Dr. Seth Rachlin is a social scientist, business leader, and entrepreneur currently active as a researcher and teaching professor. His research and teaching focuses on the challenges posed to social, economic, and political institutions by innovations in technology and by climate change.

Prior to turning to academia, Dr. Rachlin enjoyed a 30-year career in the consulting industry. He founded, built, and negotiated the sale of two companies to publicly traded entities. He served as a senior executive and insurance industry leader for a global systems integrator. And he has provided strategic counsel to more than 100 Fortune 500, middle market and early-stage companies in the insurance and technology sectors.

Dr. Rachlin is an acknowledged and widely quoted thought leader on topics concerning the intersection of risk and technology. He is a frequent conference speaker and a sought-after industry expert, regularly providing commentary to leading business press vehicles such as The Economist, The Financial Times, S&P Market Intelligence, and Reuters wire service.

Dr. Rachlin is currently Assistant Teaching Professor of Social Data Science in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Arizona State University. He assumed this full-time position in 2023 having taught part-time at ASU, the University of Arizona and at the University of Chicago since 2021. He is also a non-resident scholar at the Insurance Information Institute.

Cody Ritchie is the Managing Partner and a Founding Partner of Crest Insurance Group, one of the nation’s Top 100 Property & Casualty Insurance Agencies as recognized by Insurance Journal. With over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Cody has helped lead Crest from its humble beginnings in 2010—with just 35 employees—to a dynamic organization of nearly 360 employees across 19 offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Nevada and Wyoming. Under his leadership, Crest Insurance has grown its annualized revenue to $75 million and is licensed to do business in all 50 states. Cody earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming and later a Master’s degree in Athletic Administration from the University of Arizona. He also holds the professional designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), reflecting his commitment to excellence and continued learning in the field. Deeply rooted in his community, Cody has actively supported dozens of local charities, nonprofit organizations, and collegiate athletic programs. Since its inception, Crest Insurance has donated significant funds to schools, non-profits, and numerous causes important to the communities it serves. Cody’s civic involvement includes serving on the BBVA Advisory Board, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Conquistadores, Commerce Bank of Arizona Local Investors Group, and as Chairman of the 2017 Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. His past board roles include the Tucson Metro Chamber, Rio Nuevo, CopperPoint Insurance Company Advisory Board, Tucson Medical Center Fundraising Board, Ronald McDonald House, Copper Bowl Selection Committee, and the Fiesta Bowl Committee. A proud husband to Patsy Ritchie and father to Parker, Andrew, Julia, and Kristin, Cody balances his professional achievements with his passion for family, sports, music, travel, and giving back to the community.

Tom F. Zuppan joined the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions in 2015 and currently serves as the Property and Casualty Rate, Rule, and Form Filing Supervisor. Prior to joining DIFI, Tom dedicated over three decades to public service within the State of Arizona, including significant time with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) in Environmental Health and Safety, and the insurance arena. His extensive experience includes managing complex environmental restoration projects, such as the cleanup of a $10 million waste tire site, and overseeing the replacement of underground fuel storage tanks at ADOT facilities with above-ground alternatives. Tom also played a key role in developing a motor vehicle record checking system for state employees and facilitating a mass communication system for the State Capitol Mall area. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Arizona State University. His background as a geologist laid the foundation for his expertise in environmental restoration and risk management, which expanded to include safety and health, insurance, OSHA compliance, hazardous waste and asbestos compliance. He also has significant experience procuring excess insurance for the State to cover property, workers' compensation, and liability losses.

The annual Executive Ethics Symposium brings together leaders from business, government, and nonprofit sectors to examine the ethical dimensions of emerging issues. This year’s focus is on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) topics, including climate impacts, supply chains, and corporate responsibility. The event includes a panel discussion, audience dialogue, and live stream access at no cost.

Photos from 2024

On August 25, 2023, members of the Tucson community gathered at the Hacienda del Sol Hotel to attend the annual Executive Ethics Symposium organized by the Center for Leadership Ethics in the Eller College of Management

In 2022, the symposium focused on “The Ethical Dimensions of Digital Assets”, exploring the ethical implications of cryptocurrency, its origins, opportunities, and risks.

It featured a panel of experts including David Byrd (Ernst & Young), Scott Walker (Andreessen Horowitz), and Edward Han (Bank of America) discussing compliance, regulation, and the future of digital assets. 

The event was held in person (invite-only) with a public livestream option

The 2021 Executive Ethics Symposium discussed the ethical considerations of working remotely. Over 140 participants from business, academia and other sectors discussed ethical issues emerging from remote work— topics like motivation, organizational culture, employee performance, work-/non-work boundaries, and even how to ethically think about vaccination policies in the return to in-person work. Panelists included Catherine D. Ellingsen (legal/ethics leadership), Michael Schneider (risk management) and Allison Gabriel (organizational behavior scholar), and the discussion was moderated by Paul Melendez.

The 2020 Executive Ethics Symposium discussed the ethical aspects of the collection, protection, and use of data. 

The 2018 Executive Ethics Symposium explored the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Participants gleaned new insights into the benefits, burdens and ethical implications of AI in society through a panel of experts from academia, business and the military.

The symposium focused on corporate ethics, social responsibility, and the role companies play in promoting ethical behavior globally, especially where governments fall short. Speakers included Tim Irwin, CEO of Atmosphere, who discussed measuring and recognizing ethical corporate practices; Meredith Taylor from Walmart, who shared insights on global ethics and compliance in business; and Ezekiel from Fresnillo, who highlighted sustainability and CSR initiatives in the mining sector. Together, they emphasized that ethical leadership, trust, and corporate citizenship are key drivers of long-term business value and positive societal impact.

The 2014 Executive Ethics Symposium focused on socially responsible investing:
 

The 2012 Executive Ethics Symposium explored the Benefit Corporation or B Corp movement, as a panel of leaders gathered at the UA to discuss ethical implications of this new legal entity.

The inaugural Executive Ethics Symposium debated strategic mortgage defaults as a panel of leaders gathered at the UA in August 2010 to hash out ethical issues.