Washington RIMS

Game, Set, Match. RRP Networking Event
2023-06-20 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | SPIN Seattle, 1511 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101
Game, Set, Match. RRP Networking Event – Drinks, Appetizers and a Friendly Table Tennis Match

Are you under the age of 35 and/or have less than 7 years of risk management or insurance experience? If so, register for this exclusive RRP networking event. Mingle with your peers, meet some of your Chapter Board members, enjoy some beverages and snacks along with a friendly table tennis match.
This event is open to qualifying RRP’s only.

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

RIMS WA Chapter Social @ Ghostfish Brewing
2023-06-13 15:30 - 18:30 | Ghostfish Brewing, 2942 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA, 98134
RIMS WA Chapter Social @ Ghostfish Brewing: 3:30pm – 6:30pm

RIMS Washington invites you to take a guided tour of the Vigor shipyard in Seattle. Located at the heart of the Pacific Northwest’s maritime industry, Vigor’s 27-acre facility is utilized for a variety of construction and repair projects. Vigor routinely services: fishing vessels, ferries, barges, military ships, and offshore oil and gas vessels. The tour will be conducted in two 1.5 hour sessions with a 15-person max capacity per session. Following the tour, RIMS Washington will be hosting a social open to ALL at Ghostfish Brewing Company – join us for drinks, food and networking! The social will be a great opportunity to meet new RIMS Washington members.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Vigor Tour – Session 1: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Vigor Tour – Session 2: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Social @ Ghostfish Brewing Company: 3:30 – 6:30pm

Location:

Vigor – 1801 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Company – 2942 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134

Parking:
Please note that on-site parking is available, however limited. We recommend that you carpool.
Pricing:

No cost for tour registrants.
Networking social, no cost for members; $25 for non-members.

More Information:

Please wear appropriate walking attire and shoes for the tour.
For those who don’t like beer, wine will also be available at the social.

For more information about Ghostfish Brewing Company visit their website.

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Vigor Shipyard Tour Session 2
2023-06-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Vigor Shipyard, 1801 6th Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98134
Vigor Shipyard Tour Session 2: 3:00pm – 4:30pm

RIMS Washington invites you to take a guided tour of the Vigor shipyard in Seattle. Located at the heart of the Pacific Northwest’s maritime industry, Vigor’s 27-acre facility is utilized for a variety of construction and repair projects. Vigor routinely services: fishing vessels, ferries, barges, military ships, and offshore oil and gas vessels. The tour will be conducted in two 1.5 hour sessions with a 15-person max capacity per session. Following the tour, RIMS Washington will be hosting a social open to ALL at Ghostfish Brewing Company – join us for drinks, food and networking! The social will be a great opportunity to meet new RIMS Washington members.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Vigor Tour – Session 1: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Vigor Tour – Session 2: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Social @ Ghostfish Brewing Company: 3:30 – 6:30pm

Location:

Vigor – 1801 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Company – 2942 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134

Parking:
Please note that on-site parking is available, however limited. We recommend that you carpool.
Pricing:

No cost for tour registrants.
Networking social, no cost for members; $25 for non-members.

More Information:

Please wear appropriate walking attire and shoes for the tour.
For those who don’t like beer, wine will also be available at the social.

For more information about Ghostfish Brewing Company visit their website.

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Vigor Shipyard Tour Session 1
2023-06-13 13:30 - 15:00 | Vigor Shipyard, 1801 6th Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98134
Vigor Shipyard Tour Session 1: 1:30pm – 3:00pm

RIMS Washington invites you to take a guided tour of the Vigor shipyard in Seattle. Located at the heart of the Pacific Northwest’s maritime industry, Vigor’s 27-acre facility is utilized for a variety of construction and repair projects. Vigor routinely services: fishing vessels, ferries, barges, military ships, and offshore oil and gas vessels. The tour will be conducted in two 1.5 hour sessions with a 15-person max capacity per session. Following the tour, RIMS Washington will be hosting a social open to ALL at Ghostfish Brewing Company – join us for drinks, food and networking! The social will be a great opportunity to meet new RIMS Washington members.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Vigor Tour – Session 1: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Vigor Tour – Session 2: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Social @ Ghostfish Brewing Company: 3:30 – 6:30pm

Location:

Vigor – 1801 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Company – 2942 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134

Parking:
Please note that on-site parking is available, however limited. We recommend that you carpool.
Pricing:

No cost for tour registrants.
Networking social, no cost for members; $25 for non-members.

More Information:

Please wear appropriate walking attire and shoes for the tour.
For those who don’t like beer, wine will also be available at the social.

For more information about Ghostfish Brewing Company visit their website.

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Risk Manager Roundtable
2023-05-16 09:30 - 11:30 | Starbucks Corporate Headquarters, Seattle, WA, 98104
Risk Manager Roundtable

Please join us for a morning Risk Manager Roundtable. This forum is your opportunity to discuss the topics that matter most to you with your peers in a closed session.
Event attendance is restricted to current risk managers or those with similar job descriptions.
This is a group discussion event and participation from all attendees is strongly requested.
Our Moderators:

Allison Frey, Insurance & Contacts Manager – King County
Anthony Spacciante, sr. risk manager – Starbucks Corporation

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Next Generation Risk Management & Insurance
2023-04-11 11:30 - 13:00 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Next Generation Risk Management & Insurance:
An Interactive Panel Discussion on DEI, ESG and filling your talent pipeline.

The Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) profession is facing an impending shortage of up-and-coming talent, and positioning RMI as an attractive and fulfilling career path is all the more pressing. How can the industry make strides in fostering the next generation of risk professionals? This diverse panel of industry professionals, recent graduates, and current students will engage in a meaningful discussion about talent.
Pricing:

There is no charge to attend this event.

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

RIMS Washington Education Forum
2023-03-16 | Washington Athletic Club, 1325 6th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101
RIMS WA Education ForumMarch 16, 2023Washington Athletic Club (WAC)

Join RIMS WA for a full day of education and networking! We will explore new trends, deepen our knowledge of risk and insurance, and reconnect with peers and colleagues. Register before Feb. 1st for discounts. Don’t miss this full day event packed with valuable resources, dynamic speakers, and lots of fun.

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable – Employment Law Updates Near and Far
2023-02-14 11:30 - 12:45 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable – Employment Law Updates Near and Far

Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable – Employment Law Updates Near and Far. Our speakers will share what’s in store for 2023 employment matters, top federal and state considerations, and impact for Employment Practices Liability insurance. And provide case studies and Case Law including labor updates and Washington specific employment updates and views from the Human Resource desk.
Our Presenters:

Wendi Modarelli, Principal Human Resources Consultant – HRT Northwest
Wendi Modarelli from HRT Northwest Wendi is the Principal Consultant for HRT Northwest in Washington State. She has over 20 years of experience in consulting, outsourcing and hands on HR management. She enjoys helping companies solve challenging HR issues by tailoring individual business solutions. Wendi’s expertise lies in employee relations, compliance, performance management and training. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration & HR from the University of Washington and holds both SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications.
David E. Worley, Attorney – Miller Nash LLP
David Worley is a senior associate on the firm’s employment & labor relations practice team. He represents employers of all sizes in state and federal court against claims of wage and hour disputes, employment discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environment issues. David also represents businesses in a variety of labor relations disputes, including collective bargaining, contract negotiation, grievance arbitration, and traditional labor matters. David has represented institutions, public entities, and individuals in state and federal courts, including respective appellate courts. David also represents clients before state and federal regulatory authorities, focusing on employment and labor issues. In addition to representing clients in litigation and dispute resolution matters, David frequently advises clients on day-to-day issues that arise, attempting to prevent problems before they become lawsuits. He reviews and drafts employment agreements, employee handbooks, collective bargaining agreement provisions, and all other manners of labor- and employment-related documents.Prior to joining Miller Nash, David was a commissioned Sheriff’s Deputy with the King County Sheriff’s office, earning valuable experience and perspective. During law school, David clerked for a union-side labor law firm, in addition to studying labor and employment law.
April Fredrickson, Partner – Miller Nash LLP
April L. Fredrickson represents public and private employers in all areas of labor and employment law. She advises clients on a broad range of workplace and employment issues, including employment policies and practices, state, and federal leave laws, wage-and-hour compliance, disability accommodation, employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, non-competition agreements, predictive scheduling compliance, and employee discipline and termination. April advises employers in Oregon and Washington.April has extensive experience representing employers in single plaintiff and class action litigation in state and federal court as well as before administrative agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Bureau of Labor and Industries, the Washington Human Rights Commission, and the Department of Labor & Industries.April also represents employers in labor relations and has experience in collective bargaining, contract administration, arbitration, and representing employers before the National Labor Relations Board.

Pricing:

RIMS WA Chapter Member: Free
Non-Members: $25.00

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

2023: Continued Navigation of the Complexities of the Insurance Marketplace
2023-01-10 11:30 - 12:45 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
2023: Continued Navigation of the Complexities of the Insurance Marketplace: ideas and options for your organization

As we wrap up 2022, we continue to navigate a period of great volatility and uncertainty. Join us as we hear from expert leaders from FM Global, Zurich and others as we discuss the realities of today’s challenging landscape, provide an update on current insurance market trends, loss prevention and identify key considerations for the path forward. What continues as a firming insurance market, has become even more challenged as a result of the convergence of factors ranging from increasing loss frequency and severity, to a reduction of capital, heightened focus on profitability and pending Business Interruption, supply chain and valuation challenges, and new nuclear verdict concerns. We will discuss the impact of these circumstances reflected in the hardening insurance market across the board, and including Cyber!
In addition, this panel discussion will discuss key considerations around evaluating risk and setting realistic expectations for the current market conditions and potential impact on budget.
This course is approved by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. (CE Course Number: 628585)
Our Presenters:

Travis Ferguson, Senior Account Manager – FM Global
Travis Ferguson is a Senior Account Manager in the Seattle branch office of FM Global. His role is to lead the client service team and partner with the Account Engineer to ensure FM Global products and services are delivered appropriately to serve our clients. Key underwriting responsibilities including pricing, terms/conditions, drafting of the insurance policy, renewal negotiations and placement of all locally compliant policies globally. Travis has over 11 years of experience in the property insurance industry and is committed to profitable and stable partnerships between FM Global and our mutual policyholders.Travis joined the company as a Field Engineer in the Seattle office in Jan 2009. Prior to joining FM Global, Travis worked for seven years as a Process Engineer in the semiconductor industry at Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho. Travis held multiple roles there including shift process engineer on the fab floor, ownership of different wet process toolsets and finally yield management lead in the Fab 1/3 Wet Process Engineering department.Travis is a graduate of Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., USA, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.

