Nominations Open for 2026 Outstanding CSR of the Year Award
Big “I” Nebraska is now accepting nominations for the next “Outstanding CSR of the Year!”
Nominate your best customer service representatives or account managers to compete for the Outstanding CSR of the Year award. The competition, run by The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, is open to any insurance customer service representatives, account managers or candidates primarily responsible for customer service. Candidates interested in participating in the competition may also nominate themselves.
A professional designation, such as CIC or CISR, is not required. However, The Alliance recommends that candidates have a minimum of two years of industry experience and enough experience to share through their essays.
Submit your nomination by completing the Nomination Form (PDF) and emailing it to brooklyn.dawe@biginebraska.org by July 22.
Once a nomination is received, our Big “I” Nebraska team will reach out to the nominee with next steps, including the entry form and submission details. Entry materials will be due by July 29.
Along with the entry form that includes references, education/contribution/achievement information, eligible candidates must:
- Submit letters of recommendation from business/professional references
- Submit a 500-1,000-word essay on the following topic:
- “This essay is inspired by Love Letters, a brief self-reflection activity designed to help you reconnect with what you love about this industry and your professional journey within it. It offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and articulate the passion, growth, and purpose that shape who you are as a CSR today—and who you aspire to be in the future.
In your essay, reflect on what you love about this industry—what first drew you to it, what continues to inspire you, and why the work matters to you. Consider your professional journey, including key moments, challenges, or milestones that have shaped your growth, the skills and values you are most proud of developing, and how these experiences have influenced the way you show up in your role. As part of this reflection, look ahead by sharing how your passions and experiences continue to motivate you, the impact you hope to make moving forward, and how you see yourself contributing to the continued success and evolution of this industry.”
- “This essay is inspired by Love Letters, a brief self-reflection activity designed to help you reconnect with what you love about this industry and your professional journey within it. It offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and articulate the passion, growth, and purpose that shape who you are as a CSR today—and who you aspire to be in the future.
The IIAN Executive Committee will judge the candidates’ entry forms to choose a state winner for Nebraska.
The announcement of Nebraska’s winner will be made in October once The Alliance releases the names of all the state winners. Each state winner receives national recognition, a framed certificate and advancement to the national competition.
State winners will be required to submit a short video entry for the national competition. Video guidelines will be sent to state winners when selected.
If your nominee is named the national winner, you’ll receive a $1,000 cash award!
For more information, visit The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance website.
View Big “I” Nebraska’s past Outstanding CSR of the Year winners on our Awards & Recognition page.