A few weeks ago, the Spencer Educational Foundation held its annual gala fundraising dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. This is the flagship event for the nonprofit organization, which since 1979 has been subsidizing the education of those trying to make risk and insurance their life’s work.

All together, Spencer has handed out nearly $7 million in scholarships and grants, including more than $400,000 awarded in 2011. (More on risk management education here.)

I was unable to attend this year, but have been to the past few events and they always make for an inspiring evening. With a program that honors both aging industry legends who have built the foundations of risk management and vibrant students who hope to further it in the future, the night gives a cradle-to-grave depiction of just how ambitious and fulfilling a career in risk can be. (For some anyway — I mainly just enjoy the prime rib and desserts.)

This year was no different, and the event helped raise some $720,000 in donations. Among the speakers were John Amore, former CEO of general insurance at Zurich; Peggy Accordino, chairwoman of Spencer; Drew Carey, a student studying risk management and insurance at St.

John’s University in Manhattan; Gisselle Escotto, a risk management grad student at New York University; Seraina Maag, chief executive of North American property and casualty at XL; and David Zuercher, former head of insurance at Wells Fargo.

For those of you who weren’t able to attend, the video above features some of the evening’s highlights. And you can read more about the 2011 dinner here.

2012 Spencer Educational Foundation honoree Seraina Maag, chief executive of North American property and casualty at XL.