St. John's University, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School, and Student Sponsor Partners join forces on workforce development initiative for NYC Students

New York, NY – [October 6, 2025] – St. John’s University, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School (CRB), and Student Sponsor Partners (SSP) are proud to announce a groundbreaking workforce development initiative, InsureFutures, that will provide 20 Cristo Rey Brooklyn students with paid work-study experiences at leading insurance companies across New York City. These three organizations and insurance industry partners will mark the launch of the InsureFutures program at St. John’s University Greenberg School of Risk Management on October 29, 2025.

This new partnership, generously supported by philanthropist William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, Chair of the St. John’s University Board of Trustees and Retired Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., and Student Sponsor Partners. The new initiative is designed to strengthen the education-to-career pipeline for students and address the need for workforce diversification in the insurance industry. By gaining early exposure to professional opportunities in the industry, high school students will receive on-the-job training, mentorship, access to professional networks, leadership development, and education and career pathways that foster lifelong success.

“Cristo Rey Brooklyn students work hard to balance rigorous academics with real-world job placements,” said Michael Motyl, President & CEO of Cristo Rey Brooklyn. “This program expands access to an entire career field for young people who might not otherwise see themselves represented there.”

At the heart of the initiative is a dual focus on college access and career readiness. Students in the program will receive priority consideration for admission to the St. John’s University Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science, positioning them for careers in the growing insurance and risk management fields. 

“This initiative embodies our mission to use education as a bridge to opportunity,” said Maciek Nowak, Ph.D., Dean at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s. “We are honored to work alongside Cristo Rey Brooklyn and Student Sponsor Partners to open doors for talented students while shaping the future of the insurance profession.”

Mr. Janetschek has been a long-time supporter of all three organizations and brought them together to envision and launch InsureFutures. Student work-study placements are hosted by leading insurance companies across New York City including AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc., AXA XL, Chubb, Everest Group, Ltd., Marsh, Starr, The Hartford, The Travelers Companies, Inc., and Vantage Risk, with the goal of students continuing the insurance pathway at St. John’s University and into their future careers.

"Our participation in InsureFutures is an investment in our next-generation workforce, ensuring that students will develop the skills to succeed while providing them with the kind of hands-on, real-world experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom," said Jeff Greenberg, Chairman and Co-CEO of Starr, a global investment and insurance organization. “Students will have the opportunity to apply their skills, problem-solve alongside our team, and gain invaluable career-focused knowledge."

“We are deeply grateful to Bill Janetschek and our partner insurance firms for helping us create meaningful opportunities for students who deserve them,” said Debra De Jesus-Vizzi, Executive Director of Student Sponsor Partners. “We have had long-standing partnerships with Cristo Rey Brooklyn and St. John’s University and are excited to create an even greater impact for New York City students by collaborating with them on the InsureFutures initiative. We’re confident this will have a far-reaching impact on these students and the industry as a whole and will inspire future generations of insurance industry leaders representative of the diversity of New York City.”

St. John’s University Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School, and Student Sponsor Partners will mark the launch of the InsureFutures initiative with a breakfast reception at the Greenberg School at 101 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003 on Wednesday, October 29, at 8:30 AM. Leaders from these three initiative partners will be present and available to answer questions, along with participating students and representatives from AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc., AXA XL, Chubb, Everest Group, Ltd., Marsh, Starr, The Hartford, The Travelers Companies, Inc., and Vantage Risk.

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About St. John’s University:

St. John’s University is a private, coeducational, Roman Catholic University founded in 1870 by the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians), with its main campus located in Queens, NY. St. John’s University also has campuses and locations in Manhattan, NY; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and Limerick, Ireland.  St. John’s University is comprised of six Schools and Colleges, including the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business (including the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science), The School of Education, and the School of Law.

About St. John’s University Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science:

The Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science was founded in 1901 as the Insurance Society of New York and over the years evolved into The College of Insurance (TCI).

In June 2001, TCI merged with St. John’s University, becoming part of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. From its location at 101 Astor Place in Manhattan’s East Village, St. John’s awards undergraduate, M.B.A., and M.S. degrees in the insurance, risk management, and actuarial science disciplines. Through its Tobin Center for Executive Education, the University provides education, training, and consulting services to industry, governments, and regulators worldwide.

The Greenberg School is a global leader in risk and insurance education and training and draws candidates from many regions of the world. All degree programs offered by The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, and thus by GSRM, are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

About Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School (CRB):

Located in the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens and accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School is a member of the 41-school Cristo Rey Network, the largest network of secondary schools in the country that exclusively serves students and families of limited economic means. Drawing close to 250 students from more than 60 zip codes across Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond, Cristo Rey Brooklyn is a Catholic college-preparatory school partnering with families of all creeds to educate deserving young people from underserved communities to become men and women of faith, purpose, and service. By integrating a rigorous curriculum, a unique work-study experience, and the support of an inclusive school community, CRB enables students to succeed in college and beyond with the values essential to a fulfilling life. 

About Student Sponsor Partners (SSP):

Student Sponsor Partners harnesses the power of quality education and mentorship to help New York City youth in underserved communities escape the cycle of poverty and reach their highest potential. For more than 39 years, Student Sponsor Partners has paired thousands of students across the five boroughs with sponsors who fund scholarships and education programs and mentors who guide them through their journeys. Evolving with the changing education and social landscapes, Student Sponsor Partners continues to create a far-reaching impact on students, their families, their communities, and beyond.

Media Contact:

Margaret Buttery

Director of Events, Student Sponsor Partners

mbuttery@sspnyc.org

917-746-2260