A lifelong resident of Florida, Cina Welch considers herself to be one of the rare people who was actually raised in Sarasota. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida, a Juris Doctorate from Stetson College of Law and after graduating from law school, she worked in the legal department of a prominent hospital in Florida,  performing corporate and collections work. After responding to a newspaper ad in 1998, Welch joined FCCI Insurance Group as an attorney performing Special Disability Trust Fund recoveries, along with handling various corporate matters. In 2006, she was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Claims, overseeing FCCI’s Florida Workers’ Compensation Department, Catastrophic Claim Unit and Special Investigations Unit. In 2008, she was elevated to the position of Vice President and Chief Security Officer. In this role, she was responsible for
legal and regulatory compliance, corporate information and data security and corporate governance. In 2012, Welch was again promoted, this time to Senior Vice President, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer. Her expanded role included oversight of the organization’s Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Audit programs. In 2016, she was promoted to Executive Vice President and by June of 2020, Welch was selected by FCCI’s Board of Directors as President and CEO. One of fewer than 10 female insurance company CEOs, Cina led her company to the milestone of $1 billion in direct written premiums in 2022. “I believe in the power of continuous learning and am grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way,” she proudly shares. 

FCCI has long-term relationships and annually supports over a dozen local charities in Sarasota and Manatee counties, many of which are focused on the needs of children including Easter Seals, Suncoast Charities for Children, Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children, Step up for Students and Family First. The organization also has a long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity Sarasota and they are currently in the process of building their 11th Habitat Home in Sarasota. “I’m proud that FCCI not only provides financial support but that we are able, through our employee volunteer program, to provide 200+ volunteer hours for each home,” she says. “Through these many partnerships, we have had the privilege of contributing to various initiatives and programs that aim to improve the lives of those in need.”

Keeping with FCCI’s 8th Pillar of Charitable Giving, the company’s teammates raise money each year for the FCCI Charitable Foundation. They organize various fund-raising events, not just in Sarasota, but in all of their locations across their geographic footprint. All monies raised (over $110k in 2023) are donated to charitable organizations that address children’s needs, homelessness, food insecurities and mental illness, to name a few. In 2024, their charitable giving and volunteer focus is on children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. 

“I’m so proud of FCCI’s volunteer policy,” shares Welch. “Each year, our teammates are given eight hours of company-paid time to volunteer at the organizations of their choosing. In 2023, they collectively donated more than 3,000 hours of productive volunteer work. Locally, FCCI teammates volunteer at organizations such as All Faiths Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army and The Twig. It’s wonderful to see our teammates’ commitment to giving back to the community!”

As for her own philanthropic spirit, Welch credits her parents for planting the roots and nurturing her desire to give back. “My relationship with my parents, who have been my pillars of strength and inspiration, has shaped me into the person I am today,” she says. “They set a great example for me and so now, I am fortunate to be in a position to motivate others to give back. As a business and community leader, I want to make a positive impact, whether within our local area or in places outside of Sarasota. I have also been fortunate to travel to many different places all over the world and while I have seen amazing things, I have also seen devastating poverty, especially children living without very basic life necessities. I have been able to carry these values forward as an advocate of FCCI’s 8th Pillar of Charitable Giving. Since 2019, FCCI has raised and distributed over four hundred fifty-five thousand dollars through the FCCI Charitable Foundation.” Welch believes that giving back and serving others is like most things in life—you must be intentional to get it done. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money, you just have to have a plan and follow it through. 

Welch is proud of the impact her work has had both here and abroad. Recalling time spent volunteering in a school in Cambodia where she helped with building projects as well as putting together very basic wheelchairs, she knows she is making a difference.  “It had a big impact on people’s daily lives, brought about by a simple change that’s so accessible in the US but not necessarily in other countries,” she says. She also remembers an experience when FCCI traveled with their top insurance agents to Tanzania, where they spent time volunteering at a local school, painting classrooms, planting trees and making other needed improvements. “The community was very appreciative and we received great feedback from our agents about how meaningful and rewarding it was to contribute in this way,” she adds.

Beyond her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Welch is an avid adventurer and traveler, always seeking new experiences and cultures. She enjoys sports and is a proud Florida Gator fan.  

For those looking to follow her philanthropic lead, Welch shares this advice: “Find something that gives you purpose and that you enjoy. Don’t worry if you lack the skills or experience, these things can be learned. The needs are wide and varied and organizations are always looking for help. Learn as much as you can about ways you can help and reach out to those organizations that interest you.”