The Insurtech Leadership Podcast

ITC Special 5B - Leadership in Action: Insights from Industry Leaders with Ben Jennings

How do today’s leaders navigate the fast-paced evolution of the insurtech space? What does it take to leverage cutting-edge technology while building sustainable and impactful businesses? From balancing innovation with operational rigor to fostering collaboration across diverse teams, leadership in insurtech requires vision, adaptability, and a relentless focus on solving customer challenges.

This episode dives into the leadership journeys of two prominent figures shaping the future of insurance: Xing Xin, CEO and Co-Founder of Upfort, and Ben Jennings, CEO of Embroker. Xing shares how Upfort is redefining cyber resilience by integrating advanced cybersecurity and insurance solutions tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. Ben discusses Embroker’s role in leading the Insurtech 2.0 movement, combining technological innovation with traditional insurance expertise to deliver exceptional customer value.

Join host Joshua R. Hollander as he explores the pivotal moments, challenges, and strategies that have propelled these leaders to the forefront of the insurtech revolution. Hear their insights on harnessing AI, overcoming industry hurdles, and building dynamic, customer-focused organizations that thrive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Key Insights:

• The importance of aligning technology with real-world business challenges.
• Strategies for building a collaborative and effective team culture in insurtech.
• Leveraging AI and data to transform customer experiences and risk management.
• Balancing growth with profitability in a competitive landscape.
• Building resilience through innovation in cyber insurance and beyond.

Featured Conversations:

Xing Xin, CEO & Co-Founder of Upfort

[00:02:12] - Reflections on ITC and the evolution of the insurtech community.
[00:05:56] - Upfort’s mission to enhance cyber resilience.
[00:08:16] - Using AI to reduce claim frequency by up to 75%.
[00:20:18] - Managing a dual distribution strategy for enterprises and small businesses.
[00:24:40] - The role of personal cyber solutions and expanding into new markets.
[00:30:42] - Cultivating a balanced team culture of tech and insurance professionals.

Notable Quote:
“Too many people start from the technology instead of the business problem. Our focus is always on solving real-world challenges through innovation.” - Xing Xin

 

Ben Jennings, CEO of Embroker

[00:00:39] - Observations on the tech-forward vibe at ITC 2024.
[00:01:33] - How Embroker leads the Insurtech 2.0 movement.
[00:03:46] - Practical applications of AI to create a seamless customer buying experience.
[00:06:12] - The importance of radical prioritization and focus in leadership.
[00:08:01] - Transition from Chief Revenue Officer to CEO.
[00:12:19] - Balancing profitable growth with technological innovation.
[00:14:08] - Advice for aspiring leaders on humility, continuous learning, and collaboration.

Notable Quote:
“Success in Insurtech 2.0 comes from balancing advanced technology with insurance expertise to deliver exceptional customer value.” - Ben Jennings

 

Key Themes:

1. Cyber Resilience and Innovation

• Upfort’s holistic approach to combining cybersecurity and insurance tools to reduce risk and enhance SMB resilience.

1. Leadership in Action

• Ben Jennings’ transition to CEO and his focus on radical prioritization and team alignment to achieve sustainable growth.

1. AI and Data Integration

• Leveraging AI to transform underwriting, claims, and customer experiences.

1. Team Building and Collaboration

• Insights on fostering a culture of respect and collaboration between tech and insurance professionals.

1. Future-Focused Strategies

• Exploring new opportunities in personal cyber solutions and advancing Insurtech 2.0.

About Our Guests:

Xing Xin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Upfort, a leading platform for cyber resilience. With extensive experience in AI and cybersecurity, he has revolutionized SMB risk management and insurance. Xing previously co-founded a computer vision startup and has been at the forefront of AI-driven solutions since 2017.

Ben Jennings is the CEO of Embroker, where he leads a mission to modernize and simplify commercial insurance. With over 30 years of experience in enterprise technology, Ben has guided Embroker through transformative growth, achieving a unique balance of insurance expertise and technological innovation.

Resources:

• Upfort: upfort.com
• Embroker: embroker.com
• LinkedIn: Xing Xin
• LinkedIn: Ben Jennings

Tune in to this engaging conversation and gain valuable insights from two leaders at the cutting edge of insurtech innovation! Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

 

ITC Special 5A - Leadership in Action: Insights from Industry Leaders with Xing Xin

How do today’s leaders navigate the fast-paced evolution of the insurtech space? What does it take to leverage cutting-edge technology while building sustainable and impactful businesses? From balancing innovation with operational rigor to fostering collaboration across diverse teams, leadership in insurtech requires vision, adaptability, and a relentless focus on solving customer challenges.

This episode dives into the leadership journeys of two prominent figures shaping the future of insurance: Xing Xin, CEO and Co-Founder of Upfort, and Ben Jennings, CEO of Embroker. Xing shares how Upfort is redefining cyber resilience by integrating advanced cybersecurity and insurance solutions tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. Ben discusses Embroker’s role in leading the Insurtech 2.0 movement, combining technological innovation with traditional insurance expertise to deliver exceptional customer value.

Join host Joshua R. Hollander as he explores the pivotal moments, challenges, and strategies that have propelled these leaders to the forefront of the insurtech revolution. Hear their insights on harnessing AI, overcoming industry hurdles, and building dynamic, customer-focused organizations that thrive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Key Insights:

• The importance of aligning technology with real-world business challenges.
• Strategies for building a collaborative and effective team culture in insurtech.
• Leveraging AI and data to transform customer experiences and risk management.
• Balancing growth with profitability in a competitive landscape.
• Building resilience through innovation in cyber insurance and beyond.

