VCU Business

Kyle Tye
B.S. Finance, risk management and insurance, 2025

Kyle is a risk management and insurance student, recognized for his academic excellence through multiple scholarships. As a VCU Lester Fellow at Marsh McLennan Agency, he has gained valuable hands-on experience in risk analysis and insurance underwriting. In his role as president of Gamma Iota Sigma, Kyle leads industry engagement initiatives and professional development programs, helping students build meaningful connections with industry professionals. With expertise in financial modeling, data analysis and insurance solutions, he is committed to leveraging his skills to drive strategic decision-making in the financial and insurance sectors.

Maggie Gill
B.S. Finance, risk management and insurance, 2024

Maggie Gill, an RMI concentration student at VCU, was actively involved in VCU’s Risk Management and Insurance Program events and the Alpha Mu chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. She attended the GIS National Conference in Baltimore and the WSIA Extreme Risk Takers Symposium in Chicago. Notably, she was selected to attend the 2024 RIMS Conference in San Diego through the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program. Maggie interned at James River Insurance Company and secured a full-time position with IAT Insurance Group in Chicago after graduation.

Mallory Keck-Wilson
B.S. Finance, risk management and insurance, 2023

Mallory Keck-Wilson is the president of Gamma Iota Sigma, the international fraternity for students in insurance, risk management and actuarial science. She decided to pursue a degree in insurance while attending John Tyler Community College. As part of the inaugural Lester Fellow Rotational Internship in the summer of 2022, she worked at FCCI, Markel and Marsh McLennan Agency, receiving full-time job offers from each company upon graduation. Mallory currently works part time for Marsh McLennan Agency as an associate account manager and will transition to a full-time role after graduation. She holds a property and casualty producer license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

John Eshler
B.S. Finance, risk management and insurance, 2021

In 2016, John Eshler opened his own business, a mobile coffee company called GroundUp, while attending Reynolds Community College full time. After earning his associate degree, he chose to continue his education at Virginia Commonwealth University. To focus on his bachelor’s coursework, he made the difficult decision to close GroundUp.

Two momentous events marked his first semester at VCU—John became a father, and the COVID-19 pandemic began. Around the same time, he accepted a remote position as an underwriter technician with Kinsale Insurance, which later led to a full-time role. In December 2021, John graduated with a Bachelor of Science in finance with a concentration in risk management and insurance.

Reflecting on his VCU experience, he said, “My time here has been great, but it's been a bit of a challenge due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, I was able to overcome those difficulties while maintaining a high GPA and being involved in organizations that I’m passionate about.” John is the immediate past president of Gamma Iota Sigma and currently works as an associate underwriter in the commercial property division at Kinsale Insurance.

William J. Ragland
B.S. Finance, risk management and insurance, 2021

William J. Ragland is the 2021 recipient of the Davis Ratcliffe Risk Management and Insurance Award. While attending VCU, Will held multiple leadership positions within Gamma Iota Sigma’s Alpha Mu Chapter. He interned with Berkley Mid-Atlantic Group in the summer of 2019 and later secured a year-round internship with Virtue Risk Partners, where he works alongside VCU RMI alumni Geoffrey Bernardo and Bradley Carroll.

After graduation, Will will join Virtue Risk Partners full time. He is also active in the community through his involvement with One for the World, an organization focused on ending extreme poverty, as well as other faith-based groups. Will plans to pursue his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and attend graduate school.

Tamia P. Frye-Ford
B.S. Finance, risk management and insurance, 2019

Tamia graduated from the Risk Management and Insurance Program in December 2019. During her time at VCU, she held several leadership roles in Gamma Iota Sigma’s Alpha Mu Chapter, ultimately serving as president. She interned with Marsh & McLennan Agency in the summer of 2018 and, after graduation, joined Kinsale Insurance as an associate underwriter. Like many VCU students, Tamia was a transfer student, earning her Associate of Science in business administration from Piedmont Virginia Community College. She helped finance her education by working part-time jobs throughout her studies.

NA = Not Awarded