Asset Managers: Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year - A New Approach to Income Generation
The winning campaign, spearheaded by Nationwide’s Investment Management Group Marketing team, involved the delivery of an innovative, digital marketing approach fundamentally designed to address the evolving investment education needs and thought leadership consumption habits of advisors and their clients in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign drove awareness of the newly launched Nationwide Risk-Managed Income ETF (NUSI), serving as a catalyst for both early stage and long-term market adoption. NUSI launched at the end of 2019 and has performed exceptionally well even during the market volatility of 2020, reaching $500 million in assets under management recently, making it the company’s top fund by sales, net flows and asset growth.

Asset Managers: Diversity Equity and Inclusion - Financial Alliance for Racial Equity
The Financial Alliance for Racial Equity was recognized in the Asset Managers: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion category. Nationwide Financial partnered with leading financial services organizations, associations and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to form FARE in late 2020. FARE’s focus is on increasing the number of Black professionals entering the financial services industry and supporting and investing in them once there.

“Seeing the efforts of our team and partners recognized among the very best and brightest individuals and companies in the financial services industry reinforces what I’ve known all along: we have a great team at Nationwide,” said John Carter, President and COO of Nationwide Financial. “The work of the Nationwide teams that contributed to these awards is nothing less than extraordinary and a clear demonstration of our peoples’ passion for driving change in our industry and helping more Americans achieve a secure retirement.”

View a complete recap of the WealthManagement.com Industry Awards.

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FARE was formed in late 2020 when a group of leading financial services organizations, associations and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) came together to focus on increasing the number of Black professionals entering the financial services industry and supporting and investing in them once there. FARE’s efforts include providing resources, scholarships training and connections to diverse students and professionals, which are important components to career success.

“FARE was formed because we recognized we can do more together,” said Kristi Martin Rodriquez, leader of the Nationwide Retirement Institute. “We invited a powerful group of partners from the financial services industry and higher education to come together to make a difference. Beyond driving greater inclusion in our industry, FARE members are committed to improving research, education and awareness of retirement and financial wellness in diverse communities to enable better financial outcomes.”

Congratulations to the entire FARE coalition, which includes: Morgan Stanley, M Financial Group, NFP, Employee Benefit Research Institute, Huntington Bank, Franklin Templeton, Miami Life, National Brokerage Atlantic and Nationwide, in partnership with six HBCUs, including Hampton University, Howard University, Lincoln University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. 

Continuing on the journey of raising awareness of how unconscious behaviors impact our actions, the next conversation in the four-part series focuses on the survival mindset. This mentality is based on the belief that speaking up or advocating for ourselves can have negative consequences, and is tied to behaviors such as working too hard without asking for what we need, being too humble, or being “just grateful.” To start overcoming these limiting narratives, Valeria encourages us to authentically and intentionally build our personal brands, offering some suggestions on how to get started:

• Become a solution for a need your client has.
• Consider all that you bring to the table (experience, education, languages, multiculturality).
• Know your worth and be cognizant of the market value of the work you do.
• Lean on advocates like your clients, fellow entrepreneurs, friends, and family to help support you in expanding your reach.

Watch the full conversation below and tune into the upcoming sessions that will cover the “simpatia” mindset and the extraordinary new collective mindset. 

“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s so important to have someone you can count on to be there for you through life’s journey – especially the tough times,” said Jill. “Those ‘little moments’ where you need a trusted partner to have your back is what inspired the song for this Nationwide commercial. I’m really proud of it!”

Jill continues to put her spin on the iconic jingle as she helps Nationwide bring a fresh take on a familiar campaign. In May, Jill joined a running list of prior artists featured in Nationwide’s advertising including Tori Kelly, Rachel Platten, Brad Paisley, and Leslie Odom, Jr.

Partnering with Nationwide, Ms. Scott helped create new songs building off the “Nationwide is on your side” seven notes to demonstrate the many ways Nationwide protects its customers with extraordinary care.

“There is no doubt that Jill is bringing a new level of feeling to these commercials,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re seeing a great response to the first ad, and we think consumers will see themselves in the everyday moments this new ad portrays. Jill is a great ambassador for our brand, and we have enjoyed sharing with the country the incredible songs we’ve created together.”

“Care and consideration - those are traits the company and I share,” said Jill. “I’m proud to team up with Nationwide to create songs that demonstrate Nationwide’s passion for protecting its customers.”

The newest “On Your Side Soundtracks” commercial will begin appearing on broadcast, social media, and digital platforms on Sept.7.

In June, the two companies announced a digital partnership that provides Nationwide customers with a choice-shopping experience complete with car insurance quotes from multiple insurers through Nationwide’s Digital Brokerage Solution. Through the platform built by Insurify, customers have access to a tailored car insurance purchase experience, allowing them to compare car insurance quotes, coverage, and policies from Nationwide and other insurance companies at the same place. Customers can then buy the policy of their choice either online or over the phone. Over time, Nationwide’s Digital Brokerage solution will be available to customers and partners in all states.  

“We’ve seen a positive response to the Digital Brokerage Solution launch and continue to work closely with Insurify to increase its availability,” said Angie Klett, senior vice president of Nationwide Corporate Development. "Expanding on a relationship with a great insurtech partner like Insurify is a win for both our organization and our customers.” 

Insurify will use proceeds from the venture capital investment to expand its operations and accelerate its growth initiatives. This includes further scaling and diversifying its insurance product through expanding its direct quoting integrations across all insurance verticals, pursuing more embedded insurance opportunities, expanding product functionality to deepen its relationship with new and existing customers beyond the point of purchase, strengthening brand awareness, and increasing hiring efforts.  

“Our mission is to strengthen the trust between the customer and the agent by building the smartest, most reliable virtual insurance agent in the industry. We want to empower our customers to make the best decisions about their insurance and be confident that they can get immediate savings through our product,” said Snejina Zacharia, founder and CEO of Insurify. “We’re very excited to deepen our partnership with Nationwide as we further strengthen our trusted brand loved by millions of customers and achieve our growth targets.” 

Nationwide’s investment in Insurify is through the company's $350 million venture capital fund.  
 
Nationwide’s venture capital journey
Nationwide’s venture capital investments are directed into insurance and financial services startups with high-growth potential that directly advance Nationwide’s strategy to provide even greater customer value.
 
To date, Nationwide’s venture capital team has invested in nearly 30 companies, including Extend, Beam Dental, Health Gorilla, HOVER, Indico, and Deep Sentinel. The team has also helped to facilitate more than 30 partnerships between startups and Nationwide business units.  
 
Tech startups interested in partnering with Nationwide can visit www.nationwideventures.com for more information.  
 
Nationwide’s Corporate Development mission
Nationwide recently aligned Corporate Development capabilities to include the venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic partnership teams. These groups look for unique collaboration opportunities that help business units meet new or developing customer needs. These collaborations are enabled by Nationwide’s best-in-class digital infrastructure, which allows Nationwide to provide a unique digital experience for partners and their customers.

Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, more than $16 million has been raised to support pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. That philanthropic mission was on display last week as the 15^th annual event was contested August 25-29 at The Ohio State University Golf Club, Scarlet Course where 27-year-old Canadian Adam Svensson earned his second victory of the season and third of his Korn Ferry Tour career.

The week began with an announcement that the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship and the PGA TOUR reached a five-year extension to ensure that the tournament will continue as a Korn Ferry Tour Finals event at The Ohio State University Golf Club through 2026.

“Extending this event means we will continue to see the future stars of the PGA TOUR play in central Ohio while enabling us to continue raising awareness and much-needed funds for one of the premier pediatric hospitals in the country,” said John Carter, president of Nationwide Financial and chairman of the tournament’s host organization, Champions of the Community.

Beyond the fundraising, the tournament also offers an opportunity to provide unique experiences for young patients who have overcome serious health challenges thanks to treatment they received at Nationwide Children’s. During the annual Pros Fore Patients event, several Patient Champions and their families gathered at the golf course for some fun and crafts, along with two Korn Ferry Tour pros who helped assemble care packages that will be delivered to inpatients at the hospital.

To kick off the first morning of competition on Thursday, Kinley Strohl from Ashley, Ohio took the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer. After battling a life-threatening form of leukemia as a six-year-old, she is now a thriving 16-year-old who is celebrating ten years cancer free. To honor Kinley’s journey and help her achieve her career goal of becoming a nurse, Nationwide surprised her with a $10,000 college scholarship.

Stories like Kinley’s personalize the purpose of the tournament while the event proceeds fund the hope. The millions of dollars raised each year support innovative research and treatment that is being pioneered by physician scientists and researchers at Nationwide Children’s.

Last year, Nationwide Children’s saw 1.3 million patient visits representing kids and families from nearly every U.S. state and 43 foreign countries. Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship may be a local tournament on a national tour, but its giving is felt globally.

To learn more about one of the country’s largest not-for-profit pediatric health care systems, visit NationwideChildrens.org.   

The list is based on a survey of 4.5 million U.S. employees’ experiences of how their workplaces have made a difference in their lives and in their communities. Rankings also reflect the generosity of each organization's benefits, philanthropic and community support. 

The magazine’s September 13 issue notes how the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted Nationwide’s efforts to put people first by supporting their employees and surrounding their communities. In particular, the magazine calls attention to the company’s Associates Helping Associates program, which enables employees to contribute to a fund that provides financial relief to fellow employees affected by natural disasters, domestic violence and health-related emergencies.  

The magazine also calls out how Nationwide’s ongoing support of social justice efforts factored into this year’s ranking, noting its partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Equal Justice Initiative and the National Fair Housing Alliance's "Keys Unlock Dreams" initiative, which strives to give all Americans safe, affordable housing. 

“We are all so proud of this recognition,” says Vinita Clements, chief HR officer. “Our No. 1 value is ‘we value people.’ We will always put people first, and this was magnified this past year and a half as we faced the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the social justice movement. Through our Associates Helping Associates program, social justice commitments and other important initiatives, we have continued to care deeply about our communities and each other and deliver on our mission of providing extraordinary care.” 

Nationwide consistently ranks on top workplace award lists including: 

• 2021 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For (seven consecutive years) 2021
• Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials (three years) 
• 2021 Seramount Best Companies for Multicultural Women (two consecutive years) 
• 2020 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (eight years) 
• Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (17 consecutive years) 
• 2020 Seramount Best Companies for Working Mothers

To learn more about Nationwide’s efforts to care for employees and the communities in which it operates, visit the Nationwide corporate giving and volunteer page.

"Even though Kentucky State emerged victorious over CSU 20-6, the real winners were the many historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that were showcased as part of the event," said Ramon Jones, chief marketing officer at Nationwide, a presenting sponsor of the event.

The popularity of the event drew a crowd of more than 20,000. Beyond the football game, activities included a career fair where Nationwide engaged with students and prospective talent, a battle of the bands, a drumline competition, and other events to highlight the experience of attending an HBCU. 

