KAMP memorial

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 North America 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.

 

Meet our 2025 KAMP Leadership Award honorees below.

Yvette Auyeung

Yvette Auyeung

Head of US Desk,
Global Casualty Technical Underwriting
Zurich Insurance

The award, created in memory of four Zurich colleagues lost on Sept. 11, 2001, honors employees who exemplify leadership, compassion and community. Yvette Auyeung’s contributions reflect those values through her professional excellence and personal dedication to service.

A global ambassador for Zurich’s Women’s Innovation Network, Auyeung was named the company’s 2018 Community Investment Volunteer of the Year. She has helped mobilize more than 135 Zurich volunteers in New York City, contributing to efforts that earned Zurich the Corporate Volunteer Engagement Award at the Futures and Options (FAO) “A Toast to Brighter Futures” event. The initiative raised more than $70,000 to support local youth.

Auyeung is known for leading by lifting others up. She consistently recognizes the passion and potential in people and helps bring their vision to life. Her encouragement and support have opened doors for others to make an impact, not just at Zurich, but in their communities as well.

Her leadership extends beyond her role. She mentors students, strengthens global claims practices and supports inclusion efforts across Zurich. She works closely with employee resource groups such as Zurich Asian American Pacific Islanders and Emerging LeaderZ.

Her impact is both strategic and personal, from mentoring future leaders to baking 80 cupcakes for a colleague’s wedding.

Her passion for supporting disadvantaged youth, mentoring students and engaging with the FAO board has been described as remarkable. She sets the standard for what leadership in action looks like.

Whether organizing volunteers or offering a kind gesture, Auyeung leads by example.

Megan Kreft

Megan Kreft

Group Accident Senior Underwriter
Zurich North America

Megan Kreft is a driving force for inclusion, community engagement and ethical leadership. 

As  chair of the Chicago Community Committee, Kreft has united employees across teams and backgrounds, organizing volunteer efforts that have supported local causes and provided more than 1,100 meals to those in need. Outside the office, she co-captains “Megs and Friends on a Mission,” a team that raised over $9,000 for cancer research through the 2025 Chicago Marathon. 

Kreft also serves as Zurich’s American Red Cross Employee Champion, inspiring broad participation in initiatives such as Red Cross Ready Training and MapSwipe. Known for her deep nonprofit knowledge and generous spirit, she’s a trusted advisor and advocate for ethical practices, from promoting sustainable vendors to fostering fairness with transparency and empathy

Her leadership extends to project execution. Kreft led a major system implementation that launched ahead of schedule with strong engagement. She also accelerated delivery of a new Business Travel Accident policy for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by nearly a year, earning praise for her responsiveness and professionalism

Kreft mentors junior colleagues, promotes inclusive communication and models integrity in every interaction. Whether guiding cross-functional teams or quietly correcting inequities, she creates a culture where people feel heard, valued and empowered

One colleague said, “I am privileged to work so closely with Megan. She inspires me to take action and be involved with the greater community. She is truly what makes working at Zurich so great.” 

Another called her “a remarkable example of values-based leadership” and “a true ambassador of who we are and what we stand for.”

Alisha Pierce

Alisha Pierce

Head of General Liability, Claims
Zurich North America

Alisha Pierce is an inspiring leader whose passion, integrity and commitment to excellence shine through in all she does.

Her leadership style is transparent and empowering, known for building trust and fostering a strong sense of purpose within her teams. She is widely regarded as a strategic and courageous leader who consistently drives high standards of performance.

Pierce takes a hands-on approach to leadership, emphasizing clear planning, mentorship and recognition of individual contributions. She elevates team morale and creates a positive, dynamic work environment rooted in care and collaboration. Through regular meetings and active listening, she ensures every voice in her department is heard and valued.

Her dedication to developing others is evident in the initiatives she leads, including Manager Circles discussions, focus groups and training sessions focused on performance culture. Her engagement in Zurich’s Claims Training Program has had a lasting impact on trainees, many of whom have shared how meaningful their conversations with her have been.

Beyond her role at Zurich, Pierce supports community organizations such as Rise Against Hunger, which addresses food insecurity, and LiveSafe Resources, which supports victims and survivors of domestic abuse and assault.

In 2024, she was elected to the National Board of the National African American Insurance Association. She has also represented Zurich at industry events including the Women in Insurance Summit, the Association of Professional Insurance Women and InsurTech Atlanta.

Pierce exemplifies Zurich’s values through her inclusive mindset and her ability to build trust, deliver clear guidance, and foster a collaborative, motivated team. Her leadership continues to make a meaningful difference across the organization and in the broader community.

Stan Sukhorukov

Stanislav “Stan” Sukhorukov

Senior Assistant General Counsel
Zurich North America

Stan Sukhorukov has been recognized for his dedication, empathy and quiet strength—qualities that make a lasting impact on his team, Zurich and the communities he supports.

From the start, Sukhorukov has been a steady presence and a trusted team member. He is known for going beyond expectations to support others—whether by offering thoughtful advice, listening attentively or ensuring customers feel genuinely understood. His leadership is marked by integrity and care.

Within Zurich Legal Services, Sukhorukov has championed inclusion and belonging, helping the team achieve Mansfield Certification—a global initiative focused on equity in the legal industry—ahead of schedule. He also played a key role in expanding Zurich’s pro bono program internationally, creating opportunities for colleagues across EMEA, APAC and LATAM to use their legal expertise in service of others.

One of his most impactful contributions has been mentoring refugee lawyers through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. By helping them navigate new professional and cultural landscapes, Sukhorukov has offered not just guidance, but hope.

His leadership blends professional excellence with humanity. Whether guiding teams through complex legal challenges, creating space for diverse voices or opening doors for those just starting out, Sukhorukov leads by bringing others along.

He exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, making a lasting impact on his colleagues, his community and the legal profession.


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
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
Felicia Remington
Lauren Ribando
Catherine Richeal
Richard Forest Ropp
Dave Schmitt
Patti Schwartz
David Shluger
Betsy Spotts
Sandy Stephanites
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.