Jim Gilbert and Dana Genheimer Share Why W. R. Berkley Corporation Supports the Kids’ Chance Mission
Jim Gilbert and Dana Genheimer Share Why W. R. Berkley Corporation Supports the Kids’ Chance Mission
W. R. Berkley Corporation is composed of more than 50 operating units, many of them involved in the workers’ compensation industry—and many of them involved with Kids’ Chance.
“Each company independently became involved with the charity because it resonated so well with what they're doing in business,” said Jim Gilbert, Executive Vice President at W. R. Berkley Corporation.
More recently, Berkley itself has taken more of an active role in coordinating the effort, but the employees are the ones driving engagement with Kids’ Chance.
“We never have to beg or solicit folks to work on our fundraisers with Kids’ Chance. We have tons and tons of volunteers going all the time,” said Jim. “We do it because we want to give back.”
Berkley’s journey matches that of Kids’ Chance, starting at the state level and working its way to a national mission. Both Jim and Dana Genheimer, Vice President, Client Experience at Key Risk (a Berkley Company), got their start in their home states.
Jim was recruited by Dennis Durkin who was deeply involved with Kids’ Chance of Georgia. It was Dennis who ultimately brought Kids’ Chance to BerkleyNet’s attention.
Dana got involved similarly. “Key Risk was already a primary supporter of Kids’ Chance of North Carolina. Tom Veal was a founding member of the North Carolina organization and had been with Key Risk for a long time. He reached out for some support with marketing communications, and I just happened to fall into a board meeting one day. I’ve had a wonderful experience since then in supporting the North Carolina chapter as a board member and as its most recent president.”
Each operating unit within Berkley has created their relationship with Kids’ Chance in their own way. “We've done some crazy things at Key Risk from dunking booths and pie contests all the way up to more formal things,” said Dana. They’ve also supported events in other states, including Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina, Maryland, and Georgia, all around raising awareness for Kids’ Chance.
Bill Berkley, the founder and Executive Chairman of W. R. Berkley Corporation, and Rob Berkley, it’s President and CEO, have also played a major role. “They not only allowed but encouraged strong participation, not just from a monetary standpoint but from a time standpoint,” said Jim. “The amount of time spent by Berkley employees is quite high and strongly encouraged.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of working in the insurance industry is the opportunity to help people get back on their feet under some of the most adverse conditions they can face,” said Rob Berkley. “While we can’t help what has already occurred, we can help people move forward.”
Engaging with Kids’ Chance drives a powerful comradery among the teams who work on it. “When you hear the success stories of the students and learn about the adversity they faced in getting there, you know that you are a part of making that happen,” said Jim.
With so many engaged team members, Berkley ultimately took the steps to become a national partner. “I’m so incredibly proud as a member of Berkley that we’re a national partner,” said Dana. “Especially that it was a result of state drive and involvement.”
There was a recognized effort that included people like Jim and Dana, as well as longtime Kids’ Chance advocates like John Goldwater, a retired Executive Vice President of W. R. Berkley Corporation, who helped found Kids’ Chance of Virginia and served on the state's board as a member and as its president. He also served as Kids’ Chance of America’s president and currently serves on the national board, contributing mightily to its success.
Following in his footsteps and those of current president, Ken Martino, President of Medrisk, Dana will become the next president of Kids’ Chance of America. “I can’t tell you how humbled and excited I am to lead such a strong and impactful organization,” she said.
For all of us in the workers’ compensation space, accidents happen, and we are here to support injured workers. That’s why everything comes together for Berkley around the kids.
“Kids’ Chance gives us the ability to extend our work to support the families. Many of our claims teams get to know these families—they know the kids' names,” said Jim. Then they work to make the connection to Kids’ Chance. “And we need more people in the industry doing the same thing.”
Jim acknowledged that the claims groups, the attorneys, and the vendors all have connections to their communities where there are kids that need scholarships. Kids’ Chance of America has made it easy to connect these families through the Planning for the Future initiative. All members of the industry need to do is submit their information or pass the link along.
“We need everyone’s help to make it happen,” said Dana. “One story that I always come back to—there was a father of a three-year-old with a baby on the way. I am waiting for the day that name comes across as an eligible candidate because of the child’s age. Planning for the Future allows us to identify a child at age three and connect them to the right state organization when they are 16 so that they know there’s help for them to go to school.”
When asked about supporting Kids’ Chance, Dana didn’t hesitate: “I say don't wait. From an individual volunteer perspective, it's work to be proud of and a great way to give back within our community and industry. As for becoming a national partner, there's a lot of value in being amongst friends. This is the one organization in our industry where everyone understands the need.”
For Jim it’s about knowing that what you put into Kids’ Chance goes to the kids. “When you hear the student stories, I don’t think anyone hesitates to get involved. It’s an organization where most of your time, energy, and resources go directly to make an impact on students who need your support to achieve their educational dreams.”
“We are proud to support their mission of helping the children of our injured workers obtain access to the opportunities they deserve,” said Rob. “Kids’ Chance gives us that ability.”
Dana, Jim, and Rob are three of the standout leaders in our community, but we are fortunate to have so many volunteers and supporters across the country committed to our goal of #MoreMoneyforMoreKids.
With 48 state organizations, we’re always looking for more. Reach out to Kids’ Chance of America if you’d like to get involved at the national level, or get in touch with the organization in your state today.
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