As part of its commitment to the event and to the HBCU community, Nationwide presented both Kentucky State University and Central State University checks for $25,000, which will be used for the schools’ scholarship funds.

"Nationwide was proud to be a presenting sponsor of this year’s event," Jones said. "We have a long history and talent pipeline with HBCUs across the country, so when the opportunity to support the weekend’s events came to our attention, it was a thrill to offer our support."

That long history was further demonstrated last year when Nationwide announced the formation of an alliance to connect financial firms with HBCUs to increase diversity in the financial services industry. The Financial Alliance for Racial equity was recently recognized by Investment News for its efforts to make a positive impact.

For more information on Nationwide's broader commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, click here.

"Part of protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care is giving to our community partners who are on the front lines responding after storms like Ida," said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. "While our claims teams stand ready to meet the needs of our customers, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund helps provide for the most basic of needs in the wake of hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters."

Gifts to American Red Cross Disaster Relief enable the organization to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small by providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up kits and other assistance for those in need. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

About The Nationwide Foundation
The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $550 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work.

“Consumers and business fleet drivers must be confident that every time they get in or see an automated vehicle, regardless of the level of autonomy or safety assist features, they are going to arrive safely at their destination and be protected,” said Pete Frey, associate vice president of Commercial Lines Emerging Capabilities at Nationwide. “As a company that is at the forefront of automated vehicle insurance and protecting our customers now and into the future, Nationwide sees the potential of Foretellix’s platform to provide that level of safety and peace of mind to drivers and passengers.”

Foretellix was founded in 2018 by a team of verification and validation pioneers with a mission to make automated driving systems safe and efficient. Foretellix uses a quantifiable approach to safety and hyper-automation to create and test all possible scenarios these systems may encounter, along with big data analytics to ensure the safety and completeness of the testing processes. This advanced platform is used throughout the development cycle, from the requirements stage through product development, verification, and validation. Foretellix ensures safety and productivity while reducing development cost and time to-deployment.

Insurers and regulators are seeking ways to assess the degree of safety of automated driving systems developed by different suppliers. Foretellix brings a measurable safety approach that objectively assesses automated driving systems safety using comprehensive coverage reports examining the automated system’s behaviour in a massive number of different driving scenarios. As such, Foretellix’s tools and methodologies serve a critical role in ADS safety assessment.

“This additional funding round is an important milestone in our journey as a company and will help us address the growing demand for our platform and products,” says Ziv Binyamini, CEO and co-founder of Foretellix. “The support of our strategic partners including Nationwide that joined us in this round will help Foretellix to further advance its mission to enable safe deployment of advanced automated driving systems.”

Other Nationwide venture capital investment news:
Nationwide has made a third venture capital investment in Insurify virtual insurance agent and comparison platform company Insurify. In June, Nationwide announced that Insurify developed Nationwide’s Digital Brokerage Solution, on which customers have access to a tailored car insurance purchase experience, allowing them to compare car insurance quotes, coverage, and policies from Nationwide and other insurance companies at the same place. The investment is part of Insurify’s Series B $100 million fundraise.

In August, Nationwide made its second investment in Upstream Security, a company that protects the digital infrastructure of connected vehicles. The investment comes as part of Upstream’s Series C fundraise.

Nationwide’s venture capital journey
Nationwide’s venture capital investments are directed into insurance and financial services startups with high-growth potential that directly advance Nationwide’s strategy to provide even greater customer value.
 
To date, Nationwide’s venture capital team has invested in nearly 30 companies, including Extend, Beam Dental, Health Gorilla, HOVER, Indico, and Deep Sentinel. The team has also helped to facilitate more than 30 partnerships between startups and Nationwide business units.  
 
Tech startups interested in partnering with Nationwide can visit www.nationwideventures.com for more information.  

Nationwide’s Corporate Development mission
Nationwide recently aligned Corporate Development capabilities to include the venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic partnership teams. These groups look for unique collaboration opportunities that help business units meet new or developing customer needs. These collaborations are enabled by Nationwide’s best-in-class digital infrastructure, which allows Nationwide to provide a unique digital experience for partners and their customers.

The plan has more than $280 million in assets under management and more than 7,500 plan participants.

“This is a result of the recent formal competitive process led by the County, its Deferred Compensation Committee, and key staff. The County regularly works to improve the retirement plan on behalf of the participants, and this is an extension of that commitment,” said Vincent Galindo, senior consultant at Hyas Group, the consultant for the plan.

“We look forwarding to providing Solano County’s employees with the tools, resources and our award-winning customer service to help them prepare for retirement,” said Scott Ramey, senior vice president of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Nationwide.

In addition to recordkeeping and administrative services, Nationwide will provide participants with holistic financial planning services and access to the online Interactive Retirement Planner^SM a personalized, comprehensive financial planning tool that provides participants with a holistic view of their retirement readiness.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide administers nearly 34,000 retirement plans, protecting more than $173.9 billion in participant assets, and helping secure financial futures for over 2.6 million participants in the governmental 457, corporate 401(k) and not-for-profit 403(b) markets. Nationwide is committed to serving the retirement industry by doing the right thing at the right time through better participant experiences, administrative simplicity and values that translate to service.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants.

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Our MRU is not currently on site. Please check back for updated locations.

About our Mobile Response Units
The MRUs have two purposes: They provide a central location for Nationwide members in impacted areas to speak face-to-face with our claims team. They also serve as mobile headquarters for Nationwide‘s humanitarian efforts.

Nationwide members can file insurance claims by visiting the Claims Center or by calling 1-800-421-3535

Cooks were asked to create simple and affordable casseroles using foods readily available to pantry clients. Judging focused on taste, affordability, and appearance. Nationwide’s president of Agribusiness, Brad Liggett, served as a judge for the contest.

“The Iowa State Fair is an important cultural event that offered us an opportunity to partner with the Food Bank of Iowa to raise awareness,” said Brad Liggett, President of Nationwide Agribusiness, who served as a judge and sits on the Food Bank of Iowa Board of Directors. “Food insecurity in Iowa has doubled, even tripled with families with children due to COVID-19. It affects the health of our community and hinders growth, education and work performance.”

Olivia Smith from Winterset, IA collected the blue ribbon and a $1,000 cash prize provided by Nationwide. Smith’s “Family Favorite Skillet Casserole” included tater tots, ground pork, vegetables, creamy sauce and seasoning. The blue-ribbon award-winning recipes will be published in an electronic cookbook to be distributed to Food Bank of Iowa pantry partners.

“Our food pantries regularly ask for affordable, tasty and simple recipes to provide new ideas for pantry clients,” said Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book. “The casserole dishes from this competition are destined to become family favorites.”

The Nationwide Foundation supports food banks across the country and Feeding America’s efforts to source more fresh fruits and vegetables for people struggling with hunger. For more about Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation’s partnership with Feeding America and their efforts to fight food insecurity, visit the Feeding America page.

Today, Kinley is a 16-year-old junior at Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware, Ohio where she is a varsity cheerleader and participates in competitive cheerleading outside of school. Kinley also attends Delaware Area Career Center where she is studying health technology and nursing. She also founded Kinley’s Krafts in 2013, which gives back to the hospital by hosting craft sales, car washes and lemonade stands. Nationwide learned about Kinley’s story and wanted to honor her past journey with a gift for her future.

Nationwide, the founding partner of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship (NCHC) golf tournament, surprised Kinley and her family with a $10,000 college scholarship after she took the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to kick off the first round of play at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals event at The Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio. Tournament proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, more than $16.2 million has been raised for the hospital.

“Nationwide has a 60-plus year relationship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and stories like Kinley’s are why we are passionate about supporting one of America’s largest children’s hospitals and pediatric research centers,” said Jim McCoy, associate vice president of sports marketing at Nationwide. “It’s wonderful to see Kinley thriving and we’re thrilled to be able to present this scholarship as our way of paying tribute to every patient and family that has benefited by the life-changing work being done by the doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital.”

“I know how tough it is to be a kid fighting cancer, but I hope my experience shows that good outcomes are possible thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses at Nationwide Children’s,” said Kinley. “Taking the First Shot to Fight Cancer was a cool way to share my story. And I’m so grateful to Nationwide for the $10,000 scholarship.”

Nationwide Children’s remains the cornerstone beneficiary of Nationwide. Through Nationwide’s sponsorships of the Memorial Tournament, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship golf tournament, and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, and partnerships with Hendrick Motorsports and The Dale Jr. Foundation, Nationwide sports marketing platforms have helped raise more than $44 million for the hospital since 2011.

“We’re very thankful to Nationwide for their ongoing generosity to our patients and families,” said Niki Shafer, senior vice president of outreach, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It’s wonderful to see Kinley receive this gift that will help her reach her goal of becoming a nurse where she can continue to help others.”

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit NationwideChildrens.org.

As the no. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.¹, Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts.

In collaboration with state partners, the insurer recently recognized the exceptional efforts of 51 agricultural teachers across seven states as Golden Owl Award finalists.

The 2020-21 grand prize winners and Ag Educators of the Year are:

• California: Sandy Lovfald – Eureka High School, Eureka, CA

• Illinois: Sue Schafer – Taylorville High School, Taylorville, IL

• Indiana: Travis Scherer – Tri-County High School, Wolcott, IN

• Iowa: Dr. Michael Retallick – Iowa State University, Ames, IA

• New York: Elizabeth Foote – Greenwich Junior-Senior High School, Greenwich, NY

• Ohio: Don Hammersmith – Ayersville High School, Defiance, OH

• Pennsylvania: Sherisa Nailor – Big Spring High School, Newville, PA

In addition to the Ag Educator of the Year title, each grand prize winner received $3,000 in funding to help bring new opportunities to their programs and students².

“As a company with deep roots in agriculture, we recognize the essential role agricultural teachers play in their communities and for the future of the industry,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re proud to work with our state partners to recognize these selfless public servants for their many contributions to help prepare the next generation of leaders.”

Golden Owl Award 2021-2022 nomination period
Nationwide launched the Golden Owl Award in 2018-2019 in Iowa and Ohio before expanding the program to recognize leading educators across seven states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Nominations for the 2021-2022 Golden Owl Award are now underway and will close on December 31, 2021*. Following the nomination period, a selection committee will determine finalists for each state, who will receive an individualized plaque and $500 to support their agriculture programs². A finalist in each state will then be chosen as that state’s Golden Owl Award winner. To nominate a teacher or learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit GoldenOwlAward.com.

“Each year, we receive hundreds of heartwarming nominations describing the incredible impacts agricultural teachers are making in their communities,” said Liggett. “We’re excited to honor more deserving teachers in 2022 and encourage students, parents, fellow teachers and others to nominate their favorite agricultural teachers today.”

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2020
² In accordance with Ohio law, cash prizes in Ohio are awarded to the winner’s school ag program.
* Iowa Golden Owl Award nomination period is Aug. 1 – Dec. 1, 2021. Indiana Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021. New York Golden Owl Award nomination period is Aug. 1 – Nov. 1, 2021.

