
Non-advocative programs and resources for public policymakers
As the leading resource for objective insurance information, we host programs for policymakers at state and federal levels. Presented by leading scholars, these complimentary seminars help policymakers build valuable knowledge about insurance and emerging risk management issues so they can better support their constituents.
We are deeply committed to objectivity. All of our programs are strictly instructional and do not support any position on any issue.
Current Complimentary Programming

Back-to-Basics: Climate Risk—Physical Resilience
The Institutes Griffith Foundation is pleased to collaborate with the NAIC’s CIPR to present the next installment of our Back-to-Basics series, which focuses on climate risk. This non-partisan, non-advocative program serves to provide foundational knowledge aimed at helping to inform policy-related conversations. This webinar will:
- explore the current climate risk landscape and the myriad challenges and opportunities presented;
- discuss the promise of resilience and mitigation as important tools in the risk management toolbox; and
- consider both research and real-world efforts to create more resilient communities.

Summer Series for Federal Legislative Aides
Insurance and Risk Management play an important role in the financial fabric of our country, protecting many aspects of our personal lives, professional endeavors and national economy. During the summer recess, The Institutes Griffith Foundation is pleased to present this series of complimentary, on-demand programs for Federal legislative aides. Featuring leading academic experts, these sessions are strictly instructional in nature and do not support a position on any issues.
These non-partisan and non-advocative sessions will explore:
- insurance and its economic impact;
- the vital role of risk management;
- climate risk and resilience; and
- the framework undergirding our system of insurance regulation in the United States.

Climate Risk: Challenges and Opportunities
The Institutes Griffith Foundation is pleased to present this series of complimentary, on-demand programs for Federal legislative aides.
This discussion features Charles Nyce, Ph.D. Department Chair, Risk Management/Insurance, Real Estate, & Legal Studies Dr. William T. Hold Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance College of Business, Florida State University

Insurance: A Tool for Economic Growth
The Institutes Griffith Foundation is pleased to present this series of complimentary, on-demand programs for Federal legislative aides.
This discussion features David T. Russell, Ph.D., Professor of Insurance and Finance, Director, Center for Risk Management and, Insurance California State University, Northridge.

Risk Management: A Process of Vital Importance to Society
The Institutes Griffith Foundation is pleased to present this series of complimentary, on-demand programs for Federal legislative aides.
This discussion features Marc A. Ragin, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Insurance, Legal Studies, and Real Estate, Terry College of Business - University of Georgia
2023 Financial Regulators Program: Presenters’ Perspectives
In this series of conversations, presenters from the 2023 Financial Regulators Program visit with us to share insights and expertise on topics of relevance to financial regulators of insurance. These short-duration video segments offer a glimpse into the material that these thought-leaders covered during the multi-day, in-person event which took place in June of 2023. That event and these video segments are a collaborative effort of IREF, the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University and The Institutes Griffith Foundation. In keeping with the missions of the respective organizations, the content is strictly instructional in nature and does not support a position on any issues.
Watch the Series about 2023 Financial Regulators Program: Presenters’ Perspectives
Surplus Lines: An Overview
Following a live presentation at the 2023 Financial Regulators Program, which was held on the campus of the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, David Ocasek visited with Frank Tomasello of The Institutes Griffith Foundation. Mr. Ocasek provided an overview of the role of surplus lines in the insurance ecosystem.

Catastrophe Risk Modeling
Following a live presentation at the 2023 Financial Regulators Program, which was held on the campus of the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, Karen Clark spoke with Jim Jones of the Katie School of Insurance. Ms. Clark provided an overview of catastrophe modeling for the benefit of regulators who were unable to attend the in-person conference.

Captives: A Primer for Policymakers
Following a live presentation at the 2023 Financial Regulators Program, which was held on the campus of the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, Steve Kinion visited with Frank Tomasello of The Institutes Griffith Foundation. Mr. Kinion shared insight into Captives and distinguished them from other forms of risk retention and risk financing

Reinsurance: Trends and Issues
Following a live presentation at the 2023 Financial Regulators Program, which was held on the campus of the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, Dennis Burke conversed with Jim Jones of the Katie School of Insurance. He discussed reinsurance fundamentals, rends and issues.

