Risk Manager Workshop
Risk Management Workshop
Data. Decisions. Direction.
Building Smarter, Higher-Value Businesses.
Are you ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and creativity? Join us for an exclusive, high-impact workshop tailored for benefits and commercial risk managers. This bold, forward-thinking workshop will equip you with the tools and insights to navigate growth and uncertainty like never before.
Tuesday, September 9
7:30 AM - 2:00 PM EDT
University of North Florida
Adam W. Herbert University Center
12000 Alumni Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
What to Expect
- Forward-thinking insights into emerging risk trends
- Strategies for building smarter, people-first organizations
- Practical takeaways for elevating business performance through proactive risk design and strategies
- High-Level Agenda:
- 7:30 – 8:15 AM: Check-in, breakfast and networking
- 8:45 – 12:30 PM: Breakout sessions
- 12:30 – 2:00 PM: Special luncheon session
Read on to see details for the breakout sessions and luncheon session topics.
Location
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Session Options
Select one of the following sessions to attend during the first breakout by filling out the RSVP form at the top of this page.
What to Expect From a Trusted Advisor
Presented by DCSI
In today’s complex business environment, brokers and other trusted advisors play a critical role in helping organizations navigate risk and minimize costs. Whether you’re a business owner or manage risk at a large company, the right broker can streamline the insurance process, ensure appropriate coverage, and help you avoid unnecessary expenses. However, the wrong broker can create the opposite effect.
We are bringing this popular session back to explore the role that trusted advisors and brokers play in providing expertise, the added value they deliver, and how much you should be paying them. A broker interview questionnaire will be provided to ensure you’re getting the most value from your current relationships.
Presenter: Suzanne Lemen, CEO/President of DCSI
What You Don’t Know About Cyber Risk, But Should
Presented by Hylant
This session will provide CEOs and C-suite executives with a strategic understanding of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. It will explore the financial, legal, and reputational risks of cyber threats, while emphasizing the importance of leadership in fostering a security-first culture. Attendees will gain actionable insights on aligning cybersecurity initiatives with business goals and ensuring resilience in the face of potential breaches. Empower your leadership team to make informed decisions that safeguard your organization’s future.
Presenter: Marene Allison, Cyber Advisor
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM Session Options
Select one of the following sessions to attend during the second breakout by filling out the RSVP form at the top of this page.
Insurance Markets: Trends and Solutions
Presented by Hylant
Navigating the insurance landscape for the remainder of the year and into 2026 requires more than just renewal reminders; it demands strategic thinking. On the commercial property and casualty side, the market is showing signs of stabilization, with returns on equity expected to level near 10% and premium growth normalizing to ~5%, prompting increased underwriting discipline. Meanwhile, employee benefits are facing projected cost increases of nearly 9%, pushing employers to reimagine their total rewards strategy, from healthcare plan design to voluntary benefits and workforce wellbeing.
Join this session to hear from experts who will break down what these trends mean for your organization’s risk profile, talent retention, and financial planning. Whether you’re managing portfolio companies or leading a growing enterprise, you’ll walk away with timely insights and clear takeaways to drive smarter decisions in a volatile market.
Presenters:
- Brian Cook, Managing Partner, Hylant
- Bill Nolan, Regional VP of P&C, Hylant
Exit Planning - Are You Ready? What Happens Next?
Presented by Jacobs Coolidge and Heritage Capital
Exit planning isn’t just about selling your business, it’s about protecting its value and ensuring a smooth transition that aligns with your personal and financial goals. Whether you're thinking about staying until the end of your life, a third-party sale, a family succession, or a transfer to key employees, this session will cover the critical components of an effective exit plan. Done the right way; exit planning doesn’t just prepare you, it can increase the value of your business. Act now to secure the future you’ve worked so hard to build.
Presenters:
- Russell Jacobs, Founding Partner, Jacobs, Coolidge, and Company, LLC
- Joe Hawkins, Principal, Heritage Capital Group
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM Session Options
Select one of the following sessions to attend during the third breakout by filling out the RSVP form at the top of this page.
Fiduciary Responsibility for Employee Benefits. Are You Aware of Your Personal Risk?
