Benjamin McKay serves as CEO of the Surplus Line Association of California, an organization he has grown substantially over the past decade, expanding its budget several-fold and more than tripling its workforce. His leadership philosophy centers on the idea that an organization is fundamentally its people, and he has built a culture that actively encourages and financially supports continuous professional development, resulting in an unusually high concentration of professional designations and degrees among staff.
Beyond professional development, McKay has implemented compassionate workplace policies, including a pandemic-era commitment to avoid layoffs for employees in good standing, and was an early mover in making Juneteenth a paid company holiday. His approach emphasizes trust, empathy, and deep industry knowledge, and the association's culture reflects those values through charitable engagement, diversity initiatives, and recognition of the varied cultural backgrounds of its employees.