How AI May Change the Way We Think About Insurance Regulation
Following a live presentation at the 2023 Financial Regulators Program, which was held on the campus of the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, Dr. Grace visited with Frank Tomasello of The Institutes Griffith Foundation. Dr. Grace shared his thoughts on the promise of AI in insurance.
Past Programming Content

Insurance Insights: Candid Conversations with Thought Leaders
In this episode of “Insurance Insights,” Frank Paul Tomasello, Executive Director of The Institutes Griffith Foundation, visits the Arkansas State Capitol building in Little Rock for a conversation with State Representative Deborah Ferguson, the 2023 President of the National Council of Insurance Legislators. During the conversation, Representative Ferguson: shares her perspective on the challenges and trends that public policymakers faced in 2022; identifies what she believes to be the most pressing risk management and insurance priorities for state lawmakers in 2023; and offers her views of the role of NCOIL in helping lawmakers to address these priorities.

The Economic Outlook Ahead: What It May Mean for the Insurance Eco-system
The Institutes Griffith Foundation and the Insurance Regulator Education Foundation (IREF) invite you to join us for a forward-looking webinar, considering the economic outlook ahead and its implications for insurers, insureds and public policymakers. Dr. Michel Leonard, PhD, Chief Economist of Triple-I and Adjunct Faculty member with New York University’s Economics Department, will share his forecast for the year ahead. The session will include a Q & A segment moderated by Jim Jones, Executive Director of the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, and IREF Ex-officio Board Member.

The Impact of Current Economic Conditions on Insurance: An Overview for Regulators
The Institutes Griffith Foundation and the Insurance Regulator Education Foundation (IREF) are pleased to present a non-partisan and non-advocative webinar:
- examining the current economic landscape;
- exploring the impact of today’s economic conditions on insurers; and
- considering related public policy questions that have come to the fore.
The session features the insight and expertise of Dr. Michel Leonard, PhD, Chief Economist of Triple-I and Adjunct Faculty member with New York University’s Economics Department. The session will includes a question-and-answer segment moderated by Frank Paul Tomasello, Executive Director of The Institutes Griffith Foundation.

Griffith Foundation Programming Archive
We are pleased to share an array of educational programming and content. Click below to view additional on-demand resources from past webinars and events.
See the Programming Content ArchiveHeadlines
2023 Financial Regulators Program Presented by The Institutes Griffith Foundation, IREF and Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management
The Institutes Griffith Foundation, IREF, and the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University collaborated this summer to provide a multi-day program for financial regulators. An in-person event took place in June 2023 and covered a variety of topics including surplus lines, catastrophe risk modeling, and more.
The Institutes Griffith Foundation Welcomes New Advisory Council Members, Charles Chamness and Jillian Froment
The Institutes Griffith Foundation is pleased to announce the two newest members of the Advisory Council, Charles M. Chamness and Jillian Froment, J.D. Both Chamness and Froment will help to advance Griffith’s mission to provide non-advocative, non-partisan education to public policy members
The Griffith Foundation and APCIA Announce Edward Largent III as the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
The Institutes Griffith Insurance Education Foundation and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) announced Edward J. Largent, president, CEO, and board chair of Westfield Insurance, as the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award winner during a recent ceremony at APCIA’s 2022 Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.
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Advisory Council
Matthew Mosher, Chair
President and Chief Executive Officer – Rating Services
A.M. Best CompanyLaVawn Coleman, J.D., CPCU, ARe, Vice Chair
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Grange InsuranceJames Carson, Ph.D., CPCU, CLU, ARM
Professor, Risk Management & Insurance
University of GeorgiaCharles M. Chamness
Independent Corporate Director and Senior Advisor
to Bain Capital Insurance and Sandbox Insurtech Ventures.Jillian Froment, J.D.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
American Council of Life InsurersRob McDade, J.D., CPCU
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer
COUNTRY FinancialHoward Mills
Independent Corporate Director and Senior Advisor, McKinsey & CompanyKeesha-Lu M. Mitra, J.D., FLMI, FFSI
Vice President-Counsel
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance CompanyDavid M. Pooser, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science
St. John’s UniversityE. Tice Sirmans, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Finance, Insurance and Law, College of Business, Illinois State University
Illinois State University College of Business -
Our Staff
Frank Paul Tomasello, J.D.
Executive Director
ftomasello@griffithfoundation.org -
Contact Information
The Griffith Insurance Education Foundation
720 Providence Rd, Suite 100
Malvern, PA 19355
855-288-7743
610-725-5967 (fax)
info@griffithfoundation.org