Leadership Academy Archives | Big I New York

Membership
Membership
Agents & Brokers
JOIN BIG I NEW YORK.
Empower your agency with the support, community, and resources to thrive.
Get Started
Learn how we'll help
Partners
Strengthen relationships and elevate your brand through a strategic sponsorship that puts you at the center of New York’s IA channel.
Choose your Visibility
sEE Current Supporters
ABOUT US.
oUR STORY
Meet Our Board
Meet Our Staff
Awards & Community Impact
Learn
Learn
EDUCATION TOOLS.
Find A Class
CE History & Certificates
Self-Study
Support Center
Technical Answer Center
CAREER DEVELOPMENT.
Licensing
New Hires
Leadership
In-House eDUCATION
Sales Development
LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
E&O Seminar
This jam-packed seminar will leave you with best practices to stay out of hot water, earn 3 CE, and potentially receive premium credit.
Leadership Academy
A leadership development series equipping agency team members with the skills to inspire others, foster a winning culture, and drive long-term success.
Events Calendar
Discover statewide and local events that blend professional development, networking, and industry insights.
GearUP! Webinar Archive
Explore a range of informative webinars on hot topics, hosted by our in-house insurance geek, Tim Dodge.
Operations
Operations
Answer Center
Have a question? Need assistance? Get the answers and resources for your licensing, CE, legal, market access, and coverage questions, all in one place.
Agency Compensation 360
Unlock a clear view into compensation, benefits, and outsourcing across the industry in user-friendly, interactive dashboards.
Agency Solutions
Explore tools and services to manage agency finances, plus unmatched support for agency valuation and perpetuation planning.
Consulting
Get guidance on E&O risk, operations, technology, policy comparisons, and workflow improvements.
Cybersecurity
Simplify compliance with NY’s cybersecurity regulations using our easy-to-follow tools, templates, and trusted support.
Hard Market Help
Access the tools and resources, including the Hard Market Toolkit, to help your agency navigate tough market conditions.
Hiring & HR
Find dedicated HR support, staffing solutions, hiring tools, job boards, and internship guides to grow and strengthen your agency team.
Industry Intel
Access research, surveys, and infographics—featuring the NY P&C Market Report—to stay informed on key industry trends.
Market Access
Access personal umbrella, flood, workers’ comp, and home business markets, along with member-exclusive access to Independent Market Solutions (IMS).
Marketing Resources
Promote your agency with customizable campaigns, co-branded materials, digital tools, and access to reimbursement programs through Trusted Choice.
Startups & New Agencies
Independent doesn’t mean alone, and we’re here to offer the knowledge and experience needed to launch a successful agency.
Technology
Explore tools, insights, and resources from Catalyit, ACT, ACORD, and more to help your agency optimize tech, streamline operations, and stay future-ready.
QUICK LINKS.
Big Book of Form Letters
Hard Market Toolkit
Legal System Abuse Toolkit
New Agency Training
Insurance
Insurance
FOR YOUR AGENCY.
E&O
Protect your agency with access to 30+ markets, dedicated legal guidance, and a free hotline for E&O-related inquiries.
Cyber & Privacy Liability
Protect your agency from cyber threats with tailored coverage.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Protect your business from employee claims involving workplace-related issues.
Employee Benefits
Offer flexible life, disability, dental, and vision plans to attract and retain talent.
FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS.
Personal Umbrella Policy
Access high-limit coverage through RLI and Hudson, with a team of dedicated underwriters, easy quoting, and no access fees.
Independent Market Solutions (IMS)
Unlock direct access to top markets with no fees, no minimums, and own your book of business.
Workers' Compensation
Place challenging accounts with ease through broad market access, flexible solutions, and expert support.
Flood Insurance
Equip your agency with flexible flood coverage, strong commissions, and easy access.
Home Business Insurance
Protect 145+ types of home-based businesses with affordable coverage, seamless quoting process, and no volume requirements.
Big "I" Alliance Blue
Access specialty markets and hard-to-place risks with no fees, no production requirements, and full ownership of your book.
POWERED BY IAAC (RETAIL & WHOLESALE INSURANCE)
View all Programs
Advocacy
Advocacy
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY.
Grassroots Advocacy – Take the First Step in Advocacy
Our Grassroots Advocacy group equips you with tools to take action on key issues and amplify your voice in Albany, D.C., and your community.
Group of 100 – Build Relationships That Shape Policy
Group of 100 is a statewide grassroots network of independent agents advocating directly with local lawmakers to protect and strengthen our industry.
IAPAC & InsurPac – Support with a Contribution
Support pro-agent lawmakers at the state (IAPAC) and federal (InsurPac) levels—your contributions help protect your business and amplify your voice in Albany and D.C.
CARRIER ADVOCACY.
Agency Company Contract Reviews
Agency Compensation & Appointments Policy Statement
Agreement Guidelines
Carrier Contract Addendums
Access Resources
Become an Advocate
Get Involved
Get Involved
EVENTS.
Full calendar
Go Big
Women in Insurance Summit
Annual Business Meeting
Want EARLY ACCESS to exhibit and sponsor our top events?
Join Support Ny
Find Your Local Association/Community
Find your regional group of agents and grow your network across East-North, Metro-Suburban, West-Central New York, or NYC.
NextGen NY – Young Agent Opportunities
Discover how NextGen NY helps emerging agents grow through connection, leadership, and opportunity.
NY First – Fostering a Healthy Marketplace
Learn how NY First advances advocacy and research to protect New York’s independent agents.
Invest Program – Connect With Students
Engage with students through Invest and introduce them to careers in the insurance industry.
InsureMyCareer #DayInTheLife
Insurance pros nationwide showcase the many career paths in insurance by sharing their #DayInTheLife with #InsureMyCareer on socials.
P&C Insurance Summit
Look back on the summit that brought together 200+ policymakers and industry leaders in Albany for critical discussions on the future of New York’s insurance market.
News
News
NEWS & INSIGHTS.
The latest
NY First Committee Reviews Insurance Reform Proposals in Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget
March 16, 2026
Shamrock Social Brings NextGen Energy to NYC
March 13, 2026
Big I NY Advocates For Members With NYS DFS On DFS ID Problems
March 13, 2026
View all news
The E&O Report
MEDIA ROOM.
Press Releases | Headshots | Regional Experts
Explore media
For all media inquiries, contact:
Julie Furst
VP of Marketing, Communications & Events
jfurst@biginy.org
800.962.7950 EXT: 224

April Ballestero

December 29, 2025

About As the founder and CEO of One Light Ahead, April Ballestero serves C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and everyday individuals as a values-driven strategy consultant. She has certifications in Rapport Leadership…

Cliff D’Angelo

December 29, 2025

About Cliff has always had a passion for coaching people. He’s enjoyed a successful career in sales and management for nearly 30 years, working at three multimillion-dollar, industry-leading companies: Moore Business Forms, Kohler…

JOIN BIG I NEW YORK.

The latest

NY First Committee Reviews Insurance Reform Proposals in Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget

Shamrock Social Brings NextGen Energy to NYC

Big I NY Advocates For Members With NYS DFS On DFS ID Problems

Leadership Academy

April Ballestero

Cliff D’Angelo

Filters

Type

Person Type