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About Us > Management > Susan Shoval, CPCU; President and Chief
Operating Officer
Susan W. Shoval is a founder and the president of GUARD Insurance
Group, the parent organization of a number of affiliates engaged in
property and casualty insurance activities. While under her
guidance, the organization has evolved into a significant, regional
carrier licensed in 44 states and the District of Columbia and
writing premium in excess of $200 million. Following 25 years of
steady but controlled growth in workers’ compensation insurance,
GUARD successfully merged with Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings,
Ltd., a public company trading on the Tel Aviv stock exchange, in
May 2007. Susan is now working with Clal toward realization of the
group’s ambitious plans to become an all-lines insurer.
During Susan’s tenure, GUARD has been recognized by A.M. Best
Company as an A- “Excellent” rated carrier and was also selected by
them as a 2004 finalist in e-Fusion – a national awards program
which spotlights innovative uses of technology to address insurance
business challenges. In 2001, the company was named one of the 50
Best Large Places to Work in Pennsylvania, achieving the rank of #2.
Less . . .
Susan is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) who
graduated magna cum laude in economics from Cornell University and
with highest honors in advanced studies from the College of
Insurance in New York City. She is a member of the Committee of 200
(a professional organization of preeminent women entrepreneurs and
corporate leaders throughout the country) and of a similar local
organization named Circle 200.
Susan’s professional and civic involvements currently include
serving as a director of Highmark, a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Company
and the largest health insurer in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
She is a director and officer of Wilkes University and the chair of
its Finance Committee. She is also a board member of The Institute
for Public Policy and Economic Development (formerly the Joint Urban
Studies Center), a “think tank” preparing research and strategies
for use by local governments and workforce development providers,
and she is co-chair of the Luzerne County Diversity Task Force.
Previous major associations have been with the Earth Conservancy (a
non-profit corporation for land reclamation and revitalization), the
United Way of Wyoming Valley, and Wyoming Seminary (a college
preparatory school) as well as several religious organizations.
Susan has received a number of leadership, community service, and
professional awards, including the following:
| 1993 |
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ATHENA award, which recognizes women who
have achieved success in both business and community
affairs. |
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| 1997 |
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One of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in
Business for the year. |
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| 2000 |
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Community Service Award presented by
Seligman J. Strauss Lodge No. 139 of B’nai B’rith (joint
recipient with her husband). |
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| 2001 |
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Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for
Central Pennsylvania (joint recipient with her husband).
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| 2005 |
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Distinguished Leadership Award from
Leadership Wilkes-Barre (joint recipient with her husband).
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| 2006 |
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A Girl Scout Woman of Distinction (Penn’s
Woods Council). |
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| 2008 |
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Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from King's
College, Wilkes-Barre. |
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| 2008 |
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Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania. |
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| 2008 |
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Citizens' Voice Person of the Year Award
(Finalist). |
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