Past events (2025 and older)
Risk Institute members have access to all of the digital content from events and webinars, including webinar recordings, speaker presentations and materials, key quotes captured from speakers, blog recaps of each event and more.
2025
Experts from Hylant and The Ohio State University to explore two critical areas facing organizations today: managing rising health care costs and navigating insurance considerations in mergers and acquisitions. Discover practical approaches for evaluating health care coverage and success models that can help control costs while improving outcomes, along with insights into how commercial insurance can mitigate transactional risk and strengthen deal confidence.
As cyber threats to organizations evolve, proactive risk management against such threats is essential for business resiliency. Discover strategies to anticipate, withstand and recover from cyber threats and explore how to build layered defenses and maintain operational continuity during and after an attack.
Explore key question leaders should consider as AI adoption accelerates, including regulatory expectations, governance challenges, ethical considerations and operational exposures. Gain practical insights into evaluating AI’s impact across the enterprise and strengthening risk oversight and decision‑making.
As people live longer, understanding the importance of nutrition, exercise, mental health and stress management can lay the foundation for a healthier future. Additionally, health care systems and health insurance companies are evolving to meet the needs of an aging population.
To help you better navigate the implications of living longer, we brought together university experts from the fields of executive health, molecular genetics and public health. They shared proactive health care strategies that could lead to a longer, healthier life, and provided tips for navigating health care and insurance to maximize your benefits.
Global IT outages and rising cyber incidents highlight the crucial link between resilience and business outcomes. Here from a panel of experts as they address questions like "How can you evolve your digital resilience framework to stay cutting edge?" and examine the feedback loop mechanism enabling the continuous improvement and adaption to new threats and opportunities.
Watch the webinar recording about building digital resilience
2022 Events
Firms are faced with new challenges around hiring and retaining top talent day in and day out. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges and caused massive shifts in workforce preferences and trends, such as quiet quitting, to emerge. How have companies dealt with the Great Resignation? What changes have organizations made to combat high turnover? How have firms evolved to be more flexible and meet their employees where they are?
This event hosted academics and industry experts to answer these questions and share what it means for companies to be resilient in the face of an ever-changing workforce and business environment.
The last several years have re-shaped many aspects of our life — the way we do business, the amount of time we spend at home and countless other areas of our professional and personal lives. Society as a whole, businesses and individuals have learned to adapt to changes brought on by the pandemic and have established "new normals," some of which have proved to be even more effective than they were prior. During this session, we defined what resiliency means today and discussed how businesses and individuals have grown to be more resilient to unexpected situations and changes.
How to be Resilient in the New Normal webinar recording
Climate risk and sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, with real reminders every single day. The value-at-risk from climate change is estimated to be as high as $4 trillion annually (or 15-19% of total market value) for the 1,400 largest publicly traded companies in the world. How can firms manage their contribution and exposure to climate change? The webinar was hosted collaboratively with The Center for Operational Excellence that discussed climate risk and how you can steer your business in the right direction.
In this session, Christian Blanco, assistant professor at the Fisher College of Business was joined by Amy Beck and Brian Held, Climate Risk team at Huntington National Bank. Panelists discussed strategies to manage climate-change risks, drawing from practitioner experience, research and analysis of over 10,000 climate change disclosures in the past 15 years.
Data-Driven Insights to Manage Risk Related to Climate Change recording
Infrastructure is a key part of our nation's economy, and as a result, it is seen as a target for potential cyber attackers. Transportation and the energy sector are just two of many sectors in critical infrastructure that are susceptible to cyber-attacks and require strong cyber security frameworks. Our panel of experts explored how they manage cybersecurity threats on the road, in the air and within the power grid.
Cyber insurance has become increasingly important in helping companies recover after data breaches, with costs that can include business disruption, revenue loss, legal fees and reputational harm. Our panel of experts discussed the importance of cyber insurance, what companies need to consider when they are purchasing cyber insurance and how to manage reputational risk.
This event was only offered live; recording is not available.
