Temple Students Win CICA Captive Insurance Essay Contest

Temple University students Sajjad Alloo and Gabriel Albertson earned first-place honors in the 2025–2026 Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) College Student Essay Contest, "Captive Insurance Solutions for Today's Risk Management Challenges." The pair received a $2,500 prize sponsored by Hylant Global Captive Solutions. CICA announced the winners during the opening session of the CICA 2026 International Conference at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California. 

The annual contest highlights student research and analysis on captive insurance and its role in modern risk management. The program aims to encourage college students to explore careers and thought leadership opportunities within the captive insurance sector. 

Second place went to Elizabeth Jouini and Isabella Martinez of St. Mary's University, who received a $1,500 award. Noah Oachs and Zoey Bendewald of the University of Wisconsin–Madison placed third and received a $1,000 prize. 

"I continue to be impressed by the captive knowledge these students demonstrate through the essay contest process," Dan Towle, president of CICA, said. "The insight they are gaining provides a strong foundation for success across the insurance industry, and we hope this experience inspires many of them to consider a career in captive insurance." 

The contest sponsor said the initiative supports education and innovation within the industry. 

"As the sponsor of the CICA Student Essay Contest, we are honored to contribute to the development of these students," Anne Marie Towle, CEO of Hylant Consulting, said. "This initiative aligns with Hylant's commitment to fostering education and encouraging innovation in captive insurance, and we are proud to invest in our industry's future leaders." 

In addition to receiving cash prizes, the winning students will present their essays during an educational session at the CICA International Conference. Their work will also be published.