October 18, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
8:00 am – 11:30 am CST
Mesirow Financial
353 North Clark Street, 4th Floor Conference Center, Mesirow A&B
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Kindly RSVP by
Monday, November 4, 2013
Join Mesirow Financial’s Deputy Chief Economist Adolfo Laurenti and insurance industry experts for a forum on the economy’s impact on the nonprofit sector and state unemployment tax and funding options for 501(c)3 organizations and government entities/municipalities. With continuing strains on funding for nonprofits, your organization has alternative options to save on unemployment tax costs.
Agenda
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Registration and continental breakfast |
| 8:30 – 8:45 | Welcome and introductions by Jennifer Gavelek |
| 8:45 – 10:00 | Adolfo Laurenti–The Economy’s Impact on the Nonprofit Sector |
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Break |
| 10:10 – 11:15 | Cecilia Piazza– Funding Options for State Unemployment Taxes |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Q&A |
Speakers
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Adolfo L. Laurenti-Mesirow Financial Senior Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist |
Adolfo Laurenti develops ongoing economic research and commentary critical to supporting clients and contacts of Mesirow Financial. Adolfo authors Themes on the Global Markets, a periodic newsletter providing insight into trends, issues and the forecast for the global economy. As an expert on the European economies, Adolfo is a new face in demand by the financial press and among local media. He also lectures at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
Adolfo was selected as an Emerging Leader by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs for 2011. He was an Earhart Foundation Fellow in 2002. He received a Washington Society of Investments Analysts Scholarship and a Graduate Scholarship for Excellence in Academia from the Economic Club of Washington D.C.
Adolfo is a graduate of Bocconi University Business School in Milan, Italy. He specialized in industrial organization as a visiting scholar at the Center for Industrial Economics in Copenhagen, Denmark, and concentrated in financial economics at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. Adolfo earned his master of arts degree in economics from George Mason University, where he also pursued doctoral studies.
Adolfo serves on the board of the National Association for Business Economics and is a member of both the American Economic Association and the Chicago Association for Business Economics. He is also a board member for the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago.
Jennifer Gavelek, CPCU, ARM-Mesirow Financial
Managing Director and Insurance Nonprofit Practice Leader
Jennifer Gavelek is a managing director within Mesirow Financial’s Property and Casualty Insurance Services Practice and the Nonprofit Practice Leader. She is a specialist in evaluating, marketing, developing and servicing insurance and risk management programs. Jennifer works with risk managers and underwriters to negotiate and secure comprehensive, cost-effective coverage for clients. In addition to her active role in sales and client relations, Jennifer was involved with the in-house risk management for each of Mesirow Financial’s four divisions and quality control of the Insurance Division for more than 10 years.
Jennifer’s specialties include program assessment (analysis, planning, control and financing) and specialty coverage lines including professional liability, management liability and security/privacy. She has strong analytical, organizational, planning, interpersonal and negotiating skills with the ability to effectively communicate. Jennifer incorporates strategic solutions to achieve clients’ risk management objectives while maintaining expectations and business processes. She finds creative solutions to complex problems and partners effectively with clients, insurance carriers, risk management professionals and claims services.
Jennifer joined Mesirow Financial in 1996 and began her insurance industry career in 1990. She holds a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) designation and is currently pursuing an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation. Jennifer earned a bachelor degree in finance from Northeastern Illinois University.
Cecilia Piazza-First Nonprofit Group
Vice President of Member Services
Cecilia Piazza earned a bachelor of arts in business with a concentration in human resources from St. Xavier University. She has over 20 years of combined management experience in the U.S and abroad. Cecilia was a key individual responsible for staff, training and development of new products for the largest employer in New Zealand; successfully completing their management graduate program and traveling extensively throughout the country. After returning to the U.S. she broadened her experience to include the nonprofit sector and insurance.
Cecilia has 14 years of service with First Nonprofit Group. Her successful oversight of a multi-million dollar program has resulted in the steady growth of the unemployment membership and a vital team of support personnel. Cecilia has been twice published in Nonprofit World magazine regarding the benefits of unemployment financing. She is a member of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management.
Cecilia continues to travel extensively across the U.S presenting to large and small groups about unemployment insurance and effective ways to manage this responsibility. Her knowledge and background in human resources, enhanced by several years of operational experience working directly with nonprofits, certified public accountants, attorneys, and consultants, has had a direct financial impact on the bottom line of nonprofit agencies.
Ready to chat? Get in touch today to request a no-obligation savings evaluation.
First Nonprofit has saved us so much money over the state’s program. We had one little glitch with the state recently and we contacted FNP immediately. FNP staff called us back immediately and moved to remedy the problem.
First Nonprofit has been a great partner. They have helped us saved hundreds of thousands of dollars! They have awesome resources for our nonprofit organization. Thanks for the partnership.
Life is certainly busy these days but having business partners like First Nonprofit has made some of the process hassle free. We have worked with this team for years. When we changed payroll systems, they outlined every step. I think this team is terrific and I know they get the job done! Thank you, Cruz, to all the team at FNP.
FNP has helped our agency to save thousands of dollars every year on our unemployment coverage. The service is phenomenal, and we are thankful to their team as our partner. My experience working with Marshall on the advocacy around UE for nonprofits was also a highlight as someone who teaches advocacy and lobbying for nonprofits. Really, your whole team is top shelf, so thank YOU!
Chicago Children’s Theatre has greatly benefited from our partnership with First Nonprofit, and I have always enjoyed working with the staff on our filings and any complicated questions. I would not hesitate to recommend First Nonprofit to fellow nonprofits. We’re very happy customers.
FNP is a great resource for Daniel Kids. To have a TPA that we can count on to take point on not only managing our unemployment claims, but to support and guide any protest hearing, is invaluable. All the professional support staff we have worked with have been excellent, very knowledgeable and responsive. We are grateful for the help and support, thank you.
When I first began in my position at my organization, I hadn’t had experience working with a company like FNP. The staff was so patient and helpful in helping to explain the benefits of First Nonprofit. Anytime I reach out with a question I receive a quick, clear, and thorough response. I’m so thankful that we decided to partner with FNP. Their excellence in customer service, coupled with their variety of packages frees us up to truly serve our staff and community with a peace of mind knowing that our organization is protected against unanticipated unemployment insurance expenses.
First Nonprofit gets an A+ in my book. You are so easy to work with & very knowledgeable! Whether it is my quarterly correspondence with Kim or my random interactions with Dawn about a bond … I am so pleased that I get to work with such a helpful company. Thank you!