Jim Lewis to head University of Iowa insurance institute

IOWA CITY — Jim Lewis, a longtime leader in insurance innovation, is the new executive director of the Vaughan Institute of Risk Management and Insurance at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business.

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“I’m thrilled to join the outstanding team at the Vaughan Institute and Tippie’s entire risk management and insurance program,” said Lewis. “I love the institute’s mission of inspiring and equipping the next generation of insurance leaders with the skills and experiences they need to make the world safer and smarter.”

The Vaughan Institute, founded in 2002, provides innovative education, research and thought leadership in the field of risk management and insurance.

Its goal is to strengthen and support the state’s insurance industry, the largest non-agriculture economic sector in Iowa employing 65,000 people, while providing learning opportunities for students pursuing insurance as a career, according to a UI news release.

Lewis is well-known in the Des Moines insurance industry, having co-founded or led numerous insurance and insurance technology (insurtech) companies in central Iowa, including Benjamin and Relationship Marketing.

He is currently the alumni director of the Global Insurance Accelerator, an international insurance incubator for insurtech startups, based in Des Moines.

Lewis, a Des Moines native, graduated from Tippie in 1983, later taught in the MBA program and has served on university alumni advisory boards. His company, Benjamin, was selected as the Alumni Business of the Year by the university’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

Thomas Berry-Stoelzle, associate professor of finance and faculty director of the risk management and insurance program, said Lewis’ deep connections within the industry will be key in helping the institute expand its vision.

“He’s a great communicator and very passionate about the insurance industry,” Berry-Stoelzle said. “We’re confident he can continue to build the Vaughan Institute’s reputation with insurance company executives and business school leaders and help bring new career-ready talent into the state’s insurance industry.”

David Ernst, executive director of strategic partnerships at Tippie, said Lewis also will help students build connections with insurance leaders.

“His strong links to regional and national insurance executives and thought-leaders will help our students get hands-on experience and provide potential career opportunities,” Ernst said.

Lewis succeeds Terri Vaughan, who is stepping down as director but will continue to serve on the institute’s advisory board.