A living legacy of 9/11: KAMP Leadership Award

Since 2002, the peer-nominated KAMP Leadership Award has been given annually to Zurich team members who demonstrate the leadership qualities, spirit and dedication of John Keohane, Peggy Alario, Kathy Moran and Lud Picarro — our Zurich North America colleagues who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

KAMP — an acronym made from the first letter of these four colleagues’ last names — also serves as a reminder about Keeping A Meaningful Perspective.

In addition to the KAMP Leadership Award, we created the KAMP Remembrance Garden at our headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. It has become a living legacy to those lost tragically that day.

 

Meet our 2023 KAMP Leadership Award honorees below.

 

Irin Bakhtiar

Irin Bakhtiar 

AVP, Environmental Liability Manager, Zurich Canada           

Bakhtiar received the KAMP Leadership Award due to her remarkable impact on Zurich's culture. She champions psychological safety, creating a space where trust and authenticity thrive. Colleagues value her as a trusted team member. She’s a true brand champion and a dedicated advocate for her colleagues. Bakhtiar’s commitment to talent development at all levels, including training managers and nurturing early talent, sets her apart. Her mentorship extends widely, both formally and informally, and she was a founding member of Zurich’s Accelerated Development Program for leadership skills. She educates, designs programs and mentors those seeking growth within Zurich. Bakhtiar’s leadership propels her team to exceed financial goals while emphasizing authentic personal growth. Additionally, she leads management training and fosters peer collaboration, highlighting exceptional leadership. Her leadership, mentorship and coaching skills inspire others to excel, making her a worthy recipient of the KAMP Leadership Award.

Jeff Gallimore

Jeffrey Gallimore 

Head of Operations – U.S. National Accounts, Zurich North America

Gallimore is celebrated for his remarkable ability to connect people and ideas. He goes beyond mentorship, impacting careers through selfless leadership and shared knowledge. Gallimore’s decisions transcend personal objectives, considering the broader impact on others. His empathetic leadership style ensures colleagues feel valued and supported, maintaining an open-door policy for guidance. His visionary leadership is a transformative force for Zurich North America’s largest business unit, U.S. National Accounts. Gallimore provides candid feedback while inspiring teams to drive meaningful change. Gallimore’s commitment extends to learning from diverse backgrounds, treating everyone with humanity and care, from Zurich leadership to apprentices. He champions equality and inclusivity. Beyond his professional roles, Gallimore’s volunteer work with Newark High School Business Advisory and mentorship of at-risk teenagers demonstrates his deep commitment to the community. He actively participates in events promoting diversity and inclusion, aligning his values with customer and business objectives. Gallimore is undeniably deserving of the KAMP Leadership Award.

Erica Jones_500x500

Erica Jones

South Regional Operations Manager – Middle Market, Zurich North America

Jones has dedicated her head, heart and hands to the development of future professionals and promotion of the Zurich brand. Her commitment to forging pathways for diverse talent is inspiring. Jones’ forward-thinking approach focuses on creating lasting impacts for the future. She is driven by her desire to open doors for upcoming generations of diverse talent, leaving a profound impression on those who work with her. Jones’ instrumental role in expanding the Zurich Apprenticeship Program to Zurich’s Middle Market business unit and the Atlanta area highlights her exceptional care and support for apprentices. Her nurturing of diverse talent pipelines with universities, especially Georgia State University (GSU), her alma mater, has been remarkably successful. Her vision and commitment have since been replicated at other institutions, yielding outstanding results. Jones’ active role as the founding member and incoming co-lead of the U.S. Middle Market Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging Council underscores her commitment to enhancing Zurich’s brand through meaningful actions. Jones embodies courage and wholehearted dedication in all she does, breaking down barriers and building bridges. Jones is an exceptional leader and a true asset to Zurich.

Dr Nina Mcilree

Nina McIlree

Director of Wellbeing and Employee Experience, Zurich North America

McIlree’s ability to craft an inspiring vision for wellbeing has energized and engaged her colleagues. Her leadership style, described as intelligent, thoughtful, calm, patient and kind has been pivotal in resolving complex issues. Throughout her tenure at Zurich, McIlree has consistently prioritized employee wellbeing, setting a remarkable example. When the pandemic disrupted lives, McIlree stepped up, playing a vital role in COVID-19 crisis management. Her measured advice on topics like masks and testing was invaluable. She further demonstrated her commitment by volunteering at Zurich’s vaccine clinics. McIlree’s dedication to mental wellbeing shines through her involvement in developing suicide awareness programing for VETZ, a Zurich employee resource group for veterans. Always hungry for knowledge, McIlree remains open to learning opportunities, never resting on her extensive education. Her mentorship extends beyond professional realms, helping people navigate challenges, maintain work-life balance and prioritize wellbeing. She embodies keeping a meaningful perspective, serving as a living testament to Zurich’s values. McIlree’s leadership and unwavering commitment make her a truly deserving recipient of the KAMP Leadership Award.

Marsha Love Morrow

Marsha Morrow

Director of Underwriting University, Zurich North America

Morrow embodies qualities that inspire and uplift those around her. Her enthusiasm for learning and growth is infectious, and her dedication to every endeavor is commendable. Morrow’s transformative work for Zurich’s Underwriting University, a training resource for the underwriting community at each stage of their careers, is a testament to her leadership. Through her doctoral knowledge and research, she reengineered content development for training materials, ensuring quality and scalability. Her foresight was crucial in transitioning Underwriting University to a virtual environment during the pandemic, significantly expanding its reach. As a leader, Morrow recognizes the unique strengths each team member brings, promoting Zurich’s values of inclusivity and togetherness. Her mentorship extends beyond professional matters, fostering inclusivity and diversity education among colleagues. During the pandemic, Morrow provided invaluable support to the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township in Illinois, assisting with resume services and character development for teenagers in need. Her presence during trying times exemplifies her dedication to the community and Zurich’s values. Morrow’s remarkable leadership and selfless contributions make her a worthy recipient of a KAMP Leadership Award.


Lisa Bellino Apelian
Stasi Bobo-Ligon
Bob Boyle
Brian Budzicz
Mark Burton
Leslie Carlson
Lael Chappell
John Diaz
Megan Dickow
Don Duffey
Mike Esqueda
Rita Falco
Joe Garnett
Nuala Gewargis
Tracey Haley
Dawn Hiestand
John Hoffman
Chavonne Hudson
Jocelyn Jopa
Maureen Jordan
Dan Kapenga
Cheryl Kaufman
Tracy Lampert
Laura Lazarczyk
Lisa Leftwich
Teresa Logue
Ed Lopes
Don Maiers
Sandra Mangroo
Greg Massey
Joyce Mellinger
Karen Michalski
Maureen Neelon
Nanci Nunez
Denise Olson
Janet Pancoast
Edward Paulis
Felicia Remington
Lauren Ribando
Catherine Richeal
Richard Forest Ropp
Patti Schwartz
David Shluger
Betsy Spotts
Sandy Stephanites
Terry Dawn-Thomas
Marie-Therese Vaz
Melissa Versino
Jillian Walsh
Elise White
Chuck Wood
Andrew Zoller
Tim Zoltowski

For more on our service orientation, visit Zurich’s Community Impact page.