IRES Foundation Update - Spring 2026

The IRES Foundation proudly hosted its 32nd National School on Market Regulation, welcoming over 270 attendees—including four Commissioners and 17 state insurance regulators from across the United States—to the Ballantyne Hotel in Charlotte, NC. The event successfully welcomed 95 new attendees, who enjoyed the venue’s signature southern charm alongside high-level regulatory education.

Highlights included insights from the Insurance Commissioners’ Panel, updates from Market Conduct Examiners, expert discussions on tackling fraud, and individual faculty appointments. Attendees also participated in regulatory speed networking and diverse break-out sessions covering P&C, Life, Health & Annuity, Claims, plus other critical updates on cyber and managing risk.

The IRES Foundation’s National School on Market Regulation promotes collaboration between industry professionals and regulators. In honor of this mission, two prestigious awards were presented during the opening session.

The 2026 Gary A. Hernandez Memorial Insurance Education Leadership Award was awarded to Damian Sepanik. This award annually honors an insurance industry volunteer who is not currently an insurance regulator and who has voluntarily provided tireless efforts in support of IRES and the IRES Foundation and is recognized as a leader in the field of insurance compliance education. Congratulations Damian!

Congratulations to Martin Swanson, Deputy Director with the Nebraska Department of Insurance, our 2026 recipient of the Paul L. DeAngelo Memorial Teaching Award! This award annually honors an insurance regulator, or former regulator, who has continually committed themselves to insurance regulatory education through their commitment to increasing and improving insurance regulatory knowledge.

It’s never too early to SAVE THE DATE and budget for next year’s School. We’re heading to Texas in 2027!

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