The Community Impact Award, funded by the Lockton family, honors Associates who go above and beyond to improve their communities through volunteering and philanthropy. This recognition enables each award recipient to direct a $25,000 donation to a charity of their choice, provided by the Lockton family. This year, both Rae Lynn Zachary and Shannan Smith were celebrated for their work with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), an organization dedicated to fighting blood cancers and improving the lives of patients and their families.

Since 2011, Rae Lynn has been a dedicated participant in LLS’s fundraising walks, organizing teams in Lockton’s San Francisco office before transitioning to individual efforts. To date, she’s raised more than $37,000 personally, with an additional $33,000 from team contributions. Her involvement stems from personal loss: “I first became involved after my uncle passed away from leukemia in 2009,” she shares. “But it really became personal when a colleague’s infant son was diagnosed with the disease. Seeing him survive after months of treatment gave me a reason to keep going. Since then, I’ve lost two more family members and a friend to leukemia. That’s what drives me to keep walking and fundraising year after year.”

For Shannan, supporting LLS began as a way to rally around a family friend diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in 2014. To raise awareness, she organized the first "Lemonade for Leukemia" stand within her neighborhood, raising $415 in one weekend and turning the event into an annual summer tradition. “We then walk in the Light the Night event each September,” Shannan adds. “This cause became even more personal this year when a cousin was diagnosed and recently underwent a transplant. I’m hopeful that she, too, will be able to look back one day and see all the progress the LLS has made.”

Both Rae Lynn and Shannan share a commitment to instilling the value of community service in their families, hoping to inspire the next generation to carry on their legacy. For Rae Lynn, involvement in LLS is a lasting commitment she hopes to carry into retirement. Shannan, inspired by her role as a mother and leader, aims to pass down her passion for service to her three daughters, saying, “I want them to understand the importance of giving back to those in need when you have the means to do so.” By demonstrating compassion and resilience through their work, both women have become role models within Lockton, their families and communities.

The Community Impact Award holds deep significance for both women. “This award isn’t just about the donation—it’s a reflection of Lockton’s commitment to giving back,” Rae Lynn says. “Lockton encourages us to get involved in the causes we care about and provides the support to make that happen.” Shannan echoed this sentiment, describing how Lockton’s C.A.R.E. Committee and volunteer days foster a culture of compassion: “Lockton truly cares about what drives its Associates, giving us the flexibility to serve our clients while also supporting our community work.”

Through their dedication and Lockton’s support, Rae Lynn Zachary and Shannan Smith are making a lasting impact, offering hope to those affected by blood cancer.