The 2025 NLC-RISC Staff Conference was held in Annapolis, Maryland from October 26 – 29 at the Graduate Hotel. Attendees enjoyed valuable networking opportunities, engaging session content, and scenic fall views. Explore the highlight video below.
General Sessions
Bridging the Gap, Building the Future: Compassionate Leadership for a New Era
Mali Phonpadith – Founder & CEO, SOAR Community Network
Smarter Cities, Safer Communities: Responsible AI for Risk Pools
Anne Balduzzi – Executive Advisor, AI and Innovation, Hartman Executive Advisors
The Hidden Risks of Fatigue
Stephen James – Associate Professor, Washington State University
Concurrent Sessions – Day 1
- New(er) Pool Staff Breakfast and Workshop
- Seamless Data, Smarter Risk: Archipelago’s AI-Driven Risk Transformation for Utah Local Governments Trust
- Public Safety Mental Health
- Effective Communication for Leadership and Team Alignment
- Money, Employees, and Lives: How Workplace Behavior Impacts Safety
- Health Care Cost Trends, Potential Pitfalls, and What’s Around the Corner
- Our Purpose, Our Promise
New(er) Pool Staff Breakfast and Workshop
Erin Peterson – Senior Program Specialist, NLC-RISC
Erin Rian – Chief Operating Officer, NLC Mutual & NLC-RISC
Halie Gallik – Director of Underwriting, Public Entity Partners
Ian Havens – AVP, Risk Management Services, Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency
Lynn Bren – Executive Director, South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance
Seamless Data, Smarter Risk: Archipelago’s AI-Driven Risk Transformation for Utah Local Governments Trust
David Thompson – Chief Technology Officer, Archipelago
Mary Alice Moon – Director, Customer Success, Archipelago Analytics
Public Safety Mental Health
Renee Plumb – First Sergeant, Prince George’s County Police Dept.
Effective Communication for Leadership and Team Alignment
Mali Phonpadith – Founder & CEO, SOAR Community Network
Money, Employees, and Lives: How Workplace Behavior Impacts Safety
Abraham Amoros – Deputy Executive Director – Operations, Pennsylvania Municipal League
Elizabeth Henry – Trusts Member Services Manager, PennPRIME Trust
Erica Olguin – Director of Loss Control, New Mexico Municipal League
Tracey Cline-Pew – Chief Human Resources Officer, Arkansas Municipal League
Health Care Cost Trends, Potential Pitfalls, and What’s Around the Corner
Christian “CJ” Wolfe – Vice President, Actuary, AON
Our Purpose, Our Promise
Hilary Shine – Senior Vice President of Leadership Development, Strategic Government Resources
Functional Area Roundtables – Day 1
Loss Control
Erica Olguin – Director of Loss Control, New Mexico Municipal League
Henry Dietz – Risk Manager, Association of Washington Cities Risk Management Service Agency
Larry Bohlen – Deputy Executive Director/Director of Field Services, Local Government Insurance Trust
Marketing
April Martin – Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency
Diane Becker – Communications/Marketing Director, League Association of Risk Management
Michele Keplinger – Director of Communications and Member Services, Local Government Insurance Trust
Public Safety
Ashley Edwardson – Loss Control Program Coordinator, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust
Erin Holznagel – Public Safety Program Coordinator, League of Minnesota Cities
Kenneth Rhodes – Law Enforcement Loss Control Consultant, Local Government Insurance Trust
Concurrent Sessions – Day 2
- AI and the Future of Municipal Risk Pools: Preparing for What’s Next
- Reimagining Healthcare for Tomorrow: Market Challenges & Emerging Trends
- What’s Your Head Worth: Preventing Injuries of Road and Public Safety Personnel
- From Peer to Leader: Strategies for a Successful Transition
- Curious About Financial Reporting? Explore the Power of Interim Reporting
- Proven Strategies in Managing Catastrophic Claims
- Stanley v. City of Sanford: The Supreme Court’s Impact on Municipal Liability for Claims of Disability Discrimination in Retirement Benefits
- What do Actuaries Actually Do?
- Improving the Cancer Care Experience: Communication, Navigation, and Cost Efficiency
AI and the Future of Municipal Risk Pools: Preparing for What’s Next
Anne Balduzzi – Executive Advisor, AI and Innovation, Hartman Executive Advisors
Reimagining Healthcare for Tomorrow: Market Challenges & Emerging Trends
Prabal Lakhanpal – Senior Vice President, Spring Consulting Group, An Alera Group Company LLC
What’s Your Head Worth: Preventing Injuries of Road and Public Safety Personnel
Brady Robinette – Lieutenant, Lubbock Fire Rescue
From Peer to Leader: Strategies for a Successful Transition
Lori Mueller – People & Culture Program Manager, Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG)
Curious About Financial Reporting? Explore the Power of Interim Reporting
Michael Raigosa – Deputy CFO & Chief Analytics Officer, Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP)
Proven Strategies in Managing Catastrophic Claims
Andrew Sanctis – Vice President, Clinical Solutions, Paradigm
Jennifer Doherty – Senior Director of Catastrophic Case Management, Paradigm
Jim Frerking – Senior Vice President, Clinical Solutions, Paradigm
Stanley v. City of Sanford: The Supreme Court’s Impact on Municipal Liability for Claims of Disability Discrimination in Retirement Benefits
Jessica Conner – Shareholder, Dean Ringers Morgan & Lawton, P.A.
What do Actuaries Actually Do?
Susanlisa Kessler – Chief Actuary, NLC Mutual
Improving the Cancer Care Experience: Communication, Navigation, and Cost Efficiency
Christie Clipper – Founder & CEO, Coreo, Inc.
Concurrent Sessions – Day 3
Lessons from the Field: Turning E-Learning Investments into Measurable Impact
Marco DeLeon – Vice President, Lexipol
A Holistic Approach to Stress Management
Janice Schan – Certified Health Coach, ConnectCare3
Reflecting on Hurricane Helene’s Impact in North Carolina and FEMA’s Evolving Role
Gregory Lonnecker – Director of Claims, North Carolina League of Municipalities
Katie Harwood – Manager, Witt O’Brien’s
William Conley – P&C Claims Manager, NCLM
Empowering Member Engagement: Leveraging AI, Data, & Design
Lena Scarpulla – Senior Member Engagement Specialist, NLC-RISC & NLC Mutual
Mark Snodgrass – Director of Business Intelligence, NLC Mutual
Transitioning to an Electric Future
Larry Bohlen – Deputy Executive Director/Director of Field Services, Local Government Insurance Trust