Senior Leadership

Pamela Davis is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the member companies of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, which includes Nonprofits Insurance Alliance of California (NIAC), Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, Risk Retention Group (ANI), as well as a captive property reinsurer, and a management company. All companies in the group are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits. The Alliance has been assigned an A (Excellent) VIII rating by A.M. Best. Together, they have assets of more than $479 million and surplus of more than $201 million. The Alliance insures and provides risk management services for more than 18,000 tax-exempt nonprofits in 32 states and the District of Columbia. She is also President of American Nonprofits, whose mission is to increase nonprofits’ access to credit and financial expertise.

In 2017 she was named among 125 Elite Women by Insurance Business America as one of the women at the vanguard of the insurance industry. In 2013, the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance was selected as one of The Bay Area News Group’s Top Workplaces. In 2010, Ms. Davis and the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance were featured in the first “sequel” of the documentary series Visionaries which airs on PBS stations nationwide. In 2008, Ms. Davis was named a “Women of Influence in Silicon Valley” by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. In 2006, Ms. Davis was named by Business Insurance as one of the “Women to Watch” in the commercial insurance industry worldwide. She was named one of the nation’s 15 BEST BOSSES by Fortune Small Business and Winning Workplaces in 2005 in recognition of innovative and progressive leadership in establishing a great workplace.

In 2004, she received the first ever Award for Policy Innovation from The Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley. In 2002, Ms. Davis was included in the Nonprofit Times Power and Influence 50. This list reflects the visionaries, “movers & shakers” and opinion-makers of the nonprofit sector. In 2000, Ms. Davis was named one of the 100 Leading Women in the Insurance Industry by Business Insurance.

During 1997, NIAC and Ms. Davis were featured in a one-half hour documentary series, Visionaries, which aired nationwide on PBS. Ms. Davis was named a Gerbode Fellow in 1993. Ms. Davis holds a BA with highest honors in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

Kim Aday is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance. She has served the Group since 1997, in various positions throughout the finance department. Prior to joining the group, Ms. Aday was an accountant for Marina Village Real Estate. Kim holds a BS in Finance from San Jose State University and has completed the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program through the San Jose State University College of Business. Her volunteer work has included the California State PTA and coaching youth soccer and softball teams.

Michelle Alvis, PHR, is Chief People Officer (CPO) for the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group. Michelle is a seasoned human resources professional with more than 25 years of broad-based and progressively responsible experience in human resources, facilities, operations and administration, both in the private and nonprofit work sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification through the Human Resources Certification Institute. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, the Northern California Human Resources Association and has conducted numerous trainings and workshops focused on professionalizing the role of human resources in the non-profit sector. She is active in the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA and Dress for Success.

Thomas Bakewell is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group.  He is an accomplished IT executive with a proven track record over 30 years of improving business operations, increasing productivity and reducing costs.  He has led the IT organizations in several high profile companies in Silicon Valley.

Mr. Bakewell has served on the CEO boards of Splunk and Vectra Networks.  He also holds a teaching credential in Computer Science from the State of California.

In addition to his professional career, Mr. Bakewell has been involved in many nonprofit and charitable organizations.  He has served as Chairman of the Board for the de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University, was a member of the Diocese of San Jose Advisory Board, and is currently in a leadership role with a UN recognized worldwide charitable organization.

Mr. Bakewell lives in San Jose, California with his wife.  Their children reside throughout the Bay Area and Western United States.  When not working they enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle.

Dave Gibson is Chief Claims Officer (CCO) for the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance. Mr. Gibson brings more than 30 years of experience in the insurance claims industry, and has held management positions for most of that time with Universal Underwriters Insurance Company, Zurich Direct Markets, and Philadelphia Insurance Companies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts  degree in Psychology from Rutgers University. His most recent nonprofit service has been as a youth soccer coach in Rocklin, California, for recreational, select, and competitive teams.

Brian E. Johnson ACAS, MAAA is the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) for the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance.  Mr. Johnson has worked in the consulting, insurance and re-insurance industry for 26 years. Prior to joining the group, Mr. Johnson managed a Treaty Reinsurance Underwriting/Costing team at Swiss Re. Prior to Swiss Re, he was with Employers Re from 2003-2006 as a Senior Underwriter/Account Executive and a Senior Actuary.  Mr. Johnson was with American Re from 1996-2003 and held the positions of Underwriting Risk Manager, Treaty Underwriting Manager and Actuarial Manager. He began his career in 1989 in the Actuarial field with Ernst & Young as an Actuarial Consultant in Atlanta and also worked as a Primary Insurance Rating Actuary at USF&G in Baltimore. Mr. Johnson holds a BS in Mathematics/Actuarial Science from Penn State University and is an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Mr. Johnson has worked with various nonprofits in the past including serving on the board of the Mid-State Literacy Council in Central Pennsylvania.

Todd Nelson is Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, providing executive and strategic vision for all internal and external communications, marketing and branding. He is known for creative work and strategic initiatives at diverse startups, nonprofits, agencies and established companies. He also brings empathy, adaptability, intellectual curiosity, cultural competency, and 360-degree thinking—soft skills essential for success in this global, digital, change-filled era.

Besides professional expertise, Todd brings more than 20 years of service on nonprofit boards, currently the USC Annenberg Alumni Advisory Board, advisory board of media production company Youth Radio, and the San Francisco Steering Committee for DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. Previous leadership roles include board president of Amanecer Community Counseling Service Los Angeles, Campaign Leadership Committee at San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and board member and gala event chair at Kansas City CARE Clinic.

Todd earned his master’s degree in communication management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hastings College in his home state of Nebraska. He loves to travel, enjoys good food and wine, is an avid golfer, and is often heard whistling and singing his favorite tunes. He lives in San Jose, California with his partner, Angelo.

Melissa Yarnell is the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, where she is responsible for the Group’s Risk and Information Technology Departments. She also oversees the Group’s Product Development, Loss Control, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management functions. Before working in Risk, Melissa served the Group in both underwriting and corporate compliance, and in total, she has worked in commercial insurance for 20 years, most of which has been serving the nonprofit sector. When she isn’t hard at work, Melissa enjoys sewing, reading and spending time in the sun with her family. Melissa holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as an M.B.A. from San Jose State University. She currently resides in the Monterey Bay Area with her family.