Introducing Our Keynote Speaker

Patrick G. Ryan

Founder, Chairman and CEO

Ryan Specialty

A widely respected entrepreneur and global insurance leader, Patrick G. Ryan formed Ryan Specialty in 2010. Ryan Specialty is a rapidly growing service provider of specialty products and solutions for insurance brokers, agents and carriers. Ryan Specialty provides distribution, underwriting, product development, administration and risk management services by acting as a wholesale broker and a managing underwriter. The firm has offices across North America, Europe, the UK and Asia. Prior to launching Ryan Specialty, Mr. Ryan founded Aon Corporation and served as its Chairman and CEO for 41 years. At Mr. Ryan’s retirement, Aon had more than 500 offices in 120 countries, generating revenues then in excess of $7 billion.

Mr. Ryan has received a number of accolades throughout his career. In 1987, Mr. Ryan received the esteemed Horatio Alger Award which honors those who are dedicated to the principles of integrity, hard work, perseverance and compassion for others. In 2008, Mr. Ryan was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies and independent research centers, founded in 1780. Also in 2008, he was elected to the International Insurance Society Hall of Fame and received the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. He was named by Brigham Young University International Executive of the Year for Corporate Integrity. Other career tributes include Insurance Leader of the Year from St. John’s University, the Insurance Federation of New York’s Free Enterprise Award, and the inaugural inductee into the Business Insurance Hall of Fame. Most recently in July 2019, Mr. Ryan was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame for his contribution to the Finance and Insurance Specialists sector of the automotive industry.

Mr. Ryan has been a member of the Northwestern University’s Board of Trustees for 45 years, 14 years of which he served as Chairman. In 2009, Northwestern awarded Mr. Ryan a Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Also that year, Mr. Ryan was inducted into the Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame. Four years later in 2013, Mr. Ryan received the Northwestern Alumni Association Medal of Honor. This award is the highest award granted by the Northwestern Alumni Association to an alumnus who combines superior professional distinction and/or exemplary volunteer service to society, with an outstanding record of service to Northwestern.

Mr. Ryan has received additional numerous Insurance and Community awards and also served as Chairman of the United States Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Committee. Most recently, in August 2022, both Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were honored by the Irish State for their service and contribution to Ireland.