February 2026 Newsletter

President's Report

Dear CPCU Atlanta Members and Friends,

Our year is off to a great start! We had high attendance and great participation at our first Lunch & Learn of the year. A big thank you to our presenters, Kayla McCallum and Jacob Blott from Swift Currie, for such an engaging presentation on detecting synthetic claims. A synopsis of their presentation appears later in this newsletter. We also had the opportunity to recognize our four CPCU Atlanta scholarship winners: Aliyah Jordan and McKenzie Knight from Georgia State University, and Brandon Webb and Chinedu Okonkwo from the University of Georgia. You can read Chinedu's story in this month's Student section, and we look forward to hearing from the other recipients in upcoming months.

But that was just the beginning—we have plenty more in store over the coming months. On February 19, we will hold our first networking event of the year. In addition to catching up with CPCU friends and colleagues, you'll be able to get a professional headshot appropriate for updating your LinkedIn profile. Thank you to our Social Events Co-chairs Ki-Jana Curtis and Andria Jones for organizing this event, and to our host, DBI Consultants.

In March, we're offering our first Good Works project of the year. We will be volunteering at Solidarity Sandy Springs Food Pantry on March 5. There are still openings for volunteers to assist with shopping, childcare, checking out shoppers, restocking shelves, or cleaning up the area. We collected a large box of food items at the Lunch & Learn and will be seeking additional donations at the February networking event. This is a great opportunity to support our local community.

I'm really looking forward to our March ethics event on March 19. We're trying something different this year—Taco Table Talks. While our Lunch & Learn events are a great opportunity to hear from expert speakers, we also want to offer you the opportunity to discuss ethical dilemmas among yourselves, to experience the challenge of coming to a decision while balancing the needs of multiple parties. We'll gather for food and conversation at 5:30, and then after a brief introduction, you'll have the opportunity to deliberate with your tablemates and present your recommendations to the group. I'm looking forward to facilitating this event along with Keline Bornelus, Director and Programming Chair.

Looking further ahead, we already have plans for our annual Golf Tournament and Clinic on May 4 and Atlanta Risk Focus 2026 on September 17. If your company is interested in sponsoring either or both of these events, please check out the information on our website or contact us at [email protected]. Your sponsorships allow us to provide scholarships for Risk Management and Insurance students, support our local community, and provide top-notch programming for our members and the entire Atlanta insurance community.

I hope to see you all soon at one of our upcoming events!

Elizabeth Gieseking
President, CPCU Atlanta

Calendar of Events

February 19: Networking Event 5-7 pm, Buckhead
March 5: Good Works Project - Solidarity Sandy Springs
March 19: Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Insurance
May 4: CPCU Atlanta Golf Tournament and Clinic
September 17: Atlanta Risk Focus 2026

Member Spotlight

Meet Grant Kingsley, CPCU, AIDA, AIM, our Good Works chairman for 2026

How did you get started in the insurance industry?

I began working for Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies right out of college as an Underwriting Specialist on our commercial auto book of business. I had interest in the insurance field from classes I had taken and the University of Georgia has a great Risk Management program. I began my career living in Omaha, NE, the home of Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway in June of 2018. I have since worked in different roles within the company over the last 7.5 years that have brought me back to the Atlanta area.

What is your current role? What does your work entail?

I am currently a Senior Pricing Analyst II – Team Lead on the commercial property pricing team. I manage a small team that works to make sure the team’s goals are being met. We are focused on rate making most of the time, analyzing our rates vs the market, creating exhibits to submit to the DOI for rate changes, and working with internal systems for rate testing. With commercial property, we have to keep our eyes on the weather to understand how our book will react in a certain year. We are also always looking for ways to improve our pricing with segmentation through 3rd party products so that entails travel and networking opportunities. I am interested in pricing risk appropriately, not on the avoidance of loss.

Why did you decide to pursue your CPCU designation?

I began in underwriting and was interested in a broader sense of insurance than just the line of business that I was currently working in. I wanted a better understanding of the marketplace not only from the insurance company’s perspective but also from the insured. The company also helps with educational reimbursement so having coworkers who are pursuing alongside helped to motivate as well

How have you been involved with the CPCU society and the Atlanta chapter?

I received my CPCU in March of 2024, I have since attended our Lunch and Learns regularly and volunteered with the Salvation Army for last couple years. Beginning now as the Good Works chair to expand on my involvement.

What do you like to do for fun?

I am an avid sports fan and try to attend as many Hawks games as I can. My wife and I also enjoy getting out and exploring Atlanta with our two chihuahuas.

Annual Golf Tournament

Don't miss out on the 2026 CPCU Atlanta Golf Tournament. We will be returning to Olde Atlanta on Monday, May 4. Registration is open.

