Demonstrating its commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation of risk professionals, RIMS, the risk management society®, has presented 20 students with a 2026 Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program grant (ABSIP). The program, sponsored by The Spencer Educational Foundation, recognizes the achievements of outstanding risk management university students, providing them with funds for travel expenses, complimentary hotel accommodations and registration to RISKWORLD® scheduled for May 3 – 6 in Philadelphia.
“More than 25 years ago, I had the privilege of attending my first RIMS Annual Conference as an Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program Scholarship winner. It is gratifying to see these future leaders receive the same opportunity that kickstarted my career,” said RIMS President Manny Padilla. “Today’s complex risk environment demands fresh ideas and new perspectives. These exceptionally bright students are pivotal to risk management’s future and we are thrilled to welcome them into this amazing professional community.”
This year’s ABSIP grant recipients are:
- Sarika Bansee – University of Southern California
- Sarah Bejleri – Michigan State University
- Rhylan Castonguay – University of Calgary
- Reid Marie Deaton – Indiana State University
- Rachel Gibson – University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Mahin Kabir – University of Colorado Denver
- Ella Kintz – Ball State University
- Riho Kobayashi – University of Calgary
- Madison Lamie – The University of Georgia
- Tessa Lodewyk – University of Colorado Denver
- Isabella Martinez – St. Mary’s University
- Arturo Martinez Polanco – St. Mary’s University
- Van McNutt – Missouri State University
- Megan Pilarski – Michigan State University
- Nicholas Sevcik – University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Jai Shet – University of Houston
- Timothy Smith – Indiana State University
- Connor Tran – Virginia Commonwealth University
- Anthony Zavala – University of Southern California
- Eric Zhang – Virginia Commonwealth University
Initiated as a pilot program at the 1978 RIMS Annual Conference, the program recognizes exceptional students involved in the study of risk management and has grown into a differentiating part of RISKWORLD®. The program became known as the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program in 1997 to honor Ms. Benedetti’s commitment to developing the next generation of risk professionals.
RISKWORLD will feature a special Rising Risk Professional/Student education track. The track, developed by RIMS Rising Risk Professional Advisory Group, will include interactive sessions designed to help early-career professionals navigate industry trends, network with peers and industry leaders, and other career building skills.
