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Follow the Insurtech Leadership Podcast airing weekly hosted by Joshua R. Hollander. We give you up-close access and personal insights from the leaders of the fastest-growing #insurtechs and most innovative #insurance carriers and brokers. New episodes weekly.
Episodes
Friday Jan 03, 2025
Friday Jan 03, 2025
How can established insurers innovate while staying true to their roots? This episode features Carlos Cendre, Scouting and Investment Lead at MAPFRE, discussing how global strategies, partnerships, and emerging trends like embedded and parametric insurance drive modernization.
Carlos highlights MAPFRE’s approach to addressing challenges like climate change and cybersecurity through strategic collaborations.
Key Insights:
- MAPFRE’s global strategy and its significant presence in LATAM markets.
- Building partnerships to address issues like climate change and cybersecurity.
- Leveraging trends like embedded and parametric insurance.
Featured Conversations:
- [00:05] Insights into MAPFRE’s global strategy.
- [06:40] Building strategic partnerships to tackle emerging challenges.
- [09:30] Staying competitive through embedded and parametric insurance.
Notable Quote: "Innovation doesn’t replace tradition; it builds upon it." – Carlos Cendre
Resources:
- MAPFRE: com
- LinkedIn: Carlos Cendre
Learn how MAPFRE blends innovation with tradition to redefine insurance. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.
Friday Jan 03, 2025
Friday Jan 03, 2025
Is collaboration the key to modernizing the insurance industry? This episode features Dorothy Kelly, VP of Innovation at Verisk, sharing how her team fosters a culture of innovation through employee-driven ideas and customer-focused solutions.
Dorothy dives into how Verisk integrates cross-divisional data to create impactful products and the role of data as the currency of the future.
Key Insights:
- Fostering innovation through employee-generated ideas.
- Aligning innovation efforts with customer needs.
- Integrating cross-divisional data for impactful solutions.
Featured Conversations:
- [00:15] Verisk’s approach to fostering innovation.
- [03:30] Aligning innovation with real-world challenges.
- [07:00] Leveraging data to create impactful solutions.
Notable Quote: "Data is the currency of the future, and we’re here to help companies spend it wisely." – Dorothy Kelly
Resources:
- Verisk: com
- LinkedIn: Dorothy Kelly
Explore how Verisk is leading the charge in data-driven innovation. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
How is AI transforming the insurance industry? In this episode, Leandro DalleMule, Global Head of Insurance at Planck, shares insights into moving beyond buzzwords to implement AI solutions that solve specific business problems.
Leandro discusses how Planck focuses on underwriting pain points and integrates actionable insights to drive meaningful outcomes in insurance operations.
Key Insights:
- The evolution of AI in insurance from experimental to practical applications.
- Transitioning from data management to AI-driven insights.
- Solving underwriting pain points with tailored AI solutions.
Featured Conversations:
- [01:35] Leandro’s background in insurance analytics.
- [07:47] Achieving product-market fit with early AI adopters.
- [09:48] Focusing on carrier-specific challenges with AI.
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." – Leandro DalleMule
Resources:
- Planck: com
- LinkedIn: Leandro DalleMule
Learn how AI is driving practical innovation in underwriting. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
How can insurers deliver frictionless experiences using technology? This episode features Dennis Ellis, General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma, discussing how his team integrates credit and behavioral data to simplify insurance processes.
Dennis explores Credit Karma’s focus on creating seamless user experiences and overcoming integration challenges in the insurance industry.
Key Insights:
- Creating frictionless insurance experiences through technology.
- Leveraging credit and behavioral data to connect insurance opportunities.
- Building awareness for insurance offerings post-acquisition.
Featured Conversations:
- [01:50] Transitioning from Zendrive to Credit Karma.
- [09:22] Making insurance experiences frictionless.
- [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?" – Dennis Ellis
Resources:
- Credit Karma: com/insurance
- LinkedIn: Dennis Ellis
Discover how Credit Karma is revolutionizing insurance experiences. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
How can AI enhance claims processing while maintaining the human element? This episode features Sean Merat, CEO of Owl.co, exploring the transformative potential of AI in claims management.
