From Insight to Impact: Recapping Our Inaugural Environmental Day of Learning

Group of men and women at a conference

This October, Great American Environmental hosted its Inaugural Day of Learning in New York City, bringing together early-career brokers and underwriters for a full day of education, networking, and hands-on engagement. Designed to provide a strong foundation in environmental insurance, the event delivered on its promise to inform, inspire, and connect.

A Warm Welcome

The day kicked off with a lively Networking Breakfast, setting the stage for collaboration and camaraderie. Attendees were welcomed by our team, followed by opening remarks from Eric McCabe, Heather Boyd, and Olivia Sarkisian, where they shared timely industry updates and strategic insights that framed the day’s agenda.

Expert-Led Sessions that Delivered

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions led by Great American’s top talents in underwriting, claims, and risk engineering. The day’s sessions focused on identifying, assessing, and mitigating environmental exposures. These sessions showcased how environmental risks play a critical role in driving proactive strategies and sustainable solutions across our operations. The discussions included:

Pollution Legal Liability & Litigation: A deep dive into real-world claims scenarios and coverage strategies, led by Heather Boyd, Olivia Sarkisian, and Trish Shippee.
Pollution and Professional Coverage: Jillian Walsh and Bjorn Gundersen explored the nuances of coverage for professionals navigating environmental exposures.
Risk Engineering - NYC Developments: Sarah Pong and Allie Kaltenbach highlighted urban environmental challenges and innovative risk control solutions.
Success with Submissions: Erin Mitton shared best practices for crafting compelling insurance submissions that stand out. This presentation was a big hit at this year's SEIP Conference!
Remediation Lifecycle Training: BobbiAnn Murphy and Ireland Harrison walked attendees through the full remediation process, from site assessment to closure.
Specialty Product Offerings: Eric McCabe, Becky Biermann, and Ted Masters introduced cutting-edge solutions, including our new GLIDER Combined General Liability and CarbonProtect products!

Hands-On Learning and Networking

Between sessions, attendees enjoyed refreshment breaks, a lunch hour and plenty of opportunities to connect with peers and mentors. The event was designed not just to inform, but to inspire collaboration and career growth.

A Toast to the Future

The day wrapped with closing remarks from Olivia Sarkisian, followed by a festive Oktoberfest Happy Hour at Sixpoint Brewery, celebrating a successful day of learning, connection, and innovation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We’re proud to support the next generation of environmental insurance professionals and look forward to continuing the conversation. We had such a great turn out, we're expanding the event into 2026! Keep an eye out for updates on events in a city near you and virtual sessions.