Eric Johnson
2024 Central Illinois CPCU Chapter President
Analyst, Operational Strategy & Modernization - State Farm
Eric enjoys volunteering with the Central Illinois CPCU chapter, always looking for ways to deepen his knowledge of the Insurance industry. As an Underwriting Analyst at State Farm Insurance within Operational Strategy and Modernization, Eric supports budget and expense activities that includes staffing and hiring within P&C Underwriting. Eric enjoys all things sports including coaching his 13 year daughter's softball team and watching his beloved Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tiger football teams. Eric currently serves as President of the CICPCU. Eric holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration at Columbia College – Missouri and has earned the CPCU, CLU, and AIC designations.
Congressman Darin LaHood
Congressman Darin LaHood, born and raised in Peoria, serves the constituents of the 16th District of Illinois. Originally sworn into the US House of Representatives on September 17, 2015, after winning a special election, he won re-election to serve his fourth full term in Congress on November 8, 2022.
Prior to his election to Congress, LaHood served four years in the Illinois State Senate, beginning in 2011. LaHood spent more than nine years as a State and Federal Prosecutor. From 2001-2006, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada and was selected as the Chief Terrorism Prosecutor. LaHood has also served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County and Tazewell County. From 2006 up until his election to the House of Representatives, he practiced with the Peoria law firm of Miller, Hall & Triggs.
Xiaohui Lu, Ph.D. VP Global Business Development
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Xiaohui Lu, currently serving as the VP of Global Business Development at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, has focused on developing data and analytics opportunities in the fast-growing U.S. Electric Vehicles (EVs) sector since 2023. Prior to this role, he started the China Insurance business for LexisNexis Risk Solutions and, as Managing Director, grew this business into a leading provider of data and analytics solutions, including innovative solutions for underwriting EVs, to Chinese auto insurers. Earlier in his career, Dr. Lu innovated products for U.S. personal auto insurance market and consulted leading insurers on pricing strategies. Dr. Lu earned a Ph.D. degree in Biophysics and a M.Sc. degree in Computer Sciences from Harvard University, as well as a B.Sc. degree from Nanjing University, China.
David Hundley
Staff Machine Learning Engineer
David Hundley is a staff machine learning engineer at State Farm. He has specialized in bringing AI/ML to optimize practices around insurance operations and more recently has been focus on bringing Generative AI into the organization. Outside of State Farm, David is also an AI/ML blogger and conducts live coding streams teaching others various aspects of machine learning.
Michael J. Koscielny
CEO, Founder Born2Lead LLC
After nearly 45 years building and leading effective underwriting, sales, product and operations teams, Mike is focusing on his next mission and his true calling. Mike’s passion is sharing his real life experiences alongside his grasp of the fundamentals for success in business and in life.
Teaching and coaching are just some of his superpowers, his openness and willingness to share is what makes him a "builder of people." Mike is CEO and Founder of Born2Lead LLC.
Mike’s impact on the insurance industry is legendary. His easy-going, engaging presentation style captivates his audiences. Mike inspires people by his actions and his own words to “lean in”. Truly a lifelong learner, tying together desire and ability to learn is a powerful combination. He two college degrees (BS and MBA) and a long list of insurance designations.
Mike’s deep roots start with his commitment to ethical behavior, professionally and in his personal life. He lives it and teaches it. He is now creating his newest legacy, inspired by his grandfathers, to be the best "Poppa" he can be. Mike would tell you his most favorite jobs are being a husband, dad, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Traci Adedeji
Founder & President Positive Paradigm Group
2024 President The Institutes CPCU Society Leadership Council
Traci is the founder and president of Positive Paradigm Group - a firm specializing in insurance education, professional development coaching and leadership training. She made history as the 2024 President & Chair of The Institutes’ CPCU Society by being the first Black woman in the organization’s 80-year history to serve in this role. An underwriter by training, Traci has over 30 years of insurance industry experience with expertise in personal lines and small business underwriting, technical training and talent development.
In addition to her role with the CPCU Society, Traci serves on the board of the Boston chapter of the National African American Insurance Association, and is board president of New England Basecamp, a non-profit organization that provides professional development and support for educators.
She was recently recognized as a 2024 Elite Woman by Insurance Business America magazine. Traci is a native of Newark, NJ, where she attended Rutgers University and currently resides in Attleboro, MA.
