Learn who received the award and their contributions to URMIA and higher ed risk management
Award Recognizes Members’ Contributions in the Early Stages of Their Risk Management Careers
Congratulations to both Caitlin Cai, risk and insurance program manager for the University of Tennessee System and Victoria Meadows, the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s assistant director, enterprise risk management program! They were both selected as the recipients of the 2025 Emerging Risk Professional Award. This award recognizes institutional or affiliate members who are serving in the early stages of a higher education risk management career and have already made contributions to and clearly impacted the organization.
Congratulations to Caitlin Cai of the University of Tennessee System Office
Caitlin Cai joined URMIA in January of 2022 and jumped in with both feet, attending eight online events in her first year. She was a professional annual conference scholarship recipient in 2023 and started participating in several communities in 2024. Courtney Davis, EVP, global education practice leader with HUB International, nominated Cai and shared this about her: “Caitlin exemplifies the qualities URMIA seeks to recognize in an emerging professional. She operates in a uniquely complex environment, serving as a system-level risk manager supporting multiple institutions and locations across a large university system. She leads with influence, not authority, which requires exceptional strategic awareness, relationship-building, and adaptability.”
Be sure to check out Cai’s reaction when the Honors Committee delivered the news that she was the recipient. She was also nominated by Kate Miller, risk management analyst from Christopher Newport University, who shared this in her nomination: “Caitlin has been an integral force within URMIA’s YoPro (Young Professionals) Community, actively fostering connections and mentorship among emerging professionals. Her commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive space for early-career risk managers has helped grow and strengthen this vital network. She leads by example, engaging with peers and seasoned professionals alike, always eager to listen, learn, and share insights.”
Congratulations to Victoria Meadows at the University of Maryland, Baltimore
Victoria Meadows joined URMIA in August of 2022 and she did not waste any time contributing to the association. Her involvement was shared in her nomination: “Victoria’s involvement with URMIA began at the very start of her enterprise risk management (ERM) career with attendance at the 2022 virtual annual conference. That experience sparked enduring connections and engagement. When it was announced that the 2023 annual conference would take place in her hometown of Baltimore, she was invited to join the planning committee. Her enthusiasm and contributions earned her the title of “honoree conference chair” - a testament to her commitment and the impression she made on fellow committee members.”
Meadows has done much for URMIA, including coordinating many special moments with our animal friends during the New Orleans and Baltimore annual conferences and she has moderated and spoken numerous times. She is also an ERM hero described as: “Within her first year at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), she led the ERM program through major milestones: identifying and assessing enterprise risks, initiating mitigation action plans, and embedding ERM risk assessments into the university’s strategic planning process. This integration has had a transformative effect, fostering a culture where risk awareness and responsible decision-making are becoming part of everyday operations—a notable achievement for any ERM program. This is a HUGE WIN for the ERM world because tying ERM to the strategic outlook of a university or any institution allows for greater vigilance of enterprise-level risks and/or opportunities.” Please check out this short video showing Meadows’ surprise reaction to being honored.
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