Sean explains how Owl.co’s AI-powered solutions reduce mundane tasks, enabling claims professionals to focus on high-value decisions while ensuring compliance and ethical considerations.
Key Insights:
- co’s approach to claims insights and automation.
- The importance of balancing automation with human judgment.
- Addressing compliance and ethical considerations in claims data.
Featured Conversations:
- [01:50] Sean’s journey into insurance technology.
- [03:34] Maintaining the human element in AI-driven decisions.
- [05:46] Ensuring compliance and ethical standards in claims processing.
Notable Quote: "Even though we're an AI company, we think that AI should be working on mundane aspects of day-to-day lives, but the decisioning should always be on the human." – Sean Merat
Resources:
- co: owl.co
- LinkedIn: Sean Merat
Explore how AI is reshaping claims management with Owl.co. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
How can technology simplify small commercial insurance delivery? This episode features David McFarland, CEO of Coterie, exploring how his team leverages technology to eliminate inefficiencies and empower distribution partners.
David shares insights into creating “stupidly easy” solutions for small businesses, navigating the MGA market, and building strong relationships with reinsurers.
Key Insights:
- Simplifying small commercial insurance with accessible technology.
- Evolution and future of the MGA market.
- Practical applications of AI to streamline insurance operations.
Featured Conversations:
- [02:00] From actuarial insights to identifying market opportunities.
- [19:29] Making insurance operations “stupidly easy.”
- [27:28] Navigating reinsurance relationships and capital requirements.
Notable Quote: "We seek to make life easy for our distribution partners... we really strive to make it stupidly easy to get a BOP, GL, miscellaneous professional liability for that small business owner." – David McFarland
Resources:
- Coterie: com
- LinkedIn: David McFarland
Discover how Coterie is revolutionizing small commercial insurance. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
How can automation address the insurance industry’s biggest operational burdens? This episode features Carl Ziadé, Co-Founder of Gaya, discussing how his company tackles inefficiencies like data entry while maintaining the human element in automated processes.
Carl shares Gaya’s innovative approach to leveraging APIs and agent input to create scalable, user-friendly solutions.
Key Insights:
- Addressing operational inefficiencies through sustainable automation.
- Importance of integrating technology with existing workflows.
- The role of AI in improving customer service operations.
Featured Conversations:
- [02:33] Journey from Stanford Business School to insurance automation.
- [05:38] Solving the industry’s biggest pain points with “super copy, super paste.”
- [28:53] Maintaining the human element in automated processes.
Notable Quote: "Data entry is the single biggest pain point this industry is struggling with... We need to get out of it." – Carl Ziadé
Resources:
- Gaya: com
- LinkedIn: Carl Ziadé
Learn how Gaya is streamlining insurance processes through innovation. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the InsureTech Connect (ITC) conference, host Josh Hollander sits down with Bobbie Shrivastav and Renu Ann Joseph to discuss the launch of their groundbreaking book series, Momentum. The first book, Makers and Builders Edition, showcases ten unfiltered stories from women making waves in insurtech, from bootstrapped founders to venture-backed entrepreneurs.
Through personal narratives and powerful imagery, this series documents the journeys of women founders who are reshaping the industry's future, addressing the stark reality of the 2% venture capital funding gap, and creating pathways for the next generation of female innovators.
