If you are interested in becoming more involved with the Chicago Chapter as a Committe Member or joining the Board of Directors, please email the chapter at ChicagoCPCU@gmail.com.
President
Marisa Ellis
CPCU, CRIS, ARM, AINS, ASLI, ARC, AIS
Marisa joined AXA XL in December 2022 as a Senior Underwriter in the Risk Management division. Prior to AXA XL, she worked at Zurich North America and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty. Marisa has 10 years experience in Property & Casualty Underwriting and obtained her CPCU designation in 2015. Prior to her involvement with the Chicago CPCU Society, she was also involved with the Houston CPCU Society and IICF her in Chicago. Marisa received her degree in Marketing and English from The Ohio State University in 2012. She is working towards her RPLU and ARe designations.
Vice President
Peter Carlson
CPCU, AIDA, ARe
Peter is a Middle Market Commercial Accounts Underwriter at Travelers Insurance. Prior to Travelers Peter lived in Fort Wayne, IN where he started his insurance career as a Large Account Underwriter at Brotherhood Mutual.
Peter obtained his CPCU designation in 2018, quickly joining the CPCU Society Northern Indiana Chapter Board. He has held various leadership roles until 2021, helping the chapter gain membership involvement. While in Ft. Wayne, he has also held various leadership roles on a local Toastmasters International Board.
Treasurer
Ann Cunningham
CPCU, AU
Ann is a Senior Underwriting Manager with Liberty Mutual Insurance. Ann has 9+ years of experience in underwriting, in Middle Market and Public Entity. Ann obtained her CPCU in 2016 and has been an active member of the Charlotte CPCU Society and Chicago CPCU Society.
Secretary
Ryan Watson
CPCU
Ryan joined Marsh in April 2021 and is a P&C Middle Markets Broker on their Life Sciences and Technology team. He works directly with insurance carriers to negotiate terms and conditions on behalf of Marsh clients. Prior to Marsh, he worked at Zurich North America for 6 years. In his previous role, he was an International Service Specialist that worked on global Property programs for Fortune 500 companies. Ryan received his degree in Political Science and minor in History from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He also received his CPCU designation in 2020 and is currently pursuing his CIC designation.
Director
Dustin Adams
CPCU
Dustin has been involved with the board of the Chicago chapter of the CPCU Society as a Candidate Member shortly after starting his CPCU journey in 2013. He received his CPCU designation in 2015, remaining active within the chapter’s leadership and holding various board positions. Dustin currently works as a Director of Specialty Underwriting & Reinsurance at BCS Financial, where he oversees underwriting processes, facilitates review and placement of reinsurance, and assists with strategic product pricing.
Director
Chris Butler
CPCU, ARM, AU, ARe
Chris Butler works as an Assistant Vice President of Large Commercial Property Underwriting at Velocity Risk, an MGA specializing in catastrophe exposed risks. Prior to Velocity, Chris held various positions in underwriting, product management, and risk management at RLI Corp, a specialty carrier headquartered in Peoria, IL. He began his career at Liberty Mutual.
Chris obtained his CPCU designation in 2011 and has been a member of the Chicago Chapter since 2015. He was previously a member of the Central Illinois Chapter. In 2021, Chris was named a Break Out professional by Business Insurance Magazine.
Director
Valerio Cerron
MBA, CLU, CPCU
Valerio is a Sr. Customer Success Manager with CCC Intelligent Solutions. Valerio has over 12+ years working with the insurance carriers in the US, in the P&C and Accident & Health areas, leading the application of Lean/Six Sigma principles, Data Analysis and implementing new technologies to automate claims processes.
Valerio obtained his CPCU in 2015 and has been an active member of the Central Florida CPCU Society Chapter in the past.
Director
Michael Kuiken
CPCU, AIC-M, licensed attorney in Illinois
Michael Kuiken is Of Counsel at Lindemann Miller LLP. Michael has over 15 years of experience advising and representing primary and excess insurers in a wide range of coverage matters. In 2022, Michael obtained his CPCU and was elected to serve on the board of the Chicago CPCU Society.
Director
Katie O'Hara
CPCU
Director
Ryan Weber
CPCU
Ryan works as an Assistant Vice President Commercial Office for CNA's Chicago Branch. Ryan's responsibilities include leading the Middle Market and Construction Underwriting teams. Ryan obtained his CPCU in 2019 and has been an active member of the Pittsburgh CPCU Society before joining the Chicago Chapter in 2020.
Director
Sarah Vandish
CPCU, AU, AINS