As we approach Thanksgiving, it's a perfect time to reflect on the importance of giving back, not just in our personal lives but also as an industry. I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. Amid a rapidly changing and often chaotic world, we, as leaders, have a profound opportunity to give back and make a positive impact. I’m proud to say that we work in an industry where many leaders feel this way and give back to causes near and dear to their hearts.

At Applied, we wake up every day with a mission to enable millions of people around the world to safeguard and protect what matters most. Our dedication to giving back is at the very core of our identity, and we invest in organizations across our industry and in emergency ways when help is most needed. Personally, my wife Stacey and I are focused on supporting vulnerable children. This commitment has led us to engage with various causes aimed at improving the lives of children. That's meant different things to us throughout the years, and we've been involved in multiple causes. We are deeply involved with World Vision, a respected non-governmental organization dedicated to eradicating poverty in the most vulnerable parts of the world.

Another way I like to give back is to just be a good citizen. To me, being a good citizen means being kind, caring, and willing to spot when people need help, whether just a listening ear or something else. Plenty of good citizens are giving back in this amazing industry and on Team Applied. Some of them were featured this year on the Insurance Technology Podcast. Get ready to be inspired by just a few of the many notable examples of the insurance industry pros embracing philanthropy.

Supporting Children with Complex Medical Conditions

When our own SVP of Product Management from Team Applied, Raghav Tanna, and his wife, Megan, were faced with life’s challenges, they responded with an abundance of compassion and courage. Inspired by their journey with their son, who was born with Apert Syndrome – a rare genetic condition – they co-founded The Little Sparks Project. This initiative provides vital support for children with complex medical conditions and their families, creating a network of care and understanding. Other insurance leaders like Bradley Flowers, founder of Portal Insurance and co-host of The Insurance Guys Podcast, have generously supported this cause.

Empowering Young Latina Women

Leticia Trevino, COO at Heffernan Insurance Brokers, has taken remarkable steps to support Latina women through the creation of the Poder in Action scholarship fund for Latina females. She supports Latina women with scholarships, networking opportunities, mentorship and community-building initiatives. She also takes pride in working for a philanthropic company that gives a monetary gift each year to employees to give back to an individual or nonprofit in honor of the employees. At Heffernan Insurance Brokers, employees receive a special monetary gift each year, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to individuals or nonprofits of their choice.

Hunger Relief and Mentorship

Surround Insurance CEO and co-founder Kate Terry is committed to hunger relief, donating to the Greater Boston Food Bank. Beyond her philanthropic efforts, Kate is a champion for young professionals, especially women, in our industry. She works tirelessly to mentor and guide the next generation, ensuring they have the role models and support necessary to succeed.

Applied Cares

We’ve also been hearing about the heartwarming ways our colleagues at Team Applied have been giving back to their communities. Our Applied Cares program for employees encourages all of us to contribute to our communities in meaningful ways. During the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) Month of Giving and as we move into the holiday season, we're proud to see an ever-growing number of Team Applied volunteers stepping up to make a positive change. Stay tuned for more about Applied Cares and Team Applied stories of giving and charity work in an upcoming blog post!