Joann Gomez, Division Vice President, Risk Management – Liberty Mutual
Joann is responsible for the management and performance of Large Account Casualty operation in California, Pacific Northwest and Mountain States for Liberty Mutual. She leads a team of experienced underwriters to collaborate with Agents & Brokers and provide solutions to complex clients. Her team is responsible for workers compensation, general liability and automobile coverage and alternative risk structures helping large clients to embrace today and prepare for tomorrow.Prior to this, Joann was the regional vice president leading Liberty’s Middle Market team in the Southern California and Mountain Region. She was responsible for the underwriting and underwriting support operation and overall underwriting profit & growth on property and causality lines. Joann joined Liberty Mutual as part of the underwriting foundation program in 1998 after graduating from University of California, Berkeley with dual Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Sciences of Industrial Society. During the time with Liberty, she completed her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) profession designation in 2003 and earned the Executive Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s College in 2007.

Gara Lander, Cyber Teams – Chubb
bio coming soon
Christian Jewett, West Region Manager for Financial Lines – Zurich
bio coming soon
Moderator: Anthony Spacciante, Senior Risk Manager – Starbucks
bio coming soon

Pricing:

RIMS WA Chapter Member: Free
Non-Members: $25.00

To receive member pricing, please place your member coupon code in the “Promo Code” field during registration.
Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Let’s Celebrate the Season: Join us for connection and cocktails at the Forum Social House
2022-12-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Forum Social House, North Tower, Lincoln Square 700 Bellevue Way NE STE 300, Bellevue, WA, 98004
Let’s Celebrate the Season: Join us for connection and cocktails at the Forum Social House

You’re invited to an evening of laughter and good cheer at RIMS WA Chapter’s Holiday Celebration!
Can you believe it has been three years since we’ve been together in person for a RIMS WA Holiday Party? The wait is over! Let’s celebrate the season and a return to networking by connecting with each other at the Forum Social House. In appreciation of a successful year, RIMS WA invites you to join us for appetizers, drinks, and holiday cheer.
Join us for one of the best happy hours in the eastside! Dress festive, celebrate, mingle, and connect while enjoying a truly unforgettable PAR1 Miniature Golf course. The PAR1 Minigolf features uniquely themed, selfie inspired holes that keep you guessing from start to end. Enjoy Unicorn Polo, a virtual Koi Pond, and even an oversized Golf Throne fit for a king or queen. You won’t be able to resist snapping a photo at every turn.
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, we’ll have one for you waiting on ice. Thank you to our 2020 Education Forum sponsors!
In the spirit of good tidings & cheer, we would be grateful for your support in giving back during the holidays by supporting YWCA Holiday Gift Giving Program (formerly known as Adopt-A-Family).
RIMS WA Chapter is hopeful to support two or more families this year and we would appreciate your support by donating money towards the Gift Giving Program. YWCA is requesting that each family receive a $150 gift card for groceries and a $75 gift card for each child. The RIMS WA Chapter appreciates your support in this important community program, even if you are unable to attend the event on December 9th.
Come celebrate the holidays with RIMS WA Chapter! We cannot wait to see you and connect in person!
Location: Forum Social House (North Tower, Lincoln Square, 700 Bellevue Way NE STE 300, Bellevue, WA 98004)
Timeline: Friday, December 9, 2022 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Pricing:

RIMS Chapter Members (and partners/guests): $40.00 each
Non-Members (and partners/guests): $50.00 each
Rising Risk Professionals, Students, & Public-Entities (and partners/guests): $25.00 each
Donation (optional): to YWCA Holiday Gift Giving Program

Bar Sponsor: RIMS WA Chapter 2020 Education Forum Sponsors
To receive member pricing, please place your member coupon code in the “Promo Code” field during registration.
Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

The Evolution of an ERM Program and its Impact on Decision-Making and Risk Culture
2022-11-08 11:30 - 13:15 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
The Evolution of an ERM Program and its Impact on Decision-Making and Risk Culture.

Learn how a well-developed Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Program adapts to changing conditions, supports better decision making, and promotes a risk-aware culture. This session will explain the importance of establishing a solid ERM framework that has the flexibility to navigate change and grow with the organization that it is attached to. This session will provide a case study based on the successful ERM Program implemented by King County Government in Washington State and will follow the Program’s evolution over time through a global pandemic, during an unprecedented hard insurance market, and in the age of nuclear verdicts, all while prioritizing the organization’s mission and values.
This course is approved by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. (CE Course Number: 628408)
Our Presenter:
Jennifer Hills, CRM, ARM-P, Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine
Jennifer Hills began her career with King County in 1999 as the Loss Control Manager. In 2003 she became Director of Risk Management, and in September 2022 was appointed the Deputy Chief Operating Officer.
King County, which includes the Seattle-Bellevue metropolitan area, is the 12th largest county in the United States serving a population of 2.3 million. King County, through its approximately 18,000 employees, provides services such as public health and community services, parks and recreation, wastewater treatment, and criminal justice. King County also operates the regional transportation network including bus, light rail, streetcar, and passenger ferry services, as well as the King County International Airport. The County provides these services while prioritizing equity and social justice, climate change, regional mobility, continuous improvement, and safety for all.
Jennifer received her Business Degree from the University of Washington. In 2018, Jennifer was named Public Risk Manager of the Year by the Public Risk Management Association and was named to the RIMS Risk Management Honor Roll.
Pricing:

RIMS WA Chapter Member: Free
Non-Members: $25.00

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Recent Trends in Cyber Threats
2022-10-18 11:30 - 12:45 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Recent Trends in Cyber Threats and Best Practices to Prepare for Your Insurance Program Renewal