Gibson, Travis and Himes are among 20 Nationwide employees who earned this month the highest recognition for Nationwide employees: a CEO Award. Given in five categories: Innovation, Customer Service, Engagement, Continuous Improvement and Sales, the CEO Awards recognize accomplishments that go far above and beyond expectations.  

“This dedicated group of employees represent some of the best achievements across Nationwide in support of our mission to protect people, business and futures with extraordinary care,” Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker said. “Their level of accomplishment is truly exemplary.”

More than 120 employees were nominated for the awards and the final 20 were chosen by Walker and his executive leadership team.  

Gibson, associate vice president of personal computing at Nationwide, is one of the 20 recognized this year thanks to early foresight at the start of the pandemic. Early in 2020, he noticed disruptions in global supply chains and immediately thought of the implications for the 35,000 laptops that Nationwide employees use every day. Gibson and his team moved quickly and began ordering new laptops before the novel coronavirus was known to be in the United States. As a result, Nationwide employees had the equipment and technology necessary to continue serving customers, even as supplies in the technology market evaporated due to increased demand and microprocessor chip shortages. 

The challenges of the pandemic meant continuous improvement was on everyone’s mind, and Travis, a senior financial services technical lead, was no exception. She noticed that as government offices closed, Nationwide customers’ loved ones were having difficulty obtaining the documentation they needed for life insurance policy claims. Travis initiated and gained approval for new claims procedures that accelerated payment and receipt of benefits at a time when extraordinary care mattered the most.  

Himes, a business consultant, was also focused on the customer when he designed and delivered conversational text capability for property and casualty claims. Thanks to his initiative, questions from anyone involved with a claim can be texted to CLAIMS (252467), and Nationwide claims handling teams can immediately respond. Nationwide found that nearly 70 percent of its members prefer text messaging when they have the choice.  

“Our award winners are not just great employees, they are great people who care for their colleagues, their customers and their communities,” Walker said. “We are honored to recognize our 2021 CEO Award winners.” 

To learn more about a career at Nationwide and available positions, visit the Nationwide careers page. 

The plan has nearly $96 million in assets under management and approximately 1,150 plan participants. The consultant for the plan was Innovest.

“The City of North Las Vegas is excited to have Nationwide serve our plan participants. Nationwide’s comprehensive approach toward participant education along with their focus on data and cyber security are just a couple reasons that we are excited about our partnership,” said Will Harty, finance director for the City of North Las Vegas.

“We’re pleased to help the City of North Las Vegas employees plan for a financially secure retirement through our award-winning customer service and focus on extraordinary care,” said Scott Ramey, senior vice president of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Nationwide.

In addition to recordkeeping and administrative services, Nationwide will provide participants with financial planning services and access to the online My Interactive Retirement Planner^SM, a personalized, comprehensive financial planning tool that provides participants with a holistic view of their retirement readiness.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide administers nearly 34,000 retirement plans, protecting more than $173.9 billion in participant assets, and helping secure financial futures for over 2.6 million participants in the governmental 457, corporate 401(k) and not-for-profit 403(b) markets. Nationwide is committed to serving the retirement industry by doing the right thing at the right time through better participant experiences, administrative simplicity and values that translate to service.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants.

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Income investors continue to flock to the Nationwide Risk-Managed Income ETF (TRADING SYMBOL: NUSI), which recently surpassed the $500 million mark for assets under management. Nationwide celebrated the milestone by ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 16.

The fund has achieved this success in less than two years by serving the needs of investors seeking income with a measure of downside protection during a period with interest rates remaining near historic lows and continued market uncertainty.

“We recognized the challenges income investors face when seeking to generate high current income in today’s market when we introduced NUSI,” said Mike Spangler, senior vice president of Nationwide’s Investment Management Group. “Income from the asset classes that investors have traditionally turned to has decreased with interest rates, and those still offering higher income have heightened exposure to principal risk.”

“We believed the market was ready for an innovative approach when we partnered with Harvest Volatility Management to launch NUSI in late 2019,” said Marge Farquharson, senior director, Exchange Traded Funds at Nationwide. “Reaching $500 million just twenty months after launch is a testament to the interest investors have in a solution that seeks to balance income generation and risk reduction as the foundation for retirement readiness and long-term financial wellness.”

NUSI seeks to generate investment income and provide a measure of downside protection through an innovative approach to traditional income investing by deploying an options strategy called a protective net-credit collar. This strategy is established by combining a covered call, where it sells an upside call option, and a protective put, where it uses a portion of the proceeds received to fully finance the purchase of a downside put option.

“Nationwide’s unwavering commitment to broadening investor access to institutional-quality solutions and its emphasis on long-term value creation made Nationwide an ideal strategic partner for Harvest,” said Curt Brockelman, co-founder and managing partner of Harvest Volatility Management LLC, the named subadvisor for NUSI. “We are tremendously pleased with the partnership and the success of NUSI and look forward to continuing to lend our distinct expertise in seeking to deliver positive investor outcomes.”

Fundamentally designed with income-generation in mind, the Nationwide Risk-Managed Income ETF potentially offers several benefits that may address the yield enhancement and volatility management needs of investors, including seeking:

• High monthly income generation
• Portfolio volatility reduction
• Reduced duration risk and interest rate sensitivity
• Capital appreciation from equity participation
• Downside risk mitigation

The Fund is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has an expense ratio of 0.68%.

Investors interested in learning more about the Nationwide Risk-Managed Income ETF should contact their financial professional or visit here. Financial professionals interested in learning more about Nationwide ETFs can call 1-877-893-1830.

This material is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or roll over any asset, adopt an investment strategy, retain a specific investment manager or use a particular account type. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, tax and financial condition, or particular needs of any specific person. Investors should work with their financial professional to discuss their specific situation.

Call 800-617-0004 to request a summary prospectus and/or a prospectus, or download prospectuses at etf.nationwide.com. These prospectuses outline investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses, and other information that you should read and consider carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. The Fund’s return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of the underlying index.

Beta is a measure of price variability relative to the market.

KEY RISKS: The Fund is subject to the risks of investing in equity securities, including tracking stock (a class of common stock that “tracks” the performance of a unit or division within a larger company). A tracking stock’s value may decline even if the larger company’s stock increases in value. The Fund is subject to the risks of investing in foreign securities (currency fluctuations, political risks, differences in accounting and limited availability of information, all of which are magnified in emerging markets). The Fund may invest in more-aggressive investments such as derivatives (which create investment leverage and illiquidity and are highly volatile). The Fund employs a collared options strategy (using call and put options is speculative and can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the reference asset). The success of the Fund’s investment strategy may depend on the effectiveness of the subadviser’s quantitative tools for screening securities and on data provided by third parties.

The Fund expects to invest a portion of its assets to replicate the holdings of an index. Correlation between Fund performance and index performance may be affected by Fund expenses and because the Fund may not be invested fully in the securities of the index or may hold securities not included in the index.

The Fund frequently may buy and sell portfolio securities and other assets to rebalance its exposure to various market sectors. Higher portfolio turnover may result in higher levels of transaction costs paid by the Fund and greater tax liabilities for shareholders. The Fund may concentrate on specific sectors or industries, subjecting it to greater volatility than that of other ETFs. The Fund may hold large positions in a small number of securities, and an increase or decrease in the value of such securities may have a disproportionate impact on the Fund’s value and total return. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered nondiversified. Additional Fund risk includes: Collared options strategy risk, correlation risk, derivatives risk, foreign investment risk, and industry concentration risk.

Nasdaq-100 Index: An unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index of the 100 largest, most actively traded U.S companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Index includes companies from various industries except for the financial industry, like commercial and investment banks. These non-financial sectors include retail, biotechnology, industrial, technology, health care, and others.

A call option is a financial contract that give the option buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy a stock, bond, commodity other asset or instrument at a specified price within a specific time period.

A covered call is a financial market transaction in which the seller of call options owns the corresponding amount of the underlying instrument, such as shares of a stock or other securities.

A put option is a contract giving the owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell a specified amount of an underlying security at a pre-determined price within a specified time frame.

Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of the price of a bond or other debt instrument to a change in interest rates.

Nationwide Fund Advisors (NFA) is the registered investment advisor to Nationwide ETFs, which are distributed by Quasar Distributors LLC.Nationwide Funds distributed by Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC (NFD), member FINRA, Columbus, OH. NFD is not affiliated with any subadviser contracted by Nationwide Fund Advisors (NFA), with the exception of Nationwide Asset Management, LLC (NWAM). Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA.

Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2021 Nationwide

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In addition to having damage to buildings and other property, Mid-Iowa also suffered significant damage to its grain storage bins, where it stores grain for area farmers — and harvest season was coming.

“The timing of the storm was pre-harvest,” said Lane Danielson, Agrigusiness Practice Leader at TrueNorth, an insurance agency that counts Mid-Iowa Co-op among its clients. “Getting back up and running was absolutely crucial.”

As Bruce Kempf, COO of Mid-Iowa Co-op, surveyed the storm damage, it was significant. “The roof took a lot of damage, a lot of shrapnel inside the bin. The rest of the bins were completely smashed in against the towers; the stairs were completely destroyed so no one could even go up top to observe anything,” he said, recounting the challenge ahead.

“We knew it was going to be important that we get a jump start, so we ordered bins the same day the storm happened,” he said.

A large part of what would prove to be valuable in making sure Mid-Iowa Co-op was ready in time for harvest was the expertise and knowledge provided by claims experts at Nationwide.

“We said we wanted to be operable for harvest and Nationwide and TrueNorth, and our millwrights and electricians, really stepped up. The upright bins were all back in place within 75 days,” said Kempf.

Kempf said he appreciated the bias for action Nationwide brought to the table to help make his goal a reality. “Thanks to Nationwide to be able to come out very quickly and get some money in our account so that we could start the process was key,” he said.

But Nationwide’s role was much more than paying the claim, says Danielson.

“Claims can get very complicated for a large agribusiness client like Mid-Iowa Co-op, so their [Nationwide’s] claims team specialization and handling knowledge is probably second to none,” he said.

Insurance companies all understand how to pay a claim, but there was a deeper level of understanding that helped the team deliver on its goal, according to Danielson. “Nationwide understanding the risk – and just understanding their [Mid-Iowa Co-op’s] business – is very advantageous for the co-ops here in Iowa,” he said.

For more information about protection for your business, visit https://www.nationwide.com/business/.

Related Stories

• Derecho, one year later: unique solution helps Iowa family get back to normal (8/16/21)
• Restoring Livelihoods After the August Derecho (9/14/20)
• Iowa Insurance Agents Go the Extra Mile for Customers in Derecho Aftermath (9/2/20)

“There was a storm coming. As it started coming, things got really dark, the wind picked up more so than we’re used to, then we started watching furniture that never moves start bouncing, so my daughter and I moved downstairs,” said Heather Den Adel. “Water started coming in…leaves started plastering against the house — and we don’t have a whole lot of trees for those leaves to come from, so my question was Why is this happening? This is not typical.”

