Two Alera Group Interns Awarded 2026 CIAB Scholarships

Alera Group is proud to celebrate two members of our 2026 summer internship program who have been selected as recipients of The Council Foundation's CIAB Scholarship. Each awardee will receive a $5,000 scholarship through The Council Foundation's scholarship program. 

This year, Claire Venisnik an intern placed in our Deerfield, Illinois office and Kendall Brugler a intern with our Cleveland, Ohio team were recognized through the scholarship program, which supports students pursuing careers in the insurance and risk management industry. 

Claire, an Employee Benefits intern, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, Risk Management & Insurance at Butler University. Kendall, a Property and Casualty intern, is studying Business Management at Bowling Green State University. 

The Council Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB), established the scholarship program to help attract, develop and retain future industry leaders. Since 2017, the program has awarded $4.4 million in scholarships to more than 800 interns across the insurance industry. 

Investing in the Future of Our Industry 

Developing talent remains a priority for Alera Group. Through hands-on internship experiences across our business, students gain exposure to the insurance, employee benefits, wealth management and retirement industries while building valuable professional skills alongside experienced colleagues. 

“Claire and Kendall represent the talent, curiosity and commitment that will help shape the future of our industry. At Alera Group, we're committed to creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn, grow and gain real-world experience alongside our senior professionals. We're incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see what they achieve next," said Jim Blue, Chief Executive Officer of Alera Group. 

A Meaningful Opportunity 

For Claire, the scholarship reinforces her passion for the insurance industry and the opportunities available within it. 

"Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful because it represents the hard work, curiosity, and growth that brought me to Alera Group. Throughout my internship, I've gained a deeper understanding of the insurance industry and learned the value of relationship-building, collaboration, and taking initiative. I'm grateful to everyone who invested in my development this summer, and I'm excited to carry these lessons forward as I continue my education and explore opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the industry." said Claire.  

Kendall echoed the value of the experience. 

"Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful because it reinforces the value of stepping outside my comfort zone and making the most of every opportunity. My internship experience challenged me to learn, ask questions, build connections, and gain a deeper appreciation for the insurance and risk management industry. The support and willingness of colleagues to share their knowledge played a huge role in my growth, and this recognition motivates me to continue learning, seeking new perspectives, and making a positive impact throughout my career." 

Building the Next Generation of Leaders 

In a recent PropertyCasualty360 article, “Strengthening the insurance leadership pipeline for the future,” Jim Blue, Chief Executive Officer at Alera Group commented. “Early-career candidates want to know what they'll learn, how they'll grow and where the opportunity can lead." 

At Alera Group, we're committed to helping students and emerging professionals explore rewarding careers while building the skills, relationships and experiences that prepare them for long-term success.