
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 Programing

The Impact of Current Economic Conditions on Insurance: An Overview for Regulators
Thursday, March 30, 2023 1:00 PM EDT
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 will feature 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 include a question-and-answer segment moderated by Frank Paul Tomasello, Executive Director of The Institutes Griffith Foundation. In keeping with the mission of The Institutes Griffith Foundation, the webinar program is strictly instructional in nature and does not support a position on any issues.
Register NowInsurance 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.
View More about Insurance Insights: Candid Conversations with Thought LeadersThe Institutes Griffith Foundation and the NAIC’s Center for Insurance Policy and Research “Back-to-Basics” Collaborative Programming Series
The Institutes Griffith Foundation is pleased to collaborate with the NAIC’s Center for Insurance Policy and Research to produce a “Back to Basics” series of webinars. These non-partisan and non-advocative sessions aim to provide foundational knowledge to help inform important policy conversations.

Reinsurance: Back to Basics
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 will focus on reinsurance. This non-partisan and non-advocative webinar aims to provide foundational knowledge to help inform important policy conversations. Reinsurance is a crucial tool for insurers to help manage their risk profile and create stability in insurance markets. In this session, we'll cover the foundations of reinsurance, how it is used by insurers, and factors impacting the reinsurance market such as natural catastrophes.

Insurance Fraud: Back to Basics
This pre-recorded broadcast, the most recent in our “Back to Basics” series of webinars, explores the topic of insurance fraud. Speakers include Dr. J Bradley Karl of Florida State University, Fred Lohman of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Trinidad Navarro of the Delaware Department of Insurance, and J. Michael Skiba of Dr. Fraud Training Group.The 90-minute session: explores the impact fraud has on insurance; discusses strategies for combating fraud; provides an overview of how regulators are tackling the issue; and considers the innovative ways technology and big data are being used to identify fraud.

Captives: Back to Basics
We are pleased to share this recorded broadcast in partnership with Center for Insurance Policy and Research on the fundamentals, importance, and challenges of captives in risk management.
Speakers include Rob Hoyt of the University of Georgia and Steve Kinion, ACI, Director of the Bureau of Captive and Financial Insurance Products and the Delaware Department of Insurance.
Past Programming Content

The Fundamentals of Risk Management and Insurance: a Primer for Public Policymakers
Presented by The Institutes Griffith Foundation in Collaboration with NCOIL
This on-demand, complimentary program provides an overview of the underpinnings of risk management and insurance. It will benefit both newly elected officials and those interested in a refresher session; and it is a terrific way for lawmakers to revisit foundational concepts in advance of the Spring meeting of NCOIL. The 45-minute session features the insights and expertise of Dr. David T. Russell, Professor of Insurance and Finance and Director of the Center for Risk Management and Insurance at California State University, Northridge. In keeping with the mission of The Institutes Griffith Foundation, the program is strictly instructional in nature and does not support a position on any issues.

2022 Cybersecurity Policy Bootcamp
The webinars of the 2022 Cybersecurity Policy Bootcamp series presented by The Institutes Griffith Foundation in collaboration with Indiana University are now viewable on-demand.
- Cyber Risk: Considering Its Scope, the Role of Insurance, Definitions of “Reasonable” Security and Relevant Trends and Practices
- Cyber Security: Surveying State-Level Consumer Privacy and Biometrics Initiatives
- Cyber Securtiy: Exploring Efforts to Combat Ransomware
The complimentary programs are moderated by Frank Paul Tomasello, Executive Director of The Institutes Griffith Foundation. Webinars are free to view, but registration is required.

Foster Care and Insurance: Exploring Opportunities and Issues Around Risk Management
The Institutes Griffith Insurance Education Foundation invites public policymakers, staff and interns to view this complimentary, non-partisan and non-advocative webinar examining myriad issues related to foster care liability exposures and approaches to address the risks.
The conversation opens with introductory remarks from Director Judith L. French of the Ohio Department of Insurance, and features the insight and expertise of three professors from Appalachian State University: David C. Marlett, PhD, Lorilee A. Medders, PhD, and Jamie Parson, PhD.

Griffith Foundation Programing 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 ArchiveThe 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.
The Griffith Foundation and NAMIC Name LaVawn Coleman Winner of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award
LaVawn Coleman, JD, CPCU, ARe, received The Institutes Griffith Insurance Education Foundation’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award during a recent ceremony at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas.
Headlines
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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, General Counsel and Secretary
Grange InsuranceCharles M. Chamness
Independent Corporate Director and Senior Advisor
to Bain Capital Insurance and Sandbox Insurtech Ventures.James Carson, Ph.D., CPCU, CLU, ARM
Professor, Risk Management & Insurance
University of GeorgiaJillian Froment, J.D.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
American Council of Life InsurersRob McDade, J.D., CPCU
Senior Vice President – Property Casualty 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 Company Law DepartmentDavid M. Pooser, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science
St. John’s UniversityE. Tice Sirmans, Ph.D.
Professor, Risk Management & Insurance
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