The ever-evolving Cyber Insurance Market can be intimidating. This session intends to shed light on recent Cyber claims, breaches, and trends, as well as provide tactical ways to prepare for insurance renewals in 2022 & 2023.
This course is approved by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. (CE Course Number: 628375)
Our Presenters:

Bryan Hurd, Managing Director – Stroz Friedberg, an Aon company
Bryan Hurd is a Managing Director in Stroz Friedberg’s Seattle office where he directs engagements involving cybercrime and data breach response, information security, digital forensics, intellectual property protection, and electronic discovery. Bryan has more than 25 years of experience in computer forensics, counterterrorism, and intelligence leadership roles. Prior to joining Stroz Friedberg, Bryan was the Director of Intelligence for the Microsoft Cyber Crime Center and has held executive leadership positions in an artificial intelligence start-up company as well as other commercial organizations, the military and in government. Read more about Bryan here.
Sean Updegrove, Director Digital Asset Protection – BECU
Sean Updegrove is BECU’s Director- Digital Asset Protection and is responsible for Ensuring the protection and assurance of BECU digital assets, identity, keys, secrets, certificates, applications, and APIs, in our hosted or on premise compute and storage environments. Sean is the Product Owner for the enterprise Zero Trust security program that is transforming the security posture for BECU. Sean has been a Chief Technical Officer and Chief Information Security Officer and brings over 20 years of IT leadership experience in both healthcare and financial services industries. Read more about Sean here.
Tracy Elliott, Director of Risk, Insurance and Claims – Coinstar, LLC
Tracy Elliott is the Director of Risk, Insurance and Claims for Coinstar, LLC, the global leader in providing self-service coin counting with 23,000 kiosks in North America, Europe, and Japan. She is responsible for the global risk, insurance and claims management programs for the organization and has been with the company for nearly 10 years. She joined the Washington RIMS chapter board in July 2016 and is the immediate past President and current Delegate for the Chapter.
Tim Golden, Head of Retail, Cyber – Everest Insurance
Tim Golden is the National Head of US Retail – Cyber at Everest Insurance, currently responsible for cyber underwriting and retail distribution across the United States. Tim has been in the cyber insurance industry for over 10 years, having previously managed a west coast based team tasked with underwriting risks in all industry segments throughout California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Texas.

Pricing:

RIMS WA Chapter Member: Free
Non-Members: $25.00

Are you unsure if you are a member of the RIMS WA Chapter or want to become one? Please reach out to: membership@warims.org

Register Here

Economic Update – PNW Impact – Future Forward
2022-09-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Rainier Square – 3rd Floor, 1301 5th Ave, Seattle, WA
Insurance economists forecast continued growth with insurance premiums and continued challenges with supply chain and inflation. How will our local and global economy emerge? Hear the predictions from a PNW economist with a global view. What impact will this have on how we manage risk and insurance programs?
This is an in-person education program. Registration is limited to 50 attendees. Please only registered if you are fully committed to attending in-person. To be placed on the waitlist, or if your plans change and you can no longer attend, please email admin@warims.org.
Insurance CE credits are not being offered for this event.
Our Presenter:

Christian Kaylor, Economist – State of Oregon

Christian Kaylor is a Workforce Economist for the Oregon Employment Department, specializing in the Portland and Pacific Northwest areas. He provides data and analysis relating to the Portland economy to local businesses, business associations and government agencies to facilitate intelligent decision making.Before coming to the Employment Department more than twenty years ago, Christian worked in various positions in Oregon politics and policy. A native Oregonian, Christian has a degree in Economics from the University of Oregon.

Lunch:

Lunch will be provided by Homegrown Catering, a local Seattle establishment. You are welcome to eat onsite or take your lunch to go at the end of the presentation.

Register Here

Summer Give Back and Get Together
2022-08-09 13:30 - 15:30 | Food Lifeline, 815 S 96th St, Seattle, WA, 98108
RIMS Washington invites you to join the Board in a volunteering and networking event. Our afternoon will start with volunteering at Food Lifeline followed by happy hour at a local brewery nearby.
To join us in volunteering at Food Lifeline please sign up at: http://rimswashingtonchapter.foodlifeline.volunteerhub.com/
Sign Up Early: Volunteer Max 30
Volunteer Day and Time: Tuesday, August 9, 1:30 – 3:30pm
**Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in.
Food Lifeline Location: 815 S 96th St, Seattle, WA 98108
Parking
Please note that on-site parking is available, however very limited. We recommend that you carpool whenever possible.
What to bring
Volunteers must come with closed-toed shoes and a mask. Bring layers as our warehouse can be cool.
Our Covid-19 procedures
Although the Washington State mask mandate has been lifted, at present Food Lifeline still require that all volunteers wear masks while volunteering. Food Lifeline does provide surgical and cloth masks throughout our building. They do not require or verify vaccination records or negative test results before volunteering, however they encourage all volunteers to receive Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters.

