Berry, Utica National

Emily Pendleton, Selective

Technology Leadership Award

Tyler Hollows, Accredited

Tian Xue, SageSure

Special Recognition Awards

Industry Talent Champion Award

Brian Duperreault, Chairman, Cedar Trace Limited

Wendy Davis Johnson, Author, Faith & Purpose: The Life & Vision of Insurance Icon Brian Duperreault

Talent Leadership Award

Bill Plastine, Crum & Forster

The Emerging Leaders Conference is held in conjunction with Insurance Careers Month in February. The Emerging Leaders Conference is hosted by The American Property Casualty Insurance Association, AM Best, and the Insurance Careers Movement.