We are seeking sponsors for this event. Proceeds will go towards our 2026 Scholarship program for Risk Management and Insurance students.

Scholarship

At our January Lunch & Learn we were able to honor our 2025 CPCU Atlanta Scholarship recipients: Brandon Webb, Chinedu Okonkwo, McKenzie Knight, and Aliyah Jordan. Congratulations to these outstanding students! We would also like to recognize Priscilla Amakye, an MS student at GSU who was awarded a scholarship from the Ghana CPCU chapter.

Students

Meet 2025 CPCU Atlanta Scholarship Winner Chinedu Okonkwo

My name is Chinedu Okonkwo and I am a fourth-year Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) student at the University of Georgia from Suwanee, Georgia. While I began my college career in Accounting, I found myself wanting to gain new perspectives and learn about different industries within the world of business. This past year, I got the wonderful opportunity to intern at Morgan Stanley in their Wealth Management division, as well as the chance to represent UGA in the NAAIA Insurance Case Competition in October with my classmates winning 1st place! Getting a wide range of experience from those helped me shape my personal brand while also figuring out what matters to me as I progress further into my career.

For my personal brand, I know that I have always had a passion for creating an inclusive environment for everyone. My goal is to build a career that cultivates meaningful relationships, makes a positive difference in the lives of others, and reflects my core principles. Pursuing a career in RMI will allow me to assist those of all backgrounds, particularly those who may not have the resources to get the proper coverage that may be best for them. I want to use the knowledge I learn here at the University of Georgia to impact many lives positively through insurance with my commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to the proper protection that they deserve.

As I enter my final semester in university, I am actively exploring long-term career paths within the insurance industry. I currently have a passion for Corporate Risk Management and Underwriting with my biggest assets being my commitment to growth as I work on developing leadership skills and networking to find success in the industry.

Outside of school-related things, I enjoy watching the Lakers win, building computers and (questionable) voice-acting. I look forward to learning about the industry while also making connections with all sorts of amazing people!

Recent Gatherings

CPCU Atlanta’s First Lunch and Learn of 2026: A Resounding Success!

CPCU Atlanta kicked off 2026 with a dynamic Lunch and Learn session that drew a large, engaged audience. We extend our sincere thanks to the expert presenters from Swift Currie law firm: Melissa Segel, Kayla McCallum, and Jacob Blott. They led an insightful discussion on The Perfect Fraud: Tools, Tactics and Ethics for Detecting Synthetic Claims.

As we reflect on emerging fraud trends, 2024 was marked by deep fakes, while 2025 saw a sharp rise in synthetic claim, i.e., fraudulent claims crafted by blending real data with fabricated details and fictitious individuals. The financial impact is staggering:

The FBI estimates healthcare fraud costs between $51 billion and $200 billion annually.
Property casualty insurers face $74 billion in fraud losses, with synthetic claims accounting for $30 billion.
The Federal Trade Commission reports consumer fraud losses around $125 billion, expecting an 8% increase.

Despite these alarming figures, only 5% of insurers currently leverage AI to combat fraud. Harnessing AI tools such as omnichannel verification, machine learning, biometric authentication, and cross-industry data sharing offers a powerful defense against synthetic claims.

Key takeaways for claims teams include:

Begin investigations broadly, then narrow down to identify inconsistencies.
Pinpoint specific details like dates, times, locations, and motives.
Use strategic silence and follow-up questions to uncover contradictions.
Cross-check claimants’ social media for conflicting information.
Request notarized statements to add legal weight.
Maintain “boots on the ground” investigations, as claimant-provided photos can be manipulated.
Preserve evidence meticulously—photos, videos, and documentation—with special attention to metadata, which AI tools can analyze to detect fraud.

By combining vigilant training with advanced AI technologies, insurers can strengthen their defenses and reduce the growing threat of synthetic claims fraud.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight: Honoring Black History Month

Black History Month is not only a time to honor the trailblazers who have paved the way but also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that remain in achieving true equity and representation. The insurance industry, like many others, continues to work toward dismantling barriers and creating pathways that allow for greater participation and leadership of Black professionals at all levels.

At Atlanta CPCU, we are committed to advancing equity and creating opportunities that empower all members of our community to thrive. Through ongoing education, mentorship programs, and partnerships with organizations dedicated to diversity and inclusion, we strive to build a culture where every voice is valued and every member can succeed.

By honoring the achievements and stories of Black leaders past and present, we reaffirm our dedication to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry — one that reflects the rich tapestry of the communities we serve. We encourage all members to engage in this month’s events, educational resources, and conversations that promote understanding and allyship.

Together, let’s continue to learn, listen, and lead with purpose, ensuring that the future of insurance is one where diversity and inclusion are at the core of everything we do.