Our History
In 2005, Candice Wong, Kelley Bernal, and Warren Weed decided to organize a networking group for emerging people in the insurance industry. This group, called "Emerging Insurance Professionals of Southern California," targeted individuals in the earlier years of their career (0-10 years), and involved in risk management, brokering, underwriting, claims, loss control, reinsurance, and any other insurance related jobs.
Over the last decade, the Board has grown and we have had many successful events. Our network base is currently over 1,000 members and continues to expand within the local Los Angeles community. We plan quarterly events including social gatherings, charity events and educational forums. We are also working diligently on building relationships with local universities, in an effort to introduce talented college graduates to our industry. With the generous support of our sponsors, we will be able to continue growing our footprint in the community and provide a broader offering of opportunities to the next generation of insurance industry executives.
EIP Founders
Founder – Candice Wong – A graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Minor in Business Administration, Candice began her career in the insurance industry at Chubb in Los Angeles in the Property, Machinery and Marine Department. Two years later, she joined Travelers’ Ocean Marine Department where she has progressed through the ranks from an Associate, Account Executive, Account Executive Officer, Managing Account Executive to her current role of Managing Director. Candice resides in the Travelers’ Glendale office and oversees the Southern California and Southwest Territory.
Candice was a founder of the Emerging Insurance Professionals Organization in 2005, however she also participates in other industry associations, including the Marine Underwriters of Southern California where she has served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Diversity and inclusion networks, including women’s leadership events, are other areas where Candice likes to focus her time, considerable energy and where she can be a mentor. Over the past few years she has organized annual Ladies Tea Luncheons to bring women together for the purpose of networking and building a stronger support group to empower women in the insurance industry. All the while, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter, family and friends. She also enjoys photography, trying new foods and hosting events.
Founder – Kelley Bernal – A longtime catastrophe underwriter, Kelley Bernal currently serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Underwriting for SIU, a division of Alliant Underwriting Solutions. In this position, Kelley is responsible for the growth of the division’s capacity, reach, and relationships within the brokerage community. Kelley began her career as a Property Facultative Underwriter at Gen Re in 2001. She’s also held senior catastrophe underwriting positions at RLI, V3 Insurance Partners and Catalytic Risk Managers. Kelley resides in SIU’s Glendale office and oversees the division.
Kelley was a founder of Emerging Insurance Professionals in 2005 and has also served as President of the Marine Underwriters of Southern California. More recently, Kelley joined the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Western Division Associate Board where she serves on the volunteer committee. Kelley earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of San Diego and is a graduate of and current advisor to the Latina Global Executive Leadership Program hosted by the USC Marshall School of Business. She also holds an Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designation. While her service to the industry and community alike has always been very important to Kelley, her family always comes first. She enjoys spending as much time as possible with her husband, son and extended family.
Founder – Warren Weed – A longtime commercial lines agent, Warren Weed currently serves as an Account Executive for Clarke Marine Insurance, a boutique agency in Orange County. In this position, Warren is responsible for both managing a large commercial book of business for the agency as well as producing and growing his own book. Warren began his career as a Risk Analyst at Marsh in 2003 where he left to expand his career with his current company in 2006.
Warren was a founder of Emerging Insurance Professionals in 2005 and has participated in various industry Associations over the years. Warren earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the California State University at Long Beach. Outside of his professional time he enjoys coaching his children’s sports and pursuing his passions of surfing, mountain biking, skiing, and traveling with his family.
Over the last decade, the Board has grown and we have had many successful events. Our network base is currently over 1,000 members and continues to expand within the local Los Angeles community. We plan quarterly events including social gatherings, charity events and educational forums. We are also working diligently on building relationships with local universities, in an effort to introduce talented college graduates to our industry. With the generous support of our sponsors, we will be able to continue growing our footprint in the community and provide a broader offering of opportunities to the next generation of insurance industry executives.
EIP Founders
Founder – Candice Wong – A graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Minor in Business Administration, Candice began her career in the insurance industry at Chubb in Los Angeles in the Property, Machinery and Marine Department. Two years later, she joined Travelers’ Ocean Marine Department where she has progressed through the ranks from an Associate, Account Executive, Account Executive Officer, Managing Account Executive to her current role of Managing Director. Candice resides in the Travelers’ Glendale office and oversees the Southern California and Southwest Territory.
Candice was a founder of the Emerging Insurance Professionals Organization in 2005, however she also participates in other industry associations, including the Marine Underwriters of Southern California where she has served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Diversity and inclusion networks, including women’s leadership events, are other areas where Candice likes to focus her time, considerable energy and where she can be a mentor. Over the past few years she has organized annual Ladies Tea Luncheons to bring women together for the purpose of networking and building a stronger support group to empower women in the insurance industry. All the while, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter, family and friends. She also enjoys photography, trying new foods and hosting events.
Founder – Kelley Bernal – A longtime catastrophe underwriter, Kelley Bernal currently serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Underwriting for SIU, a division of Alliant Underwriting Solutions. In this position, Kelley is responsible for the growth of the division’s capacity, reach, and relationships within the brokerage community. Kelley began her career as a Property Facultative Underwriter at Gen Re in 2001. She’s also held senior catastrophe underwriting positions at RLI, V3 Insurance Partners and Catalytic Risk Managers. Kelley resides in SIU’s Glendale office and oversees the division.
Kelley was a founder of Emerging Insurance Professionals in 2005 and has also served as President of the Marine Underwriters of Southern California. More recently, Kelley joined the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Western Division Associate Board where she serves on the volunteer committee. Kelley earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of San Diego and is a graduate of and current advisor to the Latina Global Executive Leadership Program hosted by the USC Marshall School of Business. She also holds an Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designation. While her service to the industry and community alike has always been very important to Kelley, her family always comes first. She enjoys spending as much time as possible with her husband, son and extended family.
Founder – Warren Weed – A longtime commercial lines agent, Warren Weed currently serves as an Account Executive for Clarke Marine Insurance, a boutique agency in Orange County. In this position, Warren is responsible for both managing a large commercial book of business for the agency as well as producing and growing his own book. Warren began his career as a Risk Analyst at Marsh in 2003 where he left to expand his career with his current company in 2006.
Warren was a founder of Emerging Insurance Professionals in 2005 and has participated in various industry Associations over the years. Warren earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the California State University at Long Beach. Outside of his professional time he enjoys coaching his children’s sports and pursuing his passions of surfing, mountain biking, skiing, and traveling with his family.