Presented by Jacobs Coolidge and Hylant
If you sponsor a 401(k) or health plan, you’re not just an employer; you’re a fiduciary. And that comes with personal liability. Join Mark Nixon and Carl Coolidge as they reveal how overlooked plan decisions can lead to DOL audits, lawsuits, and costly settlements, and what smart plan sponsors are doing to protect themselves. This session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate your fiduciary responsibilities confidently.
Presenters:
- Mark Nixon, COO, Employee Benefits, Hylant
- Carl Coolidge, Managing Partner, Jacobs Coolidge & Company
Risk Finance Strategies: How To Optimize the Use of Insurance
Presented by Hylant
Traditionally, insurance premiums are considered a cost that businesses must absorb to mitigate risk. With advanced analytics, companies can now calculate the return on premiums by quantifying the risk reduction and financial impact of specific risks and insurance policies. By measuring claims trends, loss ratios, and potential savings from preventive measures, insurance becomes a strategic investment that contributes to long-term profitability, much like other capital expenditures. Learn about a data-driven approach to not only avoid over- or under-insuring, but also strategically allocate resources to cover risks that provide the best return on investment.
Presenters:
- Alejandro Reyes, Risk Consultant, Hylant
- Kip Irle, M&A and Transaction Solutions Leader, Hylant
- Claire Richardson, Senior Captive Consultant, Hylant
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Session Options
Select one of the following sessions to attend during the fourth breakout by filling out the RSVP form at the top of this page.
The Hidden Cost of Culture: Why People Really Leave
Presented by DCSI and Hylant
In today’s competitive business landscape, high employee turnover isn’t just a challenge; it’s a costly obstacle to growth and success. This dynamic session will explore how overlooked cultural issues in the workplace silently drive attrition, inflate labor costs, and undermine productivity. More than just an HR issue, turnover affects your bottom line; from rising recruitment expenses to lost institutional knowledge and weakened client relationships. You’ll walk away with practical, proven strategies to build a stronger, more supportive work environment; one that not only retains top talent but also enhances your company’s reputation and drives performance. Join us to learn how intentional culture shifts can deliver powerful results for your people and your bottom line.
Presenters:
- Megan Richardson, CSO & SVP of Consulting, DCSI
- Sabrina Brigance, Managing Director, Hylant
Easy Steps to Increase the Value of Your Company
Presented by Heritage Capital
We get it. You’re the owner, visionary, and leader of your company. No one is more committed to delivering the best possible product or service to your customers. The daily grind doesn’t wear you down, it fuels you. We’re inspired by what you’ve built. That’s why we want to show you there’s a high probability that a few valuable opportunities have managed to slip past even your sharpest attention. They lie within your cash flow. In this session, we’ll walk through how to identify these key value drivers and make small, strategic changes that can significantly increase the value of your business. One client applied this approach and increased their equity value by $800,000 in just a few weeks. You can walk away with the same ability. The only question is, how much hidden value is waiting in your business?
Presenter: Bill Sorenson, CEO, Heritage Capital Group
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch Session
Revolutionizing Risk Management with the Power of Purpose-Driven AI
Presented by Hylant
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way businesses manage risk; empowering organizations to identify, evaluate, and mitigate threats with greater speed and accuracy. But the most forward-thinking leaders are also recognizing AI’s potential to enhance human decision-making, emotional intelligence, and company culture. This session will explore how AI-driven tools rooted in machine learning, predictive analytics, and real-time insights can help organizations stay resilient and proactive while keeping people at the center. Discover how to balance innovation with empathy, align AI strategies with business values, and gain fresh perspectives on the evolving future of risk management.
Presenters:
- Moderator: Katy Keene, Marketing Operations Specialist, Keene Lane Co.
- Panelist: Zach Ledner, Director of Partnerships, Voxel
Questions?
For questions, please get in touch with michelle.shelor@hylant.com.
About Hylant
Since 1935, Hylant has been helping clients identify and address risk-related challenges before they become unmanageable by delivering solutions unique to their circumstances. Today, the firm is among the largest privately held insurance brokerages in the United States, renowned for its expertise and high-touch service. Hylant offers insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting services for businesses and individuals locally, nationally and internationally.