
KAMP Leadership Award
A living legacy of 9/11
Since 2002, the peer-nominated KAMP Leadership Award has been given annually to Zurich team members who demonstrate the leadership qualities, spirit and dedication of John Keohane, Peggy Alario, Kathy Moran and Lud Picarro — our Zurich colleagues who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
KAMP — an acronym made from the first letter of these four colleagues’ last names — also serves as a reminder about Keeping A Meaningful Perspective.
In addition to the KAMP Leadership Award, we created the KAMP Remembrance Garden at our headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. It has become a living legacy to those lost tragically that day. We also remain committed to supporting the rebuilding of New York City.
Meet our 2026 KAMP Leadership Award honorees below.
Leslie Bowdring has built a reputation for creating alignment where others see complexity. By bringing people together around common goals, she helps teams navigate challenges and deliver stronger outcomes for Zurich and for its customers.
Leslie’s leadership is grounded in collaboration. As one colleague described, Leslie is a "force multiplier and enterprise connector.” Her ability to unite underwriting, claims, risk engineering and business teams around customer needs creates coordinated solutions that make a meaningful difference for customers.
Zurich customers consistently recognize Leslie for her accountability, determination and commitment to finding solutions. She approaches challenges with a focus on doing what's right, advocating for the best outcomes and following through on commitments. One customer noted that Leslie "represents clients in a tireless fashion until goals are met," a reflection of the persistence and dedication she brings to every relationship.
Known for her thoughtful approach and transparent communication, Leslie brings clarity to complex situations. She takes time to understand different perspectives and helps teams find a path forward, helping turn ideas into action.
Leslie leaves relationships stronger than she found them. It's a lasting impact reflected not only in the results she achieves, but in the people she supports and the teams she helps succeed along the way. That impact makes her a deserving recipient of the 2026 KAMP Leadership Award.
For more than three decades, Claims Staff Legal Secretary Randy Fox has inspired others through compassion, service and community involvement. His commitment to helping colleagues, clients, families and neighbors is why he has been recognized with Zurich’s prestigious 2026 KAMP Leadership Award.
Whether serving meals, organizing volunteers or supporting families during difficult times, Randy leads with a simple belief: showing up for others matters. For more than 30 years, he has supported the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA), helping provide nourishment and hope to critically ill individuals. For more than 20 years, he also has volunteered with Ronald McDonald House supporting families caring for seriously ill children.
Randy’s impact extends far beyond his own volunteer hours. He helped create and lead “Team Philadelphia,” a volunteer group of Zurich employees from the Philadelphia region and across Pennsylvania. Through his encouragement and example, giving back has become woven into the local Zurich community with colleagues, friends and family members joining service projects because Randy made them feel personal, meaningful and achievable.
That same spirit is evident in the way Randy interacts with Zurich colleagues and claimants. At a recent gathering, longtime colleagues expressed a desire to meet him in person because of the reputation he had built through his professionalism and character.
Randy’s leadership also reflects Zurich’s commitment to doing what is right. Through community events, holiday meal programs, fundraisers and charitable initiatives, he consistently turns purpose into action and encourages others to do the same, multiplying the impact of every effort.
His dedication has been recognized outside Zurich. Randy was featured in the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Philanthropic Showcase and recognized as a Z Zurich Foundation Community Hero, honors that reflect his contributions and the lasting difference he has made in the communities he serves.
Those who know Randy best describe him as someone whose generosity inspires everyone around him. Community leaders praise his reliability and commitment to service, while colleagues credit him with creating traditions of volunteerism that have become part of their families’ lives.
Through every volunteer event and every opportunity to help someone in need, Randy demonstrates the leadership, integrity and compassion celebrated by the KAMP Leadership Award. His example reminds us that leadership is measured not by titles or recognition, but by the lives we influence and the positive difference we make for others. Congratulations, Randy, and thank you for inspiring all of us through service, kindness and care.
Jessica Hamilton has built a reputation for leading calmly, credibly and with purpose. She helps people see what is possible, whether identifying a new business opportunity, helping a colleague grow or encouraging others through a difficult situation. Her commitment to making a difference is why she is being recognized with a 2026 KAMP Leadership Award.