Featured Conversations:

Xing Xin, CEO & Co-Founder of Upfort

[00:02:12] - Reflections on ITC and the evolution of the insurtech community.
[00:05:56] - Upfort’s mission to enhance cyber resilience.
[00:08:16] - Using AI to reduce claim frequency by up to 75%.
[00:20:18] - Managing a dual distribution strategy for enterprises and small businesses.
[00:24:40] - The role of personal cyber solutions and expanding into new markets.
[00:30:42] - Cultivating a balanced team culture of tech and insurance professionals.

Notable Quote:
“Too many people start from the technology instead of the business problem. Our focus is always on solving real-world challenges through innovation.” - Xing Xin

 

Ben Jennings, CEO of Embroker

[00:00:39] - Observations on the tech-forward vibe at ITC 2024.
[00:01:33] - How Embroker leads the Insurtech 2.0 movement.
[00:03:46] - Practical applications of AI to create a seamless customer buying experience.
[00:06:12] - The importance of radical prioritization and focus in leadership.
[00:08:01] - Transition from Chief Revenue Officer to CEO.
[00:12:19] - Balancing profitable growth with technological innovation.
[00:14:08] - Advice for aspiring leaders on humility, continuous learning, and collaboration.

Notable Quote:
“Success in Insurtech 2.0 comes from balancing advanced technology with insurance expertise to deliver exceptional customer value.” - Ben Jennings

 

Key Themes:

1. Cyber Resilience and Innovation

• Upfort’s holistic approach to combining cybersecurity and insurance tools to reduce risk and enhance SMB resilience.

1. Leadership in Action

• Ben Jennings’ transition to CEO and his focus on radical prioritization and team alignment to achieve sustainable growth.

1. AI and Data Integration

• Leveraging AI to transform underwriting, claims, and customer experiences.

1. Team Building and Collaboration

• Insights on fostering a culture of respect and collaboration between tech and insurance professionals.

1. Future-Focused Strategies

• Exploring new opportunities in personal cyber solutions and advancing Insurtech 2.0.

About Our Guests:

Xing Xin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Upfort, a leading platform for cyber resilience. With extensive experience in AI and cybersecurity, he has revolutionized SMB risk management and insurance. Xing previously co-founded a computer vision startup and has been at the forefront of AI-driven solutions since 2017.

Ben Jennings is the CEO of Embroker, where he leads a mission to modernize and simplify commercial insurance. With over 30 years of experience in enterprise technology, Ben has guided Embroker through transformative growth, achieving a unique balance of insurance expertise and technological innovation.

Resources:

• Upfort: upfort.com
• Embroker: embroker.com
• LinkedIn: Xing Xin
• LinkedIn: Ben Jennings

Tune in to this engaging conversation and gain valuable insights from two leaders at the cutting edge of insurtech innovation! Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

 

ITC Special 4B - Reinventing Life Insurance: Technology and Transformation with Angus Dunn, Nick Bowman & Xuejun Tao

Why should life insurance sales be a long, complicated process? What if agents could close deals faster, more efficiently, and still deliver top-quality service? Imagine a world where the journey from initial intake to underwriting orders takes minutes, not days. It sounds almost too good to be true…

 

In this episode, we sit down with Hillard Milner, co-founder of Optifino, and the Xcela team—Angus Dunn, Xuejun Tao, and Nick Bowman—to explore their innovative approach to life insurance technology. We discuss how Optifino and Xcela use AI to enhance agent and client experiences, streamline processes, and address industry challenges. The conversation also delves into evolving market strategies, the importance of understanding client needs, and the industry's historical challenges with innovation. Xcela and Optifino’s commitment to trust and adaptability shines through as they reshape the future of life insurance.

 

Tune in to learn more about the future of life insurance and how technology is transforming the industry. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights!

Key Insights:

• The role of technology in modernizing the life insurance industry.
• Xcela’s mission to enhance life insurance sales and distribution
• Strategies for market penetration and adapting to customer needs
• Importance of building relationships and trust with clients
• Overcoming legacy issues and regulatory challenges in the life insurance sector.
• Challenges of technology adoption in the insurance sector
• Dual approach to engaging both agents and management in sales
• Navigating lengthy sales cycles typical in the insurance industry
• The transformative potential of AI and the need for flexibility in tech solutions
• Commitment to data security and compliance in building client trust

 

Featured Conversations:

 

Hilliard Milner, Optifino

[00:00:39] - The role of the platform

[00:01:41] - Empowering agents

[00:03:47] - User interface for agents

[00:05:05] - Lead generation challenges

[00:08:38] - Importance of holistic solutions

[00:11:46] - Legacy issues in insurance

[00:13:32] - Engaging carriers

[00:20:38] - Learning and growth as a founder

[00:21:46] - First key hire

[00:23:22] - Future vision for the company

[00:25:22] - Trends in life insurance market

 

Notable quote: “My co-founder has a vast amount of experience in life insurance. He built a massive brokerage that has sold over $20 billion of life insurance. We specialize in complicated cases because we have the subject matter experts and our technology adds massive value.”  Hilliard Milner

 

Angus Dunn, Nick Bowman & Xuejun Tao, Accela

 

[00:02:39] - Overview of Xcela's mission

[00:03:03] - Collaborative development story

[00:06:43] - Building a flexible tech stack

[00:09:09] - Agent's perspective on technology

[00:13:18] - Challenges in life insurance innovation

[00:20:30] - Dual approach to distribution

[00:24:16] - Learning from the insurance industry

[00:26:11] - Team dynamics and expertise

[00:27:50] - Navigating long sales cycles

 