There are many legal considerations when it comes to cybersecurity and protecting organizations from data breaches and cyber attacks. Because of this, the intersection of law and cybersecurity can be complicated. We’re pleased to welcome a panel of experts, including Dennis Hirsch and Dakota Rudesill from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and John Landolfi of Vorys Columbus office, who offered their perspectives and insights on this ever-changing landscape.
Our guest speakers did a deep dive into topics including:
- Why national cybersecurity threats have emerged as a result of the Russia-Ukraine War
- New proposed AI regulation in the European Union, which would be the first comprehensive risk-based regulation of it's kind
- How cybersecurity threats and laws affect day to day business operations
This event was only offered live; a recording is not available.
Not so long ago, cybersecurity was something that the IT department took care of (or didn't). The topic usually could be found on the long list of an enterprise’s risks, but rarely near the top. What a difference a decade and a slew of cybersecurity incursions makes.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory federal agency, is charged with developing cybersecurity standards, guidelines, best practices and other resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, federal agencies and the broader public. NIST’s activities range from producing information organizations can immediately put into practice to longer-term research that anticipates advances in technologies and future challenges. NIST increasingly is taking an enterprise-level view of cybersecurity. Kevin Stine, NIST’s chief cybersecurity advisor, offered practical advice for how executives can better deal with today’s rapid-fire cybersecurity challenges and suggestions for figuring out how they fit in with an enterprise’s other risks.
2021 Events
This year's conference was on Weather and Climate Change Risk we explored the impact weather and climate change has on business, including on supply chains, fleets, financial markets and more. We also explored ways businesses can adopt more sustainable practices and build resiliency.
8th Annual Conference recording
Recording of Keynote Speakers from Everstream Analytics
Breakout Session #1: Discover & Data Privacy Tool Development
Breakout Session #2: Committed to Collaboration: Climate Change Risk Management
As people are returning to the roads, it is becoming clear that more people are engaging in risky behaviors while driving, leading to an increase in crashes on the roadways. This event brought together top leaders in the road safety space to discuss recent trends and research and what actions are being taken to change these driving behaviors.
Speakers:
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
- Tom Stickrath: Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety
- Michelle May: Highway Safety Program Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation
- Dr. Woon Kim: Traffic Safety Senior Analyst, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
- Noah Budnick: Senior Director of Programs & Operations, Together for Safer Roads
- Brittany Shoots-Reinhard, PhD: Research Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University
- Pankaj Risbood: Chief Technology Officer, Zen Drive
- Dr. Morgan Wurtz, MD: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Trauma Liaison
- Kellie O'Riordan: Program Manager, AAA Traffic Safety
Cybersecurity and Enterprise Risks recording
Cybersecurity and Enterprise Risks blog recap
Speakers:
- Ted Stenger, Managing Director, AlixPartners
- Karen Wruck, Professor of Finance, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University
The Effects of the Waves of Bankruptcies and Consolidations recording
The Effects of the Waves of Bankruptcies and Consolidations blog recap
Speakers:
- Lara Koslow, Boston Consulting Group, Managing Director & Senior Partner
- Selin Malkoc, The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, Associate Professor, Marketing
- Chetan Kandhari, Nationwide, SVP, Chief Innovation & Digital Officer
- Joseph Goodman, The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, Associate Professor Chair, Marketing & Logistics
Moderated by Phil Renaud, Executive Director and our partners at CBUS Retail, David Cherry and Angela Thompson.
Exploring the Change in Business & Consumer Behavior recording
Exploring the Change in Business & Consumer Behavior blog recap
Speakers:
- Dr. Bruce Weinberg, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, The Ohio State University
- Dr. Bill LaFayette, Owner, Regionomics®
The Short and Long Run Impact of the Pandemic on the Labor Market recording
The Short and Long Run Impact of the Pandemic on the Labor Market blog recap
Across the world, people are being challenged like never before by COVID-19 and the pandemic’s impact on mental health and psychosocial well-being is significant. The Risk Institute's most recent session on March 17, 2021, Managing the Exacerbation of Mental Health Issues, took the opportunity to engage in a “fireside chat” between four experts in the field. At this pivotal time in the history of mental health, they discussed best practice strategies that individuals, employees and employers can take to build resilience; the importance of understanding the impact that uncertainty and significant life changes can have on mental health; and the necessity that businesses work towards creating a “culture of care.”