What happened on August 10, 2020, was anything but typical. Across parts of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, a historic derecho storm punished the Midwest with rain and hurricane-strength winds in excess of 90 miles an hour.

What is a derecho again?
According to the National Weather Service, a derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. If the wind damage swath extends more than 240 miles and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph or greater along most of its length, then the event may be classified as a derecho.

“I had no idea what a derecho was,” said City State Bank Agent Tyler Andersen, the Den Adel’s insurance agent. “We knew there was going to be some rain and started to see the sky turn black. The wind started to pick up, then we saw a dumpster roll by…you could definitely tell something was out of the ordinary.”

As it became clear the storm damage was going to be significant for the Den Adels, Andersen said he was impressed by the sense of urgency he felt from the company he recommended in Nationwide.

“It makes me feel confident as an agent to place the insurance with Nationwide knowing that these are the types of responses," Andersen said. "It’s very important to clients that, if something happens, they’re going to be made whole again.”

With widespread damage, Nationwide couldn’t quickly find suitable housing nearby. Both Andersen and Jensen knew the family wanted to stay as close as they could to tend to their animals. Thinking outside the box, and with input from the Den Adels, Nationwide offered to remodel a minimally damaged building on the Den Adel’s property — adding two bedrooms, a living room and a laundry room — to make it a comfortable place for the family to stay.

The Den Adels called the solution a win-win, helping them stay on their property and near local schools without slowing down repairs. “I just appreciate the fact that they got creative with a way to make us as comfortable as possible through this process,” said Doug Den Adel.

He went on to say the peace of mind that comes from knowing they were protected was important to him. “I feel really good about the insurance we had and the fact that, if something happens to our home, Nationwide is there to make sure we’re covered,” he said. “They stepped up when we needed them to step up and I feel very comfortable with the whole situation.”

“Nationwide just took care of us,” Heather Den Adel said. They understand the importance of it, it’s not just a house, it’s where you live. It’s where you make memories.”

For more information about protecting your home and property, visit https://www.nationwide.com/personal/insurance/homeowners/

Related Stories

• Derecho, one year later: specialization helps team rebuild in time for harvest (8/17/21)
• Restoring Livelihoods After the August Derecho (9/14/20)
• Iowa Insurance Agents Go the Extra Mile for Customers in Derecho Aftermath (9/2/20)

U.S. News & World Report’s has recognized Nationwide as the most affordable renters insurance companies of 2021 and one of the top overall renters insurance companies in the country.

“Renters insurance can be an affordable way to cover everything from your air fryer to your recliner, and bundling this with your auto policy may save you even more,” said Sarah Jacobs, VP of Nationwide’s personal lines product development. “Nationwide is proud to be named a leader among renter insurance companies.”

The publication’s online guide features in-depth information on choosing a renters insurance company and covers a range of topics including policy costs and breadth of coverage.

Jacobs adds, “Often a renter’s policy is required as part of a lease agreement, but even when it’s not, your landlord’s policy typically won’t protect you if your belongings get damaged or stolen. A renters policy can provide valuable protection and peace of mind.”

U.S. News’ 360 Reviews team applied an unbiased methodology that includes professional ratings and reviews, consumer ratings and reviews and research comparing various features of renters insurance companies.

Learn more about renters insurance options, get an online quote or talk to your insurance agent.

Today, FARE was recognized by InvestmentNews as a 2021 Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards finalist. FARE, along with 15 other firms, were chosen from more than 120 nominations by a committee of InvestmentNews representatives and judges from the advice business. FARE was recognized for its ability to inspire others from diverse backgrounds to join, flourish and bring their true selves to work in the financial services industry.

“Since FARE’s inception, we’ve made tremendous progress assembling a prestigious coalition of financial services organizations and academic institutions committed to, not only increasing diversity in our industry, but also positively impacting Black communities by increasing access to financial professionals and financial education,” said Kristi Rodriguez, leader of the Nationwide Retirement Institute. “Our recognition as a finalist for the InvestmentNews Diversity Equity & Inclusion Awards is a great honor for the alliance and evidence that our efforts are beginning to gain broader engagement and traction across our industry.”

The FARE coalition currently includes Morgan Stanley, M Financial Group, NFP, Employee Benefit Research Institute, Huntington Bank, Franklin Templeton, Miami Life, National Brokerage Atlantic and Nationwide in partnership with six HBCUs, including Hampton University, Howard University, Lincoln University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. 

InvestmentNews’ fourth annual Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recognition program aims to tell the story of individuals and firms using their success, leadership skills, and willingness to implement and advocate for diversity and inclusion within the financial advisory industry. FARE, along with the other organizations and individuals making the fourth annual Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion list, is highlighted in the Aug. 9 issue of InvestmentNews and online at dandiIN.com.

*Nationwide Retirement Institute RISE Research 2018

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“As we look at the full scope of our employee compensation packages, one of our highest priorities is continuing to provide innovative and competitive benefit plans and we feel that Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers unique features for our employee retirement plan,” Chiefs executive vice president of administration Kirsten Krug said. “We are thrilled with the suite of services Nationwide is providing our club, as well as the tools that our employees have at their disposal to track their path towards retirement, no matter where they are along that journey.”

“Nationwide’s commitment to extraordinary care and our long-standing partnership with the NFL helped us score this big win,” said Scott Ramey, senior vice president of Retirement Solutions Distribution. “We’re honored to deepen our association with the NFL and one of the most successful teams in the league.”

In addition to recordkeeping and administrative services, Nationwide will provide participants with financial planning services and access to the online My Interactive Retirement Planner^SM, a personalized, comprehensive financial planning tool that provides participants with a holistic view of their retirement readiness.

Since becoming an official partner of the National Football League in 2014, Nationwide has been the presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, a prestigious honor that recognizes players who demonstrate excellence not only on the field, but also in their communities. In addition to shining a national spotlight on the collective impact these players are making, Nationwide has donated more than $1.5 million to support those efforts.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide administers nearly 34,000 retirement plans, protecting more than $173.9 billion in participant assets, and helping secure financial futures for over 2.6 million participants in the governmental 457, corporate 401(k) and not-for-profit 403(b) markets. Nationwide is committed to serving the retirement industry by doing the right thing at the right time through better participant experiences, administrative simplicity and values that translate to service.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants.

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Launched earlier this month, the partnership will ultimately offer a digital-first quoting and binding experience for NAPA owners, providing top-tier coverage in tandem with top notch technology.

“Nationwide’s Business Express℠ platform allows us to create a fully digital end-to-end customer experience for NAPA owners,” said Dan Bruno, associate vice president at Nationwide. “As a customer-focused and technology-driven organization, we’re excited to partner with NAPA to provide an innovative insurance buying experience for the NAPA family.”

NAPA owners will be able to access the new commercial insurance offerings, evaluate their business’s protection needs, and initiate a quote all in a seamless, digital experience

“We are very happy to start this partnership with a great company like Nationwide who has expert knowledge and expertise in helping business owners protect what matters so they can worry about running their business,” said Dan Pierro, president of National Automotive Programs, LLC, D.B.A. NAPA Insurance Center.

The partnership is Nationwide’s latest in a series of efforts to deliver speed, ease and added value for business owners.

Business owners who want to learn more about Nationwide’s commercial insurance offerings can visit Nationwide’s Business Insurance webpage.

But homeowners should beware that prioritizing speed by hiring a contractor who knocks on the door before they’ve had a chance to check references or talk with their insurance company can be an invitation for fraud.

While the majority of contractors are honest, contractor fraud is a real problem and often follows major weather events like hailstorms, windstorms and hurricanes, says John Sokit, associate vice president of Nationwide’s Special Investigations Unit.

“It’s not uncommon for customers to tell us of contractors who knocked on their doors promising a quick repair after a hailstorm or windstorm,” said Sokit. “Homeowners think this is the answer to their prayers, but then the contractor is suddenly using high-pressure tactics, asking for cash down payments or telling them they need to sign a Power of Attorney so they can negotiate with the insurance company. These are all red flags.”

If a homeowner finds themselves in this situation, there are steps they can take to protect themselves, Sokit said. The first step is contacting their insurance company as soon as damage is suspected. Insurance companies can often assist in locating contractors or point homeowners in the direction of a reputable source of contractors, such as the local Better Business Bureau. Homeowners should also check a contractor’s references and be sure they seek out multiple quotes.

For more advice, follow tips from our infogrphic below, After the storm: Ways to avoid fraud.

When tropical storm Ana formed east of Bermuda on May 23, it kicked off the start of what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts will be an above normal 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. While we hope forecasters are wrong, Nationwide is prepared to serve our customers whenever and wherever disasters happen, and technology is helping us do so.

One of the biggest challenges all insurers face when responding to a disaster is access to impacted areas. Local infrastructure is usually severely disrupted, and hazards like flooded streets and downed powerlines are significant safety concerns.

But in 2020, with necessary COVID-19 protocols and record-breaking catastrophe events, Nationwide proved that remote inspection tools and new technology can increase the speed at which we connect with our customers, reduce the time to inspect their property and cut the time it takes to get them an estimate. Last year, Nationwide managed over 90 percent of homeowner claims virtually, and technology allowed us to handle multiple events, like hurricanes or wildfires, with claim professionals from across the country, improving response times for customers.

Nationwide customers tell us they value speed and communication during a claim above all else. With our expanded use of remote inspection tools, Nationwide is staying focused on customers by contacting them quickly, keeping them informed and partnering with them to settle their claim in a fast and reassuring way.

Our adjusters are using remote tools to collaborate with customers via video to evaluate interior damage and ask questions. Cutting-edge technology also allows homeowners to take 8-12 smartphone photos of their home, which are then used to obtain a 3D rendering of roof and exterior elevations, including accurate measurements of roof pitch, windows, surface areas and other openings. Adjusters can also order aeriel imagery of a customer’s roof and call on ladder inspection vendors to capture additional information as needed.

Additionally, at Nationwide, we’ve implemented two-way texting that enables quick and easy conversations between our claim associate and customer. This enables customers to send us images and files via text that are directly uploaded to their file, keeping our customer’s claim moving forward.

To help our customers get back to normal as quickly as possible, Nationwide is also employing new digital payment capabilities that get payments to customers faster.¹ Aside from traditional payment choices, we now offer the ability to issue digital disbursements via JP Morgan Chase Portal and Zelle. Capabilities also exist to issue direct payment to an On Your Side Property Repair Network vendor with customer consent.

During catastrophes, Nationwide is still sending claims experts from our national catastrophe team into impacted areas to inspect damage, collect information and meet with customers, but enhanced communications tools and technology are helping us protect our customers when they need us most. Both virtually and onsite, Nationwide claims professionals are ready to assist with extraordinary care².

Check out Nationwide’s emergency preparation resources for tips on staying safe during different types of disasters.

