UW-Stevens Point, Sentry announce Ruth E. Salzmann Center for Women’s Leadership

Salzmann set a standard in business leadership more than sixty years ago, becoming the first woman president of the international Casualty Actuarial Society and Sentry’s first female vice president and board member. The naming of the UW-Stevens Point center in Salzmann’s honor ensures her legacy will live on, inspiring future women leaders and serving as a powerful example.

“The center is a beacon for students and emerging leaders who will now have the chance to learn about and apply the timeless lessons and values of Ruth’s legacy to shape and inform their individual paths to leadership,” said Pratima Gandhi, UW-Stevens Point interim chancellor. “The university is grateful for this $250,000 gift from Sentry to name the center in Ruth’s honor and empower all students.”

Shortly after joining Sentry in 2010, McPartland met Salzmann, resulting in a friendship and series of conversations over the years.

“She brought Sentry’s past to life,” he said. “Through our discussions, I came to understand not just what she accomplished, but who she was. Ruth’s insight and perspective shaped how I lead today.”

Salzmann left a lasting mark on the insurance industry. Her Salzmann Curves, used in the insurance industry to evaluate exposure ratings, guided property insurance pricing for more than 40 years. Her paper “Rating by Layer of Insurance” became required reading for actuarial students across the nation, and she developed statutory loss reserve schedules.

According to Stephanie Smith, president of the Sentry Insurance Foundation, in every way, the center reflects Ruth E. Salzmann’s legacy: forward-thinking, principled, and empowering.

“Ruth was respected for her high ethical standards, and she would be pleased to know that her career and life have influenced and inspired others and will continue to do so for years to come,” Smith said. “In addition to the center bearing her name, we look forward to celebrating the Ruth E. Salzmann Center for Women’s Leadership when Sentry Hall opens in 2029.”

Beyond her actuarial work, Salzmann was a published author, consultant, and expert witness on insurance matters. She was named a distinguished alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business in 1984 and was recognized by Business Insurance magazine as one of the 100 Leading Women in 2000. She was also a musician and athlete, playing cornet with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and ranking second among Wisconsin women’s tennis players in 1950.

“With programming initiatives already underway, the Ruth E. Salzmann Center for Women’s Leadership will serve as a cornerstone of growth and empowerment at UWSP,” said Leah Bertrand, a Sentry School student in the Master of Business Administration program and center intern. “Ruth E. Salzmann’s legacy as a woman trailblazer in her role as the first female actuary at Sentry inspires the work I am proud to be part of.”

“As a woman who is passionate about leadership and creating positive change, I am excited to reflect on Salzmann's leadership and see firsthand the impact that the center will have on students like me,” Bertrand said.

The center will be highlighted at the Women Trailblazers Conference at UW-Stevens Point Wednesday, Oct. 22. The conference develops leaders by showcasing women trailblazers, founders, and entrepreneurs from every sector including professionals, artists, volunteers, students and parents. Registration is available at the website.

UWSP’s Sentry School of Business and Economics creates career ready graduates and leaders by providing professional development experiences, access to employers and in-demand skills. Through its outreach programs, the Sentry School connects with dozens of employer partners across Wisconsin and the United States, guaranteeing students an internship experience. One of the largest programs at UWSP, the school was named after a large gift from long-time partner Sentry in 2022. Majors include accounting, business administration, business economics, data analytics, finance, management and marketing as well as an MBA in applied leadership and decision-making. The Sentry School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an achievement earned by only 5% of the world’s schools offering business degrees.