The Global Insurance Accelerator announced Monday that Jim Lewis has joined the accelerator’s leadership team as alumni director, a newly created role focused on building a more comprehensive alumni support model. Lewis will be responsible for providing long-term value to the GIA alumni and investors following participation in the 100-day program, creating new partnerships and supporting alumni as they grow.

“The creation of this role represented a strategic investment from the GIA and our board as we look to continually evolve and improve our continuing support model beyond our 100-day program,” Israel said in the announcement.

Lewis’ past experience includes founding, leading and exiting multiple startup companies. He most recently founded Benjamin, a company that was a member of the GIA’s 2019 cohort and was named the 2021 University of Iowa 2021 JPEC alumni business of the year. Lewis is an alumnus of the University of Iowa.

“My goal is to understand their ongoing needs and strategically connect them to relevant resources and contacts that are often the critical breakthrough they need,” Lewis said. “My unique perspective and deep respect for the founders and their teams’ challenges is why I’m passionate about their success and this new role with the GIA.”