The Ameritas Emerging Leaders Academy, coordinated by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Executive and Professional Development, welcomed its second class of students from nine different fields of study this fall. The program develops leadership skills for undergraduates of any major with an interest in exploring the insurance industry through specialized training, strengths coaching and hands-on innovation projects.
“The Ameritas Emerging Leaders Academy offers an experience that complements and enriches the great education Nebraska provides,” said Bob Jurgensmeier, chief executive officer of Ameritas. “Supporting programs that enhance the academic environment is a top priority for Ameritas.”
The yearlong academy features monthly professional development sessions in Howard L. Hawks Hall. Students work closely with university faculty and industry experts to sharpen leadership skills, culminating in a two-month innovation project. Teams design prototype solutions to challenges facing the insurance industry and present them to Ameritas senior leadership. Past projects have explored topics such as improving Ameritas’ mobile app and analyzing the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry.
"This is exactly the kind of experiential learning that sets Nebraska Business apart,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “Students learn from faculty and industry leaders, take on real challenges and grow into confident professionals ready to make a difference. We sincerely appreciate Ameritas for investing in our students and helping create this impactful learning opportunity."
Members of the 2025-26 cohort, listed alphabetically by hometown with their current class standing based on credit hours earned and academic major(s), include:
Nebraska
Bellevue: Grace Fettig, senior finance
Elkhorn: Norah Meysenburg, senior management and marketing
Lincoln: Zehra Almaleki, junior economics and computer science; Zanib Al Razaq, senior economics and Spanish; Justin Fintel, senior economics and political science; Hunter Sands, senior economics; Zixuan Shi, junior finance; Seth Stowell, junior economics and data science; Ethan Nguyen, junior actuarial science
Omaha: Anna Janvrin, junior economics and mathematical finance; Mark Prophit, senior marketing and finance; Caroline Smith, junior management
Elsewhere
Atlanta, Georgia: Lauren Bell, junior management
New Prague, Minnesota: Baylee Mushitz, junior actuarial science
Mount Prospect, Illinois: Andrew Littman, senior finance and economics
Onarga, Illinois: Kaylen Cote, senior accounting and finance\
Muskego, Wisconsin: Jack Goelz, junior actuarial science
Bellaria, Italy: Emanuela Casadei, senior management and marketing
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Ethan Zen, senior finance and economics
Fredrikstad, Norway: Camilla Johannessen, senior management and marketing
Amber Messersmith, executive director of the Center of Executive and Professional Development and the program’s faculty lead, said the direct connection between students and industry leaders sets the experience apart.
“This academy gives students the rare chance to build leadership skills while solving real challenges facing the insurance industry,” Messersmith said. “From change management to innovation, they learn in ways that connect the classroom with the workplace. The energy and commitment from both our students and Ameritas leaders have only grown in the program’s second year.”
Sue Wilkinson, president and chief operating officer of Ameritas, said she hopes students recognize the long-term value of the program.
“This cohort should feel very proud of what they’ve already accomplished at Nebraska. At the end of this experience, they’ve learned a lot from Nebraska’s distinguished faculty and our staff that they can take into their life and career,” Wilkinson said. “It’s my hope they’ll take every advantage of this opportunity and stay connected afterward.”
Students from the inaugural class praised the program’s impact. Jaden Tchalassi, an actuarial science major from Omaha, said the academy expanded his skills.
“This program has certainly taught me a variety of different skills. Being able to go to the Ameritas campus, network with professionals and work on a real-world problem in the insurance industry was such a unique experience,” Tchalassi said.
Students who successfully complete the program earn an Ameritas Emerging Leaders Academy badge, which can be displayed on LinkedIn. Recruitment for the Fall 2026 class begins in the spring.