¹Restrictions may apply given the specifics of the loss.

²Each claim is handled on its individual facts and circumstances. Individual experience may differ.

“We cover a 55 square mile area and have nearly 100 farms that house grain in silos,” said Chief Stewart.

People drive by them every day – never realizing the risks they pose to the farming community.

“Any time a farmer enters a grain bin, there are numerous life-threatening hazards they need to account for,” explains Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS). “Rescue situations in bins are also challenging and take an average of three and a half hours.”

Entering a grain bin to remove clumped or rotted grain can quickly turn deadly for farmers if proper precautions aren’t followed. In a matter of seconds, an adult can become fully entrapped in flowing grain. It happened four times in Ohio in 2019. Grain bin entrapments led to more than 40 deaths nationwide the past two years.

Adding to the risk is a lack of available equipment and training for responding fire departments - an issue Nationwide is hoping to resolve.

On July 20, Nationwide presented the Jerome Township Division of Fire in Plain City, Ohio, a grain rescue tube and provided the team specialized training to help prevent deaths in grain bin accidents. The training, led by NECAS, included the use of a grain bin-like entrapment simulator capable of holding 100 bushels and burying a “rescue victim” waist-deep. First responders learned how to properly use the 6-panel, versatile grain rescue tube to create a barrier around the victim and safely dig them out.

“Having this equipment and training is critical because it enables us to respond without hesitation to emergencies within our district. Our bodies can only go 4-6 minutes without oxygen so we’re saving precious time when we don’t need to rely on mutual aid from other departments,” said Chief Stewart.

Nationwide began its Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign back in 2014 to raise awareness of the dangers of entering grain structures and share safety resources to help prevent accidents.

“Agriculture’s mission is more important now than ever due to a growing population dependent on fewer farmers,” said Nationwide vice president, Devin Fuhrman. “We’re proud to provide these resources to support first responders as they keep rural communities safe.”

Jerome Township Division of Fire is one of 48 fire departments to receive the specialized equipment and training from Nationwide this year, and one of 200 across the country since the campaign began. At least four departments have used these resources to successfully rescue workers trapped in grain bins.

“There is tremendous synergy between a great neighborhood and the community’s public safety services,” said Brian J. Ellis, president of Nationwide Realty Investors and developer of Jerome Village. “We’re proud to be part of the team supplying this essential rescue resource to the Jerome Township Division of Fire and appreciate all they do for the residents of Jerome Village and the surrounding community.”

Learn more about Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign at www.ThinkGrainBinSafety.com.

At Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide, customer satisfaction is no small thing, but intently focusing on it is what enables the insurance and financial services provider to ensure the biggest things of all, says Chief Customer Officer, Amy Shore.

“To protect people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care, we have to focus on every detail of the customer experience so that we can be there when they need us most,” said Shore. “As an enterprise, it’s not enough to have a customer-caring culture, we have to be customer centric.”

Getting the details of customer service right is a focus for Nationwide. From expanded online and digital self-service offerings, to texting capabilities and educational resources and tools, Shore said Nationwide has been creating more value for members in the details of customer interactions than ever before.

“The past year has only accelerated consumers’ expectations of being able to do business with us, and every other company, quickly and easily,” Shore said. “We’re responding with new and enhanced capabilities that enable us to provide the experiences that customer value most. Our research shows that making interactions effortless, personal and reassuring is what counts.”

Over the course of 2021, Shore noted that Nationwide launched convenient, easy to use conversational texting capabilities for personal insurance members that enable them to connect with their claims representatives. Instead of having to call, customers can quickly text to follow up on an auto or property claim, or share documents, photos and estimates.

Nationwide has also expanded its use of virtual claim handling tools. Pre-COVID, approximately 50 percent of homeowner claims were handled virtually. In 2020, the company expanded its use of remote capabilities to increase that to 93 percent. Shore said the use of virtual claim handling tools continue in 2021 because they not only speed up the claims process for customers, but they also allow Nationwide to handle multiple loss events, like hurricanes or wildfires, with claims professionals from across the country. In turn, this improves availability and response times.

“Our expanded use of remote inspection tools allows us to put our customers at the center of the claim experience by contacting them quickly, keeping them informed and partnering with them to settle their claim in a fast and reassuring way,” Shore said, pointing to faster year-over-year response times.

In the property and casualty insurance division, new customer flexibility options have been implemented. For commercial lines insurance customers, Nationwide has begun deploying virtual risk assessment and consultative services. These virtual services allow customers to connect with Nationwide through their smart devices to provide risk assessment tours of their operations when it is most convenient for them.

Nationwide has also introduced a new “Work From Home Insurance” product that is a package of auto, home/renters, and identity theft coverage options for consumers working and living in today’s new world. The insurance industry’s first-ever protection bundle designed for those working from home will be available in more than 30 states across the country this summer with plans to include additional states and coverages in the future. The offering is available online only and allows consumers to get a quote for the bundled insurance package in just a few easy steps.

In Nationwide’s financial services operations, two new industry recognitions and the introduction of new products are examples of how Shore said the company has stepped up to both meet and exceed expectations.

For the second year running, DALBAR, a leading independent rating firm for customer experience in the financial community, awarded Nationwide retirement solutions with its Customer Experience Excellence Award, which is conferred on companies that provide superior care and high-quality customer interactions that exceed industry standards. This was followed with an award in June from Money Magazine that recognizes Nationwide as the life insurer with the highest customer satisfaction rating in its annual ranking of the 15 Best Life Insurance Companies.

Meanwhile, Nationwide continues to pursue new financial products that offer customers choice and security, Shore said. In May, the company announced the addition of three new indices to its Nationwide Defined Protection^® Annuity, followed by news in June that it had expanded its relationship with AllianceBernstein to offer an in-plan income guarantee to its large retirement plan clients. Combined, Shore said these new solutions provide Nationwide retirement clients with more options and security to plan for their futures.

To learn more about Nationwide insurance products and financial services, visit www.nationwide.com.

Related News:

• Money.com honors Nationwide’s life insurance for highest customer satisfaction (July 7, 2021)
• Nationwide expands relationship with AllianceBernstein to offer in-plan income guarantee to its large retirement plan clients (June 21, 2021)
• DALBAR recognizes Nationwide for Superior Term Life Website Experience (May 11, 2021)
• Nationwide Defined Protection® Annuity now adds three new indices (May 10, 2021)
• Nationwide Retirement Solutions again recognized for outstanding customer experience (March 25, 2021)

The Best Workplaces for Millennials rankings are based on an analysis of survey responses from more than 5.3 million current employees of companies in the United States, born between 1981 and 1997. Most of the evaluation — about 85 percent — is based on what millennials say about their experiences of trust and reaching their full human potential as part of their organization, no matter who they are or what they do.

Millennials represent about 40 percent of the working population in the U.S. They are more likely than previous generations to say workplace culture, development opportunities and leadership quality are extremely important in a job. The survey found that they tend to seek managers who care about them as a person and are actively engaged in their career growth.

Nationwide’s focus on career development, in particular, is what makes it a great place to work, said Nicole Stokes, a millennial and senior consultant, Internal Investigations at Nationwide.

“This speaks to our culture, which is what makes us unique,” said Stokes, who is president of the Young Professionals Network employee resource group. “It shows that Nationwide is invested in developing our young professionals, and it’s a testament to our leadership and the direction we are moving as a company.”

Stokes credits Nationwide for its support of employees and programs like the Young Professionals Network’s mentoring program, which pairs members with executives at the associate vice president level or higher. Nationwide Chief Diversity and Talent Acquisition Officer Angela Bretz says the program is specifically designed to create opportunities for intra- and cross-generational networking and training for employees to learn and grow through their relationships.

“When we give our employees the tools and connections they need to thrive, the results are a better workplace and an inclusive culture that creates fulfilling career experiences and success for all of us,” Bretz said.

The Fortune and Best Workplaces for Millennials Award is Nationwide’s third Best Workplaces honor of 2021. The company earned a 25 ranking in Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and a 7 ranking in Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance (Large).

Learn more about careers and open positions at Nationwide.

Your clients are busy. They care about their businesses, families, homes, pets, and more, yet they don’t always have time to learn all the ways to protect themselves. They look to their insurance companies, agents, financial professionals, and advisors to help with those answers. 

Because every situation is different, we know our partners rely on us to provide solutions for a broad range of customers’ changing needs: 

• As people's driving habits shift, we recognize a traditional auto insurance policy may no longer be the best option for certain drivers. 
• Distracted driving continues to affect everyone on the roads today; we can offer new ways to identify and resolve harmful habits. 
• With continued growth in pet owning households, more pet owners are looking for easier ways to fill their pet prescriptions.
• As people work to secure their golden years, they seek new answers to the evolving world of retirement planning and personal finance.
• Business owners need carriers and agents who know the ins and outs of their industry and the unique challenges they face. A farmer doesn't have the same needs as a baker. 
• And, when things don’t go as planned, who can offer superior technology to help customers get back on their feet as soon as possible? 

Very few companies are positioned to address these emerging needs with a focus on the customer and an eye on innovation. At Nationwide, addressing shifts like these is in our DNA. We have nearly a century's worth of experience inventing insurance and financial solutions.

As the speed of change accelerates, our efforts to meet the needs of our partners and end customers are revving up, also.

In just the last 12 months, we’ve redesigned solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. A few examples include:

• SmartMiles, which can ensure that customers are paying for miles they drive and the SmartRide app, which can give them instant feedback on their driving habits to make our roads safer.  
• Retirement Solutions like L.inc+, a series of living benefit annuity riders, and Indexed Principal Protection help prepare our clients for retirement.  

• A recent partnership with Walmart allows pet parents to digitally fill prescriptions at Walmart stores with claims handled automatically and instantaneously, saving time and money.
• Specialized training for our agent partners to equip them with the latest information to protect business owners. 
• Finally, our commitment to 100% Claims Confidence means we are using superior technology to make the claims experience effortless, personal, and reassuring. 

And we have so much more that we're working on. As the pace of change continues to accelerate, we're committed to not just staying ahead of the curve, but re-imagining protection solutions so that your busy clients can have confidence knowing that Nationwide is on your side.

For more information about Nationwide products and solutions, visit www.nationwide.com.

Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies. Financial products issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company. The general distributor for variable products is Nationwide Investment Services Corporation member FINRA, Columbus Ohio. Products may not be available in all states.

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Crew forward Gyasi Zardes made himself at home in the gleaming new stadium by scoring the first-ever Crew goal at Lower.com Field and having a hand in the second goal en route to a 2-2 draw against the Revolution. A few weeks before the much-anticipated stadium opener, Zardes took time to participate in a special video message from Nationwide.

As an official partner of the Crew, Nationwide’s support of the team and its commitment to the central Ohio community was on display in many ways in the week leading up to the historic matchday in the Arena District’s newest attraction.

Nationwide celebrated Black & Gold Week with a message of support lighting up Plaza One and a Crew display greeting Nationwide associates at the main downtown office.

