2023 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.
2022 President
Justin L Ruehs
CPCU, ARM, AU-M, CIC, AAI-M, AINS, API, AIS, CLCS, CISR, MBA
Justin Ruehs, is the Senior Manager, Business Risk & Insurance at Microsoft. Prior to Microsoft, Justin was an underwriter at Liberty Mutual, AIG, and AFM where he not only gained experience in underwriting Large Property for a wide array of clients and program structures, but also worked with the senior leaders to promote Diversity and Inclusion through Employee resource groups.
Justin obtained his CPCU designation in 2013 and joined the Chicago chapter and was elected to the board in 2020.
2020-2021 President
Maria Marasso
CPCU
Maria is currently a Senior Underwriter at Argo Group US specializing in Management Liability lines. She has over 10 years of industry experience in both underwriting and claims. Maria obtained her CPCU designation in 2016. She joined the CPCU society and was elected to the board of directors in 2017. Maria graduated from Fordham University with a bachelors degree in biology.
2019 President
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.
2018 President
Kathryn Breaux
CPCU, AIC
2017 President
Lev Gurman
CPCU
Innovator, influencer and an analytical problem solver with 22 years of diverse financial services professional experience and in-depth knowledge reflective of progression of positions of increasing responsibility. I've spent 5 yrs as a VP of Risk Management, 8 yrs as a Specialty Commercial Lines Insurance UW Group Manager, 5 yrs as a Buy Side Fixed Income Portfolio Money Manager at two large distressed credit Hedge Funds, 4 yrs as a turnaround management and performance improvement Consultant and 1 yr as a Distressed Corporate Debt Sell Side Investment Banker.
2015 and 2016 President
Christine Dickenson
CPCU
Christine is currently VP and regional manager for E&O/Cyber at Westfield Specialty. Prior to Westfield, Christine was a UW at Sompo & Zurich, for E&O, cyber, & financial lines. She obtained her CPCU in 2013. She joined the CPCU Society and was elected President for 2015 & 2016 and continued to serve as a board member until 2020.
Christine graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Communications and was a member of the women's soccer team.
2013-2014 President
Gina Letizia
CPCU
Gina is currently Director, Underwriting of the Central region for the Executive Products Group at RLI Insurance Company. Prior to RLI, she as with Zurich for over a decade in various roles from underwriting to project management. Gina obtained her CPCU in 2010 and has been on the Board since 2009 starting as a candidate representative. She has a bachelor’s degree in Risk Management & Insurance from Bradley University and a MBA in Finance from Loyola University of Chicago.
2012-2013 President
John Garrett
CPCU
2011-12 President
Alicja Lukaszewicz-Southall
CPCU
2010-11 President
Vernon Ramsey
CPCU
2009-10 President
Peter Olszak
CPCU
2008-09 President
Alan Lewis
CPCU
2007-08 President
Michelle L. Fesi
CPCU
2006-07 President
Kevin C. Shyne
CPCU
2005-06 President
John D. Hackett
CPCU
2004-05 President
Glen R. Mangold
CPCU
2003-04 President
Glen R. Mangold
CPCU
2002-03 President
Glen R. Mangold
CPCU
2001-02 President
Kelli M. Kukulka
CPCU
2000-01 President
Kelli Kukulka
CPCU