Twenty Risk Management Undergraduates Awarded Scholarships to Attend RISKWORLD

(NEW YORK) March 12, 2026 - Demonstrating its commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation of risk professionals, RIMS, the risk management society®, has presented 20 students with a 2026 Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program grant (ABSIP). The program, sponsored by The Spencer Educational Foundation, recognizes the achievements of outstanding risk management university students, providing them with funds for travel expenses, complimentary hotel accommodations and registration to RISKWORLD® scheduled for May 3 - 6 in Philadelphia.

"More than 25 years ago, I had the privilege of attending my first RIMS Annual Conference as an Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program scholarship winner. It is gratifying to see these future leaders receive the same opportunity that kickstarted my career," said RIMS President Manny Padilla. "Today's complex risk environment demands fresh ideas and new perspectives. These exceptionally bright students are pivotal to risk management's future and we are thrilled to welcome them into this amazing professional community."

This year's ABSIP grant recipients are:

• Sarika Bansee - University of Southern California
• Sarah Bejleri - Michigan State University
• Rhylan Castonguay - University of Calgary
• Reid Marie Deaton - Indiana State University
• Rachel Gibson - University of Wisconsin - Madison
• Mahin Kabir - University of Colorado Denver
• Ella Kintz - Ball State University
• Riho Kobayashi - University of Calgary
• Madison Lamie - The University of Georgia
• Tessa Lodewyk - University of Colorado Denver
• Isabella Martinez - St. Mary's University
• Arturo Martinez Polanco - St. Mary's University
• Van McNutt - Missouri State University
• Megan Pilarski - Michigan State University
• Nicholas Sevcik - University of Wisconsin - Madison
• Jai Shet - University of Houston
• Timothy Smith - Indiana State University
• Connor Tran - Virginia Commonwealth University
• Anthony Zavala - University of Southern California
• Eric Zhang - Virginia Commonwealth University
  
  

Initiated as a pilot program at the 1978 RIMS Annual Conference, the program recognizes exceptional students involved in the study of risk management and has grown into a differentiating part of RISKWORLD®. The program became known as the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program in 1997 to honor Ms. Benedetti's commitment to developing the next generation of risk professionals.

RISKWORLD will feature a special Rising Risk Professional/Student education track. The track, developed by RIMS Rising Risk Professional Advisory Group, will include interactive sessions designed to help early-career professionals navigate industry trends, network with peers and industry leaders, and other career building skills.

RIMS offers a range of programming, resources, and opportunities for Rising Risk Professionals. For more information about RISKWORLD or to register, visit https://www.RIMS.org/RISKWORLD. To learn more about RIMS, visit https://www.RIMS.org.

About RISKWORLD®
Launched in 1963 as RIMS Annual Conference & Exhibition, RISKWORLD® attracts some 10,000 risk and insurance professionals at all experience levels, business executives with risk management interests, brokers, insurers and service providers for the ultimate learning and networking experience. The four-day. RISKWORLD experience offers more than 150 learning opportunities, keynote presentations, special events, and an expansive Marketplace with hundreds of solutions providers - all with countless opportunities to engage and elevate the risk community. RISKWORLD 2026 is scheduled for May 3 - 6 in Philadelphia. RISKWORLD 2027 is in New Orleans from April 18 - 21.

About RIMS
RIMS, the risk management society®️, empowers risk professionals to make the world safer, more secure, and more sustainable. Through networking, professional development, certification, advocacy, and research, RIMS serves more than 200,000 risk practitioners and business leaders from over 75 countries. Founded in 1950, the Society publishes the award-winning Risk Management Magazine, RIMScast podcast series, and produces RISKWORLD®️, the largest annual gathering of global risk professionals. RIMS welcomes all risk professionals to explore the online Risk Knowledge library, earn the RIMS-CRMP certification, and connect with the global risk community via the RIMS Engage online forum. Follow RIMSorg on X, Facebook, Instagram, and RIMS on LinkedIn. To support the future of the risk management profession, visit RIMS, The Foundation for Risk Management®. To learn more or to join, visit www.RIMS.org.

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