The week also included the dedication of a new mini-pitch at Northgate Intermediate School (VIDEO) in Columbus’ Northgate neighborhood. The Crew’s latest mini-pitch is part of an ongoing commitment, supported in part by Nationwide, to offer children in underserved communities a safe place to play, while providing a soccer environment that encourages unstructured play within local communities.

Back in the Arena District, Battelle Plaza served as the starting point for the first of what will become a traditional March to the Match down Nationwide Blvd.

And at Lower.com Field, Nationwide’s kick-to-win target challenge debuted as a new matchday feature and fans attending the inaugural game were given commemorative flags, courtesy of Nationwide.

Nationwide and the Crew announced their multiyear partnership in February 2020. After highlighting Nationwide Children’s Hospital on the team’s jerseys during the 2020 season, Nationwide assumed the primary position on the kits beginning with the 2021 campaign. Other components of the overall partnership include support of select Crew community initiatives, as well as ongoing collaboration with Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a shared community partner.

Titled Cultural Mindsets: Decoded, part one of the four-part series reviews the scarcity mindset by exploring some of the unconscious drivers of our decisions and behaviors. Valeria shares how widespread feelings of unworthiness or self-doubt can contribute to a lower self-esteem which may hinder our ability to thrive and attain extraordinary achievements. Instead, she encourages women to practice changing their internal narrative and the way they see themselves, and to take micro steps towards pivoting their mindsets from scarcity to abundance.

Watch the 25-min video conversation below and tune into the upcoming sessions that will cover the survival mindset, the “simpatia” mindset and our extraordinary new collective mindset.

"Our success comes from putting our customers first and making it easy for them to navigate the life insurance buying process in a fully digital world," says Holly Snyder, president of Nationwide Life.

Snyder adds that 2020 presented enough challenges for customers and getting a life insurance policy or processing a claim shouldn’t be another. To help, Nationwide added flexibility in the claims process to get proceeds in the hands of beneficiaries even faster. Nationwide also offered premium relief to thousands of customers impacted by the pandemic, helping them keep their life insurance in force.

“With more consumers looking to protect their families with life insurance, it’s great to see Money.com recognize Nationwide’s life business for highest in customer satisfaction,” said Snyder.

Nationwide’s term life insurance business was also recently recognized for “a superior standard of customer care” by DALBAR, a leading independent rating firm for customer experience in the financial community.

Nationwide’s Universal Life consumer website was ranked first among competitors in that area in 2020 by DALBAR. And, Nationwide Life received top honors as the only company to score in the “Excellent” category for DALBAR’s annual review of websites for term life providers.

Learn more about life insurance solutions.

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This material is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or roll over any asset, adopt an investment strategy, retain a specific investment manager or use a particular account type. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, tax and financial condition, or particular needs of any specific person. Investors should work with their financial professional to discuss their specific situation. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2021

Smoot wasn’t the only person seeing a lack of role models during her early career. For Nicole Ridley, envisioning herself in roles she knew she would someday be capable of was difficult because she just didn’t see very many women of color in leadership. Today, it’s a much different situation for both Smoot and Ridley. Smoot is vice president of corporate sustainability at Nationwide, while Ridley is a management associate in Nationwide’s financial leadership rotation program.

“What I see at Nationwide is that if there’s not a seat for you at the table, then we will put in a leaf,” said Ridley. “We will make the table bigger, so there is plenty of space for everyone here.”

Because of Nationwide’s commitment to supporting the careers of women and people of color, the company was named on June 30 one of the 2021 Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Seramount (formerly Working Mother Media)—an honor recognizing companies that create a culture that encourages multicultural women to join and rise through their ranks.

The Best Companies for Multicultural Women award is judged on more than 250 aspects of representation, hiring, recruitment, attrition and promotion rates, company culture and retention and advancement programs. Companies that earn the award are those deemed to be among best in the United States for incorporating best practices in hiring, retaining and promoting women of color.

Last year, Nationwide earned the 2020 Diversity Best Practices (DBP) Inclusion Index from Seramount and was recognized for superior achievement by receiving higher than an 80 percent score. This is the second year that Nationwide has earned the Best Companies for Multicultural Women award, and it’s especially meaningful because of the concerted effort the enterprise has put into creating a place where the talents and contributions of all are valued, said Nationwide Chief Human Resources Officer Vinita Clements.

“We believe that in every level in our organization, we should represent the external market and create an inclusive culture, which is essential to our ability to attract and sustain top diverse talent. Ensuring Nationwide has a culture where all can succeed is our continuing journey and key to our future success as an organization,” says Angela Bretz, Chief Diversity and Talent Acquisition Officer.

In addition to developing an intentional framework of development programs, policies, opportunities and partnerships at every level to uplift women and diverse associates, Nationwide also partners with diverse and women-focused organizations such as Catalyst, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the National Black MBA Association, AnitaB.org/Gracehopper, National Association of Female Executives, National Association of Black Accountants, Disability:In, and Reaching Out (LGBTQ+) MBA Association, and others to expand recruiting efforts and offer development opportunities to multicultural women.

Sophia Shen, a Nationwide associate vice president of staff administration-marketing and president of Nationwide’s inspirASIAN employee resource group, says that receiving this award is not just meaningful for company employees, but also for those outside the organization.

“Women of color are underrepresented in corporate America,” Shen says. “This award demonstrates to people in the community that Nationwide supports, embraces and wants us to thrive here.”

Smoot wholeheartedly agrees. Said Smoot: “As an executive leader, I want to see us build on the legacy left by the women who have gone before us as we continue to support Nationwide’s great culture for women of color.”

Learn more about careers and open positions at Nationwide.

Nationwide will now utilize Nexsys’ Clear HOI technology to deliver real-time insurance verifications. The groundbreaking Clear HOI tool automates the communication between mortgage lenders and insurance providers, creating a streamlined and secure mortgage experience.

“This partnership with Nexsys makes the insurance verification process seamless for our customers making the homebuying process faster and giving our customers more time to focus on what matters most – living in their dream home,” said Angie Klett, Nationwide’s senior vice president of Corporate Development. “Nationwide continues to implement digital capabilities to meet customers where they are in their daily lives which truly demonstrates that we are a protection company that cares about our customers beyond insurance.”

In the past, providing proof of homeowners insurance was a cumbersome process that often required lenders and insurance providers to communicate by phone to verify that insurance was in force. This manual exchange of information could lead to unnecessary delays in mortgage closings. Now, this important step in the mortgage transaction has been automated – allowing mortgage lenders to securely pull in evidence of insurance directly into their loan origination systems.

Nexsys Technologies’ industry-leading encryption allows for the secure and instantaneous exchange of insurance information. Nationwide will now be able to leverage the Clear HOI integration to quickly confirm a client has provided consent to share their insurance information, communicating policy information consistently and accurately in seconds.

“With the launch of Clear HOI, we have been able to innovate and simplify another manual step in the homebuying experience. As more consumers complete transactions online, Nexsys Technologies and Rocket Companies continue introducing new technology to digitize and simplify the mortgage process,” said Mike Lyon, Executive Vice President of Nexsys Technologies. “We are proud to provide this technology to Nationwide, along with the increased speed and enhanced client experience that comes along with it.”

This partnership is Nationwide’s latest in a series of efforts to streamline the customer experience. For instance, Nationwide’s third party policy inquiry site enables mortgage holding companies, title companies, lien holders, leaseholders, car dealerships, and rental car companies to verify auto, home, condo, and dwelling fire policies, as well as update the lienholders or mortgage clause on the policy.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The time to prepare for a hurricane is before it hits. Proper preparation could prevent thousands of dollars in damages to your property. Follow these five, simple tips to prepare your home and potentially reduce damage to your property if a hurricane hits your area.

Assess insurance risk
Don’t wait until a hurricane is bearing down on you to wonder what kinds of damage are covered. Review your policy now and understand what is covered – and what isn’t – in the event of storm damage. Keep in mind, most policies do not cover flooding, e.g., rising waters that invade your house. Talk with your insurance agent about flood coverage offered by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Check your roof
Your roof is the first and best line of defense during high wind and wind-driven rain. Call a professional to inspect for damage and make repairs if needed. Roof leaks can damage attics, ceilings, ceiling-mounted lights and walls.

Yard cleanup
Many outdoor items can become flying debris during high winds. Move loose items such as patio furniture, grills, flower pots, bikes and other items indoors.

Seal your home
Take time before a hurricane approaches to seal every water entry point for your home. Use caulk to seal places like vents, cable and electric entry points and cracks or gaps in exterior walls to keep water out. If time allows, consider pre-installing shutter hinges that let you mount emergency shutters quickly before you evacuate.

Take inventory
Create a video or image inventory of the contents of your home. If you decide to create a video, record yourself describing each item as you walk through your home. An inventory household items becomes a helpful tool and can streamline your claims process should you have to file one.

To learn more, visit our Hurricane Safety and Readiness tips

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, based in Columbus, Ohio, has won the Indiana Public Employees’ Deferred Compensation 457 and 401(a) defined contribution retirement plans. The plans will transition in the Spring of 2022, with a four-year contract, followed by an option to renew for another four years. The plan has approximately $1.7 billion in assets under management.

“Both parties expressed how well the values of Indiana and Nationwide aligned, sharing a passion for the same goals of providing strong participant outcomes and delivering outstanding service,” said Scott Ramey, senior vice president of Retirement Solutions Distribution for Nationwide. “We’re proud to be chosen to help support their employees in their journey to prepare for retirement and look forward to providing the first-class service that our plans expect from us.”

DALBAR, a financial services market research firm, has awarded its Customer Experience Excellence Award to Nationwide for the past two years, and its Plan Participant Service Award for seven consecutive years. Nationwide has also been named to Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for seven consecutive years.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions provides recordkeeping to more than 25,000 retirement plans across the country that includes 2.5 million participants.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants.

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That was what the Community Shelter Board (CSB) faced: keeping central Ohio’s homeless population safe and well during a time of unknown challenges and invisible threats.

Michelle Heritage, executive director of CSB, recently shared how they overcame those challenges:

“We responded to the pandemic in two ways: how do we prevent the spread, and how do we respond to people who need care because they’ve been exposed?” said Heritage. “On the prevention pathway, we opened three new shelters in a 10-day period to get people spread far enough apart. On the response pathway, we opened a new medical shelter so that we could make sure that people who were exposed to COVID or had COVID had a place to stay where they could get the care that they needed.”

CSB was founded on the idea that a public-private partnership was the most powerful way to respond to homelessness. Today, all funding for homeless programs and permanent supportive housing in Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, flows through CSB. This includes funding from federal sources, city and county governments, and the United Way of Central Ohio. In addition, CSB raises significant funding from private sector corporations, foundations and individuals.

“The most important thing I learned during the pandemic is that we can get things done in a fast, efficient, and, most importantly, innovative way,” said Heritage. “I hope that we don’t lose that when we go back to whatever normal is.”

