Advanced Degrees Professional Certifications Designations Are

Advanced Degrees, Professional Certifications & Designations – Are they worth the effort? Session Number 123 IASA 86 TH ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE & BUSINESS SHOW

Cindy Powell, MCPMP, CSM Bespoke § Founder and President – Bespoke. § 11 years with Bespoke, 28 years in Insurance (Health, Life, P&C) § Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification § Masters Certificate in Project Management (MCPMP) Villanova University § Certified Scrum Master Certification (CSM) - University of Pennsylvania

Denise Woernley, CPCU, AIS, AINS, AU, Are Dryden Mutual Insurance Company § Business Analyst and Underwriting SME § 24 years in Insurance Industry § Completed Associate in Accounting Degree, currently working toward BA Risk Management § Completed Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation § Began teaching AICPcu courses in 2004 and has helped 24 people pass exams.

Zachary Collings, CPCU, ARe ISCS § Sales Engineer - ISCS since 2013 § 3 Years prior Insurance experience with catastrophe risk modeling vendor, Risk Management Solutions (RMS) § BA, Economics Wake Forest University § Completed MBA as full time student at the University of Washington § Completed CPCU, ARe and CCRA while working for RMS and ISCS

Arthur Salvadori, CPA Saslow, Lufkin & Buggy, LLP § Audit Partner - Saslow Lufkin & Buggy, LLP (SLB) § 11 years with SLB and 17 years in the insurance industry § Primary focus is Property and Casualty Insurance § BS, Accounting, University of Connecticut § Certified Public Accountant, Licensed in 2000 § Eligible to practice in several states

Lianne Watford, MCBA LHW Business Analysts § Founder, President – LHW Business Analysts § 17 years in insurance industry § Associate in Science, Commercial Education - University of South Carolina § Completion of South Carolina Bankers School § Masters Certification in Business Analysis (MCBA) – Villanova University § Currently working on Certified Business Analyst Professional certification (CCBA) through International Institute of Business Analyst (IIBA)

Agenda § Why achieve an Advanced Degree or Professional Certification? § How difficult is the process of achieving these designations? § How have employers helped panelist achieve and maintain these credentials? § What is the impact to the day to day responsibilities and to the careers of the panelist? § Open forum for Q&A with panelist

Why achieve an Advanced Degree or Professional Certification? § PMP - “certification positively impacts project manager salaries — and helps you stand out and better market yourself to prospective employers” - PMI § CPCU - “ 92% of CPCUs believe earning their CPCU prepared them for their long-term career goals. ” – theinstitutes, org § MBA – “one of the best tools a business person can have” – Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania § CPA – “ a vital part of any strong business or organization” – IBM Finance Forum § CBAP – “Recognition of professional competence by professional peers and management” - IIBA

How difficult is the process of achieving these designations? § Methods for preparing for exams § Time and Duration Required to be Successful § Work / Life Balance through the process § Maintaining Designation

How have employers helped panelist achieve and maintain these credentials? § Impact in getting the job and/or promotions § Financial Assistance and Incentives § Allocation of work hours toward preparation § In-house training programs and mentorships

What is the impact to day responsibilities and to the careers of the panelist? § How useful is what you learned in helping you succeed in the day to day responsibilities of the job? § Has achieving your credentials impacted the way you are viewed by peers and management? § Would you do it again?

Open forum for Q&A with panelist

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