Here’s why Columbus Smart 50 Awards recognized Bold Penguin’s Chris Kessler for smart business solutions!

Bold Penguin Chief Product and Platform Officer, Chris Kessler, was recently recognized as a Columbus Smart 50 Award winner. Since 2014, the Columbus Smart 50 Awards have recognized the top executives of the 50 smartest companies in the Central Ohio region for their smart business practices and their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations. All 50 winners were honored at a special celebration, and three organizations received specialty awards for their achievements in three categories – innovation, impact, and sustainability.

“I am honored to be included as a Columbus Smart 50 Award recipient in this year’s talented and diverse award class. Central Ohio has been a long-time hub for innovation across many industries,” said Kessler. “Bold Penguin has grown exponentially, establishing itself as an innovation leader in the insurtech space and playing a key role in the growth of the region. I am excited to see this trend continue, bolstered by our committed network of strong leaders and organizations.”

Who is Chris Kessler?

Kessler is Chief Product and Platform Officer at Bold Penguin, a leading digital solution platform for commercial insurance. In this role, Kessler leads product and platform development while playing a key role in go-to-market activities. He has nearly 20 years of experience across the fintech and insurtech industries, including previous roles at Bold Penguin as Vice President of Corporate Development and Vice President of Client Solutions. Kessler has an MBA in Entrepreneurial Finance from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. 

About the Columbus Smart 50 Awards

The Smart 50 Awards currently takes place in the cities of Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. Eligible Smart 50 nominees must be a top executive of an organization with a physical office in Central Ohio. 

For a full list of honorees, click here. 

Quick recap:  the bottom line on why the 2025 Columbus Smart 50 Awards recognized Bold Penguin’s Chris Kessler and his smart business solutions

It’s pretty straightforward. The Columbus Smart 50 Awards are all about smart business solutions, and Bold Penguin’s Chief Product and Platform Officer knows how to deliver them. Here are some basic questions and answers:

• Who are the top business leaders recognized for driving innovation and smart growth in Central Ohio? Columbus Smart 50 Award winners were recently announced, highlighting top executives of the smartest businesses in Central Ohio.
• Why was Bold Penguin’s Chris Kessler honored among Central Ohio’s smartest business leaders? Bold Penguin’s Chief Product and Platform Officer, Chris Kessler, was recognized for his ability to effectively lead and build a leading solution for commercial insurance. 
• How is Chris Kessler helping Bold Penguin address key industry challenges? Kessler will continue to guide Bold Penguin and address more pain points in the industry through smart business practices and close customer connections.

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