Register Here

Networking and Mini Golf @ Interbay Golf Center
2022-06-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Interbay Golf Center, 2501 15th Ave W, Seattle, WA, 98119
Networking and Mini Golf @ Interbay Golf Center

When is it too wet to play golf? When your golf cart capsizes! In Seattle, it’s never too wet!
Join us for a member social outing. We look forward to seeing you face to face!
As a thank you to our members and sponsors, this is a no cost event.
Sponsors for our June Networking Event

Register Here

2022 Property Challenges with Valuations
2022-05-10 11:30 - 12:30 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
How much does it cost? 2022 Property Challenges with Valuations (In-Person Attendance)

The cost of construction has increased 28% over the last five years. Machinery and equipment replacement costs have increased 8.5% over the same time frame. With the cost of building materials and labor increasing at unprecedented rates due to inflation and supply chain issues, it is vital for property owners to have current and accurate insurance valuations to make sure limits will cover the costs to replace insured property. (source: Travelers Ins Co). More importantly, having the right tools and resources can help provide more informed decision making and purchasing.
Learning Objectives:

Be informed on contributing costs that can impact the valuation.
How to determine how much is enough, are you really underinsured?
What are tools and options to mitigate these challenges.

Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Please only registered if you are fully committed to attending in-person. To be placed on the waitlist, or if your plans change and you can no longer attend, please email admin@warims.org.
This course is approved by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. (CE Course Number: 627918 for in-person attendance and 627919 for virtual attendance.)
Our Presenters:

Libby Stevenson, VP of Risk Management – BentallGreenOak Libby is the Vice President of Risk Management for BentallGreenOak. BentallGreenOak is an investment advisor and a real estate firm with over $10B in assets under management. Libby has worked in the risk management department for over 25+ years and responsible for insuring all risks and properties of their portfolio. She manages insurance procumbent of property, liability, environmental, surety, earthquake and flood coverage, in addition to claims and contract reviews.
Nick McClure, Seattle Branch Manager – FM Global Nick McClure, Seattle Branch Manager for FM Global has served as the Client Service Manager for major accounts in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to being a CSM, Nick was a production underwriter for FM Global.
Andy Bassett, Managing Director, Property Advisor – Marsh Andrew Bassett is a property team leader for Marsh’s Pacific North Partnership. His primary responsibility is for the delivery of property advisory services to Marsh’s global clients which includes designing, placing, and implementing complex insurance programs. Andrew has 32 years with Marsh, and a total of 42 years of experience in the industry. He handles all aspects of property programs including the strategy, marketing, placement, and servicing. Andrew assists clients with their property exposure analysis, including business interruption and supply chain. Clients served include Agriculture/food processing; coal mining; forest products; healthcare; higher education; manufacturing; public entity; and retail/distribution. Before joining Marsh, Andrew was an underwriter for three insurance companies after getting his start as a loss control engineer.
Rick Dettman, Senior Valuation Consultant – Suncorp Valuation Rick joined Suncorp Valuations in 2009, he has many years of valuation experience, including valuations of retail shopping centers, high rise office buildings, hospitals and healthcare, consumer goods manufacturing, food processing, foundries, steel mills, pulp and paper mills, chemical, biofuel, ethanol, mining, natural gas processing and race tracks and amusement parks. He works with the Business Development group to market the firm’s services. Rick has been involved in valuation of some of the largest shopping malls in the world and the Panama Canal. Rick has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is recognized as an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in Machinery and Technical Specialties with the American Society of Appraisers. He is also a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser.

Lunch:
Box lunches will be ordered from Pane Pane Sandwiches, a local Seattle restaurant. Box lunches will include a full sandwich, cookie, chips, and water. Unfortunately, Pane Pane Sandwiches declines substitutions and limits subtractions to allergy/dietary needs only (i.e. wheat free, vegan, etc.). Please select your sandwich preference during registration. More information abont Pane Pane Sandwiches can be found here. You are welcome to eat onsite or take your lunch to go at the end of the presentation.
Parking:
Event parking is not provided and is the responsibility of the attendee. You are welcome to park at Rainier Square, off Union Street between 4th and 5th. The parking sky bridge is located on the second level, walk across the building atrium to Rainier Square. Take the elevator to the 12th floor. Alternative parking options include The Cobb (off University St. between 3rd and 4th), Union Square (off Union St. between 3rd and 4th), or IBM Building (off University St. between 5th and 6th).

Register Here

Risk Manager Roundtable
2022-04-26 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Please join us for a morning Risk Manager Roundtable. This forum is your opportunity to discuss the topics that matter most to you with your peers in a closed session.
Event attendance is restricted to current risk managers or those with similar job descriptions.
Participants should plan to have video and audio settings enabled. This is a group discussion event and participation from all attendees is strongly requested.
Our Moderators:

Libby Stevenson, VP Risk Management, BentallGreenOak
Allison Frey, Insurance & Contacts Manager, King County
Kristine Costanza, Manager Risk & Compliance, NorthStar Energy
Laricel Cambronero, Risk Claims Manager, Port of Seattle

Register Here

From Launch to ERM: Navigating Risk in the Space Frontier
2022-03-08 11:30 - 12:30 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
From Launch to ERM: Navigating Risk in the Space Frontier
Blast off with Blue Origin’s Michelle Wilkerson as she shares her experience as the aerospace company’s first Risk Manager and how she has grown a Risk Management Department within. Michelle will discuss Blue Origin’s operations, provide an overview of their insurance program, and describe how Enterprise Risk Management comes in to play. Attendees will also gain insight from Michelle on how she effectively interfaces with the C-Suite on risk assessment in light of Blue Origin’s unique risks as part of the space industry.
This course is being reviewed by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner. If CE Credits are approved we will update the program description.
Our Speakers:

Michelle Wilkerson, Director, Insurance – Blue Origin
Michelle is an accomplished insurance and risk management professional known for implementing state of the art risk financing and claim management programs for complex, global companies in high-risk sectors. She joined Blue Origin in February 2019, as Director Insurance and is the company’s first risk manager.
Shortly after joining Blue Origin, she reappointed the company’s brokerage representation, consolidated, and centralized the company’s fragmented insurance policy purchases into an intentional and optimized insurance program that has been crafted to be flexible and responsive to Blue Origins complicated and growing needs. She has maintained and developed new insurance carrier and underwriting business relationships, developing the trust needed to support the company’s multifaceted activities on land, sea, orbit – and to the moon.

