Exploring Possibility: The 2025 Global Insurance Symposium Sets the Stage for Innovation and Opportunity

This article is authored by the co-chairs of the 2025 Global Insurance Symposium:

• Christian Walk
• Julie Pearce

Each year, the Global Insurance Symposium (GIS) gathers the brightest minds in insurance, finance, technology and regulation to explore the trends shaping the future of the industry. Held in the heart of one of the world’s leading insurance hubs — Des Moines, Iowa — GIS has become a cornerstone event that connects over 500 professionals from across the globe for high-impact learning and networking. This year’s symposium will feature two days of learning and networking April 15 – 16, 2025 at the Iowa Events Center in Downtown Des Moines (DSM).

A New Lens: From Risks to Opportunities

Following last year’s focus on emerging risks, the 2025 Global Insurance Symposium shifts its lens toward the vast field of opportunities opening up for the insurance sector. With this year’s theme — “Insuring a World of Opportunity”— the Symposium emphasizes the industry’s evolving role not just as a risk mitigator, but as a dynamic enabler of innovation and resilience in a rapidly changing world.

Christian Walk, who is fulfilling his second and final term as Co-Chair of GIS this year, says, “The 2025 Global Insurance Symposium is all about exploring emerging opportunities for insurers at home and abroad in order to grow their business and better meet customer needs. And, as always, our hope is that the Symposium offers participants an opportunity for meaningful connections and conversations with other insurance and financial professionals on these important topics.”

In this era of complexity and disruption, the insurance sector is uniquely positioned to fuel new ventures, protect emerging assets and support global economic growth. The theme is a call to action for insurers, entrepreneurs, regulators and investors to collaboratively shape a future where protection and possibility go hand in hand.

An Industry-Led, Industry-Driven Experience

What sets GIS apart is its identity as an event built by the industry, for the industry. Julie Pearce, this year’s incoming Co-Chair, says, “Our consortium of insurance companies from all sectors brings trends and sector challenges across the insurance ecosystem, including life, health, annuity, property and casualty, commercial and reinsurance brokers and regulators. This consortium of individuals from the industry is committed to addressing immediate headwinds and long-term trends to ensure the Symposium delivers tangible value to attendees.”

Des Moines: Where Insurance Innovation Lives

It’s no accident that this world-class event calls Iowa home. As the premier insurance center in the U.S., Iowa offers a uniquely supportive ecosystem for insurers. With over 210 insurance companies headquartered in the state and a regulatory framework that fosters both innovation and consumer protection, Iowa leads the nation with insurance contributing 11% of the state GDP — the highest of any state.

Collaboration between government, academia and industry in Iowa has created a vibrant insurance ecosystem that continues to attract top talent and drive innovation. Lower operating costs, access to global markets and a forward-thinking regulatory climate make Des Moines the ideal setting for the conversations shaping tomorrow’s insurance industry.

What’s in Store for 2025

Mr. Walk believes that this year’s program lineup might be the strongest yet. “We’re going to cover some really fascinating and timely topics, from start to finish –— and there’s a little something for everyone, regardless of your line of business. That said, I am particularly looking forward to the keynote sessions: my KKR colleague Ken Mehlman will be addressing politics and insurance, and Apollo's Vishal Sheth is speaking on finance and insurance. Both are timely keynotes given the current market volatility and dynamic political environment.”

Ms. Pearce additionally believes that the Global Perspective on Opportunities Abroad panel will be another standout session as it plays off the insights gained in the Captive Reinsurance panel as experts highlight new strategies within the market. “Of course,” says Ms. Pearce, “you can’t miss the CEO panel feathering market leaders, highlighting economic resilience, attracting talent and the future of the insurance industry.”

A full lineup of this year’s agenda includes:

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

• Keynote Vishal Sheth, Partner and Co-Head of Global FIG at Apollo
• Future of Innovation Showcase
• Exploring the ABC’s of PRT (Breakout Session)
• Speaking to a “Captive” Audience (Breakout Session)
• You Had Me at “Innovation (Breakout Session)
• Building Resilience: Embracing New Opportunities to Protect and Empower Communities (Breakout Session)

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

• Keynote Ken Mehlman, Partner, Global Head of Public Policy & Affairs and Co-Head of Global Impact at KKR
• Insurance Commissioner Panel featuring Commissioner Alan McClain of Arkansas, Commissioner Ricardo Lara of California, Commissioner Mike Yaworsky of Florida, Grace Arnold of Minnesota and Commissioner Jon Godfread of North Dakota
• CEO Panel: Identifying Key Opportunities in the Market
• Student Case Competition featuring student teams from Drake University, University of Iowa and St. Joseph’s University
• Global Perspective on Opportunities Abroad (Fireside Chat)
• You’ve Got Talent! (But how do companies develop and retain it?) (Fireside Chat)
• Meeting Customers at the Intersection of Risk Personalization and Protection (Breakout Session)
• Law and (Consent) Order Update on Key Litigation and Regulatory Trends (Breakout Session)

From provocative thought leadership to practical tools for growth, the 2025 program offers something for everyone. Participants are encouraged to approach the symposium with curiosity and openness, seeking not just to validate existing perspectives but to challenge assumptions and discover new possibilities. The connections and insights gained here have the potential to spark innovations that will enhance the industry's ability to provide security and enable progress for years to come.

Make the Connection

At its core, the Global Insurance Symposium is about information sharing and connection — connecting ideas, people and sectors in ways that spark growth and innovation. “We've designed the Symposium to maximize meaningful connections through structured networking breaks,” says Ms. Pearce. “We've found that the most valuable industry partnerships often emerge from these informal interactions, so we prioritize creating an environment conducive to relationship building alongside our formal content programming.”

If you’re ready to be part of the conversations shaping the future of insurance — join us at globalinsurancesymposium.com.

This year promises to be the best yet. Don’t miss it!

Author Bios

	Christian Walk Christian Walk is the Senior Vice President, Legal & Associate General Counsel at Global Atlantic Financial Company and Co-Chair of the 2025 Global Insurance Symposium. Find out more about Christian on his LinkedIn.
	Julie Pearce Julie Pearce is the Holding Company Specialist for the Iowa Department of Insurance & Financial Services and Co-Chair of the 2025 Global Insurance Symposium. Find out more about Julie on her LinkedIn.

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