To help address needs like this, the Nationwide Foundation assesses and awards grants to support organizations that provide emergency and basic needs and crisis stabilization. CSB is one of many recipients that benefit. Since 2000, the Foundation has contributed more than $550 million to nonprofit organizations to help meet crucial needs in those communities.

“The Nationwide Foundation provides beyond the financial support and resources that we need to get things done. They provide thought leadership and are a true partner,” said Heritage. “Many of the innovative things that we’ve been able to do are in partnership with the Nationwide Foundation at the table. They want to know how things are done because they want to know what works here in central Ohio and take those learnings to other communities.”

Heritage believes that what CSB learned during the pandemic will have a positive future impact.

“Anything is possible when people work together. Everyone came together to immediately respond to the most vulnerable in our community. Things that might have seemed impossible or taken much, much longer pre-pandemic, happened because they needed to happen.”

Visit csb.org for more information about how to help rebuild the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County.

“Research shows that nearly 20 million people are working from home and that number is expected to grow to more than 36 million by 2025¹,” said Chetan Kandhari, Nationwide’s Chief Innovation and Digital Officer. “The time is right for people who work from home to revisit their current insurance protections to make sure they have coverage that fits their unique needs – and aren’t overpaying for it.”

Bundling coverages can help those working from home save on their insurance. However, a new Nationwide survey^* finds that almost a third of consumers (29%) are leaving savings on the table by not bundling and they’re doing so because they think they already have the right coverage at the right price. But for many Americans, their situations - including work locations - have changed since the last time they re-assessed their insurance needs.

“As we navigate this ‘new normal,’ Nationwide is creating convenient bundles that will save people money while servicing their distinctive needs, including those now working remotely,” said Beth Riczko, Nationwide’s president of Personal Lines Property & Casualty.

Nationwide’s new “Work From Home Insurance” is a package of auto, home/renters, and identity theft coverage options for consumers working and living in today’s new world. The insurance industry’s first-ever protection bundle designed for those working from home will be available in more than 30 states across the country this summer with plans to include additional states and coverages in the future. The offering is available online only and allows consumers to get a quote for the bundled insurance package in just a few easy steps.

“The places and ways we work are evolving, and Nationwide understands that how consumers work has an impact on their personal protection needs,” said Riczko. “This first-of-its-kind Work From Home Insurance bundle is part of Nationwide’s commitment to developing protections for unique moments and situations in a customer’s life and providing them through an end-to-end digital experience.”  

Work From Home Insurance bundle includes: 

• Homeowners/Renters insurance: Now that a person’s home is more than just a place to live, we’ve included coverages and options to help protect the things they care about, including those in their home office.
• Usage-based auto insurance: Working from home, even a few days a week, can change someone’s insurance needs. Nationwide offers personalized savings based on driving habits.
• Identity Theft: As people use their home networks more than ever before, their data is more vulnerable. Nationwide offers protection in the event of a data breach.

For more information about the new protection package, visit https://yourinsurancebundle.nationwide.com.

*Survey Methodology:
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Intelligence to conduct a 20-minute quantitative online survey among a sample of 400 independent insurance agents and 1,000 general consumers between February 5 – February 19 to help position agents and associates as credible and knowledgeable about complex consumer and industry-specific trends. As a member of CASRO in good standing, Edelman Intelligence conducts all research in accordance with Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

¹ https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/economist-report-future-workforce.

Thresher started his Nationwide career in 1996 following nearly 20 years at KPMG, where he was responsible for the Nationwide account. He helped establish and broaden Nationwide's financial services footprint, helping to take Nationwide Financial public in 1997 as its vice president of finance and treasurer. He became president of NF in 2004. Today, Nationwide's financial services business drives half of the company's revenues. 

“Mark leaves an incredible legacy of strategic and people-centered leadership at Nationwide,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “His focus on growth and profitability, along with being a champion for professional development, diversity and inclusion, and community service, has impacted associates and community members alike throughout his 40-plus years in the industry.” 

Throughout his tenure as CFO, Thresher has emphasized building and maintaining Nationwide's capital strength, with the company consistently earning A+ ratings from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. This, in turn, has enabled the company to maintain its obligations while also making key acquisitions to expand Nationwide's portfolio and capabilities. Key acquisitions included the 2012 merger with Harleysville Mutual Insurance company expanding Nationwide’s geographic reach and distribution among independent agents, as well as the acquisition of Jefferson National in 2016, expanding the company's distribution capabilities with registered investment advisors. 

An advocate for community and industry service, along with serving on the Otterbein board, Thresher is a member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance and has served as chair of COSI Columbus. He also has served on the advisory board for ODW Logistics, Inc. Thresher was inducted into the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence in April 2017. 

Tim Frommeyer will succeed Thresher as Nationwide's Chief Financial Officer and will be a part of the Nationwide executive leadership team. Frommeyer began his career with Nationwide in 1986 as an actuarial student and advanced through positions of increasing responsibility, including chief actuary for financial services, chief financial officer for that organization, and most recently as chief financial officer for both financial services and property & casualty under Thresher. 

“Nationwide has tremendous talent and bench strength that contribute to our strong succession planning efforts,” said Walker. “This thorough planning will enable a smooth transition for our businesses and associates.” 

Frommeyer is a mathematics graduate of Xavier University, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. He is a member of the board of trustees for the Columbus Metropolitan Library and serves on the board of the Women’s Care Center. 

In addition to Nationwiders honoring the LGBTQ community this June, some pets are taking part in the celebration as well. Through the company’s virtual pet parade, employees are able to submit photos of their furry friends in their pride attire for coworkers across the company to enjoy.

"We love and celebrate every pet — and their person," says Heidi Sirota, Nationwide's Chief Pet Officer.

Take a look at some of the images Nationwide employees are sharing.

That is, until she started her career at Nationwide.  

Early in her Nationwide journey, she noticed her coworkers had pictures of their partners – of all colors and creeds – on their desks. Seeing her fellow lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) Nationwiders bringing their authentic selves to work empowered her to do the same.  

“I found my tribe,” said Miller. “In that moment, I knew I belonged, and I was very proud to be an employee in a company that allowed me to be my true self every single day and minute of the year.”

For Miller and many other LGBTQ employees, the impact of that feeling of belonging has been profound.  

“When I can bring my whole self to work, I can do my best work,” said Miller, who is a manager of Learning Operations and VP of the Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Nationwide.  

Other employees agree.  

“I've been an out gay man at Nationwide since I started, and I've never once felt like I needed to hide that,” said Tim Kasper, digital communication product manager at Nationwide. “Pride Month is a unique time to celebrate in the victories of brave individuals who have dedicated their lives to the goal of full equity for the LGBTQ community.”  

“But,” added Kasper, “Nationwide is committed to inclusivity year-round.”  

This Pride Month, Nationwide is celebrating and recognizing the impact LGBTQ individuals have had throughout history.

Nationwide’s culture of inclusion  
Nationwide’s support of LGBTQ communities begins in the workplace, where a thriving Pride ERG hosts educational events, innovative discussions and is a safe space for building community throughout the year.  

“It’s amazing and reassuring to know I can be my authentic self at work,” says Miller. “People have also asked me about ways to become a better ally — and knowing I can help others learn more about the LGBTQ community is a step toward making our company an even better place to work and our world a better place to live.”  

The Columbus, Ohio-based company was one of the first in the state to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits and to add the LGTBQ employee information into its health surveys. Nationwide also offers gender-neutral bathrooms throughout its campuses and provides meaningful ways for employees to self-identify as a member of—or ally to—the LGBTQ community.

“Our number one value, valuing people, is reflected in the programs we’ve implemented over the years,” said Vinita Clements, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Nationwide. “Pride Month is the perfect time to honor the LGBTQ community by celebrating the qualities that make us unique. As a company that values people, Nationwide’s inclusion efforts are reinforced through programs and community partnerships that promote equity.”  

Nationwide has been recognized for its commitment to inclusivity.  

• Human Rights Campaign Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality (100% Corporate Equality Index rating for 17 consecutive years)
• Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (9 years)
• Fortune’s Best Companies for Diversity (5 years)
• Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For (six consecutive years)
• Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance (5 years)

Miller says, “We don’t just talk about it, we are about it,” as she reflects on Nationwide executives showing support of the LGBTQ community by participating alongside them in Pride parades.  

“At Nationwide, we want all employees to feel valued, respected, and able to bring their best selves to work every day,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion runs deep, and it’s a commitment that continues to evolve and grow stronger. This month, I’m proud to join Nationwide in celebrating and recognizing the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had throughout history.”  

Supporting employees in communities where they live and work  
Nationwide’s commitment to inclusion doesn’t stop with its employees. The company has pledged support, time and resources to organizations doing impactful work to champion LGBTQ rights in communities where thy live and work.  

“Nationwide supports Pride events across the country,” said Kasper, who is also president of the Pride ERG. “The way we show our support is really meaningful. Seeing my employer sponsor and attend these events and be vocal is exciting.”  

Nationwide’s support of the LGBTQ community remains as strong as ever – from inviting and supporting national and local organizations like:

• Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
• Equitas Health, whose mission is to be the gateway to good health for those at risk of or affected by HIV, for the LGBTQ community, and for those seeking a welcoming healthcare home in Columbus.
• Stonewall Columbus, which works to increase visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ community in Columbus.
• OneIowa, which has a mission to advance, empower, and improve the lives of LGBTQ Iowans statewide.
• Iowa Safe Schools, whose mission is to provide safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments and communities for LGBTQ and allied youth through education, outreach, advocacy, and direct services in Des Moines, Iowa.
• One*n*Ten, which serves LGBTQ youth and young adults ages 11-24 in Scottsdale.

