Liz Smith to Speak at Business Ledger Newsmaker Forum on Employee Benefits

SCHAUMBURG, IL (July 22, 2009) - Assurance Executive Vice President and Employee Benefits Practice Leader, Liz Smith will be a featured panel speaker at the upcoming Business Ledger Newsmaker Forum. The forum on the topic of HR, insurance and benefits will be held on August 20, 2009 at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonalds Campus in Oak Brook, IL.

Featured industry expert panelists including Smith, Maureen Tarantello of HRMAC and Gene C. Wilson of Pantheos, will discuss strategies and tactics for employee hiring, retention and downsizing in a recessionary economy. “I look forward to participating in the upcoming forum. With the current state of the economy it’s important for business leaders to evaluate their options when it comes to their employee benefits. Aligning business objectives with employee needs, while partnering with the right broker can really help to reduce the cost of healthcare for employers and employees.”, said Smith. To register for this event visit www.thebusinessledger.com.

Smith is a member of Assurance’s Executive Management Team and is responsible for overseeing the employee benefits practice. As Assurance’s top employee benefits professional, she is responsible for the overall vision and strategy of the employee benefits department. She serves a key role in advising the company’s benefits consultants and creating and maintaining strategic relationships with insurance carriers and other vendor partners.

Prior to joining Assurance, Liz served as Senior Vice President, Practice Leader of Employee Benefits for a national insurance brokerage. Before becoming a Practice Leader, she held various roles in employee benefits including that of Producer, Account Executive, and Account Manager. Liz received a bachelor’s degree in 1999 from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. While in school, she was a four year letter winner and team captain of the Northwestern Women’s Volleyball Team. She is a member of the Aetna National Advisory Board, Union League of Chicago, Executive Club of Chicago, and the Northwestern University NClub.