What Top Performing Companies in the Finance and Insurance Industry Do Differently

The Incentive Research Foundation’s Top Performer Study examines what successful companies are doing differently regarding investments in incentives, rewards and recognition. During this session, our panel will drill down into the results of the study to examine best practices of top performing finance and insurance companies. They’ll discuss how key factors — including leadership support, collaboration across departments, program design, reward selection and budget — contribute to a strategy that maximizes the use of non-cash rewards to drive employee performance.

Stephanie Harris is the president of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), an organization that delivers research and education, and advocates for the use of non-cash incentives globally. Prior to joining IRF, Harris was part of the American Express meetings and events leadership team and was vice president of brand marketing and strategy at Maritz. She serves on the board of the Events Industry Council where she is chair-elect. She is a frequent speaker and has been honored by Smart Meetings, Eventex and NorthStar.

Rutger Hoorn is an accomplished event industry professional, content creator, relationship builder, explorer and father of three. Traveling throughout the year to connect and build lasting relationships, Hoorn ensures that memorable event experiences are created in his 100+ Ovation Global DMC destinations, as vice president of global sales and strategic partnerships. Rutger is a member of FICP's Hospitality Partner Advisory Committee and also serves on the board of trustees for IRF. With more than 18 years of experience as an event industry professional, Rutger carries FICP meetings professionals all over the globe to provide amazing experiences.

Kelsey Nicol is a vice president of strategic accounts at One10, a visionary partner with incentive and reward solutions that unlock human potential by engaging teams, motivating high performance and drive business success. With 20+ years in the industry, Kelsey brings a comprehensive perspective to the design and execution of incentives, events and recognition programs. Her diverse background spans operations, purchasing, account management and business development—across both the buyer and supplier sides of the business. She has served on the IRF Board of Trustees for the past five years.

Lori Allen (Moderator) serves as vice president of global events operations at MetLife and is proud to step into the role of incoming chair of the FICP Board of Directors. A passionate advocate for the power of live experiences, Lori has spent her career transforming how organizations connect through events. Her leadership blends strategic vision with a deep commitment to community, making her a trusted voice in the meetings and events industry. At this year’s FICP Annual Conference, Lori will moderate a collaborative panel with IRF, focused on trends in recognition and incentives — a fresh approach that highlights the evolving landscape of cross-industry partnerships and thought leadership.