Rising Stars 2025

Congratulations, Jon Cea and Evan Schmidt!

Insurance Business America’s annual Rising Stars list highlights young talent who are passionate about and committed to a career in the insurance industry. This year’s winners are described as high performers, dedicated to career progression and making industry-wide impact. These up-and-coming leaders are shaping the future of insurance through their leadership, expertise, and a strong dedication to excellence.

Jon Cea is a Brown & Riding Vice President and property broker, specializing in layered and shared complex placements, focusing on habitational, tough hospitality, and industrial properties. Jon’s leadership philosophy is centered around fostering independent thinking and strategic problem-solving within his team. He believes this approach, paired with relationship-building and developing empathy for his colleagues, ultimately allows him to deliver effective solutions for clients. View Jon’s IBA profile here.

Evan Schmidt is a Brown & Riding Assistant Vice President and property broker, specializing in real estate, construction, and public entities. Evan takes a hands-on approach to leadership, creating learning opportunities for his team. He is dedicated to enhancing efficiency and accuracy and to providing exceptional service. His professional philosophy is built on positioning himself as a trusted advisor to clients, always leading with specialized expertise, tenacity, and a positive attitude. View Evan’s IBA profile here.

To read the Rising Stars 2025 report and view the full list of winners, click here.