Insurance Cares Spring 2025 DEI on the RISE Scholarship Recipients

Insurance Cares Awards Third Round of DEI on the RISE Scholarships to Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Insurance Industry

Insurance Cares, a nonprofit organization born out of RISE’s DEI committee that is dedicated to providing equal access to insurance education through scholarships and free educational resources, is proud to announce the recipients of its third round of DEI on the RISE scholarships. These scholarships are designed to support diverse students pursuing careers in insurance by providing funds for tuition, books, and general day-to-day financial needs, as well as mentorship opportunities and access to the insurance community.

The DEI on the RISE scholarship recipients will be paired with mentors who will provide guidance and support as they navigate their careers in the insurance industry. Additionally, the recipients will gain valuable access to the insurance community through networking opportunities, paid internship opportunities within the insurance industry, attendance at industry events, and learning the fundamentals of insurance.

“Academic excellence has been a firmly held conviction of mine for as long as I can remember. As one of the very few Black students in my middle school’s magnet program, I would constantly be reminded of my ‘otherness.’ According to certain students and adults in the school, a Black girl like myself was not destined for academic greatness. Such words never altered my values. Instead, I was motivated to see more girls like myself in these academic spaces,” says Naomi Nwokoma, an Actuarial Science student at Temple University and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair of the Gamma Iota Sigma Grand Chapter.

The insurance industry provides prime career opportunities for students right out of school. It’s no longer for people who love pocket protectors and corny coffee mugs. Careers in insurance are stable, rewarding, limitless, dynamic and offer work-life balance, and we are so excited to provide the funds, tools, and mentorship for rising diverse talent to become the insurance stars of the future!

Following in her father’s footsteps, Naomi has already passed her first three actuarial exams and gained valuable industry experience through internships with Optum and The Cigna Group, where she developed skills in SQL, Python, and advanced Excel. This summer, she will be interning with Principal Financial Group.

“I am highly aware of the obstacles Black individuals have faced while pursuing a career in the industry in regard to underrepresentation and implicit bias,” Naomi shares. “One of my life goals is to increase the number of successful Black actuaries by creating an organization geared towards introducing marginalized youth to mathematics and careers in the field, namely actuarial science. I also aspire to create my own scholarship fund one day and provide aspiring actuaries of color with the help they need to get through college and enter the field.”

Insurance Cares is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the insurance industry by providing support and opportunities to underrepresented communities. Through the DEI on the RISE scholarships, Insurance Cares aims to empower and uplift diverse students to excel in their insurance careers, contribute to the industry, and help create a more inclusive and diverse workforce.