Notable Quote: "I really don't like to build products and we want to sell the product first, then you build the product. The reason is because if you can sell it, you can build it. When you build a product, that means that you already have a market." - Angus Dunn

 

Notable Quote: “Now everything is possible, and how we actually make things happen is by taking a new approach to apply AI, especially to help the specific industry.”- Xuejun Tao

 

Notable Quote: “As a young person in the industry who plans on being in the industry for a very long time and really loves this industry, I cannot wait for someone else to do this. I have to bring this change.”- Nick Bowman

Key Themes:

1. Xcela's and Optifino’s  Mission and Vision  

• Streamlining life insurance with AI  
• The genesis of Xcela and Optifino: A shared vision of applying AI to the insurance industry  

2. Creating Value Beyond Efficiency  

• Measuring AI's impact  
• The importance of a flexible tech stack that can adapt to future AI advancements  

3. Understanding the Agent's Perspective  

• Empowering independent agents  
• Go-to-market strategy  

4. Building Relationships and Trust  

• Establishing rapport with clients  
• Customizable solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness  

5. Navigating Industry Challenges  

• Bridging the tech gap for independent agents  
• Market-driven product development  

6. The Future of Optifino and  Xcela and the Insurance Industry  

• Anticipating industry changes and commitment to flexibility  
• Evolving strategies in distribution  

7. Building Trust in Technology  

• Ensuring data security  
• Navigating long sales cycles

8. The Evolving Role of Financial Advisors

• Integrating life insurance into financial strategies
• Overcoming historical challenges
• Challenges and rewards

 

About Our Guests:

Hilliard Milner is the Co-Founder and CRO of Optifino. He previously worked at NM Capital as a Managing Director. Hilliard Milner attended the University of Johannesburg.

 

Angus Dunn is a seasoned professional based in the Bay Area with over 25 years of experience working alongside both tech startups and major tech companies. His career began with assessing factories and collecting SAP data, which laid the foundation for his deep expertise in technology and business operations. After several years in that field, Angus transitioned to a startup called Velocity, a company focused on vertical applications. Velocity was later acquired by Salesforce, providing Angus with a successful exit. He spent several years at Salesforce, working on industry solutions before diving into the rapidly evolving world of AI.

 

Xuejun Tao is an experienced engineer and co-founder with over 30 years of industry experience. Based in the Bay Area for more than 25 years, he has built a diverse and successful career, including nearly 11 years at Google. During his time at Google, Xuejun led the development of several cloud and AI projects, playing a key role in shaping cutting-edge technologies.

 

Nick Bowman brings 14 years of experience in the life insurance industry, with a focus on both independent distribution and career distribution. He started his career with a hands-on approach, cold-calling clients and honing his skills in the real world. This early experience shaped his pragmatic, street-smart approach to business—something he’s carried with him throughout his career.

 

Having worked in various capacities within the industry, Nick has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that agents face. He is particularly passionate about making life insurance more accessible and efficient for agents and their clients.

Resources:

• Xcela: https://life.xcela.ai/
• Optifino: https://optifino.com/
• LinkedIn: Angus Dunn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angus-dunn-2827b2)
• LinkedIn: Nick Bowman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bowman-cfp%C2%AE-ms-cep%C2%AE-9bb31743)
• LinkedIn: Xuejun Tao (https://www.linkedin.com/in/xuejun-tao-0998594)
• LinkedIn: Hillard Milner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilliard-milner-ca-sa-578663138)

ITC Special 4A - Reinventing Life Insurance: Technology and Transformation with Hilliard Milner

Why should life insurance sales be a long, complicated process? What if agents could close deals faster, more efficiently, and still deliver top-quality service? Imagine a world where the journey from initial intake to underwriting orders takes minutes, not days. It sounds almost too good to be true…

 

In this episode, we sit down with Hillard Milner, co-founder of Optifino, and the Xcela team—Angus Dunn, Xuejun Tao, and Nick Bowman—to explore their innovative approach to life insurance technology. We discuss how Optifino and Xcela use AI to enhance agent and client experiences, streamline processes, and address industry challenges. The conversation also delves into evolving market strategies, the importance of understanding client needs, and the industry's historical challenges with innovation. Xcela and Optifino’s commitment to trust and adaptability shines through as they reshape the future of life insurance.

 

Tune in to learn more about the future of life insurance and how technology is transforming the industry. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights!

Key Insights:

• The role of technology in modernizing the life insurance industry.
• Xcela’s mission to enhance life insurance sales and distribution
• Strategies for market penetration and adapting to customer needs
• Importance of building relationships and trust with clients
• Overcoming legacy issues and regulatory challenges in the life insurance sector.
• Challenges of technology adoption in the insurance sector
• Dual approach to engaging both agents and management in sales
• Navigating lengthy sales cycles typical in the insurance industry
• The transformative potential of AI and the need for flexibility in tech solutions
• Commitment to data security and compliance in building client trust

 

Featured Conversations:

 

Hilliard Milner, Optifino

[00:00:39] - The role of the platform

[00:01:41] - Empowering agents

[00:03:47] - User interface for agents

[00:05:05] - Lead generation challenges

[00:08:38] - Importance of holistic solutions

[00:11:46] - Legacy issues in insurance

[00:13:32] - Engaging carriers

[00:20:38] - Learning and growth as a founder

[00:21:46] - First key hire

[00:23:22] - Future vision for the company

[00:25:22] - Trends in life insurance market

 

