Speaker Guide
Reunion 2025 • Zealous Pursuit • May 20-21, 2025
Share your Story
We invite you to share your story with our audience! The Markel Group Reunion is a growing tradition that welcomes thousands of guests worldwide. Speaking at Reunion is an opportunity to expand your message’s reach, connect with like-minded individuals, and inspire others with your journey. Highlight your business’s origins, challenges, achievements, core values, and future goals. Join a tight-knit community that celebrates the values of the Markel Style. We are open to incorporating your products into the event. We want to help promote you and your business. We want you to win!
Celebrate your Values and Business
At The Forum, we hold a “Style at Work” series of panels, which feature people, like you, who embody the principles of the Markel Style and show off what Richmond has to offer.
We think that you have ideas, insights, and stories that will provide great value to our audience, and we’d be grateful if you would consider joining as a speaker at The Forum this year.
Reach a growing, international network
In 2024, we had over two thousand attendees coming from 22 countries, 45 states, and 720 zip codes! We booked nearly 75% of the rooms at the Westin Richmond to accommodate some of our attendees.
These attendees in turn consumed 937 ice cream sandwiches from our Style at Work speakers’ brand Nightingale as well as buying 97 books that were offered through the book list put together by our CEO and other associates!
2025
This Year’s Speakers:
Jennifer Mann, Executive Vice President and President, North America Operating Unit, Coca-Cola
Jennifer has been President of North America, Coca-Cola’s largest operating unit, since 2023. She joined the company in 1997 and has held various key positions, including President of Global Ventures, and VP of Coca‑Cola Freestyle. She will join Tom Gayner, CEO of Markel Group, for a fireside chat which will be moderated by University of Richmond Professor, Richard Coughlan.
Arts & Letters Creative Company
Arts & Letters is an independent creative company working in advertising and technology. Founded in 2017 and based in Richmond, they have worked with clients like Google, ESPN, DICK’S Sporting Goods, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Charles Hodges and Andy Grayson, Founder and Head of Strategy, of Arts & Letters will share how they have harnessed the power of divergent thinking to create brand value for their clients.
Stella’s Richmond
Join the second-generation leaders of beloved Richmond restaurant for a fireside chat. Established in 1983, award winning Stella’s honors rustic and modern Greek cuisine. They have grown to open seven gourmet markets, Stella’s Grocery, all over Richmond as well as a second location in Charleston in 2017.
Join our Club of Past Speakers
2024
Lacey Huszcza, President and CEO, Richmond Symphony
Conversation ft Lacey Huszcza
Lacey shared her career journey to the business side of an orchestra. She discusses the “three-legged stool” of leadership at the Symphony, offers insights into how they “shape a season,” create their unique sound, and collaborate with local businesses.
Sam Reid, YouTube creator and host, The Studio Revue
Conversation ft Sam Reid
Sam shares how his work at a faith-based nonprofit inspired his media business. He discusses creating content appropriate for middle and high school students, the influence of Fred Rogers and Jimmy Fallon, and partnerships with brands like Taco Bell, Waffle House, and Rocket Mortgage
Hannah Pollock & Xavier Meers, Founders, Nightingale Ice Cream
Conversation ft Nightingale Ice Cream
Hannah and Xavier share the story of their Richmond-based company, which grew from making 20 ice cream sandwiches at home to producing 50,000 daily. Moderated by Richard Coughlan, they discuss partnerships with Westbury Pharmacy, Performance Food Group, Fresh Market, Nicky Hilton, Costco, and more.
Tim O’Shaughnessy, CEO, Graham Holdings
Conversation ft Tim O’Shaughnessy
Markel Group CEO, Tom Gayner, and Graham Holdings CEO, Tim O’Shaughnessy share their insights on business and leadership. A native of Minnesota and the youngest of four children, O’Shaughnessy was born in 1981. Following his graduation from Georgetown University in 2004 with a BSBA in Marketing, Operations and Information Management, he joined AOL as a product manager. In 2006, he moved to Revolution Health, where he rose to vice president of product development. During that time, he and three others developed a successful series of apps for Facebook. That company grew into LivingSocial, where O’Shaughnessy was CEO for seven years.
2023
Roberto Castro, Director, CapTech
Roberto Castro spoke on what it means to be part of an elite organization, sharing his journey from an elite youth golfer to a standout member of the Georgia Tech Golf team, to the PGA Tour, and now CapTech. Castro serves as a Director at CapTech where he is responsible for expanding CapTech’s golf and sports practice by connecting sports organizations with technology solutions. Prior to joining CapTech, Castro’s 15-year professional golf career included 9 seasons on the PGA Tour with appearances in 2 Tour Championships, 2 Masters, and 6 US Opens. Roberto earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. During his time as a student-athlete, Castro received the Byron Nelson Award and the NCAA Top VIII Award – both honors for athletic success, academic achievement, and community service.
Julie Laulis, CEO, Cable One
CEO of Cable One, Julie Laulis, joined Tom Gayner for a broad-ranging discussion on the importance of values-based leadership and the role of culture when leading a large organization. Laulis joined Cable One in 1999. In 2017, she was named President and Chief Executive Officer and in 2018 she was named Chair of the Board. Since 2010, Cablefax Magazine has named Laulis one of the Most Powerful Women in Cable. Arizona Business Magazine named Laulis one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business in 2020. Hypatia Management Capital included Laulis in their 2022 launch of the Hypatia Women CEO Index. Laulis was inducted into the Cable Center’s Cable Hall of Fame in April 2023.
Keira D’Amato, Professional Athlete, Nike
Former US women’s marathon record holder, and current US women’s half marathon record holder, Keira shared the story of her journey from high school elite runner to her years away from running to her comeback to the very top of her sport. She shared the values that help propel her through those grueling preparations and competitive setbacks or keep her grounded at the highest highs. In her talk, she blended her unique, engaging sense of humor – while emphasizing the role her humor plays in her development as an athlete, mother, and person.
What is Markel Group?
Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL) is a diverse family of companies that includes everything from insurance to bakery equipment, building supplies, houseplants, handbags, and more. The company started in Virginia in 1930 and has grown to become a global Fortune 500 with more than 20 businesses and 20,000 associates worldwide.
What is the Reunion?
Some companies have an annual shareholder meeting, we have a Reunion. It’s an opportunity for thousands of shareholders, associates, and friends of Markel Group to connect, learn, engage, and have fun!
What is the Markel Style?
The Markel Style is the 214 words that define beliefs and behaviors that make us who we are, guiding the Markel Group’s unique culture and winning operations.
What’s the Plan for the Event?
Our Reunion spans two days and includes the following events.
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Farmhouse tables and a family-style meal with three hundred of our closest investors, associates, and friends.
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A curated selection of panels to share a broad array of insights and ideas. We feature speakers both from within the Markel Group, along with guests from outside of the Markel Group in our “Style at Work” panels, with the aim of highlighting Richmond as a great place to live, work, play, and visit.
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The main event takes place in the Robins arena with some brief opening comments followed by a Q&A with our leaders.
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An opportunity for attendees to connect and have fun with local food trucks, refreshments, and a live band.
What our Guests are Saying
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"The panels were incredible! I loved hearing the inspiring stories of both Sam Reid and Nightingale"
-2024 Reunion Attendee
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“All of the speaking engagements were very informative and entertaining. Very well organized and you really feel like you are part of a family when attending”
-2024 Reunion Attendee
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“The Nightingale story was interesting as we have just discovered them recently ourselves. I also did the 2 mile walk around Belle Isle which was good especially for out of town folks to see how wonderful Richmond is”
-2024 Reunion Attendee