RIMS Honors Global Risk Leaders and Chapters at RISKWORLD 2026

RIMS, the risk management society^®, recognized a range of professionals, chapters, and industry leaders during RISKWORLD^® 2026 in Philadelphia, highlighting achievements in enterprise risk management, volunteer leadership, and global advancement of the profession. 

The Society's highest honor, the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award, was presented to Nowell Seaman, recently retired special projects lead, insurance and risk management at Federated Co-operatives Limited, and RIMS 2017 global board president. The award recognizes individuals who have advanced the goals of the Society and the risk management profession through distinguished service and achievement. 

RIMS also named Jeff Bray, senior vice president and head of global risk management at Prologis, as its 2026 Risk Manager of the Year. Emily Buckley, insurance risk manager at Specialized Bicycle Components, was inducted into the Risk Management Honor Roll. 

"The best leaders in this field don't just protect value, they help create it by empowering innovation, guiding strategy, and cultivating business cultures that recognize the advantages of thoughtful risk-taking," said RIMS CEO Gary LaBranche, FASAE, CAE. "Jeff Bray and Emily Buckley exemplify that vision." 

Bray oversees Mr. Prologis' global risk management strategy, including insurance programs, claims, and business resilience initiatives. Under his leadership, the company expanded its use of catastrophe bonds, parametric insurance, alternative risk transfer, and captive insurance strategies. RIMS said Mr. Bray also played a significant role in developing the next generation of risk professionals through mentorship and internship programs.  

Ms. Buckley, Specialized Bicycle Components' first dedicated risk manager, developed the company's enterprise-ready risk and insurance function. RIMS said her restructuring of the company's global insurance program generated recurring seven-figure savings while supporting broader enterprise risk management and business continuity initiatives.  

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Candace Heron, manager of claims management at Toronto Hydro and co-chair and co-founder of the RIMS Ontario Chapter's Rising Risk Professional Network. Tyler Vaughan, global risk manager, corporate risk and insurance at Cook Group Incorporated, received the Rising Risk Professional Award, which honors professionals under age 35 or with seven years or fewer of industry experience. 

RIMS also inducted Jorge Luzzi into the Risk Management Hall of Fame, recognizing his decades-long influence on the global risk management profession. Mr. Luzzi held leadership positions with organizations including IFRIMA, FERMA, ABGR, and FUNDALARYS, while serving as a global risk leader for companies such as Pirelli, Telecom, and RCG. 

"Jorge Luzzi's contributions to advancing the risk management profession globally were immeasurable. He will inspire others for generations to come," said Gary A. LaBranche, FASAE, CAE, AAiP. 

Mr. Luzzi received the RIMS Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award in 2002 and authored numerous articles and the 2019 book The Challenges of Risk Management. At the time of his death in 2024, he served as CEO of RCG-Risk Consulting Group and held leadership roles with several international risk organizations. 

RIMS Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter received the Chapter of the Year Award for its member programming and professional resources in 2025. The inaugural Community Impact Award was presented to the RIMS Rocky Mountain Chapter. Additional Chapter Honors were awarded to the RIMS Los Angeles Chapter and the RIMS Saskatchewan Chapter.