People & Places

Allianz Commercial, headquartered in New York City, appointed Jenna Contreras to the North American distribution team in the newly created role of portfolio solutions leader for wholesale and managing general agents (MGA) programs. Based in Chicago, Contreras leads the wholesale and MGA/programs’ key strategic broker trading relationships across the U.S. and Canada.

Ryan Specialty, headquartered in Chicago, promoted Dawn DiOnofrio to executive vice president and global chief underwriting officer of its specialty underwriting segment, Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers. She most recently served as CEO of WKFC Underwriting Managers/AgRisk/Ryan National Programs. Ravi Singhvi, president of WKFC Underwriting Managers, will continue to lead WKFC and AgRisk as the attritional property specialty of the merged entity.

Swiss Re’s commercial insurance arm, with U.S. headquarters in Armonk, New York, appointed Katie McGrath as chief underwriting officer. She assumes the role on June 1. McGrath, based in New York City, is currently CEO, North America. She succeeds Kera McDonald, who will serve as Swiss Re’s group chief underwriting officer.

Sadler Norris joined Alliant Insurance Services as vice president within its employee benefits group. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Norris will work with a national client base. Alliant is based in Irvine, California.

Risk Strategies, headquartered in Boston, hired Craig D. Simon as managing director in its national private equity practice. Based in New York City, Simon has over 25 years of experience, previously serving as a team leader for U.S. energy and power at Marsh.

Risk Strategies also named Melissa Lewis as chief operating officer, commercial lines. She succeeds Drew Carnase, who is retiring after over 30 years in the industry. Based in Overland Park, Kansas, Lewis joined Risk Strategies in 2023 and most recently served as senior director of business operations.

Jami Long joined Robertson Ryan Insurance, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as chief financial officer (CFO). Long most recently served as CFO at WHR Global.

Brown & Riding, headquartered in Dallas, appointed Robert Conyers Jr. as energy practice leader. Conyers joined Brown & Riding in 2017 and became a principal in 2023.

Novatae Risk Group, headquartered in Dallas, named Nick Greggains as president. Greggains has over 35 years of insurance industry experience, most recently serving as president and CEO of Ethos Specialty Insurance Services.

Price Forbes Re (PF Re), headquartered in London, appointed Sherman Power to the newly created role of executive vice president, alternative risk and capital solutions. Based in Dallas, Sherman joins from Aon Re, where he served as global head of innovation and capital advisory.

Smart Choice, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, promoted Jef Morgan to senior vice president of InsurTech. Morgan joined Smart Choice in 2011 and most recently served as vice president of recruiting.

Westchester, Chubb’s excess and surplus lines company headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, appointed Alex Faynberg as executive vice president and head of pet insurer Health Paws. Faynberg is currently division president of Chubb Workplace Benefits.

The Liberty Company, headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, appointed Derrick Martine as vice president, producer, employee benefits in its Irvine, California, office. Martine most recently served as an employee benefits advisor at Morris & Garritano Insurance Services.

LP Insurance Services LLC, headquartered in Reno, Nevada, named Cathy Santoni as director of commercial lines. Santoni has over 30 years of experience, most recently serving as vice president of risk services at Sequoia.

Ashley Powers and Trent Vance joined Alliant Insurance Services, based in Irvine, California, as senior vice presidents within its employee benefits group. Powers most recently served as vice president of client services at OneDigital. Vance served as an area vice president, health and welfare, at Gallagher.