Elise Farnham, CPCU, AIM, CRM, CPIW, has over 45 years of experience in the risk management and insurance industry. She is President of Illumine Consulting, and provides continuing education and professional development programs, claims management consulting, and expert witness testimony.  

Elise began her career in the insurance industry with Crawford and Company and became a multi-line adjuster.  She was promoted as the first female claims branch manager for the company. She has worked as a multi-line adjuster in TX, AR, OK, FL and in senior management positions in GA and NY, such as Regional Manager, VP of the Learning and Resource Center, Sales and Marketing, and Special Projects. ​She has held senior level positions with The Harmonie Group, CSB Group, and GAB Robins, NA.

Ms. Farnham is a member of the CPCU Society and has served the Society as S. E. Regional Governor, Executive Committee member, president of the Atlanta Chapter of CPCU, and on numerous task forces, including the Ethics Certification Task Force, the Claims Section Committee, and chaired the Media Advertising Task Force. Presently, she serves on the Legal, Coverage, Regulation and Legislation, Education, Witnesses Interest Group (L'CREW) committee. The Atlanta Chapter recognized her as the 2011 Instructor of the Year for her dedication to providing quality education. The Insurance Accounting and Systems Association (IASA) selected her as an outside director in 2021. 

Elise has assisted the American Institute for CPCU by providing input for the ARM, AIC, and CPCU programs as well as provided content for textbooks and on-line learning modules. She served on their Board of Ethical Inquiry from 2000-2008. 

Elise is Past President of the International Association of Insurance Professionals (1998/1999) having served on the Board of Directors for 5 years.  She was Regional Vice President of Region 1 (Northeast). Prior to that, she served two terms as President of NAIW-New York City.  Currently, she is a member of the Insurance Professionals of Dallas. In 2004, she received the AAMGA Achievement Award from the Georgia Council of IAIP for her contributions to the association and was recognized as the Most Influential Member in 2011. In 2002, 2004, and 2009, she was named Insurance Woman of the Year in Atlanta, and in 1993, she was chosen National Claims Professional of the Year. 

Ms. Farnham serves on the Board of Directors for the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association (IASA). She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Society of Registered Professional Adjusters (RPA). She frequently instructs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) and presents the Underwriting and Claims modules for their Preferred Farm Mutual Manager (PFMM) designation.  She often presents professional development workshops and webinars for RIMS. 

Ms. Farnham is an international speaker and her articles have been published in Business Insurance, The Claims Advisor, Claims Magazine, CPCU Claims Section Quarterly and CLEW NEWS, CPCU Insights, National Underwriter, Risk Management Quarterly, Today's Insurance Professional, Canadian Insurance Magazine (published in Canada) and Insurance International (published in the UK.). Ms. Farnham has provided expert commentary on personal lines issues for the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI.)  She has just published a children's e-book and audiobook, “Monster in the Barn" available on Amazon, for children ages 3-9 years.

She holds industry designations including: Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Associate in Risk Management, Associate in Management, and Certified Professional Insurance Woman.  ​​

Last updated: December 16, 2022