Full Episodes | Insurtech Leadership Podcast

Commercial insurance is a billion-dollar industry—but behind the scenes, it’s a mess. Agents are buried in outdated processes, struggling to keep up with client needs and fighting to prove their value in a system that just isn’t built for efficiency. So, what if there was a better way? What if technology could finally give agents the tools they need to move beyond paperwork and actually reduce risk for their clients?

 

In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua Hollander sits down with Lawson Condell, CEO and founder of Riskbly, to talk about how he’s tackling these challenges head-on. Riskbly is a platform designed to modernize the fractured and siloed processes that have long plagued commercial insurance, giving agents real-time insights and better ways to manage risk.

 

Lawson shares his journey from working at major corporations like Oracle and Thomson Reuters to launching a platform built specifically to empower commercial agents. They dive into what’s broken in the industry, why white-label solutions are a game-changer, and how Riskbly is helping agents shift from simply selling policies to becoming true risk advisors. Plus, Lawson reflects on how his military background shaped his leadership style and what he sees as the future of commercial insurance in a tech-driven world.

 

If you’re ready to see how technology is rewriting the rules of commercial insurance, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in!

In This Episode:

• [00:40] Founding Riskbly – Lawson’s motivation behind creating Riskbly for commercial agents.
• [01:07] Challenges in Commercial Insurance – The fragmented and manual processes in commercial insurance communication.
• [02:37] Building the Riskbly Platform – The development of Riskbly, aimed at improving agent-client interactions.
• [03:41] Real-Time Insights for Agents – The platform provides agents with real-time insights and risk management tools.
• [04:40] The Role of Agents as Risk Advisors – The importance of agents acting as risk advisors to clients.
• [08:48] Product Evolution – The ongoing evolution and future features of the Riskbly platform.
• [09:57] Team and Development – Lawson shares how he assembled his development team for product creation.
• [12:50] Data Analysis Capabilities – Exploration of the platform's ability to analyze data for client benefits.
• [16:23] Target Audience for Riskbly – The platform caters to both existing commercial agents and newcomers.
• [18:01] Best Practices for Successful Agents – Insights on what makes successful agents stand out.
• [21:03] Risk Management Transparency – How Riskbly helps demonstrate risk management efforts to insurers for better premium rates.
• [22:01] Comparison with Oracle – Lawson compares his tech startup experience with his time at Oracle, emphasizing platform flexibility.
• [25:00] Military Experience Influence – Lawson reflects on how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy and approach to business.
• [29:05] Client Relationships and Value Perception – The need to continually earn client trust and adapt to changing perceptions of value.

Notable Quotes

• [00:04:26] "I come in as the risk advising agent wanting to lower your total cost of risk. We go through a diagnosis, and I find these things. You agree on it, but in six months or a year, I come back, and you haven’t done anything. It’s a frustrating process." – Lawson Condell

 

• [00:14:10] "We are here to support the agent. We are here to make that agent that partners with us the very best. I promise to each agency, to each agent, I’m here to make you better. My team’s here to make you better." – Lawson Condell

 

• [00:28:13] "I think if you try to stay as close to the client and your employees as you can, and I don't mean emotionally close, I mean in the trenches with them, helping them out, figuring out what motivates them, it makes a difference." – Lawson Condell

 

Our Guest

Lawson Condell, CEO and founder of Riskbly, a platform designed to empower commercial insurance agents with tools to manage risk, streamline operations, and deliver better value to their clients. With a background in corporate America, including roles at Oracle and Thomson Reuters, Lawson brings a wealth of experience in SaaS solutions and commercial insurance. A former military officer, Lawson’s leadership philosophy is deeply influenced by his time in the Air Force.

 

Resources and Links

 

Lawson Condell

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawson-condell/
• https://www.riskbly.com/

 

Josh Hollander

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/
• https://www.horton-usa.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurt

In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Josh Hollander welcomes Nakita Devlin, CEO and Co-founder of Ric, who shares how her company is democratizing parametric insurance products for everyday Americans. Unlike traditional catastrophe coverage, Ric's approach focuses on immediate, predefined payouts triggered by meteorological events rather than complex damage assessments.

 

Devlin, drawing from her background as an insurance broker specializing in catastrophe coverage, explains how Ric is transforming parametric insurance from an enterprise-focused product into an accessible consumer offering. Their flagship flood product, launching in 2025, offers a $10,000 payout for $14 monthly, using only meteorological data for triggering events – a significant departure from traditional flood insurance's complex underwriting requirements.

 

Key Insights:

•  Reimagining Distribution: Rather than traditional insurance channels, Ric is partnering with employers to offer parametric coverage during benefits enrollment, positioning it alongside standard offerings like dental insurance
• Simplified Underwriting: Breaking from traditional catastrophe policies, Ric uses only meteorological data instead of extensive property information, making coverage more accessible and equitable
• Rapid Response Focus: Products designed for immediate payouts to cover both property damage and financial disruption, addressing gaps in traditional coverage that can take months to pay claims
• Workforce Resilience: Targeting employers whose workforces face climate risks, positioning parametric coverage as a business continuity tool
• Market Evolution: Using micro-parametric products to help insurers re-enter challenging markets with controlled exposure through capped payouts

 

Notable Quotes:

"Insurance has a really big role to play in creating adaptability and resilience against climate change - not just for Fortune 500 companies, but for your average American." - [20:08] Nakita Devlin

 

"We think that for most Americans, even if you're making $100k a year, you're still living paycheck to paycheck... [they] shouldn't be penalized because they didn't know their home isn't properly protected for flood that's happening in 2025." - [38:57] Nakita Devlin

 

Key Topics Covered:

[09:16] Journey from catastrophe broker to insurtech founder

[15:10] Innovative distribution through employee benefits

[24:27] Structuring capacity as an MGA

[31:08] Product pivot based on market feedback

[38:22] Strategic focus on meteorological data

[41:03] Future of public-private climate partnerships

 

About Our Guest:

Nakita Devlin is the CEO and Co-founder of Ric, bringing deep expertise from her background as a catastrophe insurance broker. Her experience managing large-scale disaster coverage programs inspired Ric's mission to make parametric insurance accessible to everyday Americans. Under her leadership, Ric is pioneering new distribution channels and simplified underwriting approaches to address climate resilience gaps.

