Meimouna Thioune ‘26, M’27; Danae Ormsby ‘26, M’27; and Neville Grey ‘26, M’27 took second place in the 2024 NAAIA National Talent Development Competition. NAAIA is the National African American Insurance Association.
This is the third year that Barney students have participated in the competition. The students were told to imagine they were part of a major consulting firm, creating a strategic plan to develop insurance products for U.S.-based customers.
The students began their project in June 2024 and wrapped it up with a presentation three and a half months later.
“As we researched over the summer, I began to understand the concepts involved and the different forms they could take,” said Ormsby. “The competition showcased our dedication, hard work, and growing expertise in risk management, all of which I believe will be valuable to insurance companies and other industries.”
The Barney team was sponsored by Munich Re, a company involved with insurance-related risk solutions. The three students networked with employees of Munich Re, and its Hartford Steam Boiler subsidiary, to help them understand more about the industry. Khalia Whyte, manager of undergraduate admissions at the Barney School of Business, served as the students’ mentor.
“Ideas really began to fall in place after we conferred with a few departments at Munich Re,” said Grey. “That helped us narrow down our possibilities.”
Her teammates are equally pleased at the prospect of this second-place win working in their favor when the time for job applications rolls around.
“I believe the recognition will go over well with future employers,” said Grey. “It also presents to me a world of opportunities for networking and internship.”
Thioune agreed: “It helped me exercise my critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills.”
“My current goal,” said Grey, “is to continue to innovate new technological solutions that further the capabilities of artificial intelligence and create profitable strategies for people with greater needs.”
“I aim to build a career in financial analytics,” Ormsby added, “although I’m also considering corporate law and sales.”
Thioune is also considering law. “I have a passion for helping others, especially those who are taken advantage of by a system that was not built for them,” she said.
Regardless of what lies ahead, the students already have a professional-level win behind them.