Speakers:
- Jonathan Sadlier, Vice President, Market Leader Central Ohio at Oswald Companies
- Julie Frischkorn, Director of Behavioral Health and Mindfulness, Empower360
- Dr. Jennifer Cheavens, Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University
- Dr. Anne Wilson, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University
Managing the Exacerbation of Mental Health Issues recording
Managing the Exacerbation of Mental Health Issues speaker quotes
Managing the Exacerbation of Mental Health Issues blog recap
This webinar featured Dennis Hirsch, professor of law and faculty director of the Program on Data and Governance and Aravind Chandrasekaran, associate dean of executive education at Fisher College of Business, as they discussed their recently completed research. Business data ethics management addresses the risks that corporate use of advanced analytics and AI can create. This makes it a form of risk management for the algorithmic economy.
Fatigue and brain fog – the two universal symptoms of lockdown. But whilst the short-term impacts of the current situation are challenging, the longer-term changes that we are going to experience are, to a considerable extent, an acceleration of trends that were already building momentum. The great companies of tomorrow are not going to look like the great companies of yesterday. So what are the timeless elements of success that are going to endure and where do we need to be open to change to ensure that our organization emerges stronger from the pandemic?
Richard Jolly will share the key themes that his research suggests are going to define future success and, more importantly, focus not just on what needs to change, but on the predictable mistakes that successful organizations make that can prevent them from adapting as the world around them changes.
Speaker:
- Richard Jolly, Director of Stokes & Jolly Ltd Consulting Firm; Professor at London Business School
2020 Events
A moderated discussion about the impacts of inequality and social division on your business and culture. What are the risks of taking action, or more importantly, not taking action? How is it impacting decision making? As a leader, what steps can you take to build a more inclusive culture?
Speakers included:
- Cynthia Turner, Assistant Dean and Chief Diversity Officer, EY Faculty Fellow Ohio State University Fisher College of Business
- Fran Wahrman, VP / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, Huntington National Bank
- Ryan Trierweiler, Executive Vice President, People & Leadership (CHRO), Safelite Group
- Beverly Vandiver, Interim Executive Director at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity; Professor at The Ohio State University Department of Human Sciences
- Terry Esper, Associate Professor of Logistics, Ohio State University Fisher College of Business
- Tanya Menon, Professor of Management and Human Resources, Ohio State University Fisher College of Business
The Fresh Surge in Inequality recording
The Fresh Surge in Inequality speaker quotes
The Fresh Surge in Inequality blog recap
Materials referenced by speakers:
The Distracted Driving and Teen Driver Safety Annual Forum featured a number of speakers that address this initiative. You can expect to hear about the formation of the public safety council and update on the distracted driving corridor, as well as updates from Governor DeWine, Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks and Director Tom Stickrath. Also get a preview of the Maria Tiberi Foundation Simulator Lab that is now open at Tolles Career and Technical Center.
Annual Distracted Driving and Teen Driver Safety Forum recording
Annual Distracted Driving and Teen Driver Safety Forum speaker quotes
Annual Distracted Driving and Teen Driver Safety Forum blog recap
The Risk Institute and Center for Real Estate bring you this joint webinar to learn what companies are doing to keep employers and employees safe as they return to the office. In addition, hear how COVID-19 is impacting real estate needs, working from home and other business disruptions. This webinar features experts in the real estate field that are helping companies develop new tools, processes and alternative approaches to adjust.
Speakers included:
- Norman Bertke, National Director of Operations for CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Local business, CBRE
- Tim Spencer, Chief Financial Officer, Safelite
- John Mark Tichar, Vice President, Sales Leader, Oswald Companies
As we think of geopolitical risk in the 21st Century, so many things come to mind. Topics like the US and China decoupling, cyber risk and the repercussions of the digital age, changing global order, and geopolitical consequences of migration are but a few examples of geopolitical risk facing society. Explore these and many more geopolitical risks our world faces, from a global representation of experts that will approach the topic from an academic, political and business perspective.