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A Risk Professional’s View: Taking Action with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
2022-02-08 11:30 - 12:30 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Session Title: A Risk Professional’s View: Taking Action with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Join us in an interactive discussion focused on leading and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our companies and the risk profession. Our guest speakers Kevin Thomas (Risk Manager at Oracle) and Precious Norman-Walton (Director of Underwriting Harbor.ai) will dive into the evolution of DE&I and what that looks like in the context of COVID-19 and the future of work. In addition, join in unpacking the impact of DEI as a core business risk and how companies that are lacking DEI strategy may have challenges in attracting and retaining key talent, expanding customer pools and struggle with overall growth. Lastly, learn more about the RIMS DEI Council 3-year strategy. We will conclude our time with key take-aways and actions that will help you get started or gain momentum in the area of DEI.
Our Speakers:

Kevin Thomas, Principal Product and Risk Manager of Compliance – Oracle
Kevin Thomas, a Principal Product and Risk Manager for Compliance and Assurance for Oracle is one of the North America Region Co-Leads and is the Relationship Manager to Out and Equal, Inc. He is a founder of the OPEN Pacific Northwest Chapter, a founder of EmRG, an LGBTQ+ Corporate Alliance of LGBTQ+ leaders in the Puget Sound region, and currently serves as the Chair of the Risk Management Society’s (RIMS) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council. For a fun fact, Kevin was an Ambassador to The Lego Group (TLG) for his local Lego User Group and one of the founders of FabuLUG, An LGBTQ+ group of Adult Fans of Lego (AFOL’s).

Precious Norman-Walton, Director of Underwriting – Harbor.ai
Precious Norman Walton exists at the intersection of where Human Resources meets Commercial Insurance. She currently serves as the Director of Underwriting for Harbor AI, LLC, a digital MGA based in New York City. With over 15 years of Insurance Industry experience, she has served in Personal Lines Claims, Commercial Underwriting, and Agency Management. Prior to her current role, Precious was VP of Account Management for Insureon, VP of Agency Operations of Lucky Truck, and Chief Operating Officer of Diamond National Insurance Advisors. She served as the 2020 President of the Dallas Chapter CPCU Society and is currently its Director of Programming. She is also active with Agents & Brokers Interest Group, and co-hosts the CPCU Champion Hour webshow with Matthew Struck and Heather Blevins.
Precious Norman Walton holds active licenses as a Risk Manager, Property & Casualty Agent, Life & Health Agent, and All Lines Adjuster, as well as six Insurance Designations, and is a SHRM Certified Professional in Human Resources.

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Forensics of a Nuclear Liability Verdict
2022-01-11 11:30 - 12:30 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Session Title: The $1B verdict is the new $1M – Forensics of a Nuclear Liability Verdict
In House Warrior: Nuclear Verdicts – A Billion is the New Million. Jennifer Hills, Director of Risk Management for King County Washington will be joined by two litigators with extensive experience in crisis management and catastrophic and high-exposure mass casualty events. This session will discuss the rise of social inflation and its impact on nuclear verdicts, legal strategies for turning the tables and minimizing nuclear verdicts, out of the box resolution strategies that moderate catastrophic risk and provide insights into best practices for handling billion-dollar claims.
This course is being reviewed by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. If credits are approved, we will update the registration site with the CE course number.
Our Speakers:

Jennifer Hills has been the Director of Risk Management for King County, Washington since 2003. King County, which includes the Seattle-Bellevue metropolitan area, is the 13th largest County in the United States serving a population of over 2 million. King County, through its 16,000 employees, provides direct and regional services such as public health and community services, parks and recreation, wastewater treatment, and criminal justice. King County also operates the regional transportation network including bus, light rail, streetcar, and passenger ferry services, as well as the King County International Airport.
Stratton Horres has more than 40 years of experience, focused on crisis management and defending clients in catastrophic and high-exposure mass casualty events in virtually all areas. Cases have included mass shootings, commercial, products liability, health care, wildfires, explosions, transportation incidents of all kinds and construction collapse matters. In addition, Stratton frequently is engaged as monitoring counsel on behalf of insurers in these kinds of cases.
Karen Bashor experience with complex litigation, large transportation claims and catastrophic injury defense. She has successfully handled civil and criminal jury trials in state and federal court in Nevada and New Jersey. Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Karen was the first woman partner and first minority partner at a prominent Las Vegas law firm where she routinely handled large cases involving multimillion-dollar claims, including punitive damages, fraud and wrongful death. She has vigorously defended small and large companies and individuals across the nation.

