A Strategic Heart for Impact
Few individuals blend professional accomplishment with heartfelt philanthropy quite like Richard “Rich” Stephens, current Board Chair of the Unbridled Charitable Foundation (UCF). With more than three decades of experience in the insurance and employee benefits space and an unwavering commitment to children’s causes, Rich plays a pivotal role in shaping the foundation’s vision, voice, and value.
A Fortuitous Introduction That Shaped a Model
Rich’s story with Unbridled began serendipitously, but its impact would ripple far beyond that initial connection. At an early Unbridled Eve Gala, Rich was introduced to Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit dedicated to feeding food-insecure children over weekends. That introduction wasn’t just meaningful, it was catalytic.
Moved by the mission and impressed by the organization’s leadership, Rich quickly deepened his involvement, ultimately becoming Chairman of the National Board. Under his stewardship, Blessings significantly expanded its reach, delivering over 1 million hunger-free weekends to children nationwide.
For Unbridled, this was more than a philanthropic success, it became a prototype. The model of connecting high-impact individuals with aligned causes through unforgettable events has since become core to how UCF builds partnerships and pursues its mission.
A Career of Leadership, Clarity, and Connection
Professionally, Rich has helped shape the modern benefits industry. Today, he serves as the U.S. Health & Benefits Chief Broking Officer at Aon, guiding client strategy across a national platform. His earlier leadership roles at industry giants like Cigna, Marsh, and Willis gave him a deep well of experience in creating distribution systems, nurturing client relationships, and simplifying complexity in a notoriously layered industry.
If there’s one thing he’d change? Rich would eliminate the overwhelming complexity in healthcare delivery systems, a challenge he’s been chipping away at throughout his career.
His career is also marked by his belief in storytelling as a leadership tool. “If you can’t tell a story that is meaningful and drives toward an outcome,” he once said, “you’re wasting time.” That mindset infuses his role at UCF, where he helps sponsors, donors, and beneficiaries see themselves in the larger narrative of lasting impact.
Wisdom, Humor, and the Heart of a Mentor
Rich isn’t just a strategist; he’s a natural mentor. As he describes it, part of the joy of longevity in business is the ability to pass on knowledge and elevate those just entering the field. A self-proclaimed comedy fan with a dream of being on stage, he credits Robin Williams as one of his personal heroes. He values Williams’ mastery of seemingly spontaneous brilliance, underpinned by deliberate preparation.
That humor doesn’t go unnoticed at home. “Fifteen years ago, I was hilarious,” he laughs, “Now I’m just embarrassing.” The proud father of twins and a third child, Rich speaks candidly about the challenge of raising independent spirits—and the joy of family adventures, including driving to 47 of the 48 continental states as a child with his own parents.
His other hero? Walt Disney, a figure he admires for turning big, bold visions into reality. “He understood the value of good storytelling, which we’ve now all brought into our lives and business.”
Living the Unbridled Vision
At UCF, Rich is a key architect in helping us grow with purpose. He brings clarity to our sponsorship approach, helps refine our organizational strategy, and ensures that our partnerships, like the one with Blessings in a Backpack, are built for depth, not just duration.
He exemplifies what Unbridled is all about: making memorable connections that transform lives. Whether it’s connecting a donor with a mission, a company with a cause, or an organization with a leader, it’s all about impact that lasts.
Thank You, Rich
As we spotlight Rich Stephens, we honor a visionary board member and a deeply valued friend. His introduction to Blessings in a Backpack was more than a coincidence. It was the spark that helped us define a blueprint for meaningful, sustainable giving.
Thank you, Rich, for your leadership, your stories, and your unwavering heart. You’re helping all of us live and give Unbridled.
