Mary LaPorte is a resource to the insurance industry, counseling insurance agencies on a variety of workflow and management issues. Having over thirty years experience with one of the largest independent agencies in the Midwest, Mary has extensive experience with hiring, supervision, workflow and agency acquisition issues. With many years of helping agencies identify and reduce E&O (Errors and Omissions) exposure, she applies that same practical experience when acting as an expert witness in E&O related litigation.

A member of the national faculty of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) and Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) programs, Mary brings real life examples into the classroom to help insurance professionals be the best they can be. She conducts a variety of continuing education classes and presents topics of interest at industry conventions and meetings.

Mary is a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and holds a resident agent's license and insurance counselor's license (LIC) in the state of Michigan. She has attained the Certified Professional Insurance Agent designation (CPIA) and is an active member of the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants (AAIMCo).

A Michigan native, Mary continues to live in the state with her husband, Gary at their lake home. Between kayaking, swimming and riding motorcycle, you will find them outdoors and soaking up the sun in the summer, while heading for Tucson before the snow starts to fall.

In 2020, Mary was inducted into the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame, recognizing the significant impact she has made on the insurance community in the state.

Nancy Germond is the Executive Director, Risk Management and Education, for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, the “Big I.” She is located in Phoenix, Arizona. With almost four decades of risk management experience, her unique insights and abilities help businesses better understand and manage their risk. Nancy has authored scores of risk management-related articles, and white papers and has consulted and presented to public-sector and private-sector insurance organizations. She is a licensed P&C agent and adjuster.

A second-generation insurance professional, Nancy was the first risk manager of the City of Prescott, Arizona, and has worked in the private and public sectors as a claim and risk manager. Nancy holds a B.A. in Communication from Mills College and a Master’s degree in sociology from Lincoln University. She also holds the Associate in Risk Management, the Associate in Claims designation from the Insurance Institute of America, the Insurance Training Professional Designation from the Society of Insurance Trainers and is a Senior Professional in Human Resource Management.