Individuals have until May 22nd to nominate their candidate for this year’s event
Michael Pezza, the Library’s Executive Director, has announced that nominations for the 2026 Insurance Library Insurance Professional of the Year Award are open through May 22.
Pezza explained, “The award will be presented at a luncheon gala on Friday, September 25, at the InterContinental Boston. We’ll announce the name of this year’s recipient in early summer, after which the Library will mail invitations with details as to sponsorship opportunities, which we will also feature on our website.”
Officially known as the Insurance Professional of the Year Award, or IPYA, the award is a current incarnation of the old Boston Board of Fire Underwriters Man of the Year Award. Revived in 2002, it was first made possible by the establishment of the Richard B. Simches Fund in 2001. Mr. Simches, who founded the Safety Insurance Company, believed that it was important to recognize outstanding individuals in the insurance industry.
How the Insurance Library Selects the Annual Insurance Professional of the Year Award Winner
Each year, this award recognizes an insurance professional who demonstrates outstanding leadership and exemplifies qualities that foster commitment to, understanding of, and respect for the insurance industry. This award was first made possible by the establishment in 2001 of the Richard B. Simches Fund. Mr. Simches, who founded Safety Insurance Company, believed that it was important to recognize outstanding individuals in the insurance industry.
The recipient will be chosen by a selection committee drawn from a cross-section of the insurance industry, which will consider nominations submitted by Library members and the public. Among the criteria for the winner are that they have earned the respect and admiration of the insurance community, and are recognized as honest, hardworking, and public-spirited.”
Those interested in submitting a nomination should do so on the Library’s website at https://bit.ly/ipya26nom providing all required information and an expansive statement in support of their nominee. Nominations will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22.
Past Winners of the annual IPYA Award
The following is a list of past winners of the annual award:
