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CNA’s John Schramm & Texas Mutual’s Jeanette Ward honored with 2023 Southeast Philanthropic Leadership Award
Dallas, TX., March 3, 2023 – The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, raised over $1 million at its 11th annual Southeast Gala on Feb. 23 at The Thompson Hotel in Dallas, Texas. IICF convened hundreds of insurance professionals from Texas and across the southeast region, along with representatives of nonprofit partners, to celebrate industry philanthropy and benefit 25 regional charities. This is the second consecutive year the Southeast Division has raised over $1 million at its annual gala for charity.
During the event, IICF honored two industry leaders with the 2023 IICF Southeast Philanthropic Leadership Award: John Schramm, U.S. Head of Middle Market Underwriting for CNA, and Jeanette Ward, recently named President and CEO of Texas Mutual Insurance Company. The two industry leaders were honored for their philanthropic excellence and outstanding work supporting charitable giving and volunteerism within their companies, the industry and throughout the southeast community.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award. Insurance is a noble profession, and the IICF truly embodies this,” said CNA’s Schramm. “The Southeast Gala is a reminder of what we can do when we come together with the IICF, which provides countless grants towards our community partners.Together we’re making a significant impact.”
Schramm spearheads several critical volunteer initiatives at CNA, including their Volunteer-a-thon, and is an active participant in IICF’s Week of Giving. Texas Mutual’s Ward serves as chair on Early Matters Greater Austin, a business coalition focused on quality early childhood care and education. She also serves on the advisory board for St. Mary University’s risk management program, where she mentors the next generation of insurance professionals, and is a dedicated volunteer with the American Heart Association, the United Way and more.
“At Texas Mutual, we are committed to building stronger, safer communities and see it as our responsibility to give back,” said Ward. “I am proud to be recognized for leading this work by IICF, which brings the industry together in this natural extension of Texas Mutual’s core values. As our communities continue to face challenges, it is so important for our industry to continue rallying together serving our neighbors in need.”
Also announced were the first three recipients of the inaugural Dan Browning Boot Strap Scholarship. This scholarship, presented in partnership with IICF, will provide recipients Douglas Fine, Sydney Anne Lozado and Armando Ramirez each with $10,000 toward their tuition at University of North Texas, University of Houston and Baylor University, respectively, for the 2023/24 academic year. The scholarship, which will be awarded annually to students studying at colleges and universities located in Texas, was created in honor and in memory of Dan Browning, an inspiring leader in both the insurance industry and the Texas community.
“Dan loved the insurance business and became a legend among his peers,” said Bill Henry, Chairman, MMA Southwest Region and Founding Chair and Current Member of the IICF Southeast Division Board of Directors. “The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation was another passion Dan enjoyed, and he loved seeing the good works done in the community by our great industry. With this scholarship, we will lend a hand up to deserving college students who we hope, will consider a fulfilling and promising career in the insurance industry and honor the legacy of my good friend, Dan Browning.”
“This event was an important reminder of the powerful impact our industry has when we work together,” said Joe Connelly, Chair of the IICF Southeast Division Board of Directors and President, AIG South Central Zone, North America General Insurance. “IICF’s Southeast Division is grateful for the opportunity to bring together our colleagues and friends each year in celebration of the industry making such a real difference in the lives of families. We helped to deliver more than 42,000 meals to those struggling with hunger, through our Fill the Truck food drives this year – and this is only one important way we’re making an impact.”
Proceeds from the 2023 Southeast Division Gala Celebration will fund the IICF Southeast Community Grants Program, which supports regional charities focused on children at risk, disaster relief, education and veterans causes. IICF’s Southeast Division has granted more than $6.5 million to more than 200 nonprofits since its inception in 2012.
IICF’s Southeast Division will award 25 community grants, funded by this year’s Gala Celebration, to the following local nonprofits:
For more information about the Southeast Division, please visit their website, or contact Sarah Conway at (214) 228-2910 or sconway@iicf.com.
About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic voice and foundation of the insurance industry for close to thirty years, contributing nearly $45 million in community grants along with over 320,000 volunteer hours by more than 115,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact.
IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on social media: @doubleicf
Media Contact:
Alisa Breese
IICF Communications
abreese@iicf.com
(949) 412-2143