PLUS Recognizes 2023 Emerging Leader Award Winners

Join us in congratulating Kelley Larson, Martha Manriquez and Nathan Thomas. PLUS proudly announced the recipients of the prestigious 2023 Emerging Leader Award, a distinguished recognition that was presented at the 36th annual PLUS Conference. The award honors the exceptional achievements of young professionals who have demonstrated remarkable excellence in their respective fields and within the professional liability insurance industry. It is given to three individuals annually who exhibit exceptional attributes and great potential to lead and shape the future of professional liability.

The 2023 Emerging Leader Award recipients have not only excelled in their profession but have also displayed unparalleled dedication and innovation within the industry. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to their commitment to excellence and their significant contributions to the growth and advancement of professional liability
insurance.

“PLUS takes immense pride in honoring these outstanding individuals whose commitment to excellence and leadership qualities have set them apart as exemplary emerging leaders,” said Robbie Thompson, CEO of PLUS. “Their achievements and energy inspire the entire professional community and reinforce our shared vision of a prosperous and resilient insurance landscape.”

The recipients were formally recognized during the 2023 PLUS Conference, the premier professional liability event known for fostering knowledge exchange, professional growth and networking opportunities within the insurance community. The event was held at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas from December 4-6, 2023.

About Kelley Larson – Professional Liability Insurance Broker, Thompson Flanagan
Ms. Larson began her career in the insurance industry nearly 10 years ago as an underwriting assistant at MGA located in Chicago. She joined her current company, Thompson Flanagan, an NFP Company, in 2017 where she worked in several capacities within the organization showcasing her versatility and adaptability. Ms. Larson enjoys traveling the country to meet with both clients and prospective clients and she thrives on improving their policy placement and pricing. Committed to growth and success at Thompson Flanagan, she not only serves on the Leadership Committee but also maintains a large role in the company’s D&I Committee. She is an active PLUS Midwest chapter member and is co-chair for the 2023-2024 term. Being part of the PLUS community has helped her develop strong relationships within the industry and she is grateful for the supportive network that has helped her navigate the insurance world. She has completed her RPLU, CPLP and ExecPLP.

About Martha Manriquez – Claims Specialist, Great American Insurance Group
Ms. Manriquez recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary in the insurance industry while at Great American. Throughout her career she has been responsible for the handling of potential, primary and excess D&O, in addition to EPL claims for various Insureds ranging from non-profits to homeowners associations, as well as public and private organizations. She holds the RPLU designation and is an active member of PLUS where she serves on various task forces, committees and roles including Chair and Vice Chair of the Future PLUS Leadership Committee. Ms. Manriquez has a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and subsequently obtained an American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Certificate while at a Chicago legal malpractice defense firm prior to transitioning into insurance claims handling at Great American.

About Nathan Thomas – Senior Underwriter, AXA XL
Mr. Thomas has been infatuated with technology from a young age, which led him to begin pursuing a career in IT as a networking intern at Caterpillar Inc in 2008. The following year, he joined RLI Insurance Company’s IT department, where he worked with the support and security teams on various initiatives. In 2019 Nathan moved from his Manager role in IT to become an Underwriter for RLIs Cyber Liability practice, where he underwrote Fortune 500 companies, examining and discussing their security posturing with CISOs. Now with AXA XL, Nathan holds the AIS, CISSP, CPCU, CPLP, MCP & RPLU+ designations, and has served on various committees for PLUS (currently serving on the Cyber Professional Liability Practitioner Committee) and is also currently serving on the North America Event Advisory Committee for ISC2.