IICF Also Announces Strategic Review
Los Angeles, CA (October 22, 2025) – After 21 years as Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization uniting the insurance industry in grantmaking, volunteerism and community leadership, Bill Ross has announced his upcoming departure.
Throughout his tenure as CEO, Ross was a dedicated champion of growing the IICF as it proudly awarded more than $53 million in grants to nonprofit partners in the US and UK, benefiting children at risk, communities facing food and housing insecurity, supporting disaster relief and recovery effort and other vital community focus areas. The recent establishment of an IICF Division in Canada has expanded IICF’s influence to a total of six divisions, including the first international division established in the UK and four regional divisions in the US, through which over 250 insurance industry companies serve local communities.
The Board of Governors and Member Companies of the IICF extend heartfelt appreciation to Ross for his years of service.
New Executive Search Committee Formed
An Executive Search Committee will be formed to develop a CEO profile to define the role of IICF’s next chief executive while also engaging an executive search firm to identify suitable external and internal candidates. The refreshed role description and final candidate(s) will be presented to the IICF Board of Governors for final approval. During this time, Wendy Houser, Chair of the IICF Board of Governors and President, US Wholesale and Specialty at Markel, will lead foundation operations in addition to her role at Markel. In addition, a Special Committee comprising current and past IICF board leaders, will be formed to conduct a thorough review and refresh of the IICF’s mission and operations, with the aim of ensuring that the next phase of the foundation’s strategy is fitting and relevant for both our industry and community partners. As part of this process the Special Committee will be reaching out to various stakeholders for their valued input.
The IICF and the Special Committee are committed to transparency throughout this review and leadership transition process. The foundation appreciates the continued engagement and shared commitment of board companies, industry partners, insurance professionals and other supporters as we serve the communities where we live and work while navigating this transitionary period and ensuring the future success for the IICF.
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and community leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic voice and foundation of the insurance industry for more than thirty years, contributing $53 million in community grants along with over 370,000 volunteer hours by more than 130,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact.
