Written by: Gregory M. Hart, ARM, CHSP, CIC, CRM, ALCM,
Unison Risk Solutions

Educational institutions are increasingly exposed to an array of interrelated risks driven by their unique vulnerabilities that school administrators and financial officers must proactively manage. Their decisions, ranging from ensuring the protection of students and staff to managing financial assets, play a pivotal role in maintaining the institution’s well-being. Unison Risk Advisor’s sixth-annual benchmark reports offer valuable insights into current risk management practices and insurance purchasing decisions in both K-12 independent schools and higher education institutions.

Update

The referenced Illinois law (HB5258), effective January 1, 2026, expands dependent eligibility to include an employee’s parent or stepparent. However, this only applies to fully insured group health insurance policies issued in Illinois that offer dependent coverage. It does not apply to self-funded plans or out-of-state policies.

In this episode of The Edge, host Alex Rodriguez sits down with Mike Renaud, President & CEO of Valle del Sol, a 50-year-old nonprofit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. Mike shares his journey from healthcare professional to leading one of the Southwest's first Latino nonprofits, discussing the power of upstream thinking, building passionate teams, and creating lasting community change. They explore Mike's edge in connecting with people, the importance of family values in leadership, and how Valle's work goes beyond healthcare to address root causes of community challenges. 

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn. Learn more about Valle del Sol. 

On this episode of The Edge, host Tim Leman sits down with Robert (Bob) Klonk, Chairman & CEO of Unison Risk Advisors (URA) and Oswald Companies. 

Bob shares his 40-year journey in the insurance industry, from building Oswald's benefits practice from scratch to co-founding URA with Bob Cawley. They explore the vision behind creating a "forever independent firm." Bob opens up about his leadership philosophy, the importance of mutual respect in partnerships, and his commitment to giving others the same opportunities he had to build equity and create wealth. 

In this episode of The Edge, Tim Leman sits down with Ryan Rans, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Great Lakes Capital, a real estate development firm. Ryan shares insights on leading strategy for a billion-dollar portfolio, the unique advantages of building a business in the Midwest, and how relationships drive opportunities in real estate development. They discuss the value of peer groups for entrepreneurs, the passion behind team building, and Ryan's journey working alongside his wife in business. Ryan also opens up about his boxing experience at Notre Dame and reveals how fly fishing helps him disconnect from the constant demands of entrepreneurship.

In this episode of The Edge, Tim Leman sits down with Steve Canty, Agent/Owner of Steve Canty Insurance Agency, to discuss his journey from marketing professional to insurance entrepreneur. Steve shares how a chance meeting in 2016 sparked a major career change in his 50s, proving it's never too late to pursue entrepreneurial aspirations. They explore the power of mentorship, the importance of diverse perspectives in the insurance industry, and how transferable skills from corporate America prepared him for business ownership. Steve also reflects on his time at Indiana State University and the influential relationships that shaped his career path.