Her tenacity was evident in advancing Zurich’s collaboration with Sixfold, an artificial intelligence company that helps insurance underwriters work more productively. Jessica recognized the technology’s potential early, stayed committed and helped turn what started as a promising idea into a real-world solution. The tool streamlines some of the more tedious, hunting-and-gathering aspects of underwriting. The result: Underwriters can gain back valuable hours to focus on higher-order analysis, customer relationships and decision-making.
Jessica also brings discipline to execution and a genuine investment in people. She pauses at critical moments to ensure work aligns with what matters most and helps colleagues pursue new opportunities. Her commitment to strong leadership is reflected in her voluntary, full-year rotation with the Results-Driven Leadership workstream for the Zurich U.S. Center of Manager Excellence, an opportunity she pursued because she believes connected, future-focused managers are essential to serving customers well.
Jessica’s care for others extends beyond Zurich. As the first patient advocate to serve on the Foundation for Women's Cancer Board of Directors she helps physician leaders and staff better understand the patient perspective while contributing to strategic direction. Her advocacy has also taken her to Washington, D.C. where she participated in eight Congressional meetings focused on women’s health. By sharing her experience, she helps give others knowledge, support and a stronger voice.
Jessica has also strengthened Zurich’s customer relationships. She helped prepare and deliver a workshop for women crop insurance agents at the RCIS Women Agents’ Leadership Summit, contributing to an event that deepened connections with attendees. And as part of the Summit’s service activity, she and her mother donated handmade bags for women in need, adding a personal expression of care.
Whether driving innovation, developing leaders, supporting customers or advocating for others, Jessica leads with humility, courage and compassion. She makes people feel valued, challenges them to think differently and inspires through her example. Her impact on colleagues, customers and communities is exactly why Jessica Hamilton is so deserving of this year’s KAMP Leadership Award.
Great leaders lift others up and make people feel supported. That is exactly the kind of leader RCIS Head of HR Cheryl Pappas is, and why she has been recognized with one of Zurich’s prestigious 2026 KAMP Leadership Awards.
Throughout her career, Cheryl has combined deep expertise with genuine compassion. Whether helping employees, guiding leaders or advocating for veterans and their families, she demonstrates servant leadership across Zurich and beyond.
One of the most meaningful examples is her service on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, which helps at-risk veterans and their families achieve stability, housing and self-sufficiency. Cheryl contributes time, leadership and expertise to advance its mission and is known for using her voice with courage and heart.
At Zurich, Cheryl’s people-first approach has shaped the experiences of employees and leaders. Recognizing the need for mental health resources and open dialogue, she helped launch an “Office Hours” program focused on mental health and well-being, creating space for meaningful conversations and reinforcing Zurich’s commitment to caring for the whole person.
Cheryl also extended those conversations to more than 200 RCIS crop insurance agents and guests during a workshop at the RCIS National Agent Conference. At the RCIS Women Agents’ Leadership Summit, she shared her expertise, built relationships and handcrafted personalized “Passion for the PossibleTM” kitchen towels for more than 50 participants, a thoughtful gesture that reflected the care she brings to her work.
What sets Cheryl apart is her ability to balance business priorities with humanity. Colleagues describe her as a trusted advisor who brings calm judgment, integrity and a strong moral compass even when faced with difficult choices or unpopular viewpoints.
Cheryl is equally passionate about creating a workplace where everyone feels included and valued. She was a founding member of Zurich’s AbilitieZ Employee Resource Group and is a certified Mental Health First Aider, demonstrating her commitment to accessibility, inclusion and psychological safety.
In addition, Cheryl invests in the success of others by identifying development opportunities, advocating for employees and connecting people with resources that improve their well-being and quality of life. Much of this work happens quietly, but colleagues describe her as a rock, a trusted partner and someone who leaves people stronger after every interaction.
Her commitment to service continues in the communities she serves, especially through advocacy related to veterans, housing and community programs.