Key Insights:
- Overview of the "Momentum" book series and its mission to amplify women's voices in insurtech
- Unique structured-yet-unfiltered approach to sharing founders' experiences
- Strategic use of visual storytelling to make complex industry narratives accessible
- Celebration of diverse paths to success, from bootstrapped to venture-backed founders
- Impact of representation on inspiring young girls in tech and insurance
- Personal stories of resilience, including cancer survivors and industry pioneers
- Building a supportive ecosystem for women in insurtech
- Power of physical printed books in creating lasting impact and inspiration
- Plans for future editions focusing on resilience, leadership, and Gen Z innovators
Key Topics Covered:
- [00:10] Introduction to Momentum and its mission
- [01:09] Inspirational stories and unfiltered narratives
- [02:44] Unique storytelling format combining photos and personal stories
- [03:33] Launch experience and community support
- [04:27] Impact of physical books on next generation
- [06:08] Diverse founder journeys and paths to success
- [08:59] Breaking through industry barriers and challenges
- [10:08] Venture funding gaps and alternative success metrics
- [11:18] Future plans for amplifying more voices
- [13:33] Maintaining authenticity in storytelling
Notable Quotes:
"My daughter was telling me, 'How many books did you print?' I said, '150.' She asked, 'Can I be the 150th person to receive the book?' She's nine, and she's truly been my inspiration for my startups." - [03:33] - Bobbie
"There is a background on their own personal journey. How did they grow up? Why did they fall into insurance? How did they pick the ideas they worked on, and what are the barriers? It's very, very personal." - [06:08] - Renu
"One of them said, 'I did it,' because she almost backed out of writing her story, thinking she wasn't there yet. I told her, 'Your story needs to be told. You will get there.'" - [10:01] - Bobbie
"Many of these women have great businesses without taking a single penny of investor money. For me, that is a success story." - [11:11] - Renu
About Our Guests:
Bobbie Shrivastav is a dynamic leader in the insurance and technology sectors, strongly focusing on promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. As co-founder of Momentum, a groundbreaking book series, she works to amplify the voices of women, founders, and innovators shaping the future of insurtech. Through her work, Bobbie is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders, advocating for resilience, creativity, and leadership in insurance and technology.
Dr. Renu Ann Joseph is a passionate advocate for diversity and innovation in the insurance and technology sectors. As co-founder of Momentum, a transformative book series, she amplifies the stories of women, founders, and industry leaders shaping the future of insurtech. Renu’s commitment to leadership, resilience, and creativity drives her work to inspire future generations and break barriers for underrepresented voices in the tech and insurance fields.
Resources:
Bobbie Shrivastav
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbieshrivastav/
- https://beacons.ai/bshrivastav
- https://themomentumbook.com/
Renu Ann Joseph
Josh Hollander
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/
- https://www.horton-usa.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true
- https://www.insurtechassociation.org/
- https://innsure.org/
Mentioned
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Is voice analytics the next frontier in insurance risk assessment and fraud detection? How can military-grade technology transform insurance operations? In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua R. Hollander sits down with Manjit Rana, Executive VP for UK, EMEA & APAC at ClearSpeed, to explore how their innovative voice analytics technology is revolutionizing risk assessment across multiple industries.
Key Insights:
- How ClearSpeed's military-derived voice analytics technology identifies risk in vocal responses
- Strategies for implementing new technology in the insurance industry
- The importance of attracting fresh talent to insurance through innovation
- Why disruption in insurance is likely to come from outside the industry
- The role of data ownership in future insurance models
Manjit shares ClearSpeed's journey from military applications to insurance, offering valuable insights into their go to-market strategy and the challenges of introducing innovative technology to a traditionally conservative industry. The episode also examines how non-insurance sectors could potentially disrupt the insurance landscape through unique data assets and customer relationships
In This Episode:
[01:11] Career journey and transition to ClearSpeed
[04:34] Explanation of ClearSpeed's voice analytics technology
[12:03] Discussion of risk scoring and comparison to FICO scores
[16:04] Implementation strategies and use cases
[21:12] Go-to-market approach and creating FOMO in the marketplace
[25:31] Addressing industry objections and concerns
[30:27] Examples of industry disruption from outside players
[36:28] Attracting talent to the insurance industry
[38:34] The difference between digitization and true innovation
Notable Quotes:
"I honestly believe a few years down the line, this is going to be as common as a credit score. Now you're applying for a job and people are going to say, have you had a ClearSpeed test?" - [11:27] Manjit Rana
