Travelers’ Hubert: NAAIA ​​is about "paying it forward" in the insurance industry

By Mia MacGregor

Feb 14 - The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) is dedicated to supporting both its members and the broader community through mentorship and programming, according to Raumert Hubert, president of NAAIA's New York chapter and major case investigator at Travelers.

Hubert said "helping out the next person behind you" is a key philosophy for the NAAIA, which was founded in the mid-1990s by insurance agent Gerald Tillman as a not-for-profit organisation addressing the lack of diversity in the industry.

"When he walked into a room, he observed that there weren't any other people of color besides himself, and that prompted him to do something about it," Hubert explained.

Since its inception, NAAIA has grown to 24 chapters nationwide with nearly 3,000 members.

The organisation includes professionals from all aspects of the insurance industry, including agents, third-party administrators, producers, brokers, claims handlers, underwriters, HR professionals, legal experts, and more.

"The part of NAAIA that really drove me to be a part of the organisation is the ability to help out the next person behind you," Hubert said.

NAAIA offers diverse programming focused on mentorship, scholarships, community development, networking and education, often partnering with other organisations in the risk management space.

Hubert emphasised that while the organisation's name highlights African American representation, its membership is inclusive.

"Anyone who is in favor of diversity within their organisation is welcome to be a part. Whether it's sexual orientation, religion, or race, it doesn't matter – we're accepting of everyone," he said.

As part of its programming, NAAIA collaborates with other nonprofits that share similar missions.

"Diversity is not just a Black problem; it's everybody's problem," Hubert noted.

"One of the things we try to do is partner with other organisations like ourselves to promote collaboration, help each other out, provide awareness, while also doing business."

NAAIA also runs a collegiate mentorship program, partnering with universities across the country to introduce students to the risk management field.

The initiative provides mentorship from industry professionals and connects students with entry-level and leadership development opportunities.

"The reception we've received from students is absolutely awesome," Hubert said.

"They're seeing people who look like them in professional roles, witnessing their success, and now they’re charting a path for themselves at 18 or 19 years old."

To reach students even earlier, NAAIA has launched a high school mentorship program aimed at providing career guidance.

"For high schoolers who never had a direction before, knowing that our team has helped provide them with a goal makes me sleep a little better at night," Hubert shared. "Having access to these resources can make a real impact."

Additionally, NAAIA offers mock interviews, resume reviews and LinkedIn branding workshops to help students prepare for the job market.

Hubert stressed the importance of ongoing mentorship, especially in the insurance industry. "That type of mentorship is critical, and our members are very invested in youth development," he said.

"The key is continued contact – building relationships, staying in touch, and ensuring they know we're here to support them through the challenges we faced when we were in college."

Khaleedah Francis, director of business development at Sedgwick and secretary of NAAIA NY, highlighted the accessibility within the organisation.

"Within NAAIA, you can connect with professionals at all levels, from COOs to those just starting out," she said. "Everyone is looking to give back, they want to connect, and they genuinely care about your development."

Francis emphasised that for her, NAAIA is about paying it forward.

"It's really about giving back and ensuring that those coming up behind us have what they need to succeed," she said. "I do it for the members."

Reflecting on his own experience, Hubert recalled feeling isolated in industry spaces.

"For a long time, I felt like I was the only person of color in a lot of these rooms," he said.

"Walking into our national conference in New Orleans and seeing 1,200 people in my industry who look like me – it blows my mind."

The New York chapter, which has about 250 members, celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.

Recently, it hosted a Black History Month event at Aon, attended by over 125 people.

"We had senior leaders in the insurance industry speaking, including C-suite executives, and a keynote from James Felton Keith," Hubert said.

Looking ahead, NAAIA NY has a full slate of events planned for 2025, including a Women's History Month celebration and collaborations with the Asian American Insurance Network.

"There are still some organisations that aren’t quite aware of us yet, but we're growing every day, and we expect to grow even more," Hubert said.