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Pivoting in a Pandemic
2021-12-07 11:30 - 13:00 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Session Title: Pivoting in a Pandemic: YWCA’s Economic Resilience
We all know that COVID-19 has had major effects on economic advancement locally, including adding new hurdles for organizations dedicated to serving low-income families within the region. Hear from Mike Schwartz and Mina Amin of YWCA Seattle-King County-Snohomish County on challenges their organization has encountered and mitigated since the start of the pandemic, as well as their present Economic Advancement programs. Also, gain a better understanding of YWCA’s pillars of service and how their local program sites, such as the Greenbridge Learning Center and Seola Gardens Tech Center in Seattle have innovated and adapted to continue to support the community they serve.
After the program, network with colleagues and raise a virtual cup of “Zoom Nog” with the WA RIMS Board as we approach the holiday season from 12:30pm-1:00pm.
In the spirit of good tidings & cheer, we would be grateful for your support in giving back during the holidays through a virtual In-Kind Drive supporting Greenbridge Learning Center families.
You can donate in two different ways:

Purchase items from an Amazon Wishlist. Items include:

Winter clothing: jackets, sweaters, winter hats, gloves, coats, boots, warm scarfs, socks, umbrellas, raincoats etc. You can select different sizes S-M-L-XL (Adults/Youth/Kids) – all are welcome and appreciated.
First month on the job kits to get clients by until they received their first paycheck: Gas cards, water bottle/coffee mug, flash drive, small sanitizer bottles, notebooks/organizer
Gift cards

Purchase the following items directly and ship to YWCA Greenbridge Learning Center/WorkSource Connection, 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle WA, 98106

Gift cards (food/gas): Safeway, Fred Meyer, Target, and Gas cards
Christmas toys for girls and boys aged 5-18

Tax receipt: The attached YWCA In-Kind form is your tax receipt and way for the YWCA to track your donations. Please complete and email to Janis Evans (jevans@ywcaworks.org) so we can keep track of what RIMS WA members contribute to the In-Kind Drive! YWCA also appreciates photos of donated products with your email.
We would appreciate your support of this important community program even if you are unable to attend the event on December 7th.
Our Speakers:

Mike Schwartz, Director of Economic Empowerment – YWCA
Mike Schwartz oversees the YWCA’s career development and economic advancement programs, including WorkSource Downtown Seattle, Greenbridge Learning Center, Community Jobs, Femme2STEM, the Homeless Employment Project, the BankWork$ and CareerWork$ Ready programs, and the YWCA Economic Resilience Initiative, among others. Mike has presented on workforce development topics at the Western Washington Regional Re-entry Conference, the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless Conference, the Basic Food Employment & Training Institute, and for King County’s WorkSource system. He serves on the board of directors for ANEW (Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Employment for Women) and Renton Technical College and has led system change-focused workgroups and committees for the Seattle Regional Workforce Partnership, Building Changes, and the Workforce Development Council. Mike is passionate about creating and developing programs that use a trauma-informed care and human-centered design approach, and work to reduce racial disparities and increase racial and gender equity. Mike spends his free time hiking, reading, drawing, and embracing the rain-soaked weather and wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest.
Mina Amin, Program Director – YWCA
Mina Amin is the Program Director for YWCA Greenbridge Learning Center and WorkSource Connection site. She started working in 1989 with the Private Industry Council at Park Lake Homes Career Development Center. YWCA joined and stared to lead this partnership with King County Housing Authority in 1990. Mina motivation and success is due to her personal desire to work within a diverse community and help people furthest from most opportunities. In her free time (if she gets any) she enjoys listening to music and walking around her community.

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Captives, Uses, and Trends
2021-11-09 11:45 - 12:45 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Session Title: Captives, Uses, and Trends – Oh My!
This session is targeted towards an audience sophisticated as to insurance and risk management skills to manage insurable risk for entities headquartered in Washington State. Session involves insurance experts as to risk management and captive insurance regarding captive uses and current marketplace trends. This will involve targeted questions fielded by and between Steve Legg of Starbucks, and Steven Bauman of AXA XL, where they drill down on local and national issues for the risk manager to contemplate should their company be headquartered in Washington State.
Learning Objectives:

Current admitted and surplus line insurance compliance issues for placement of insurance in a captive insurance company for Washington risks.
Risk manager insights as to managing corporate risks in a captive to employ best practices to work alongside underwriters, producers, and captive managers.
Captive management and insurance producer compliance issues

This course is approved by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. (CE Course Number: TBD).
Our Speakers:

Steven Bauman, Global Programs & Captives Director, Americas, AXA XL
Steven Bauman is Global Programs and Captives Regional Director Americas for AXA XL. Based in New York, he oversees the growth and development of AXA XL’s global insurance programs and captive business in the America. Steven provides leadership and technical support across all business lines in structuring global captive programs; ensuring captive programs are in compliance and following best practices; and works with AXA XL clients and broking partners to develop new and innovative captive products.
Steven has more than 30 years of experience in corporate insurance and captive services on both the broker / consultant and insurance company sides of the business. He joined AXA XL in 2017 from Zurich Insurance Group where he served as Head of Captive Services. Prior to his tenure at Zurich, Mr. Bauman worked at several industry leading companies, The Fred Reiss Organization, Marsh & McLennan, Aon and at XL Winterthur International where he managed it’s New York office.
He is a graduate of Colgate University and holds a master’s degree from Stevens Institute of Technology.
Steve Legg, CPCU, ARM, Director, Risk Management, Starbucks Coffee Co.
Steve has been with Starbucks since 1997, serving as director, risk management since 2006. Steve’s responsibilities include global property and casualty insurance, claims management, risk financing activities and management of the risk team within Starbucks treasury & risk management department. Steve was a board member of the Washington RIMS Chapter for seven years, serving as President in 2005, and he is a current board member of Starbucks Vermont-domiciled captive insurer. Steve has a degree in Political Economy from the University of California at Berkeley, and he lives in the Seattle area with his wife and 10-year-old twins.