Notable quote: “My co-founder has a vast amount of experience in life insurance. He built a massive brokerage that has sold over $20 billion of life insurance. We specialize in complicated cases because we have the subject matter experts and our technology adds massive value.”  Hilliard Milner

 

Angus Dunn, Nick Bowman & Xuejun Tao, Accela

 

[00:02:39] - Overview of Xcela's mission

[00:03:03] - Collaborative development story

[00:06:43] - Building a flexible tech stack

[00:09:09] - Agent's perspective on technology

[00:13:18] - Challenges in life insurance innovation

[00:20:30] - Dual approach to distribution

[00:24:16] - Learning from the insurance industry

[00:26:11] - Team dynamics and expertise

[00:27:50] - Navigating long sales cycles

 

Notable Quote: "I really don't like to build products and we want to sell the product first, then you build the product. The reason is because if you can sell it, you can build it. When you build a product, that means that you already have a market." - Angus Dunn

 

Notable Quote: “Now everything is possible, and how we actually make things happen is by taking a new approach to apply AI, especially to help the specific industry.”- Xuejun Tao

 

Notable Quote: “As a young person in the industry who plans on being in the industry for a very long time and really loves this industry, I cannot wait for someone else to do this. I have to bring this change.”- Nick Bowman

Key Themes:

1. Xcela's and Optifino’s  Mission and Vision  

• Streamlining life insurance with AI  
• The genesis of Xcela and Optifino: A shared vision of applying AI to the insurance industry  

2. Creating Value Beyond Efficiency  

• Measuring AI's impact  
• The importance of a flexible tech stack that can adapt to future AI advancements  

3. Understanding the Agent's Perspective  

• Empowering independent agents  
• Go-to-market strategy  

4. Building Relationships and Trust  

• Establishing rapport with clients  
• Customizable solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness  

5. Navigating Industry Challenges  

• Bridging the tech gap for independent agents  
• Market-driven product development  

6. The Future of Optifino and  Xcela and the Insurance Industry  

• Anticipating industry changes and commitment to flexibility  
• Evolving strategies in distribution  

7. Building Trust in Technology  

• Ensuring data security  
• Navigating long sales cycles

8. The Evolving Role of Financial Advisors

• Integrating life insurance into financial strategies
• Overcoming historical challenges
• Challenges and rewards

 

About Our Guests:

Hilliard Milner is the Co-Founder and CRO of Optifino. He previously worked at NM Capital as a Managing Director. Hilliard Milner attended the University of Johannesburg.

 

Angus Dunn is a seasoned professional based in the Bay Area with over 25 years of experience working alongside both tech startups and major tech companies. His career began with assessing factories and collecting SAP data, which laid the foundation for his deep expertise in technology and business operations. After several years in that field, Angus transitioned to a startup called Velocity, a company focused on vertical applications. Velocity was later acquired by Salesforce, providing Angus with a successful exit. He spent several years at Salesforce, working on industry solutions before diving into the rapidly evolving world of AI.

 

Xuejun Tao is an experienced engineer and co-founder with over 30 years of industry experience. Based in the Bay Area for more than 25 years, he has built a diverse and successful career, including nearly 11 years at Google. During his time at Google, Xuejun led the development of several cloud and AI projects, playing a key role in shaping cutting-edge technologies.

 

Nick Bowman brings 14 years of experience in the life insurance industry, with a focus on both independent distribution and career distribution. He started his career with a hands-on approach, cold-calling clients and honing his skills in the real world. This early experience shaped his pragmatic, street-smart approach to business—something he’s carried with him throughout his career.

 

Having worked in various capacities within the industry, Nick has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that agents face. He is particularly passionate about making life insurance more accessible and efficient for agents and their clients.

Resources:

• Xcela: https://life.xcela.ai/
• Optifino: https://optifino.com/
• LinkedIn: Angus Dunn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angus-dunn-2827b2)
• LinkedIn: Nick Bowman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bowman-cfp%C2%AE-ms-cep%C2%AE-9bb31743)
• LinkedIn: Xuejun Tao (https://www.linkedin.com/in/xuejun-tao-0998594)
• LinkedIn: Hillard Milner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilliard-milner-ca-sa-578663138)

ITC Special Part 3C - Tradition Meets Innovation: Collaboration in Insurance with Steve Johnson

Is the insurance industry ready to embrace collaboration as the key to modernization? How are traditional players leveraging technology to deliver customer-centric solutions while preserving their heritage? In this third installment of our series from ITC, we uncover how three industry leaders are driving innovation through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology.

Our conversations with Dorothy Kelly of Verisk, Carlos Cendre of MAPFRE, and Steve Johnson of Insured.IO reveal how established organizations redefine success by blending tradition with innovation. Their insights highlight that transformation isn’t just about adopting the latest tools—it’s about addressing core customer needs and building lasting value.

 

Episode Highlights

Episode 1: Dorothy Kelly, VP of Innovation at Verisk

• [00:15] Verisk's approach to fostering innovation through employee-generated ideas.
• [03:30] The importance of aligning innovation with customer needs.
• [07:00] How Verisk integrates cross-divisional data for impactful solutions.

Notable Quote: "Data is the currency of the future, and we’re here to help companies spend it wisely."

