Celebrating Our 2026 Scholarship Winners

September 9, 2026  

Invest is pleased to announce the award four $5,000 scholarships to students pursuing insurance-related college degrees. A nonprofit organization, Invest provides free insurance and risk management curriculum and resources to high schools across the U.S. to educate, inspire and attract the next generation of insurance professionals.

“These exceptional students represent the future of the insurance,” said Whitnee Dillard of Invest. “Their academic achievements, leadership, and enthusiasm for insurance distinguish them as emerging professionals. We are proud to invest in their education and look forward to supporting them as they develop their talents and begin making their mark on our industry.”   

Scholarship applicants submitted essays describing how Invest influenced their career plans. Recipients were selected based on the quality of their essays, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and interviews with insurance professionals in their communities. Teacher recommendation letters were also considered for evidence of leadership and a demonstrated passion for a future in the insurance industry.   

“On behalf of Invest, I am honored to congratulate our 2026 scholarship recipients,” said Nancy Nicklow, chairperson of Invest and president of Huff Insurance in Pasadena, Maryland. ” These students have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their future careers. The independent insurance industry depends on talented young professionals like these scholarship winners to drive innovation, strengthen communities, and ensure that consumers continue to receive trusted guidance and protection.”

The @026 scholarship winners are:

Brady Graham, William Boone High School, Florida   

Sameer Shehrawat, Windermere High School, Florida   

Aaron Stoller, Cooper City High School, Florida    

Logan Weitzner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Florida   

The 2026 scholarship winners will join past scholarship winner in the Invest Hall of Fame. They will also connect with Invest board members twice a year for mentorship throughout their college careers.

Scholarships are funded through corporate and individual contributions. This year, Invest is pleased to recognize and thank Central Florida Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Society as a new scholarship fundraising partner.

“The CPCU Society of Central Florida is excited to support and celebrate Invest’s 2026 scholarship recipients,” says Peggy Brown, vice president of the Central Florida CPCU Society. ”We are honored to empower these talented students to continue their education, plan for their careers, and develop into future leaders of our industry. Many congratulations to these students on this incredible achievement!”      

Invest also extends special thanks to longtime supporter and board member Vertafore for its annual scholarship contribution in memory of Brent Rineck, a past chairman of NetVU and a dedicated advocate for insurance education and technology innovation. Vertafore and Central Florida Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Society are both scholarship funding partners.  

Thank you to the Invest Board – Aartrijk; American Property Casualty Insurance Association; Amerisure; Applied Systems; Chubb; CNA; Dryden Mutual Insurance; Grange Insurance; The Hanover Insurance Group; HSB; Liberty Mutual Insurance; National General, an Allstate Company; Progressive; Selective Insurance; The Institutes; Travelers; Vertafore; Westfield Insurance; and WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation. 

Thank you to other Invest Supporters – ACORD; AF Group; Allied World; Appalachian State University; Berkley; Boone Ritter Insurance; Huff Insurance; Insuring Ohio Futures; Kathy Conley-Jones Consults; Martin & Zerfoss; MISSION; Oliver L.E. Soden Agency; Risk Management Solutions of America; The Institutes CPCU Society Central Florida Chapter; Tower Hill Insurance; Townley-Kenton; University of North Texas; WebCE; Watson Insurance Agency; and VW Brown Insurance Service. 

For more than 50 years, Invest has helped develop future insurance professionals through classroom education, scholarships, and industry engagement.  To date, Invest has reached more than 35,000 students across nearly 1,000 high schools nationwide.

 Connect with the Invest team to learn how you can help   prepare the next generation of insurance professionals by supporting student scholarships, sharing your expertise or connecting the program with a high school in your community.