On Wednesday, April 15, our community showed up in a way that exceeded every expectation. Nearly 100 people registered for our inaugural Philadelphia Chapter Launch—and the turnout, energy, and engagement throughout the afternoon made it clear that something meaningful has begun.
To our members, sponsors, speakers, students, partners, and our host EY: this launch was a success because of you. Your enthusiasm, your curiosity, and your commitment to strengthening the captive insurance community in Greater Philadelphia set the tone for an unforgettable day.
A Program That Reflected the Strength of the Market
Our speakers delivered exactly what this Chapter is designed to elevate: real‑world insight, candid discussion, and practical learning grounded in the needs of this region.
- Brett Giarrusso, BreakThru Beverage
- Nicole Roy, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority
- Clare Bello, Jefferson Health
- Christine Brown, Deputy Commissioner of Captive Insurance, Vermont DFR
- Brittany Nevins, Captive Insurance Economic Development Director, State of Vermont
Each brought depth, clarity, and lived experience to the conversation, offering perspectives that sparked meaningful engagement with the audience. The conversations, the questions, and the perspectives shared all reflected a market with momentum and a community ready for deeper engagement.
Why Chapters Matter: A Model Built for Community
During my opening remarks, I shared a distinction that's at the heart of VCIA’s strategy. We have a long tradition of Road Shows—traveling around the country to deliver short, focused educational sessions that introduce the captive concept to new audiences. And those will absolutely continue.
Chapters, however, are intentionally designed to be different. Road Shows are designed to introduce ideas and spark interest in new markets, while Chapters take that foundation further by creating a home for ongoing learning. Whereas Road Shows focus on outreach, Chapters focus on building community.
And perhaps most importantly, Chapters are not a one‑size‑fits‑all model. They allow us to build something tailored to the Greater Philadelphia market—its industries, its challenges, its opportunities, and its rapidly expanding captive footprint.
That intention came to life throughout the afternoon. One moment that resonated deeply was Clare Bello’s discussion of healthcare, medical malpractice claims, and the litigation environment in Greater Philadelphia. The challenges facing healthcare organizations in this region are real and growing—and the captive solutions being deployed to manage and finance that risk are equally powerful. Seeing that conversation unfold in a room full of practitioners, students, and industry leaders underscored exactly why this Chapter matters.
A Remarkable Turnout from Students and Future Leaders
One of the most inspiring parts of the day was the number of students who joined us. Their presence—and their thoughtful questions—reinforced the importance of investing in the next generation of captive professionals.
A heartfelt thank you to:
- Spencer Educational Foundation
- Insurance Society of Philadelphia
- Delaware Valley RIMS Chapter
- And our members, including Michael Zuckerman, who helped connect us with local universities such as Temple, Lincoln, and St. Joseph’s University
Creating opportunities for students to learn, network, and see the breadth of careers in captive insurance is a core part of our mission. Philadelphia’s academic community is strong, and we’re excited to build lasting relationships here.
A Reception That Kept the Momentum Going
We closed the day with a packed reception at Continental Midtown—the same venue where we’ll host our VCIA RISKWORLD Reception on Monday, May 4 from 5–7 p.m., presented by the VCIA Philadelphia Chapter.
The conversations were lively, the connections meaningful, and the food… memorable. I had my first Philly cheesesteak eggroll, and I’m told that officially makes me a Philadelphian.
Partnerships That Make This Work Possible
We are deeply grateful to the sponsors and partners who supported this launch and continue to champion VCIA’s Chapter initiative:
- AM Best
- Midwest Employers Casualty
- The State of Vermont
- EY, our generous site host
Your partnership helps us expand access to captive education, strengthen regional engagement, and advance the industry’s collective goals.
Looking Ahead
The Philadelphia Chapter is just getting started. This launch demonstrated the strength of the region’s risk and insurance community—and the enormous potential of a sustained VCIA presence in the market.
Our goal is simple: to complement and collaborate with the organizations already doing exceptional work here, and to create a long‑term home for captive education, connection, and innovation.
Thank you again to everyone who made this launch such a success. We can’t wait for what comes next!
