May 08, 2024
Daniel Perez
Orlando, Florida-based program administrator, Spencer Educational Foundation Inc.
Winter Park, Florida-based assistant director, Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, Rollins College
The outlook for the industry is bright. We see so many wonderful insurance industry rising stars come through our scholars program at Spencer, which solidified the fact that we are in good hands with the next generation of insurance leaders.
My goals are to add value to and build upon the work Spencer does for the risk management and insurance industry and to affect the lives of students. I’m very creative and like to problem-solve, so the diverse team at Spencer is already providing me with fresh ways to tackle challenges and potentially move the needle even more.
Even though we have great talent coming into the industry, we need more. Our current challenge is to continue to attract new talent into the industry and support more students in studying, interning and creating a career in risk management and insurance.
I have been insurance adjacent since 2017, when I helped launch the Prudential Risk Management Academy at the University of Texas at El Paso. This was a program I spearheaded with the support of Prudential Financial, and I absolutely fell in love with the industry and its people.
Be open and receptive to an ever-changing landscape. All industries are being shaken up, but tried-and-true interpersonal skills are always in high demand, and this group of professionals makes it easy to connect.
I am in my dream job. Honestly, I always said I wanted to have my own named scholarship and financially support those who merit it. There is nothing better than the feeling of being able to help someone achieve their dreams and potentially change the course of their professional trajectory.
International business as an undergrad, and management as a graduate student.
I am looking forward to meeting more of the awesome people in the industry, deepening my connection with those I already know, as well as forging connections with our rising talent. Of course, getting to work with the Spencer team, and learning from all of them while adding value to our programing.
I am a big foodie, so that is not an easy answer. I like to travel and experience culture through food. I like it all. Big fan of all Asian foods and all its iterations, but I am of Mexican descent, so a good taco will always hit the spot.
“The Center Cannot Hold,” by Elyn Saks
I like to travel and try new activities. I am new to Florida, so I am actively trying to visit as many lakes as possible. Love live events as well.
I don’t have one. I prefer watching movies.
You can probably find me out with friends. I have several friends from different backgrounds (from all my travels) and I like to hold space for them and bring them together over a nice meal, etc. Many age ranges and distinct backgrounds, which makes for a good Saturday afternoon of idea-sharing and knowledge transfer.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.