Key Appointments in the Insurance Sector Affecting Leadership and Strategy
Several key appointments have been noted in the insurance sector, covering areas such as dental benefits, legal leadership, and self-insured health plans.
Sun Life US has appointed Tony Mollica as president of its dental division, which encompasses DentaQuest, starting March 30. Mollica steps into the role following David Healy, who has taken on the presidency of Sun Life US. Mollica will direct strategic initiatives across the unit's Medicaid, Commercial, and Medicare Advantage segments and Advantage Dental+ practices.
His responsibilities extend to devising marketing strategies for various products, including vision insurance, which cater to around 32 million customers nationwide. Additionally, he will manage membership retention and oversee managed care projects focusing on quality, access, and affordability. Before joining Sun Life, Mollica served as the CEO of Independent Care Health Plan at Humana and had previously held critical roles at UnitedHealth Group.
In another development, Goosehead Insurance has named Martin Thornthwaite as its new general counsel and corporate secretary, with the appointment effective March 30. This follows the announcement of John O'Connor's departure. Thornthwaite previously held a senior vice president role at RealPage, Inc., managing various legal matters such as litigation, regulatory issues, and employment law.
Further, Christine Cooper, CEO and co-founder of aequum LLC, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Self-Insurance Institute of America (SIIA) for the upcoming year 2026. Aequum specializes in cost containment services, supporting over 425 self-insured health plans nationwide. Cooper’s involvement with SIIA includes her participation on the Price Transparency Committee and engagement in discussions at the SIIA Healthcare Price Transparency Forum.
The SIIA board is formed by senior professionals from various areas, including stop-loss insurance, third-party administration, and brokering, who influence the association's strategic direction and advocacy efforts. These appointments highlight the evolving leadership landscape in the insurance industry, ensuring compliance and strategic growth.