management services for commercial and industrial clients ". Two years later , James S Kemper agencies were acquired too , further expanding the firm ’ s purchasing power .
More mergers to success By 1982 , with Ryan at the helm , it became clear his leadership was a driving force within the industry . Ryan Insurance Group merged with another heavyweight firm , Aon , and the entire entity became known as Aon Corporation .
Philanthropy and humanitarian work A keen philanthropist , to date , Ryan has given away more than $ 600mn to various charities and organisations through a charity that he runs with his wife , Shirley ,
£ 1m
Amount donated to charity called the Shirley W . Ryan Foundation .
In September 2021 , he donated $ 480mn to Northwestern University – its largest donation to date . Ryan was the chairman and CEO of the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid committee and is currently chairman of World Sport Chicago , an organisation that was created from Chicago ' s Olympic bid .
A keen supporter of the arts and education , Ryan is also a benefactor of the Art Institute of Chicago Building ' s modern wing addition and former chairman of the board of trustees at Northwestern University . He and Shirley met in 1961 , and have three children . insurtechdigital . com 19