"If three of them manage to solve that problem or reduce that fraud, those fraudsters are not going away. They're just going to move to the other seven. If those other seven were already drowning anyway, this is just going to push them over the edge." - [24:39] Manjit Rana
"We don't promote that enough. We don't make insurance sound interesting and sexy enough to that next generation of smart talent, which we're absolutely going to need if we want this industry to stay relevant." - [37:04] Manjit Rana
About Our Guest:
Manjit Rana is the Executive VP for UK, EMEA & APAC at ClearSpeed, a company specializing in voice analytics technology for risk assessment. With over 13 years of experience as an InsurTech and Insurance Innovation thought leader, Manjit brings a unique perspective from working across multiple industries and roles, including technology companies, insurance carriers, and consultancy. He is also the Co-Founder of Synapse Ecosystems and serves as an advisor to various InsurTech companies
Resources:
Manjit Rana
ClearSpeed
Josh Hollander
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/
- https://www.horton-usa.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true
- https://www.insurtechassociation.org/
- https://innsure.org/
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Fresh from InsurTech Connect 2024, where the industry gathered to discuss insurance innovation's past, present, and future, host Joshua R. Hollander brings you a special episode revisiting our three most downloaded episodes of the last year:
- Tom Wilde, CEO of Indico - At the forefront of bringing AI and automation to insurance workflows
- Bhavan Suri, Managing Director, Technology at William Blair - A leading investment banker tracking where money is flowing in insurtech
- Michael Nadel, Senior Director at Simon-Kutcher & Partners - A strategic consultant helping companies price and scale their solutions
While these leaders view the industry through different lenses, they align on several key points:
- Insurance is only in the "third inning" of digital transformation
- Data is becoming the key differentiator in insurance, but most companies struggle to utilize it effectively
- The industry needs to balance innovation with practical implementation
They also offer contrasting perspectives on critical issues:
- The readiness of AI for insurance (Wilde argues it's ready now, while others suggest a more measured approach)
- The future of insurance distribution (differing views on the role of traditional channels versus digital-first approaches)
- How to prioritize innovation investments (varying perspectives on what should come first: customer experience, middle office, or core systems)
Key Insights:
- The evolution of AI in insurance, from mobile transformation to middle-office automation
- The role of deep learning and large language models in handling unstructured data
- Challenges in integrating new technologies into legacy systems and how to overcome them
- The importance of pricing strategy and market entry for insurtech startups
- The intersection of Insurtech and Fintech: automating payments, claims processing, and beyond
- The role of data in shaping the future of cyber insurance and climate risk management
Key Topics Covered:
- [00:05] Intelligent intake challenges in insurance operations
- [03:42] Evolution from PDF scraping to AI-driven processing
- [07:12] The role of generative AI in insurance
- [10:18] Investment trends in insurtech
- [14:08] Insurtech-fintech convergence
- [15:21] Data's role in new insurance products
- [17:03] Tech-enabled MGAs and market evolution
- [18:40] State of insurance digitization
- [21:06] Growth strategy pillars
- [23:03] Insurance pricing considerations
- [27:07] Market entry strategies
Notable Quotes:
- "In insurance, data has always been king. But today, the challenge is turning unstructured data into fuel for decision-making." - Tom Wilde
- "The big breakthrough in AI is its ability to handle context. That's why large language models are changing the game." - Tom Wilde
- "I think by and large, digitization is still in the third inning for most carriers... When you get to life with annuities, that's probably first inning in terms of actual digitization." - Bhavan Suri
- "We’re just starting to see the convergence of Insurtech and Fintech, especially in areas like payments and claims automation." - Bhavan Suri
- "Pricing is really just a measure of value, the same way that a foot is a measure of distance. When you're pricing your products, it's really all about what the customer values in this product and matching that value to the price relationship." - Michael Nadel
- "If you're leaving pricing to chance, you're leaving money on the table." - Michael Nadel
About Our Guests:
Tom Wilde: CEO of Indico, Tom has over 25 years of experience in solving complex digital content problems and is an expert in applying AI and machine learning to insurance workflows.
Bhavan Suri: Managing Director at William Blair, Suri focuses on technology companies operating in the insurtech space, advising them on mergers, acquisitions, and public offerings.
Michael Nadel: Senior Director at Simon-Kutcher & Partners. Michael specializes in growth strategies and pricing for insurance carriers and insurtech firms.
Resources:
Tom Wilde
Suri Bhavan
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavan-suri-074113/
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/william-blair-company/
Michael Nadel
Josh Hollander
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/
- https://www.horton-usa.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/
- https://www.insurtechassociation.org/
- https://innsure.org/