Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program
RIMS sponsors 20-30 students in the US and Canada each year to attend RISKWORLD® to learn and connect with leaders in the field. The program recognizes the achievements of outstanding undergraduate and graduate risk management students, providing them with funds for travel expenses, complimentary hotel accommodations, and registration to RISKWORLD. RISKWORLD will feature a special Student/Rising Risk Professional Track comprising fundamental risk strategies, trending topics, and skill development sessions specifically designed for individuals in the early stages of their risk management careers. Highlighting that track is the Student Speed-Networking Lunch, an opportunity for students to connect with leaders in the field.
Congratulations to the 2026 ABSIP Scholars
- Rhylan Castonguay, University of Calgary
- Riho Kobayashi, University of Calgary
- Rachel Gibson, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Nicholas Sevcik, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Mahin Kabir, University of Colorado Denver
- Tessa Lodewyk, University of Colorado Denver
- Madison Lamie, The University of Georgia
- Arturo Martinez Polanco, St. Mary's University
- Isabella Martinez, St. Mary's University
- Reid Marie Deaton, Indiana State University
- Sarika Bansee, University of Southern California
- Anthony Zavala, University of Southern California
- Jai Shet, University of Houston
- Van McNutt, Missouri State University
- Connor Tran, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Chengyi (Eric) Zhang, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Ella Kintz, Ball State University
- Sarah Bejleri, Michigan State University
- Megan Pilarski, Michigan State University
- Timothy Smith, Indiana State University
Nominate Your Students to Be an ABSIP Scholar
Nomination Period Opens: September 2026
Nomination Period Closes: December 2026
Nomination Overview
RIMS invites your institution to submit a maximum of 2 student nominations to participate in our Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program. The selection process includes nomination by a department head of a university or college and a review of the nomination and support materials by the RIMS Student Advisory Council.
Student Sponsorship Includes
- Complimentary conference registration for nominating professor or department head to mentor student(s) at the event
- Complimentary conference registration for students
- Hotel accommodations for students (two students to a room)
- Breakfast, lunch, and some evening meals for students and nominating professor or department head mentor
- $650 cash stipend for students to cover travel and incidental expenses.*
Anita Benedetti scholars will receive mentorship; participate in stimulating conference sessions, gain valuable career development skills, and network with members of the SAC (practicing risk professionals), RIMS Board of Directors, insurers, brokers, and other industry professionals.
Questions?
For more information about the competition, please contact Krystal Taylor at ABSIP@RIMS.org or (212) 655-6211.
History of ABSIP
The RIMS Student Involvement Program was initiated as a pilot program at the 1978 Annual Conference in New Orleans. Due to the overwhelming success of this project, a standing committee was created, and the program has become a permanent part of the RIMS Annual Conference. In 1997, the name was changed to the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program to honor the late Anita Benedetti, former Deputy Executive Director of the Risk and Insurance Management Society. Inc. (RIMS) and President of the Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc.
Anita Benedetti