Session Descriptions and Recordings;
Day 1 Session 1 Speakers and topics included:
Lessons Learned from COVID-19: Epidemiological Models, Financial Markets, Banks & Non-financial Firms
René Stulz (Everett D. Reese Chair of Banking and Monetary Economics; Director of the Dice Center for Research in Financial Economics at The Ohio State University)
Risk Mitigation as a Way of Life
Rt Hon Baroness (Pauline) Neville-Jones DCMG (Conservative Peer in the UK House of Lords; National Security Strategy Joint Committee Member; Former National Security Advisor to Prime Minister David Cameron)
Moderated by Mark Policinski (CEO of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI))
Day 1 Session 2 Speakers and topics included:
The Changing Geopolitical Landscape: An Exploration of the U.S.'s Relationships with China and Russia
Rick Herrmann (Professor Emeritus; Former Director of the Mershon Center for International Security Studies)
The Increasing Impact of Geopolitical Risk on Businesses: A Look at How Greif is Managing these Emerging Risks
Nick Kaufman (Director of Risk Management at Greif, Inc.)
Day 2 Session 1 Speakers and topics included:
Geopolitical Risk: Financial Markets, The Impact of COVID-19 and Free Money
Steve Salopek: (Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and former Head of Small Cap Strategies at Voya Investment Management)
The Impacts and Challenges of Geopolitical Risks on Businesses & Operations
Fathi Tlatli (Global Auto-Mobility Sector President at DHL)
Day 2 Session 2 Speakers and topics included:
The Impact of Geopolitical Risk from an Economic Perspective
Nathan Bachrach (Founder/Chairman/CEO at Simply Money and Financial Correspondent on FOX19 WXIX)
Geopolitical Risk from a Business and Legal Perspective
Walter Spiegel (Vice President/General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer at Standard Textile)
The conversation around Business Resilience has always been of paramount importance. As companies work through the global COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the expansion of digital commerce and the increasing complexity of supply chains, the conversation has taken new meaning and increased importance. This webinar featured Ohio State’s experience in helping companies develop new tools, processes and alternative approaches to enterprise resilience, with a focus on addressing supply chain vulnerabilities. Now more than ever, it is critical to build internal and external collaboration to reinforce the enterprise resilience ecosystem.
Speakers included:
- Keely Croxton, Professor of Logistics; Co-director of Full Time MBA Program, The Ohio State University
- Joseph Fiksel, Professor Emeritus, Integrated Systems Engineering; Former Executive Director, Center for Resilience, The Ohio State University
When asked what keeps them up at night, many risk professionals place cybersecurity near the top of their lists. With the changes in how we work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this discussion around cyber risk – particularly the protection of data – becomes even more relevant.
Speakers included:
- Helen Patton, Chief Information Security Officer, The Ohio State University
- Emre Koksal, Founder, DAtAnchor; Professor, The Ohio State University
- Dakota Rudesill, Assistant Professor of Law; The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law
Three experts will discuss business interruption and the impact of COVID-19, from the insurer and policyholder perspectives. Explore the dynamics of what's happening across the country and how various jurisdictions are interpreting coverage and/or lack thereof. Also hear about how underwriters and actuaries would have looked at pandemic clauses and the risks associated when policies were written versus today.
Speakers included:
- Dean Fadel, President of Ohio Insurance Institute
- Joseph Petrelli, President of Demotech, Inc.
- Kirk Pasich, Managing Partner, Pasich LLP
Learn about the impacts of COVID-19 on Workers' Compensation from an insurance, claims and legal perspective.
Speakers included:
- Mike Hessling, CEO, North America, Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc.
- Jim Hedrick, Vice President, Director of Risk Management & Client Experience, Oswald Companies
- Timothy Zix, Partner, Taft Law
