Jay Gates
Managing Director, Gallagher National Restaurant Practice
20+ years in insurance, former Applebee’s risk leader, RIMS committee member, and Kids Chance Nebraska board member.

• Jay’s unexpected path into risk and insurance
• Lessons learned investigating EEOC claims early in his career
• Leadership principles developed while managing large claims teams
• Building a full ERM program for 165+ Applebee’s locations
• The most surprising and severe claims in restaurant operations
• How Gallagher reduces the total cost of risk for restaurant clients
• Innovative approaches including captives and proprietary analytics
• Underestimated risks: cyber breaches + product recalls
• The growing impact of AI on restaurant ops and risk
• Privacy + liability concerns tied to AI adoption
• The future of restaurant risk management over the next decade

• Restaurant risks are broader than most expect. From contaminated produce to liquor liability fatalities, claims can escalate fast.
• Cyber and product recall coverages are essential, despite being commonly undervalued.
• AI will reshape restaurant risk—from customer service to operations tracking—creating both efficiencies and new exposures.
• Gallagher’s differentiator is proactive service, deep data analysis, and tailoring insurance strategy to each client's risk tolerance.
• Risk leaders benefit from diverse career experiences, which Jay draws on daily.

• Learn more about the Restaurant Risk Professional (RRP) certification:
  riskeducation.org/restaurant-RiskPro
• Explore additional Alliance Insights episodes at riskeducation.org

Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Topics Covered:

• What inspired Chris Bunbury’s career in environmental risk
• How pollutants are defined beyond chemicals
• Why most businesses unknowingly self‑insure environmental exposures
• The limitations of CGL policies & hidden pollution exclusions
• Environmental Impairment Liability (EIL) vs. Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL)
• Real‑world examples of unexpected pollution claims
• The role and value of an Environmental Strategist
• How environmental stewardship creates competitive advantage
• Preview of future episodes: PFAS, stormwater, brownfields, due diligence & more

Resources Mentioned:

• Environmental Risk Managers, Inc. — ermi.us
• Environmental Strategist Certification — https://www.riskeducation.org/environmental-strategist/

Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

In this episode of the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance Insights podcast, CEO William Hold talks with Dan Chuparkoff, AI expert, innovation educator, and former product leader at Google, McKinsey, and Atlassian. Dan shares his compelling journey—from discovering disruptive technology as a teenager in an architecture firm to spending 25 years guiding teams through massive shifts in how work gets done.

He discusses how early exposure to breakthrough tools shaped his understanding of digital transformation, why AI is accelerating faster than any previous change in workplace technology, and how professionals can adapt without fear. Dan explains the real impact of AI on today’s workforce—why it takes away repetitive tasks rather than entire jobs, how it turns “word managers” into problem solvers, and why human skills like empathy, creativity, and judgment remain more valuable than ever. This conversation is full of insights into the future of work, collaboration, and the growing importance of authentic human connection in an AI‑saturated world.

Key Topics Covered:

✅ Dan’s early journey from architecture intern to software developer
✅ Lessons learned from leading teams at Google, McKinsey, and Atlassian
✅ How AI evolved from autocomplete to powerful generative assistants
✅ Why AI won’t replace most jobs—but will reshape daily tasks
✅ Improving productivity with AI: meetings, email, communication, and strategy
✅ The “analog renaissance” and the rising value of real human interaction
✅ How professionals in risk and insurance can prepare for AI‑driven change

Why Listen:

If you’re an insurance professional, leader, educator, or simply curious about how AI will redefine work, this episode offers practical guidance and a forward‑looking perspective. Dan’s insights will help you understand the opportunities, limitations, and human implications of AI—empowering you to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

In this episode of the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance Insights podcast, hosts Mitch Dunford and Dr. Lisa Gardner talk with Deborah Buettner, CIC, personal lines underwriter and manager at Risk Placement Services. Deborah shares her inspiring story—from making cold calls at age 12 in her father’s agency to building a thriving career in underwriting hard-to-place risks like homeowners, farms, aviation, and drones.

She discusses how early experiences as a CSR shaped her understanding of underwriting, why continuous learning and designations like CIC matter, and how RPS’s values-driven culture has kept her passionate for over two decades. This conversation is packed with insights on resilience, career growth, and the importance of integrity in the insurance industry.

✅ How Deborah started in insurance as a child
✅ Transition from nursing to insurance
✅ The role of a CSR and its impact on career development
✅ Underwriting hard-to-place risks and E&S markets
✅ Importance of professional designations like CIC
✅ How company culture and core values drive success

If you’re an insurance professional, aspiring underwriter, or simply curious about career growth in the industry, this episode offers practical advice and an inspiring story of perseverance and passion.

Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.