Welcome to EIP LA Blog
Our History
In 2005, Candice Wong, Kelley Bernal, and Warren Weed decided to organize a networking group for emerging people in the insurance industry. This group, called "Emerging Insurance Professionals of Southern California," targeted individuals in the earlier years of their career (0-10 years), and involved in risk management, brokering, underwriting, claims, loss control, reinsurance, and any other insurance related jobs.
Over the last decade, the Board has grown and we have had many successful events. Our network base is currently over 1,000 members and continues to expand within the local Los Angeles community. We plan quarterly events including social gatherings, charity events and educational forums. We are also working diligently on building relationships with local universities, in an effort to introduce talented college graduates to our industry. With the generous support of our sponsors, we will be able to continue growing our footprint in the community and provide a broader offering of opportunities to the next generation of insurance industry executives.
EIP Founders
Candice Wong, Founder
A graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Minor in Business Administration, Candice began her career in the insurance industry at Chubb in Los Angeles in the Property, Machinery and Marine Department. Two years later, she joined Travelers’ Ocean Marine Department where she has progressed through the ranks from an Associate, Account Executive, Account Executive Officer, Managing Account Executive to her current role of Managing Director. Candice resides in the Travelers’ Glendale office and oversees the Southern California and Southwest Territory.
Candice was a founder of the Emerging Insurance Professionals Organization in 2005, however she also participates in other industry associations, including the Marine Underwriters of Southern California where she has served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Diversity and inclusion networks, including women’s leadership events, are other areas where Candice likes to focus her time, considerable energy and where she can be a mentor. Over the past few years she has organized annual Ladies Tea Luncheons to bring women together for the purpose of networking and building a stronger support group to empower women in the insurance industry. All the while, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter, family and friends. She also enjoys photography, trying new foods and hosting events.
Kelley Bernal, Founder
A longtime catastrophe underwriter, Kelley Bernal currently serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Underwriting for SIU, a division of Alliant Underwriting Solutions. In this position, Kelley is responsible for the growth of the division’s capacity, reach, and relationships within the brokerage community. Kelley began her career as a Property Facultative Underwriter at Gen Re in 2001. She’s also held senior catastrophe underwriting positions at RLI, V3 Insurance Partners and Catalytic Risk Managers. Kelley resides in SIU’s Glendale office and oversees the division.
Kelley was a founder of Emerging Insurance Professionals in 2005 and has also served as President of the Marine Underwriters of Southern California. More recently, Kelley joined the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Western Division Associate Board where she serves on the volunteer committee. Kelley earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of San Diego and is a graduate of and current advisor to the Latina Global Executive Leadership Program hosted by the USC Marshall School of Business. She also holds an Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designation. While her service to the industry and community alike has always been very important to Kelley, her family always comes first. She enjoys spending as much time as possible with her husband, son and extended family.
Warren Weed, Founder
Founder – Warren Weed – A longtime commercial lines agent, Warren Weed currently serves as an Account Executive for Clarke Marine Insurance, a boutique agency in Orange County. In this position, Warren is responsible for both managing a large commercial book of business for the agency as well as producing and growing his own book. Warren began his career as a Risk Analyst at Marsh in 2003 where he left to expand his career with his current company in 2006.
Warren was a founder of Emerging Insurance Professionals in 2005 and has participated in various industry Associations over the years. Warren earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the California State University at Long Beach. Outside of his professional time he enjoys coaching his children’s sports and pursuing his passions of surfing, mountain biking, skiing, and traveling with his family.
Board of Directors
President
Nina Rodriguez
Los Angeles native Nina graduated from Arizona State University in 2017 where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication studies and a minor in Spanish Literature. Nina is also a 2019 graduate of the Multicultural Women Executive Leadership Program hosted by the USC Marshall School of Business. Nina is currently with Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance as a Property Underwriter for the Western region and also joined the EIP board in March 2018. Outside of Insurance, Nina enjoys helping non-profits in the Los Angeles area and spending time traveling.