After receiving more than 1,000 nominations in the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, a key piece of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners announced grain rescue tubes and training will be provided to the following 48 fire departments:

1. Alexander Rescue Squad, Taylorsville, NC
2. Aurelius Volunteer Fire Department, Auburn, NY
3. Berlin Fire Department, Berlin, WI
4. Bloomington Fire, Bloomington, WI
5. Cambridge Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Cambridge Springs, PA
6. Camden-Wyoming Fire Company, Camden, DE
7. Citizens Volunteer Fire Company, Fawn Grove, PA
8. City of Mount Vernon Fire Department, Mount Vernon, IL
9. Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District, Clarksville, OH
10. Clontarf Fire Department, Clontarf, MN
11. Coggon Fire Department / Linn County District 7, Coggon, IA
12. Downs Fire Department, Downs, KS
13. East Pembroke Fire Department, Batavia, NY
14. Fair Grove Fire Protection District, Fair Grove, MO
15. Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, Fillmore, IN
16. Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, Edinboro, PA
17. Friendsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Friendsville, MD
18. Grundy County Emergency Management, Grundy Center, IA
19. Jerome Township Division of Fire, Plain City, OH
20. Kewanee Community Fire Protection District, Kewanee, IL
21. Larned Fire Department, Larned, KS
22. Madelia Fire Department, Madelia, MN
23. Malden Fire Department, Malden, MO
24. Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department, Maxwell, TX
25. Mayville Fire & Rescue, Mayville, ND
26. Mendon Fire Department, Mendon, IL
27. Nemaha County Rural Fire District #4, Bern, KS
28. New Baden Fire Protection District, New Baden, IL
29. North Bollinger County Fire Protection District, Patton, MO
30. North Callaway Fire Protection District, Kingdom City, MO
31. Northrop Fire Department, Northrop, MN
32. Orlinda Volunteer Fire Department, Orlinda, TN
33. Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, Oxford, IA
34. Pembina Fire Department, Pembina, ND
35. Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department, Pikeville, TN
36. Rawlinsville Volunteer Fire Company, Holtwood, PA
37. Ripley Fire Department, Ripley, OH
38. Ronda Community Volunteer Fire Department, Ronda, NC
39. Rugby Volunteer Fire Department, Rugby, ND
40. Sargent Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Sargent, NE
41. Sequoyah County Rural Fire Protection District #1, Gore, OK
42. Sesser Fire Protection District, Sesser, IL
43. Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, Medina, NY
44. Summit Volunteer Fire Department, Summit, SD
45. Tri-County Fire Department, Waller, TX
46. Valley View Milling, Seneca, KS
47. Willards Volunteer Fire Department, Willards, MD
48. Xenia Fire Department, Xenia, IL

“It only takes seconds, or a simple mistake, for an adult to sink in the quicksand-like flow of grain and become fully entrapped or engulfed,” said Brad Liggett, Nationwide’s president of Agribusiness. “Adding to the risk is a lack of rescue equipment available to local fire departments and emergency responders who are called for help when a worker becomes trapped.”

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, will deliver the rescue tubes and training to the winning fire departments throughout 2021, traveling to each location with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators and rescue tubes. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

“Since 2014, Nationwide has made it a mission to bring an end to this industry issue by raising awareness of the dangers and collecting funds to supply needed equipment to front line rescuers tasked with responding when accidents occur,” said Liggett. “With long-standing roots in agriculture, we’re thankful for the work America’s farmers do and for the contributions of our valuable partners who help us make a difference in rural communities.”

With 2021 donations included, Nationwide and partners have supplied these resources to 200 departments across 30 states. At least four fire departments have utilized their rescue tubes and training to successfully rescue entrapped workers.

Nationwide is continuing to work with partners throughout 2021 to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved and sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2019

The oldest, nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery, Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The legacy of Juneteenth shows the values of deep hope and never giving up in uncertain times and marks the nation’s second Independence Day. 

Virtually and in-person, Nationwide employees came together to reflect on the deep historical significance of Juneteenth and ways to honor the holiday by supporting Nationwide’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.  

As an organization dedicated to the protection of people, Nationwide has for years undertaken efforts to influence positive change, create opportunity and support social justice with multi-year, multimillion-dollar investments to local and national programs, such as the National Fair Housing Alliance, the Equal Justice Initiative and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Additional ongoing efforts include: 

• Launching the Financial Alliance for Racial Equity in 2020, a coalition of financial services industry partners and historically Black colleges and universities dedicated to attracting, developing and retaining a more diverse workforce in the financial services industry. 

• Decades of advocating for equity through partnerships with organizations like: National Fair Housing Alliance, National Urban League, UnidosUS, Human Rights Campaign, HBCUs and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Executive Leadership Council, Black Enterprise and Catalyst. 

• Ongoing internal efforts to identify tangible ways for the company to combat racism and promote social justice through the lens of a Social Justice Task Force made up of diverse leaders across the company. 

• Continued commitment to having a diverse Board of Directors and leadership team alongside robust DEI and supplier diversity programs. 

• Support for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission’s Economic Empowerment Day, which took place on June 1. 

To: Nationwide Employees

Today is a historic and momentous day as the President officially declared Juneteenth a federal holiday, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. As the bill was signed, I couldn’t help but remember our companywide Unity Day, celebrated together almost exactly one year ago as we committed to do even more in the social justice space. For myself and many others, the day made a lasting impact. I would offer that throughout my entire tenure at Nationwide, that day was by far the most impactful.

At Nationwide, we value people and we recognize that our differences make us stronger. We are united in creating a workplace where all associates feel valued and respected. In alignment with our values and inclusive culture, and the opportunity created by the addition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, I’m proud to share that we are adding a “Unity Day” holiday to our Nationwide paid time off benefits.

Unity Day, which takes effect immediately, is an inclusive day for you to celebrate and reflect on what is meaningful to you. For many, we anticipate it will be a religious or cultural day of importance. Each calendar year, including this year, you’ll have the opportunity to choose which day will be your Unity Day holiday. My ask is that on Unity Day, you take a few moments to think about supporting and uplifting each other as allies, friends and colleagues. Let’s also continue to educate ourselves and embrace new perspectives as we advance diversity, equity and inclusion.

We’ll communicate details about how to record your holiday in Workday in the near future. In the meantime, I invite you to participate in Nationwide’s Juneteenth program scheduled for 11 a.m. ET tomorrow (Friday).

Thank you for living our values and continuing to stand together as One Nationwide.

Kirt Walker, CEO

However, nonprofit organizations themselves are highly vulnerable to economic uncertainty. New Agent Authority research from Nationwide found 81% of nonprofit decision makers are concerned about their organization’s ability to make it through the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19.

With nearly 6-in-10 nonprofits negatively impacted by COVID-19, challenges are steep. One-in-three nonprofit decision makers believe mental health problems and opioid use among the patients they serve are increasing. Additionally, 83% report the pandemic has exacerbated challenges associated with treating patients with opioid addiction. Further, 80% of nonprofit organizations are struggling to find enough employees or volunteers to administer their services.

Despite the mounting challenges facing the sector, nonprofit decision makers are optimistic for the economy and their business’ improvement over the next six and 12 months.

“To overcome the burdens they face, many nonprofits have adapted their operations or brought on new strategies to keep their business going,” said Cheryl Tamasitis, Regional Vice President of Nationwide’s Specialty Care practice. “Many organizations are investing in technology and it’s important for agents to understand how those investments may change clients’ operations and the risks they face.”

Through the pandemic, 1-in-5 nonprofits didn’t have proper technology in place to maintain operations or accommodate social distancing among employees, patients, or community members. Today, these organizations overwhelmingly say they’ve invested in technology in the past year to keep their organization going (92%), to meet the changing needs of their clients (91%), and to monitor employee or volunteer efficiency (91%).

These investments, and the pandemic’s lingering impacts, have caused nonprofits to rely more on technology now than ever before.

Interestingly, a top concern for nonprofit operators is the safety of workers driving company vehicles, yet less than half are taking advantage of vehicle telematics to monitor and improve safe driving behaviors.

“Telematics programs, like Nationwide’s Vantage 360 Premium Partner Program, offer easy ways for nonprofit organizations to improve their fleet safety while also leveraging operational benefits that can help them save on their bottom line,” said Tamasitis.

The survey also revealed multiple areas of opportunity for nonprofit-serving insurance agents to counsel clients on the pressing issues they’re facing:

          1. Many nonprofit owners struggle with understanding their insurance coverage and seek agents with deep knowledge in their industry

More than 80% of nonprofit owners say they have difficulties with following insurance terminology or understanding the best coverage or level of protection needed for their organization. To help with these worries, nearly 90% say it’s important that they work with an agent with specialized knowledge and training in their industry who’s able to meet their complex needs.

Agent takeaway: Nonprofit-focused agents should look for ways to demonstrate their unique understanding of their clients’ particular needs and their ability to offer the combination of insurance solutions and loss control services needed to adequately protect them.

          2. As reliance on technology continues to grow, agents can advise clients about safe and efficient use

One-third of nonprofit owners are seeking an insurance agent’s guidance on implementing new technology in their operations. The survey also revealed 65% of nonprofit business owners have been victim to a cyberattack, and more than half say the attacks had a financial impact on their business or jeopardized confidential patient information. Although 80% reported having cyber insurance coverage, 33% of those without cyber insurance say they didn’t know it was available.

Agent takeaway: With cyberthreats increasing, especially as work takes place from workers’ homes, agents will play a key role in helping clients understand their current and future cyber risks as clients rely more on technology.

“Nationwide offers a dedicated team of nonprofit industry experts, across underwriting, loss control and claims, who can help agents provide the comprehensive protection their clients need in tandem with risk management approaches to improve safety across the organization,” said Tamasitis. “A lack of protection can be incredibly costly for these budget-strapped businesses, so it’s critical to work with a carrier with deep expertise and a breadth of solutions to be able to cover the wide-ranging exposures nonprofit clients can face.”

"Rae Ann brings broad experience leading legal support for Nationwide’s various lines of business, a demonstrated history of building strong partnerships across Nationwide's business portfolio as well as an extensive understanding of our regulatory environment," said Nationwide Chief Legal Officer Mark Howard. 

Since 2011, Dankovic has led the Nationwide Financial’s legal team supporting Nationwide's financial service businesses including life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, corporate solutions and mutual funds, along with their respective products, services, operations, and distribution channels.

Dankovic joined Nationwide in 1993. Prior to leading NF Legal, she led the Allied and Nationwide Agribusiness legal team in Des Moines, Iowa. Over her years at Nationwide, she has also provided legal, regulatory, and legislative support to a variety of Nationwide clients, including P&C claims, underwriting, and regional operations. 

Rae Ann is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit, and she is licensed to practice law in Michigan, Ohio, and Iowa. She has earned her CLU^®, ChFC^®, CPCU and AIC designations, and she is currently completing her Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP) designation. She is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity MidOhio and serves on their Board of Directors.

The two companies announced a digital partnership that will provide Nationwide customers with a choice-shopping experience complete with car insurance quotes from multiple insurers through Nationwide’s Digital Brokerage Solution. The partnership stems from Nationwide’s venture capital investments in Insurify – investing initially in 2017 and following on in 2020.

“Nationwide is committed to putting the power of choice in the hands of our customers,” said Angie Klett, Nationwide’s senior vice president of Corporate Development. “This new collaboration with Insurify is a great example of how Nationwide is leveraging our relationships with insurtech partners to make our breadth of products and solutions available to our customers and partners.”  

Through the platform built by Insurify, customers will have access to a tailored car insurance purchase experience, allowing them to compare car insurance quotes, coverage, and policies from Nationwide and other insurance companies at the same place. Customers can then buy the policy of their choice either online or over the phone. Over time, Nationwide’s Digital Brokerage solution will be available to customers and partners in all states. 

“Nationwide has been a great partner for Insurify over the years and we are excited to enable their vision to better serve customers on Nationwide.com or through their strategic partnerships with other major brands,” Snejina Zacharia, Insurify CEO and founder said. “Our strategic partnership is a testament of the growing trend that consumers want choice and transparency.”

Customers can access Nationwide’s Digital Brokerage Solution by visiting www.nationwide.com.