Scholarship Recipients
APIW SCHOLARSHIPS - Giving Back to the Industry
Each year since 1987, APIW has awarded scholarships to worthy students at St. John’s University – The School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (formerly The College of Insurance). In later years, these scholarships were given under the name “Lana James Memorial Scholarship,” in honor of a dedicated APIW volunteer and Board Member who died prematurely in 1992.
Additional scholarships are also given on behalf of our Chicago Network to worthy students at The Katie Insurance School of Insurance and Financial Services at Illinois State University.
The tragic events of September 11th brought about our desire to create a symbolic and encompassing remembrance. We wished to honor all those within the APIW family who were lost that day and remember those other members who lost their lives prematurely. In their memory, APIW’s scholarships are now given under the name “APIW Memorial Scholarship” at St. John’s University; and the “APIW Lana James Memorial Scholarship” at the Katie School of Insurance.
In 2022, Kathleen Savio, APIW 2021 Insurance Woman of the Year and Zurich announced the APIW Zurich Kathleen Savio Scholarship, which will award 1 scholarship per year, for the next 5 years to one female student attending the Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management.
2025-2026 APIW Zurich Kathleen Savio Scholarship Recipient - Carly Pye
Carly Pye is the Incoming Secretary for Gamma Iota Sigma - Alpha Kappa Chapter at the Katie School for the 2025-2026 academic year. She is a Risk Management and Insurance major with a 4.0 GPA who will be a junior in the fall, and she is on the Tri Sigma Inclusive Excellence Team. Carly was selected to attend the National Risk Retention Association (NRRA) Conference, the Gamma Iota Sigma Regional Conference, and the RISKWORLD/RIMS Conference. Recently at RIMS, she was invited to be a panelist on a Gamma Iota Sigma panel in a DEI session which was impressive for being selected as a sophomore to present. She also serves on the Student Advisory Council of the Grand Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. Additionally, she was on the Katie School team in the Selective Insurance Agency Management Competition that received first place. This summer she will be interning at Amwins in the Professional Lines Brokerage department in Chicago.
APIW 2025 Memorial Scholarship Recipient - Sameya Ghani
Sameya Ghani is a rising senior at the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management at St. John’s University, where she is pursuing a degree in Risk Management and Insurance with a minor in Finance. Originally from Bangladesh, Sameya came to the United States as an international student, bringing with her a global perspective, strong sense of adaptability, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth.
Throughout her academic and professional journey, Sameya has built a robust foundation across multiple sectors of the insurance industry. Her experiences span insurance brokerage, client servicing, and commercial underwriting, with roles at both boutique firms and nationally recognized carriers. She has gained certifications and completed internships with MLMIC and USLI, both part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, where she deepened her understanding of underwriting practices, policy development, and risk analysis. She will be joining Amwins Insurance’s Access division in New York City for the summer of 2025 as an intern, further advancing her expertise in the wholesale and E&S markets.
Sameya is currently working toward her CPRIA designation and is passionate about the highnet-worth personal lines sector. She is driven to bring elevated, tailored solutions to a clientele whose risks are both nuanced and dynamic. With a long-term vision rooted in service and strategy, she aims to be a transformative presence in the high-net-worth space—one that blendstechnical precision with human understanding.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Sameya is also the founder of a community-based NGO supporting underserved populations in Bangladesh, a reflection of her commitment to impact both locally and globally. With every opportunity, she continues to explore the intersection of risk, leadership, and purpose—preparing to step confidently into the next chapter of the insurance industry.
APIW 2025-2026 Lana James Memorial Scholarship Recipient - Sara Waller
Sara Waller is majoring in RMI with a minor in Mathematics at the Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management. She is the incoming Vice President - Internal Affairs for Gamma Iota Sigma - Alpha Kappa Chapter, and she has also been the President and the Treasurer of the Phi Kappa Honor Society. She previously was the Girl Representative on the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Board of Directors. Sara has participated in hosting our Spencer Risk Manager on Campus, and she was chosen to attend the WSIA Symposium, the Gamma Iota Sigma Regional Conference and the RISKWORLD/RIMS Conference. With all of her activities, she maintains a 4.0 GPA, and she will be interning at Ryan Specialty in Chicago this summer.