ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Ralph Smithers, Jr., CPCU, API, AIS leads Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement at Encova Insurance. He is responsible for managing the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts as well as managing the Encova of Ohio Foundation including relationships with community stakeholders.   Ralph joined Encova (Motorists) in 1989.   He has extensive experience in a variety of operational roles including personal lines, commercial lines, customer service as well as human resources.   Ralph has been recognized as an Outstanding Diversity Champion in 2019 by Columbus Business First, the President’s Award from the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals, 2020 Advocate of the Year by the Ohio Minority Suppliers Development Council and Encova was recognized as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by Columbus Business First in 2021.  

Ralph earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and insurance from The Ohio State University in 1989. As a student at Ohio State, he was proud to be a part of the Minority Scholars Program through the (then) Office of Minority Affairs, and he was also an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as well as Gamma Iota Sigma professional insurance fraternity.   He currently serves on the Lincoln Theater board, treasurer for the Discovery Special Improvement District in downtown Columbus, and is member of the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord zoning review panel for the City of Columbus, as well as other boards and steering committees.   Ralph is proud to be a partner and major financial contributor to the Bucking the Trend Scholarship at Ohio State that is awarded through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.  This scholarship has awarded over $20,000 in scholarships to African American Males at Ohio State since its inception.   Smithers earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1994 and is a past president of the Columbus CPCU Chapter.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Ralph is married with three children (including twins who are college students) and lives in New Albany, Ohio.   He enjoys a variety of fitness activities, is a self-confessed gadget freak and is fearless in taking on home improvement projects.