FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 27, 2023

Louisiana Department of Insurance Chief of Staff Denise Gardner Honored with National Award

Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) Chief of Staff Denise Gardner was recently presented with the Robert Dineen Award for her outstanding service and contributions to the state system of insurance regulation at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Gardner has held numerous leadership roles during her 32-year career and helped guide the LDI during many of Louisiana’s biggest challenges. She also served as chairwoman of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state’s insurer of last resort.  

“Denise has been an incredible asset to the LDI over the past 30 years and is certainly one of the most consequential leaders to have ever been involved in the regulation of Louisiana's insurance industry,” Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said. “She demonstrated strong leadership in the most trying times, in particular during the recovery of the property market following hurricanes Katrina and Rita and again following the devastation of hurricanes Laura and Ida.”

Following the 2020-2021 hurricane seasons, Gardner helped to relaunch the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program and played an instrumental role in long-term efforts to address the affordability crisis.

“Denise’s contributions have been significant and impactful, and we are fortunate to have had her expertise here at the department during our times of crisis,” Commissioner Donelon said.

The Robert Dineen Award was established in 1989 is the highest honor for a staff member of an insurance department.

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.