DES MOINES, Iowa — EMC Insurance Companies has announced several officer elections and elevations:

Lucreia Smith, MBA, CPCU, AINS, has been promoted to vice president – strategy execution where she will oversee the strategic execution of business priority goals and organizational change. Smith joined EMC six years ago and most recently held the title of assistant vice president – change management. She received a bachelor’s degree in business management from Roosevelt University in Chicago and a Master of Business Administration degree from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.

Karey Anderson, CFA, has been named vice president – portfolio manager. She is involved with all facets of the investment process, including implementing philosophy and strategy for the investment portfolio of member companies. Anderson joined EMC 19 years ago as an Associate Securities Analyst and has served in various investment management positions since that time. She holds bachelor’s degrees in both finance and economics from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Derek Dunnagan, MBA, FCAS, CPCU, has been promoted to vice president – pricing and modeling, co-leading the company’s actuary department. Dunnagan joined EMC in 2017 as an assistant vice president – principal actuary. He received a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois and a Master of Business Administration degree from National Louis University in Chicago.

Sarah Buckley, APR, was elected assistant vice president – community involvement, overseeing charitable giving, media relations, social media and volunteerism at the company. She also serves as the Executive Director of the EMC Insurance Foundation. Buckley joined the company in 2019 as director – community involvement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Lee Henderson, J.D., CIPP/US, has been named assistant vice president – associate general counsel – contracts and privacy. Henderson provides legal expertise in the areas of contract negotiation and management, information privacy and security, innovation and real estate. He joined EMC in 2016 as a staff attorney. Henderson received a bachelor’s degree in history from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and a Juris Doctor degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Natali Justiniano Pahl, MBA, has been promoted to assistant vice president – team member development where she will lead people development strategies for the company. Justiniano Pahl joined EMC in 2020 as director – team member development. She received a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

About EMC Insurance Companies

EMC Insurance Companies is among the top 60 property/casualty insurance organizations in the country based on net written premium, with more than 2,400 employees. Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC) was organized in 1911 to write workers’ compensation protection in Iowa. Today, operating under the trade name EMC Insurance Companies, the company provides property and casualty insurance products and services throughout the United States and writes reinsurance contracts worldwide. EMCC is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit emcins.com.