Commissioner Lara announces appointments to the Insurance Diversity Task Force

News: 2024 Press Release

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today announced several appointments to help advance the California Department of Insurance’s vision of innovative insurance protection for all Californians. These appointments include naming Alycia Anderson, Kelly Huang, and Marquita Thomas as the newest members of the Insurance Diversity Task Force.

“I am honored to announce the new members of the Task Force, who all share the common goal with me to create greater diversity in the insurance industry,” said Commissioner Lara. “We are building the bridge that connects our state’s diverse business owners with the nation’s largest insurance industry, as well as continuing to push for boards of directors that reflect our state’s increasing diversity. I am confident that the wide range of knowledge and expertise of our new Task Force members will advance greater supplier and governing board diversity within this industry and build on the tremendous strides that we have accomplished to date.”

The Insurance Diversity Task Force oversees the Department’s Insurance Diversity Initiative, which encourages insurance companies to advance diversity of their corporate boards and increase procurement contracts with diverse businesses owned by women, veterans and disabled veterans, members of historically disadvantaged communities, and LGBTQ+ people. Additionally, the Task Force makes recommendations to the Commissioner regarding innovative ways to increase diversity within the insurance industry. Last year, Commissioner Lara introduced the first-ever Insurance Diversity Index, a groundbreaking benchmarking tool for a more inclusive insurance industry. Commissioner Lara-sponsored AB 1140, authored by the Assembly Committee on Insurance and signed by the Governor in 2023 becoming law in January 2024, adds one additional member to the Task Force who represents persons with disabilities business enterprises.

The next Insurance Diversity Task Force meeting is June 20, 2024. More details are available at: www.insurance.ca.gov/boards. All positions are uncompensated.

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Media Notes:

Appointed members include:

Insurance Diversity Task Force:

Alycia Anderson is CEO and Founder of The Alycia Anderson Company, LLC, which focuses on the education and advocacy of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. Anderson is a diversity advocate, TEDx keynote speaker, author, and podcast host of “Pushing Forward with Alycia”. She has spoken for many companies and organizations, helping them understand the true benefits inherent to building a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace and society. She was recently awarded the 2022 Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) Program of the Year and 2024 Distinguishing Alumni Award from the California State University, Chico. Anderson joins the Task Force as an advocate/representative of persons with disabilities business enterprises with a term ending on June 11, 2026.

Kelly Huang is Owner of Coach Kelly Huang, LLC and an instructor at UC San Diego Extension where she teaches Elements of Marketing. Huang is also an Executive Coach for Genesis Advisers, assisting individuals to transition into their new roles as company executives. She serves on the scientific advisory board for Eagle Genomics (UK), providing input on U.S. market entry strategy, and served a 10-year board tenure at American Money Management where she led the audit committee. As a member of Women in Bio, she co-chaired the Boardroom Ready program, which is an executive development platform designed to support women’s participation on corporate boards in the life sciences. Huang joins the Task Force as an advocate/representative of women business enterprises with a term ending on June 11, 2026.

Marquita Thomas is President, CEO, and Founder of the first statewide LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce in California, which advocates for and empowers LGBTQ-owned and allied businesses. In this capacity, Thomas has spearheaded the creation of many programs and events, such as an annual LGBTQ business expo, CEO roundtables, and a statewide supplier diversity initiative. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and owned her own business: Marquita Thomas Consulting. She previously served on the West Hollywood LGBTQ+ and Planning Commissions as well as the Christopher Street West/L.A. Pride Board. Thomas joins the Task Force as an advocate/representative of LGBT business enterprises with a term ending on June 11, 2026.