Episode 2: Carlos Cendre, Scouting and Investment Lead at MAPFRE

• [00:05] Insights into MAPFRE's global strategy and its significant presence in LATAM markets.
• [06:40] Building partnerships to address issues like climate change and cybersecurity.
• [09:30] Embracing trends such as embedded and parametric insurance to stay competitive.

Notable Quote: "Innovation doesn’t replace tradition; it builds upon it."

Episode 3: Steve Johnson, Founder of Insured.IO

• [00:20] The importance of user experience in customer retention.
• [05:00] The transition from professional services to a scalable SaaS platform.
• [09:10] Overcoming resistance to digital transformation in established markets.

Notable Quote: "Trust is earned one interaction at a time, and technology helps us get there faster."

Key Themes

Innovation in Insurance

• How industry giants foster a culture of innovation internally and through external partnerships.
• The critical role of customer insights in shaping new products and services.
  
  

Global Strategy and Local Adaptation

• The balance of operating with a large global footprint while addressing local market needs effectively.
  
  

Digital Transformation and User Experience

• The shift to mobile-first and omni-channel strategies to meet changing customer expectations.
  
  

Emerging Trends

•  The growing importance of AI, embedded insurance, and sustainability solutions.

 

About the Guests

Dorothy Kelly

Dorothy Kelly is at the forefront of innovation at Verisk, where she spearheads initiatives that democratize ideation and empower employees across the organization to contribute transformative concepts. By fostering a culture of collaboration and prioritizing customer-centric solutions, Dorothy drives impactful changes that address the evolving needs of the insurance and risk management sectors. Her passion for innovation and strategic leadership ensures Verisk remains a trailblazer in its industry.

 

Carlos Cendre

Carlos Cendre leads MAPFRE’s global startup collaboration efforts, where he focuses on harnessing cutting-edge innovation to address critical challenges, including climate change, cybersecurity, and other emerging trends. With a keen eye for identifying strategic partnerships and disruptive technologies, Carlos bridges the gap between traditional insurance practices and the dynamic startup ecosystem, driving meaningful progress for MAPFRE and its stakeholders.

 

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson is the visionary founder of Insured.IO, a pioneering SaaS platform dedicated to transforming the insured experience. With a deep understanding of the insurance landscape, Steve combines technical expertise and customer insights to deliver innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance user satisfaction, and optimize outcomes for insurers and policyholders alike. His leadership has established Insured I.O. as a leader in the insurtech space.

 

Resources

 

Dorothy Kelly

• LinkedIn
• Verisk

Steve Johnson

• LinkedIn
• Insured.io

Carlos Cendre

• Linkedin
• mapfre.com 

ITC Special Part 3B - Tradition Meets Innovation: Collaboration in Insurance with Carlos Cendre

Is the insurance industry ready to embrace collaboration as the key to modernization? How are traditional players leveraging technology to deliver customer-centric solutions while preserving their heritage? In this third installment of our series from ITC, we uncover how three industry leaders are driving innovation through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology.

Our conversations with Dorothy Kelly of Verisk, Carlos Cendre of MAPFRE, and Steve Johnson of Insured.IO reveal how established organizations redefine success by blending tradition with innovation. Their insights highlight that transformation isn’t just about adopting the latest tools—it’s about addressing core customer needs and building lasting value.

 

Episode Highlights

Episode 1: Dorothy Kelly, VP of Innovation at Verisk

• [00:15] Verisk's approach to fostering innovation through employee-generated ideas.
• [03:30] The importance of aligning innovation with customer needs.
• [07:00] How Verisk integrates cross-divisional data for impactful solutions.

Notable Quote: "Data is the currency of the future, and we’re here to help companies spend it wisely."

Episode 2: Carlos Cendre, Scouting and Investment Lead at MAPFRE

• [00:05] Insights into MAPFRE's global strategy and its significant presence in LATAM markets.
• [06:40] Building partnerships to address issues like climate change and cybersecurity.
• [09:30] Embracing trends such as embedded and parametric insurance to stay competitive.

Notable Quote: "Innovation doesn’t replace tradition; it builds upon it."

Episode 3: Steve Johnson, Founder of Insured.IO

• [00:20] The importance of user experience in customer retention.
• [05:00] The transition from professional services to a scalable SaaS platform.
• [09:10] Overcoming resistance to digital transformation in established markets.

Notable Quote: "Trust is earned one interaction at a time, and technology helps us get there faster."

Key Themes

Innovation in Insurance

• How industry giants foster a culture of innovation internally and through external partnerships.
• The critical role of customer insights in shaping new products and services.
  
  

Global Strategy and Local Adaptation

• The balance of operating with a large global footprint while addressing local market needs effectively.
  
  

Digital Transformation and User Experience

• The shift to mobile-first and omni-channel strategies to meet changing customer expectations.
  
  

Emerging Trends

•  The growing importance of AI, embedded insurance, and sustainability solutions.

 

About the Guests

Dorothy Kelly

Dorothy Kelly is at the forefront of innovation at Verisk, where she spearheads initiatives that democratize ideation and empower employees across the organization to contribute transformative concepts. By fostering a culture of collaboration and prioritizing customer-centric solutions, Dorothy drives impactful changes that address the evolving needs of the insurance and risk management sectors. Her passion for innovation and strategic leadership ensures Verisk remains a trailblazer in its industry.

 

Carlos Cendre

Carlos Cendre leads MAPFRE’s global startup collaboration efforts, where he focuses on harnessing cutting-edge innovation to address critical challenges, including climate change, cybersecurity, and other emerging trends. With a keen eye for identifying strategic partnerships and disruptive technologies, Carlos bridges the gap between traditional insurance practices and the dynamic startup ecosystem, driving meaningful progress for MAPFRE and its stakeholders.