Resources:

Nakita Delvin

• https://www.helloric.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/nakita-devlin-38155916

 

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/ 

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 features Ben Jennings, CEO of Embroker, discussing his leadership journey and how Embroker is leading the Insurtech 2.0 movement. Ben explores the critical balance between technological innovation and insurance expertise to deliver exceptional customer value. He also shares insights into leadership transitions, building team alignment, and creating a culture of humility and collaboration.

Key Insights:
- How Embroker leads the Insurtech 2.0 movement.
- Practical applications of AI for a seamless customer buying experience.
- The importance of radical prioritization and focus in leadership.
- Balancing profitable growth with innovation.

Featured Conversations:
- [00:00:39] Observations on the tech-forward vibe at ITC 2024.
- [00:01:33] Leading the Insurtech 2.0 movement.
- [00:03:46] Using AI to transform customer experiences.
- [00:08:01] Transitioning from Chief Revenue Officer to CEO.
- [00:14:08] Advice for aspiring leaders on humility and continuous learning.

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

Resources:
- Embroker: [embroker.com](https://embroker.com)
- LinkedIn: [Ben Jennings](https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjennings)

Tune in for Ben’s insights on how to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving insurtech landscape. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

What does it take to lead and innovate in the rapidly evolving insurtech space? How can companies leverage cutting-edge technology to address customer challenges while building sustainable and impactful businesses?

This episode features Xing Xin, CEO and Co-Founder of Upfort, sharing how his company is redefining cyber resilience through the integration of advanced cybersecurity and insurance solutions. Xing discusses how Upfort reduces risk for small and mid-sized businesses by leveraging AI, fostering collaboration between tech and insurance professionals, and expanding into personal cyber solutions.

Key Insights:
- Upfort’s mission to enhance cyber resilience.
- Using AI to reduce claim frequency by up to 75%.
- Building a balanced team culture combining tech and insurance expertise.
- Managing dual distribution strategies for enterprises and SMBs.

Featured Conversations:
- [00:02:12] Reflections on ITC and the evolution of the insurtech community.
- [00:05:56] Upfort’s innovative approach to cyber resilience.
- [00:24:40] Expanding into personal cyber solutions.

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

Resources:
- Upfort: [upfort.com](https://upfort.com)
- LinkedIn: [Xing Xin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/xingxin)

Discover how Xing is leading the way in cyber resilience. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

Life insurance is being transformed through technology, streamlining processes and empowering agents and clients alike. This episode features Angus Dunn, Nick Bowman, and Xuejun Tao of Xcela, sharing how they are enhancing life insurance through AI.

The conversation delves into overcoming legacy challenges, building trust through data security, and reshaping the role of agents to deliver value to clients efficiently.

Key Insights:
- Xcela’s mission to enhance life insurance sales and distribution.
- Using AI to transform life insurance processes.
- Strategies for market adaptation and building client trust.
- Overcoming legacy issues in the insurance sector.

Featured Conversations:
- [00:02:39] Overview of Xcela's mission and collaborative development.
- [00:09:09] The agent's perspective on technology adoption.
- [00:20:30] Navigating long sales cycles in insurance.

Notable Quotes:

"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  

"I really don’t like to build products before selling them. If you can sell it, you can build it." – Angus Dunn  

 

Resources:

• Xcela: https://life.xcela.ai/
• 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)

 

Tune in to hear how Xcela is revolutionizing the life insurance industry. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

How can technology simplify life insurance sales and empower agents to deliver exceptional service? This episode features Hilliard Milner, Co-Founder of Optifino, discussing how AI and holistic solutions are modernizing the life insurance industry.

Hilliard explores overcoming legacy challenges, fostering growth, and the importance of providing agents with the right tools to succeed.

Key Insights:

• Optifino’s vision to streamline life insurance with AI.
• Empowering agents through user-friendly platforms.
• Addressing legacy challenges and creating holistic solutions.

Featured Conversations:

• [00:00:39] Optifino’s platform overview.
• [00:05:05] Challenges with lead generation and engaging carriers.
• [00:23:22] Future vision for the company.

Notable Quote: “My co-founder has extensive experience in life insurance, and we specialize in complicated cases because we have the subject matter experts and our technology adds massive value.” – Hilliard Milner

Resources:

• Optifino: com
• LinkedIn: Hilliard Milner

Learn how Optifino is shaping the future of life insurance. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

How do traditional players in insurance leverage technology to modernize while maintaining their heritage? This episode features Steve Johnson, Founder of Insured.IO, discussing how user experience drives customer retention and supports digital transformation in the insurance industry.

Steve shares insights into building a scalable SaaS platform, overcoming resistance to digital change, and fostering trust through seamless technology.

Key Insights:

• The importance of user experience in customer retention.
• Transitioning from professional services to a scalable SaaS model.
• Overcoming resistance to digital transformation.

Featured Conversations:

• [00:20] The impact of user experience on customer retention.
• [05:00] Transitioning 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." – Steve Johnson

Resources:

• IO: insured.io
• LinkedIn: Steve Johnson

Tune in to discover how Steve Johnson is modernizing insurance through a user-first approach. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

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.

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.

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.