Through compassion, courage and commitment to people, Cheryl Pappas exemplifies the values celebrated by the 2026 KAMP Leadership Award. She leads with purpose, acts with integrity and inspires others through her example. Congratulations, Cheryl, and thank you for making a lasting difference.
Nearly a decade ago, Ryan Suby joined Zurich as one of the company’s first apprentices. Today, he serves as Assistant Vice President and Technology Operations Director within Legal Services, helping modernize the function through data, technology and innovation. That journey, along with his dedication to people and community, has earned Ryan recognition as a recipient of the 2026 KAMP Leadership Award, which honors employees who embody leadership, compassion and service.
Ryan’s career reflects continuous growth and a commitment to turning opportunity into results. Across Zurich, he has built a reputation for identifying ways to work smarter, introducing more efficient, data-driven approaches and helping solve complex business challenges.
One clear example is Ryan’s leadership in transforming Legal Services’ subpoena intake process. What was once a manual process requiring more than 20 minutes of data entry per request was redesigned into an automated solution that now takes seconds. Ryan also helped identify and address a critical process risk, moving forward a practical solution. This work earned Ryan and his colleagues Zurich Global Legal’s 2026 “Out of the Box” Innovation Award.
His impact extends well beyond one project. Colleagues in Legal, IT and other areas point to his ability to combine technical expertise, business acumen and persistence to solve complex challenges. Whether advancing Legal’s data strategy, improving operational reporting, helping shape AI initiatives or developing tools that make work easier for employees, Ryan stays focused on creating lasting value for the business and the people he supports.
As a people leader, Ryan is equally committed to helping others succeed. In his first year leading a team, he hired and developed new talent while fostering collaboration, accountability and growth. Colleagues describe him as someone who provides clear direction, removes barriers and creates opportunities for others to thrive.
Ryan’s commitment to inclusion and belonging is equally meaningful. As the Illinois lead for PrideZ, Zurich’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group, he has helped expand Zurich’s participation in Pride events and strengthened collaborations that support LGBTQ+ youth and community health initiatives. His efforts help create a culture where colleagues feel supported and empowered to be themselves.
Laura Lazarczyk, Zurich U.S. Chief Legal Officer, sees those qualities in Ryan’s work across Legal Services and beyond. “Leaders like Ryan Suby bring our values to life,” she said. “They create spaces where colleagues feel seen, supported and empowered to show up as their authentic selves while continually finding new ways to strengthen our business, our culture and our communities.”
From apprentice to business leader, Ryan’s journey reflects continuous growth, innovation, inclusion and service. Congratulations, Ryan, on this well-deserved recognition.
Yvette Auyeung
Irin Bakhtiar
Lisa Bellino Apelian
Stasi Bobo-Ligon
Bob Boyle
Brian Budzicz
Mark Burton
Leslie Carlson
Gerald Chiddick
Lael Chappell
John Diaz
Megan Dickow
Don Duffey
Mike Esqueda
Rita Falco
Jeffrey Gallimore
Joe Garnett
Nuala Gewargis
Tracey Haley
Dawn Hiestand
John Hoffman
Chavonne Hudson
Erica Jones
Jocelyn Jopa
Maureen Jordan
Dan Kapenga
Cheryl Kaufman
Megan Kreft
Tracy Lampert
Laura Lazarczyk
Lisa Leftwich
Teresa Logue
Ed Lopes
Don Maiers
Kathy Malamis
Sandra Mangroo
Greg Massey
Nina McIlree
Joyce Mellinger
Karen Michalski
Marsha Morrow
Maureen Neelon
Charles Newman
Nanci Nunez
Denise Olson
Janet Pancoast
Edward Paulis
Alisha Pierce
Felicia Remington
Lauren Ribando
Catherine Richeal
Richard Forest Ropp
Dave Schmitt
Patti Schwartz
David Shluger
Betsy Spotts
Sandy Stephanites
Stanislav “Stan” Sukhorukov
Terry Dawn-Thomas
Marie-Therese Vaz
Melissa Versino
Jillian Walsh
Elise White
Chuck Wood
Andrew Zoller
Tim Zoltowski
For more on our service orientation, visit Zurich’s Community Impact page.




