President

Dave Benyo – Graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance and Risk Management and Insurance. He began his career in the insurance industry while still in college by interning with Philadelphia Insurance Companies in Bala Cynwyd, PA in their marketing and sales department. After graduation, Dave started with Gen Re as a casualty facultative underwriter in the Los Angeles Branch. At Gen Re, Dave specializes in the marketing and underwriting of large stock, middle market, specialty and E&S casualty business. Dave joined the EIP board in September 2017. 

Vice President ​

Nina Rodriguez – Nina is a LA native and Graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ in 2017 where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communication studies and a minor in Spanish Literature. She began her career in the insurance industry in 2016 at State Farm in their claims department while still in college. After graduation she moved back to Los Angeles and began at EQ One formerly, SIU, LLC where she is currently an Assistant Underwriter .  ​​

​Lead Event Coordinator

Rob Schrader – Rob grew up in Lexington, KY before moving to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from USC’s Marshall School of Business in May of 2017. After college, Rob joined Alliant Insurance Services’ Real Estate Group in a hybrid Account Management/Junior Producer Role, specializing in habitational placements. While not at work, Rob enjoys spending his time training for the LA Marathon or cheering on USC Athletics, Fight On!

Sponsor Chair

​Ryan Blasher – Ryan grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles where he attended San Marino High School.  After that he went to Villanova where he earned a degree in Finance and Economics, graduating in 2017.  After attending Villanova, he joined CNA’s training program in San Francisco where he split time in the Bay Area and Chicago.  Throughout it all, he knew he wanted to return home, so when the opportunity presented itself to come back, he took it.  Ryan is now a Middle Market P&C Underwriter at CNA who is in the process of rediscovering LA.

Secretary

​Jessica Ayala – Born and raised on the island of O’ahu, Jessica considers Los Angeles her “home away from home.”  After graduating from ‘Iolani School, she went on to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.  She graduated in 2016 in Public Health with an emphasis in Environmental and Occupational Health.  She’s able to use her safety degree in her current position as a Loss Control Coordinator for Lockton Insurance Brokers.  In addition to EIP, she’s also a member of ASSP (American Society of Safety Professionals) and has recently started a graduate program in Safety Management.  In her free time, she enjoys relaxing and spending time with her husband and baby girl.  

Board Member

​Jonathan Wheat – Jonathan graduated from St. Mary’s College of California with his BS in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.  He is currently a middle market underwriter in the Los Angeles office for Zurich North American specializing in package business for medium to large enterprise clients with 25M to 1B in revenues. Jonathan obtained his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation in 2017 and is actively working toward his Associate in Risk Management. Outside of Insurance, Jonathan enjoys snowboarding, CrossFit, and spending time with his family.