Feb. 20, 2015

VCU School of Business hosts Risk Management and Insurance Conference

Ninth annual conference will focus on managing reputational risk

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By Leila Ugincius

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business’ 2015 Annual Risk and Insurance Studies Center (RISC) Trends Conference will address reputational risk.

“Protecting the Brand: Managing Reputational Risk” takes place Tuesday, March 10, at Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St. Registration opens at 7:15 a.m.

In this era of cyberattacks, eco-disasters, urban rumors and product-tampering, the integrity of its brand is a company’s most vital asset.

“In this era of cyberattacks, eco-disasters, urban rumors and product-tampering, the integrity of its brand is a company’s most vital asset,” said Tim Cook, VCU RISC director. “Understanding the risk exposures to an organization's reputation is critical. Reputational risks can damage the most well-crafted business strategies. The challenge is for an organization to diligently manage reputation risk.”

This year’s speakers and panelists will address the meaning of brand, an organization's reputational risk exposures, and how to address these issues through proactive utilization of various risk management techniques. The event is approved for three P&C CE credits for the morning session and two Laws & Regs CE credits for the afternoon session.

Nir Kossovsky, co-founder and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Steel City Re and author of “Reputation, Stock Price and You: Why the Market Rewards Some Companies and Punishes Others,” will deliver the keynote address, “Protecting the Brand.”

Helayne Spivak, director of the VCU Brandcenter, will present “Defining the Brand” and Robert Bradshaw, president and CEO of Independent Insurance Agents of VA, will present “Laws & Regulations.”

A panel discussion on “Addressing Reputational Risk” will feature Jeanmarie Giordano of AIG, Chandra Seymour of Marsh and Scott Kessler of Altria.

Corporate sponsorships are available for the conference, and individual registrations may be purchased for $125 through Feb. 20 and for $150 thereafter. For more information, visit http://business.vcu.edu/departments-and-centers/risk-and-insurance-studies-center/.