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Brand Reputation & Risk Management
2021-10-12 11:30 - 12:45 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Session Summary:
Driving satisfaction and loyalty, even in a crisis. The anticipated growth of technology innovation brings the prospect of new defect or performance issues; more expensive repair costs; new fire and cyber threats; and even reputational issues around sustainable sourcing and disposal of critical components and raw materials for batteries.
Join us as we dive into the advancements in technology and identify key risks emerging from new innovation such as autonomous driving, electric vehicles with Lithium Batteries, connected devices IoT (Internet of things) and shared mobility.
An in-depth discussion of identifying key attributes of the evolving risk landscape and the path forward in minimizing risk and impact. Including the importance of proactive risk assessments, capability audits, crisis and recall plans and the key role of training and plan validation.
Our guest speakers will highlight best practices in the management of brand reputation during a crisis event and identify key benchmarks and concepts to enhance your program.
This course is approved by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. (CE Course Number: 627116).
Speakers:

Wayne Mitchell, Global Director of Automotive Solutions – Sedgwick
Wayne’s executive background includes, Global Director of Automotive Solutions at Sedgwick, Vice President of Sales of a laser diagnostic company and Head of Sales and Operations for ALLDATA a global automotive software and services company. Experienced in developing solutions to global brands including the development of a collision solution transforming the way vehicles are estimated and repaired after an accident ensuring a safe and effective repair. Wayne’s education includes Regis University in Denver, CO followed by Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management in Nashville, TN. He resides in Camano Island, WA with his wife and two children where he enjoys the outdoors, boating, camping, hunting, fishing and horseback riding.

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Market Update & Predictions
2021-09-21 11:30 - 12:45 | Virtual Event via Zoom, Seattle, WA, 98104
Continued Navigation of the Complexities of the Insurance Marketplace

As we wrap up 2021, we continue to navigate a period of great volatility and uncertainty. Join us as we hear from expert leaders from AIG as we discuss the realities of today’s challenging landscape, provide an update on current insurance market trends, loss prevention and identify key considerations for the path forward. What continues as a firming insurance market, has become even more challenged because of the convergence of factors ranging from increasing loss frequency and severity to a reduction of capital, heightened focus on profitability and pending Business Interruption lawsuits from COVID and liability claims of COVID. We will discuss the impact of these circumstances reflected in the hardening insurance market across the board, and most severely for long tail products such as (D&O, Excess Liability, and workers comp).
In addition, this panel discussion will discuss key considerations around evaluating risk and setting realistic expectations for the current market conditions and potential impact on budget. Hear from a local Director of Finance and Insurance, Theresa Craw of Nordstrom on key learnings and areas of focus for the management of risk for the balance of 2021.
This course is approved by the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner for 1 hour of CE credit. (CE Course Number: 627085).
Our Speakers:

Theresa Craw, Director of Insurance & Finance – Nordstrom, Inc.
Theresa joined the Risk Management team at Nordstrom in January 2015. The first few years were spent primarily supporting the systems and analytics group as well as managing the RMIS for the department. In 2017, Theresa shifted her focus to support insurance placement, and in 2020, she also began supporting the legal finance group within the organization. Theresa graduated from Seattle University and completed her MBA at her alma mater. Prior to Nordstrom, she spent a few years supporting procurement and aircraft delivery at Boeing, here locally in the greater Seattle area.
Erin Hoffman, Cyber Underwriter – AIG
Erin is an Executive Underwriter in the Northwest region within AIG’s San Francisco office. She brings deep experience in cyber and professional liability and co-leads the West Coast team. She joined AIG in June of 2020. Erin’s professional background is diverse with both retail broker and carrier experiences. She spent five years with Marsh on the broking side and three years with Beazley in Underwriting. Erin graduated from Saint Mary’s College of CA with a Business Administration degree and a minor in Communication.
AMark Girolamo, Financial Lines – AIG
Mark Girolamo is a Management Liability Underwriter with the American International Group focusing on Directors & Officers Liability, Employment Practices Liability, and Employee Benefit Fiduciary Liability. Mark currently manages the Private and Not-for-Profit book in the West Zone. His clients vary in range from small family-owned businesses to large multinational corporations. Mark has been with AIG for 16 years in New York, San Francisco, and Seattle in roles of increasing responsibility. Mark is a board member of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation: Seattle Chapter and Treasurer of AIG’s Veterans Leadership Network.

Heather Reynolds, IA Property – AIG
Heather Reynolds is the Retail Property Underwriting Manager for the Northwest Region with AIG. Heather has over 25-year underwriting experience with the last 12-years being property focused. She leads a team of 7 underwriters in the Northwest, focusing on large commercial property accounts.Heather has been with AIG since 2012, handling complex property accounts prior to her management role. Heather has her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation and a B.A. in Economics from San Diego State University.

Joe Hamilton, Excess Casualty – AIG
Joe Hamilton is the Zonal Underwriting Manager for the West for AIG, focused on Excess Casualty lines. Prior to AIG he sent 16 years at GAPRIS Insurance Services as the Divisional Vice President.

Gary Shertenlieb, Risk Management – AIG
Gary Shertenlieb is the Executive Vice President of AIG Risk Management, West Zone. He was the underwriting manager at AXA XL prior to AIG and served as a broker at Lockton Companies. He’s an MBA of Emory University.

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