Advanced Degrees, Professional Certifications & Designations – Are they worth the effort?

2. Advanced Degrees, Professional Certifications & Designations – Are they worth the effort? Session Number 123

3. Cindy Powell, MCPMP, CSMBespoke • Founder and President – Bespoke. • 11 years with Bespoke, 28 years in Insurance (Health, Life, P&C) • Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification • Masters Certificate in Project Management (MCPMP) - Villanova University • Certified Scrum Master Certification (CSM) - University of Pennsylvania

4. Denise Woernley, CPCU, AIS, AINS, AU, AreDryden Mutual Insurance Company • Business Analyst and Underwriting SME • 24 years in Insurance Industry • Completed Associate in Accounting Degree, currently working toward BA Risk Management • Completed Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation • Began teaching AICPcu courses in 2004 and has helped 24 people pass exams.

5. Zachary Collings, CPCU, AReISCS • Sales Engineer - ISCS since 2013 • 3 Years prior Insurance experience with catastrophe risk modeling vendor, Risk Management Solutions (RMS) • BA, Economics Wake Forest University • Completed MBA as full time student at the University of Washington • Completed CPCU, ARe and CCRA while working for RMS and ISCS

6. Arthur Salvadori, CPASaslow, Lufkin & Buggy, LLP • Audit Partner - Saslow Lufkin & Buggy, LLP (SLB) • 11 years with SLB and 17 years in the insurance industry • Primary focus is Property and Casualty Insurance • BS, Accounting, University of Connecticut • Certified Public Accountant, Licensed in 2000 • Eligible to practice in several states

7. Lianne Watford, MCBALHW Business Analysts • Founder, President – LHW Business Analysts • 17 years in insurance industry • Associate in Science, Commercial Education - University of South Carolina • Completion of South Carolina Bankers School • Masters Certification in Business Analysis (MCBA) – Villanova University • Currently working on Certified Business Analyst Professional certification (CCBA) through International Institute of Business Analyst (IIBA)

8. Agenda • Why achieve an Advanced Degree or Professional Certification? • How difficult is the process of achieving these designations? • How have employers helped panelist achieve and maintain these credentials? • What is the impact to the day to day responsibilities and to the careers of the panelist? • Open forum for Q&A with panelist

9. Why achieve an Advanced Degree or Professional Certification? • PMP - “certification positively impacts project manager salaries — and helps you stand out and better market yourself to prospective employers” - PMI • CPCU - “92% of CPCUs believe earning their CPCU prepared them for their long-term career goals.” – theinstitutes,org • MBA – “one of the best tools a business person can have” – Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania • CPA – “ a vital part of any strong business or organization” – IBM Finance Forum • CBAP – “Recognition of professional competence by professional peers and management” - IIBA

10. How difficult is the process of achieving these designations? • Methods for preparing for exams • Time and Duration Required to be Successful • Work / Life Balance through the process • Maintaining Designation

11. How have employers helped panelist achieve and maintain these credentials? • Impact in getting the job and/or promotions • Financial Assistance and Incentives • Allocation of work hours toward preparation • In-house training programs and mentorships

12. What is the impact to day to day responsibilities and to the careers of the panelist? • How useful is what you learned in helping you succeed in the day to day responsibilities of the job? • Has achieving your credentials impacted the way you are viewed by peers and management? • Would you do it again?

13. Open forum for Q&A with panelist

14. Please Complete the Session Evaluation Form on the Conference App and Include Your Conference Registration ID# to be  Included in a Drawing for a Free Conference Registration for the 2014 Annual Conference!  NOTE: Your Conference Registration ID# is Located at the Bottom Left Hand Corner of Your Badge.