 

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson is the visionary founder of Insured.IO, a pioneering SaaS platform dedicated to transforming the insured experience. With a deep understanding of the insurance landscape, Steve combines technical expertise and customer insights to deliver innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance user satisfaction, and optimize outcomes for insurers and policyholders alike. His leadership has established Insured I.O. as a leader in the insurtech space.

Resources

 

Dorothy Kelly

• LinkedIn
• Verisk

Steve Johnson

• LinkedIn
• Insured.io

Carlos Cendre

• Linkedin
• mapfre.com 

ITC Special Part 3A - Tradition Meets Innovation: Collaboration in Insurance with Dorothy Kelly

Is the insurance industry ready to embrace collaboration as the key to modernization? How are traditional players leveraging technology to deliver customer-centric solutions while preserving their heritage? In this third installment of our series from ITC, we uncover how three industry leaders are driving innovation through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology.

Our conversations with Dorothy Kelly of Verisk, Carlos Cendre of MAPFRE, and Steve Johnson of Insured.IO reveal how established organizations redefine success by blending tradition with innovation. Their insights highlight that transformation isn’t just about adopting the latest tools—it’s about addressing core customer needs and building lasting value.

 

Episode Highlights

Episode 1: Dorothy Kelly, VP of Innovation at Verisk

• [00:15] Verisk's approach to fostering innovation through employee-generated ideas.
• [03:30] The importance of aligning innovation with customer needs.
• [07:00] How Verisk integrates cross-divisional data for impactful solutions.

Notable Quote: "Data is the currency of the future, and we’re here to help companies spend it wisely."

Episode 2: Carlos Cendre, Scouting and Investment Lead at MAPFRE

• [00:05] Insights into MAPFRE's global strategy and its significant presence in LATAM markets.
• [06:40] Building partnerships to address issues like climate change and cybersecurity.
• [09:30] Embracing trends such as embedded and parametric insurance to stay competitive.

Notable Quote: "Innovation doesn’t replace tradition; it builds upon it."

Episode 3: Steve Johnson, Founder of Insured.IO

• [00:20] The importance of user experience in customer retention.
• [05:00] The transition from professional services to a scalable SaaS platform.
• [09:10] Overcoming resistance to digital transformation in established markets.

Notable Quote: "Trust is earned one interaction at a time, and technology helps us get there faster."

Key Themes

Innovation in Insurance

• How industry giants foster a culture of innovation internally and through external partnerships.
• The critical role of customer insights in shaping new products and services.
  
  

Global Strategy and Local Adaptation

• The balance of operating with a large global footprint while addressing local market needs effectively.
  
  

Digital Transformation and User Experience

• The shift to mobile-first and omni-channel strategies to meet changing customer expectations.
  
  

Emerging Trends

•  The growing importance of AI, embedded insurance, and sustainability solutions.

 

About the Guests

Dorothy Kelly

Dorothy Kelly is at the forefront of innovation at Verisk, where she spearheads initiatives that democratize ideation and empower employees across the organization to contribute transformative concepts. By fostering a culture of collaboration and prioritizing customer-centric solutions, Dorothy drives impactful changes that address the evolving needs of the insurance and risk management sectors. Her passion for innovation and strategic leadership ensures Verisk remains a trailblazer in its industry.

 

Carlos Cendre

Carlos Cendre leads MAPFRE’s global startup collaboration efforts, where he focuses on harnessing cutting-edge innovation to address critical challenges, including climate change, cybersecurity, and other emerging trends. With a keen eye for identifying strategic partnerships and disruptive technologies, Carlos bridges the gap between traditional insurance practices and the dynamic startup ecosystem, driving meaningful progress for MAPFRE and its stakeholders.

 

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson is the visionary founder of Insured.IO, a pioneering SaaS platform dedicated to transforming the insured experience. With a deep understanding of the insurance landscape, Steve combines technical expertise and customer insights to deliver innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance user satisfaction, and optimize outcomes for insurers and policyholders alike. His leadership has established Insured I.O. as a leader in the insurtech space.

Resources

 

Dorothy Kelly

• LinkedIn
• Verisk

Steve Johnson

• LinkedIn
• Insured.io

Carlos Cendre

• Linkedin
• mapfre.com 

ITC Special Part 2C - Driving Insurance Innovation Through AI and Analytics with Leandro DalleMulle

Is the insurance industry finally ready to move beyond buzzwords to meaningful AI implementation? How are innovative companies translating data into actionable insights? In this special episode of our ITC series, we explore how three companies are taking different approaches to harnessing AI and analytics to solve real industry challenges.

Our conversations with Leandro DalleMule of Planck, Sean Merat of Owl.co, and Dennis Ellis of Credit Karma reveal how mature AI solutions are finally addressing longstanding operational challenges in insurance. Their approaches demonstrate that success with AI isn't about the technology itself—it's about solving specific business problems and delivering measurable outcomes.

 

Key Insights:

- The evolution of AI in insurance from experimental to practical

- How companies are moving beyond data collection to actionable insights

- The critical balance between automation and human judgment

- The role of domain expertise in building effective AI solutions

- Importance of focusing on business problems rather than technology

 

Featured Conversations:

 

Sean Merat, CEO of Owl.co

[01:50] Journey into insurance technology

[02:46] Owl.co's claims insights engine approach

[03:34] The human element in AI-driven decisions

[04:14] Focus on bodily injury claims processing

[05:46] Compliance and ethical considerations in claims data

 

Notable Quote: "We are big ambassadors into the thought process that there should always be a human in the loop. Even though we're an AI company, we think that AI should be working on mundane aspects of the day-to-day lives of claims professionals, but the decisioning should always be on the human."

