2021 GPAHU Emerging Leaders Program
The Greater Philadelphia Association of Health Underwriters is pleased to announce that applications for the 2021 GPAHU Emerging Leaders Program will be accepted October 1-31, 2020. The Emerging Leaders Program provides up and coming individuals in the healthcare insurance industry with personal and professional growth opportunities through intimate dialogue with and exposure to both senior level industry leaders and regional business leaders.
Acting under the GPAHU’s guiding principles of EDUCATE, COMMUNICATE & ADVOCATE, Emerging Leaders was developed in 2018 and offered to select young professionals who demonstrated potential for growth and advancement within our industry. In 2019/20, we expanded the program with an even stronger focus on providing exposure of the selected participants to Senior Leadership in both our industry and professional community with the intention of providing additional perspective to further their already promising careers.
The Emerging Leaders Program will be approximately a one year program commencing December 1st in which selected participants will meet with leadership from area carriers, broker firms, legislative and technology companies.
Program highlights will include:
- Welcome event to kick off the Emerging Leaders program
- Monthly meetings providing exposure to relevant leadership perspectives and experiences through intimate discussions, case studies, and featured speakers.
- Periodic networking gatherings with fellow participants and executives throughout the program
- Inclusion in all the GPAHU education and networking events throughout the program
Emerging Leaders, once chosen, would be required to do the following:
- Actively participate in all Emerging Leaders events and projects
- Volunteer at the many GPAHU events as requested throughout the year
- Recruit one new member to join the GPAHU/NAHU during the program year
- Maintain membership in Greater Philadelphia Association of Health Underwriters – All NEW members will receive a $50 discount off of first year of NAHU/GPAHU dues
- Submit program participation fee of $250. Fee is discounted to $175 if participant works for a current Corporate Partner of the GPAHU
Participants ideally will have at least 5 years of experience and serve in a leadership capacity either at their employer or in their community. Participants should have support from senior leadership within their company prior to applying for the program. Each candidate will be asked to submit a letter of professional reference, their resume and a current headshot. Participants should expect to dedicate 8-10 hours per quarter to this program. 15-20 candidates will be selected to participate in the 2021 program.
October 31, 2020 Deadline for Emerging Leaders applications
November 1-13, 2020 Review of applications and candidate interviews
Week of November 16th Notification of accepted participants
We hope you will consider applying or encouraging an emerging leader in your company, industry, or networking circle to apply for this meaningful program. For a list of the 2019/20 Emerging Leader participants, click here. Please see below for testimonials from a few of the participants of the recent program.
For additional information, please contact Karen Weinlader Mardis, GPAHU Executive Director at kwmardis@gpahu.net or Steven Tremblay, Emerging Leaders Chair at steven.tremblay@ibx.com.
Being a part of the Emerging Leaders Program helped me to not only expand my network within the industry, but further advanced my knowledge as well. The caliber of speakers and industry leaders who spent their time with us giving their professional advice and expertise is truly invaluable. If you are given the opportunity to participate in this program, take it and run with it because programs like this don’t come around often. Embrace it with an open mind and you’ll find that the possibilities of what you can get out of this program are endless. What I have learned over the past year not just from an industry standpoint, but from a personal standpoint, will stick with me for life.
Briana Scafidi
Team Lead, Employee Benefits
Capstone Group
The GPAHU Emerging Leaders Program broadens young professional’s knowledge and experience by opening doors to prospective outside of their own organization. Personally, this opportunity has provided me an expanded outlook that is invaluable, which I will carry with me throughout my career. As we navigate this dynamic industry, programs like this will be instrumental in shaping the future of the healthcare system.
Jonathan M. Pedone
Account Executive
Flexible Benefits Plans, Inc.
The Emerging Leaders program provided me the unique opportunity to pull back the curtain on the Philadelphia insurance industry through small group interactions with veteran executives in the field. Not only did we learn from and engage with these busy and accomplished leaders, but we also improved on our business acumen through seminars taught by highly sought after educators. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the program and would recommend it to any aspiring insurance professional! I only wish it could have lasted longer!
Nick Pedersen
Director of Sales & Operations
Patriot Benefits Group
The Emerging Leaders program introduced me to new perspectives and transformative ideas that expanded my knowledge of the industry both on a business level and a human level. It was invaluable to get a behind-the-scenes look at how to read and respond to internal and external pressures to create success.
Sara Allison Simkins
Employer Services Specialist, ERISA
sarasimkins@savoyassociates.com
The GPAHU Emerging Leaders Program was a critical part of my early career development. The program increased my understanding of the local health insurance products, as well as improved my overall network in the industry. I would highly recommend this program for any aspiring young benefit consultants or insurance sales representatives in the Philadelphia area.
RJ Reger
New Business Manager
Cigna
The GPAHU Emerging Leader Program was invaluable to my professional growth. The program was filled with individuals that were engaged with the growth opportunity that it offered! This allowed me to meet, learn, network and befriend many talented and successful people! The ELP gave me a better understanding of our industry as a whole as the program introduced and consisted of brokers, consultants, carrier reps and the current leaders across the industry. It also helped with breaking down some of the barriers you may expect when paired with your competition and allowed me to see that everyone is all working towards one common goal which is to provide quality healthcare solutions for all!
William Ryales
Account Executive
UnitedHealthcare
We hope you will consider applying or encouraging an emerging leader in your company, industry, or networking circle to apply for this meaningful program.
Previous Years
For additional information, please contact Karen Weinlader Mardis, GPAHU Executive Director at kwmardis@gpahu.net or Steven Tremblay, Emerging Leaders Chair at steven.tremblay@ibx.com.