Vice President
Gabriela Gonzalez
Gabriela, a Los Angeles native, graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2016, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and Women and Gender Studies. During her time at the university, she was an integral member of the policy debate team, garnering multiple accolades for her competitive and academic achievements. In 2022, she joined IMA and currently serves as a Client Experience Advisor, specializing in schools and non-profit organizations. Gabriela became part of the EIP board in 2024. Before joining IMA, Gabriela worked closely with various schools and non-profits in Los Angeles, focusing on providing support to high school students and teachers in under-resourced communities. Her passion lies in empowering others and fostering inclusive environments where everyone feels safe and connected. Outside of work, Gabriela finds joy in activities such as weightlifting, hiking, exploring museums, and indulging in her love for reading.
Lead Event Coordinator
Jessica Ayala
Born and raised on the island of O’ahu, Jessica considers Los Angeles her “home away from home.” After graduating from ‘Iolani School, she went on to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. She graduated in 2016 in Public Health with an emphasis in Environmental and Occupational Health. She’s able to use her safety degree in her current position as a Loss Control Representative for Lockton Insurance Brokers. In addition to EIP, she’s also a member of ASSP (American Society of Safety Professionals) and has recently received her Master's in Safety Management. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing and spending time with her husband and three children.
Board Member
Feada Kakish
CA native and recently returned after earning her Bachelor of Business Administration with a Finance major from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She joined Aon after graduating Spring of 2022 and is currently an associate broker in the Construction & Infrastructure practice. Feada became part of the EIP board Spring of 2023. Previously, Feada worked in the pharmaceutical industry before stepping foot into the insurance industry. Feada enjoys helping others and while she’s no longer helping people with their health, she is excited to be part of a team that helps build America. Feada has a large collection of indoor tropical plants and spends her free time caring for her plants, exercising, and enjoying her family.
Board Member
Jonathan Freeman
Knoxville, Tennessee native Jonathan is a 2019 graduate of the University of Tennessee where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising with a minor in Business Administration. Jonathan is currently an underwriter and leads The Hartford's Life Science team in Southern California. He handles both primary and excess placements for a broad variety of clients involved with developing and manufacturing devices, as well as clients providing services in the medical industry. Jonathan joined the EIP Board in 2023; He also serves as a board member of CAIP (California Insurance Professionals). Outside of insurance, Jonathan enjoys skiing, camping, and hiking as much as possible.
Board Member
Vanessa Lam
Los Angeles native, Vanessa, graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics specializing in Cognition and Language. Vanessa is a Senior Account Manager at Lockton Insurance Brokers on the Middle Market Property & Casualty Team. She joined the EIP board in 2024. Outside of insurance, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering in her community, traveling, and testing new recipes.
Board Member
Johnny Williams
Anaheim native Johnny Williams graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2020 where he received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Marketing. He is currently an underwriter for Traveler’s in their Excess Casualty department, and he has been on the EIP board since the summer of 2024.
In his free time he enjoys golfing, playing tennis, and trying out new recipes.
Board Member
Diana Ramirez
Orange county native Diana Ramirez graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2020 where she received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science. She is currently an excess casualty underwriter for Upland Specialty, writing a broad range of risks from construction practice and wraps to agriculture and beyond. She has been on the board since the fall of 2024. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening and spending time with her family.
Advisory Board
EIP LA President (2018-2023)
Dave Benyo
Graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance and Risk Management and Insurance. After graduation, Dave started with Gen Re as a casualty facultative underwriter in the Los Angeles Branch. At Gen Re, Dave specializes in the marketing and underwriting of large stock, middle market, specialty and E&S casualty business. Dave is a Western Region team leader for Gen Re and joined the EIP board in September 2017.
EIP OC President (2017-2023)
Briana Vu
Currently an underwriter at the United States Liability Insurance Group (USLI) specializing in commercial property and casualty. Prior to joining USLI, she has worked at Marsh USA and the Walt Disney Company. A graduate from the California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Business Administration and a double concentration in Finance and Accounting, Briana was an active leader and member of Gamma Iota Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), Finance Association, Business Inter Club Council, the Business Honors Program, and the University Honors Program. In her spare time, Briana likes to watch Korean dramas and try out new places to eat.
EIP LA Vice President (2022 - 2024)
Ryan Blasher
Los Angeles native Ryan is a 2017 graduate of Villanova University where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with an economics and finance double major. Ryan is currently a broker for Aon's Construction and Infrastructure team. In this role, he is responsible for marketing, placing, and servicing primary and excess casualty related insurance coverage for construction specific clients. He has been on the EIP board since the fall of 2018. Outside of insurance, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing basketball, and traveling to different parts of the world.