Allianz Life Receives BestPrep Humanitarian Award

Source: Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America 01/23/2012

(Jan. 23, 2012) – On January 21, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) was presented with BestPrep’s Humanitarian Award during the 14^th annual “Birdies for BestPrep” event at International Market Square. The award, given to a Minnesota company for their outstanding community involvement and commitment to educating Minnesota students, was accepted by Suzanne Dowd Zeller, Chief Human Resources Officer at Allianz Life.

BestPrep, a Minnesota nonprofit, engages 60,000 students in grades K-12 each year in business, career and financial literacy education through programs that are built on the foundation that students thrive on active participation and experiential activities. During the past two years, more than 250 Allianz Life employees have volunteered to help educate students. Allianz Life employees have volunteered in a variety of capacities including business camp leaders, classroom speakers and email mentors.

“Allianz Life has really stepped up to promote financial and career education for Minnesota students. We are proud to be part of such an important and worthwhile effort,” said Allianz Life President and CEO Walter White.

Allianz Life has a long-term partnership with both BestPrep and Junior Achievement (JA), with a goal of improving financial literacy. Initiatives with BestPrep and JA fit well within the objective of Allianz Life’s corporate giving program to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and seniors to ensure financial success and social independence. A Financial Literacy Council of 10 key executives from Allianz Life, representing various company departments, was formed to help launch the company-wide initiative. The executives, partnering with BestPrep and JA, designed a plan to have Allianz Life employees deliver financial education programming to Minnesota schools. Both nonprofits receive $100,000 annually as well as volunteer support from Allianz Life at all levels of the company.

“Allianz Life’s passion and dedication has been extraordinary. BestPrep is able to provide financial education programs largely due to the support of companies such as Allianz Life,” Bob Kaitz, President and CEO of BestPrep, said.

Allianz Life, one of FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, is a company that has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 150,000 employees worldwide.

For more information, contact Justin Simonson, Public Relations Associate at BestPrep, at 763.233.6329 or jsimonson@bestprep.org.