Leadership Changes in Insurance Industry Pave Way for 2026 Initiatives

Several prominent firms in the insurance industry have recently announced significant leadership changes, paving the way for strategic initiatives aimed at 2026. These movements highlight a growing emphasis on improving regulatory compliance, enhancing risk management, and leveraging data-driven insights to foster better industry practices. Lockton has appointed Helene Fisher as Managing Director, US Market Engagement. Her pivotal role focuses on strengthening insurer relationships and fostering inter-team collaboration across regions, products, and industry practices. Fisher aims to utilize data-driven insights to enhance partnerships, improve market interactions, and deliver tangible results. Her extensive experience, including positions at Marsh, AIG, and ACE USA, underscores her capability to drive market engagement. The Baldwin Group has welcomed Paul Sparks to its board of directors, coinciding with its merger with CAC Group. This merger has established one of the largest independent insurance advisory platforms in the country. Sparks, the Executive Chairman of CAC, brings nearly four decades of experience in underwriting and brokerage within specialty lines, significantly contributing to CAC's growth since 2019. Zachary Diamond has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at SterlingRisk. He will oversee enterprise marketing strategy, brand enhancement, and growth initiatives, aligning with underwriting and sales teams to boost market position and client acquisition. Diamond brings over a decade of brokerage and risk management consulting experience to his new role. TruStage has strengthened its board by appointing Stephanie Bush and Mandy Fields. Bush, a former executive at The Hartford, offers expertise in managing extensive insurance portfolios and digital transformation, including AI-driven initiatives. Fields, the CFO of e.l.f. Beauty, provides insights into finance and digital engagement, succeeding retiring board members Angela Owens and Janet Whitehouse. David Lee has been promoted to Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), succeeding the retiring Kim Briones. Lee will manage global HR strategies and talent development to support BHSI’s international operations. His significant experience and commitment are pivotal to advancing the company's HR objectives, as highlighted by CEO Peter Eastwood. LendingTree has elevated Ian Smith and Laura Nelson to key leadership roles. Smith becomes Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operations across diverse sectors, while Nelson, as Head of Insurance, will manage strategy and performance in LendingTree's insurance marketplace. These promotions reflect both individuals’ successful tenures in senior roles focusing on insurance and revenue growth. Wilson Elser has promoted 41 attorneys to partner, effective January 1, reinforcing the firm's commitment to expertise in insurance defense, complex torts, and commercial litigation. These newly promoted partners, located in over 20 offices nationwide, provide specialized knowledge in civil litigation, professional liability, and essential legal areas. Jose Lazares has been appointed Chief Product Officer at Duck Creek Technologies. His role includes leading the global product team, defining platform strategy, pushing AI advancements, and developing customer-centric roadmaps. With senior positions at Beyond Limits, Onna, Intapp, Cisco, Oracle, and PeopleSoft, Lazares is well-equipped to spearhead product innovation and development.