 

Dennis Ellis, General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma

[01:50] Transition from Zendrive to Credit Karma

[09:22] Creating frictionless insurance experiences

[13:09] First 90 days leading post-acquisition integration

[15:23] Building awareness for insurance offerings

[23:01] Connecting credit data with insurance opportunities

 

Notable Quote: "What we focus on in all of our products, but in insurance especially, is how do we create a marketplace that allows people to have kind of frictionless certainty?"

Leandro DalleMule, Global Head of Insurance at Planck

[01:35] Background in insurance analytics

[02:17] Evolution from data management to AI solutions

[07:47] Product market fit journey

[08:16] Early adoption of AI in insurance

[09:48] Focus on solving underwriting pain points

 

Notable Quote: "We never really framed it as, you need AI. We always try to frame it in terms of your pain points from an insurance, very specific carrier point of view."

Key Themes:

 

AI Implementation Strategy

- Moving beyond buzzwords to practical solutions

- Focus on specific business problems and outcomes

- Balance between automation and human judgment

 

Data Analytics Evolution

- Transition from data collection to actionable insights

- Integration of multiple data sources

- Importance of compliance and ethical considerations

 

Market Education

- Building understanding of AI capabilities

- Demonstrating concrete business value

- Setting realistic expectations for AI implementation

 

Digital Transformation

- Creating seamless user experiences

- Integrating technology with existing workflows

- Measuring and proving ROI

 

About Our Guests:

 

Leandro DalleMule leads Planck's global insurance initiatives, bringing extensive experience from roles at AIG and other major financial institutions. His background in data analytics and insurance operations provides unique insights into practical AI implementation.

Sean Merat co-founded Owl.co, which works with 16 of the top 20 largest carriers to enhance claims processing through AI-driven insights. His focus is on making claims decisioning faster and more effective while maintaining human oversight.

Dennis Ellis serves as General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma, following their acquisition of Zendrive. He focuses on creating frictionless insurance experiences that leverage both credit and behavioral data.

 

Resources:

Sean Merat & Owl.co

- https://www.owl.co

- LinkedIn: [Sean Mehrat](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmerat/)

 

Dennis Ellis & Credit Karma

- https://www.creditkarma.com/insurance

- LinkedIn: [Dennis Ellis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-ellis)

 

Leandro DalleMule & Planck

- https://www.planckdata.com

- LinkedIn: [Leandro DalleMule](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leandrodallemule/)

 

This episode launches our exploration of how AI and analytics are transforming various aspects of insurance operations, from underwriting to claims to customer experience. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes focusing on distribution, collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

 

ITC Special Part 2B - Driving Insurance Innovation Through AI and Analytics With Dennis Ellis

Is the insurance industry finally ready to move beyond buzzwords to meaningful AI implementation? How are innovative companies translating data into actionable insights? In this special episode of our ITC series, we explore how three companies are taking different approaches to harnessing AI and analytics to solve real industry challenges.

Our conversations with Leandro DalleMule of Planck, Sean Merat of Owl.co, and Dennis Ellis of Credit Karma reveal how mature AI solutions are finally addressing longstanding operational challenges in insurance. Their approaches demonstrate that success with AI isn't about the technology itself—it's about solving specific business problems and delivering measurable outcomes.

 

Key Insights:

- The evolution of AI in insurance from experimental to practical

- How companies are moving beyond data collection to actionable insights

- The critical balance between automation and human judgment

- The role of domain expertise in building effective AI solutions

- Importance of focusing on business problems rather than technology

 

Featured Conversations:

 

Sean Merat, CEO of Owl.co

[01:50] Journey into insurance technology

[02:46] Owl.co's claims insights engine approach

[03:34] The human element in AI-driven decisions

[04:14] Focus on bodily injury claims processing

[05:46] Compliance and ethical considerations in claims data

 

Notable Quote: "We are big ambassadors into the thought process that there should always be a human in the loop. Even though we're an AI company, we think that AI should be working on mundane aspects of the day-to-day lives of claims professionals, but the decisioning should always be on the human."

 

Dennis Ellis, General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma

[01:50] Transition from Zendrive to Credit Karma

[09:22] Creating frictionless insurance experiences

[13:09] First 90 days leading post-acquisition integration

[15:23] Building awareness for insurance offerings

[23:01] Connecting credit data with insurance opportunities

 

Notable Quote: "What we focus on in all of our products, but in insurance especially, is how do we create a marketplace that allows people to have kind of frictionless certainty?"

Leandro DalleMule, Global Head of Insurance at Planck

[01:35] Background in insurance analytics

[02:17] Evolution from data management to AI solutions

[07:47] Product market fit journey

[08:16] Early adoption of AI in insurance

[09:48] Focus on solving underwriting pain points

 

Notable Quote: "We never really framed it as, you need AI. We always try to frame it in terms of your pain points from an insurance, very specific carrier point of view."

