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trends, have made her a trusted advisor for for many years. In January 2022, Cheslie
many in the business community. It also succumbed to her battle with depression and
led to an invitation to The Business Journal died by suicide. April, an ambassador for the
Leadership Trust, allowing April to share her National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI),
expertise with leaders nationwide. She has been is committed to breaking the stigma of mental
a requested presenter and guest speaker for illness. April has appeared on Red Table Talk,
organizations that include Harvard University CBS Mornings, and ExtraTV sharing Cheslie’s
Extension School, Winthrop University, The story and emphasizing the importance of
Citadel, EEOC, and The City of Charleston, mental health.
to name a few. She is also a member of the April is a classically trained pianist, an avid
SHRM Speakers Bureau. runner, athlete, mother, wife, and entrepreneur.
April chaired the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Committee for Greenville SHRM. In 2020 ★★★★
April received the Unsung Hero Award
from Greenville SHRM for her exemplary Michael Strakhov,
leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. CPCU, Live Oak
She was the South Carolina Society for Bank
Human Resources Management Diversity
Director from 2018 - to 2020. Her service and As executive
commitment to the HR community and the director of
profession’s advancement led to her selection insurance lending
as a member of the HR Advisory Board for at Live Oak Bank,
Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. There Mike Strakhov
she worked with a team of HR thought leaders educates agency
who were charged with designing the human owners and
resources undergraduate and postgraduate organizations on
degree curriculum and programs. financing options,
helping them prepare for acquisitions and
April has received many awards and honors for perpetuation transactions. Since the insurance
her business acumen. Her awards include the lending team was formed in 2015, Live
2020 Women In Business Achievement Award Oak has lent more than $100 million to the
from the Charlotte Business Journal, the 2018 insurance industry. Strakhov was instrumental
Fort Mill/ Tega Cay Business Person of The in the formation of the Insurance Networks
Year Award from the York County Regional Alliance, an industry group created to promote
Chamber, and the Movers & Shaker Award and improve relationships among networks,
given by Business Leader Magazine. In 2016, carriers and other industry partners. Prior to
April was named one of Charlotte’s 50 Most joining Live Oak, Strakhov was a branch vice
Influential Women by Mecklenburg Times. In president of CNA in Ohio. Before that, he
2022 April was named to the impressive list of held management responsibilities for Alabama
100 Women to KNOW In America. and Mississippi at Chubb and served as
April is also an advocate for mental health. interim CEO and managing director of field
She became an outspoken and visible advocate operations with a top 50 brokerage.
following the passing of her beloved daughter,
Cheslie Kryst. Cheslie battled depression ★★★★
12 | INSURANCE NETWORKS ALLIANCE