Key Themes:

 

AI Implementation Strategy

- Moving beyond buzzwords to practical solutions

- Focus on specific business problems and outcomes

- Balance between automation and human judgment

 

Data Analytics Evolution

- Transition from data collection to actionable insights

- Integration of multiple data sources

- Importance of compliance and ethical considerations

 

Market Education

- Building understanding of AI capabilities

- Demonstrating concrete business value

- Setting realistic expectations for AI implementation

 

Digital Transformation

- Creating seamless user experiences

- Integrating technology with existing workflows

- Measuring and proving ROI

 

About Our Guests:

 

Leandro DalleMule leads Planck's global insurance initiatives, bringing extensive experience from roles at AIG and other major financial institutions. His background in data analytics and insurance operations provides unique insights into practical AI implementation.

Sean Merat co-founded Owl.co, which works with 16 of the top 20 largest carriers to enhance claims processing through AI-driven insights. His focus is on making claims decisioning faster and more effective while maintaining human oversight.

Dennis Ellis serves as General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma, following their acquisition of Zendrive. He focuses on creating frictionless insurance experiences that leverage both credit and behavioral data.

 

Resources:

Sean Merat & Owl.co

- https://www.owl.co

- LinkedIn: [Sean Mehrat](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmerat/)

 

Dennis Ellis & Credit Karma

- https://www.creditkarma.com/insurance

- LinkedIn: [Dennis Ellis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-ellis)

 

Leandro DalleMule & Planck

- https://www.planckdata.com

- LinkedIn: [Leandro DalleMule](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leandrodallemule/)

 

This episode launches our exploration of how AI and analytics are transforming various aspects of insurance operations, from underwriting to claims to customer experience. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes focusing on distribution, collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

 

ITC Special Part 2A - Driving Insurance Innovation Through AI and Analytics with Sean Merat

Is the insurance industry finally ready to move beyond buzzwords to meaningful AI implementation? How are innovative companies translating data into actionable insights? In this special episode of our ITC series, we explore how three companies are taking different approaches to harnessing AI and analytics to solve real industry challenges.

Our conversations with Leandro DalleMule of Planck, Sean Merat of Owl.co, and Dennis Ellis of Credit Karma reveal how mature AI solutions are finally addressing longstanding operational challenges in insurance. Their approaches demonstrate that success with AI isn't about the technology itself—it's about solving specific business problems and delivering measurable outcomes.

 

Key Insights:

- The evolution of AI in insurance from experimental to practical

- How companies are moving beyond data collection to actionable insights

- The critical balance between automation and human judgment

- The role of domain expertise in building effective AI solutions

- Importance of focusing on business problems rather than technology

 

Featured Conversations:

 

Sean Merat, CEO of Owl.co

[01:50] Journey into insurance technology

[02:46] Owl.co's claims insights engine approach

[03:34] The human element in AI-driven decisions

[04:14] Focus on bodily injury claims processing

[05:46] Compliance and ethical considerations in claims data

 

Notable Quote: "We are big ambassadors into the thought process that there should always be a human in the loop. Even though we're an AI company, we think that AI should be working on mundane aspects of the day-to-day lives of claims professionals, but the decisioning should always be on the human."

 

Dennis Ellis, General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma

[01:50] Transition from Zendrive to Credit Karma

[09:22] Creating frictionless insurance experiences

[13:09] First 90 days leading post-acquisition integration

[15:23] Building awareness for insurance offerings

[23:01] Connecting credit data with insurance opportunities

 

Notable Quote: "What we focus on in all of our products, but in insurance especially, is how do we create a marketplace that allows people to have kind of frictionless certainty?"

Leandro DalleMule, Global Head of Insurance at Planck

[01:35] Background in insurance analytics

[02:17] Evolution from data management to AI solutions

[07:47] Product market fit journey

[08:16] Early adoption of AI in insurance

[09:48] Focus on solving underwriting pain points

 

Notable Quote: "We never really framed it as, you need AI. We always try to frame it in terms of your pain points from an insurance, very specific carrier point of view."

Key Themes:

 

AI Implementation Strategy

- Moving beyond buzzwords to practical solutions

- Focus on specific business problems and outcomes

- Balance between automation and human judgment

 

Data Analytics Evolution

- Transition from data collection to actionable insights

- Integration of multiple data sources

- Importance of compliance and ethical considerations

 

Market Education

- Building understanding of AI capabilities

- Demonstrating concrete business value

- Setting realistic expectations for AI implementation

 

Digital Transformation

- Creating seamless user experiences

- Integrating technology with existing workflows

- Measuring and proving ROI

 

About Our Guests:

 

Leandro DalleMule leads Planck's global insurance initiatives, bringing extensive experience from roles at AIG and other major financial institutions. His background in data analytics and insurance operations provides unique insights into practical AI implementation.

Sean Merat co-founded Owl.co, which works with 16 of the top 20 largest carriers to enhance claims processing through AI-driven insights. His focus is on making claims decisioning faster and more effective while maintaining human oversight.

Dennis Ellis serves as General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma, following their acquisition of Zendrive. He focuses on creating frictionless insurance experiences that leverage both credit and behavioral data.

 

Resources:

Sean Merat & Owl.co

- https://www.owl.co

- LinkedIn: [Sean Mehrat](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmerat/)

 

Dennis Ellis & Credit Karma

- https://www.creditkarma.com/insurance

- LinkedIn: [Dennis Ellis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-ellis)

 

Leandro DalleMule & Planck

- https://www.planckdata.com

- LinkedIn: [Leandro DalleMule](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leandrodallemule/)

 

This episode launches our exploration of how AI and analytics are transforming various aspects of insurance operations, from underwriting to claims to customer experience. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes focusing on distribution, collaboration, innovation, and leadership.