The Insurance Technology Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Insurance Technology Podcast
The Insurance Technology Podcast brings together interesting people from across the insurance ecosystem to discuss and debate technology’s impact on insurance products, businesses, and the industry. While “InsurTech” seems like the buzzword of choice these days, insurance technology has been around for decades. As a true believer that the past informs the future, podcast host Reid Holzworth speaks to both insurance industry “godfathers” – the original innovators who paved the way for tech at a time when bell-bottoms were still in fashion – and today’s trailblazers, who are busy disrupting one of the world’s most traditional industries. Join Reid as he distills wisdom from these radically different vantage points in his continued quest to create innovative insurance technology that brings simplicity and value to the entire insurance ecosystem. As Chief Executive Officer of IVANS, Reid leads the company’s strategic direction. He is a prominent insurance industry leader with extensive insurance experience in both broker and insurer distribution environments. Reid was the founder and CEO of TechCanary.TechCanary built an innovative set of insurance solutions on the Salesforce platform to create choice and flexibility for agencies who prefer Salesforce.com, which has since been incorporated in Applied’s portfolio under the name Applied Epic for Salesforce. Reid’s extensive industry experience, innovation-first mindset and commitment to simple, valuable customer experiences will be hallmarks of his leadership of IVANS and the expansion of its compelling innovation strategy.
In this final podcast episode, Reid reflects on his journey, including his early years, a career in insurtech, the connections he has forged, his roles as a podcast host, CEO, and entrepreneur, and the lessons he has learned along the way.
As Reid steps into a new chapter – mastering music and inspiring passion – he leaves behind a legacy that challenges us all to think bigger, connect deeper, and embrace innovation. Tune in to hear Reid in the hot seat with Jim Hackbarth, a retired industry expert and former CEO of Assurex Global (and a well-known guest on the podcast).
Episode Highlights
- Laguna Beach skateboarding roots and forest ranger ambitions (1:00)
- Construction, landscaping and the value with your hands (8:06)
- Solving insurance issues with technology (9:30)
- Reid’s evolving understanding of leadership (21:18)
- How does Reid define success (36:11)
- Fun: cars, dirt bikes, boats, freediving, spearfishing, camping, and more (38:55)
- Reminiscing on what will be missed about Ivans and Applied (46:00)
In this podcast episode, Reid whisks together a rich discussion about the essential ingredients of unforgettable industry events with experts Bryan Falchuk, President and CEO of PLRB; Chip Bacciocco, CEO of TrustedChoice.com (now a part of the Momentum family); Christen Kelley, podcast co-host and VP of Marketing at Ivans; and Jim Hackbarth, a retired industry expert and former CEO of Assurex Global.
From throwback stories about early industry events to bold strategies that push events beyond the cookie-cutter conference formula, this conversation focuses on reimagining how we meet, interact, and grow together.
Episode Highlights
- Reminiscing on first industry events (3:02)
- Favorite events (9:32)
- Fun conferences & keeping to a theme (13:31)
- Bigger events becoming pay-to-play (17:39)
- Why CIAB is great even though it’s a grind (23:16)
- Honesty is the best policy (32:39)
- How panels should work (34:00)
- Bryan’s soapbox on sales pitches (45:22)
- If you created an event, what would it look like? (52:33)
In this podcast episode, Reid talks with a returning guest – Luke Magnan, co-founder and CIO of Combined Ratio Solutions.
Luke believes that core insurance software should be accessible and affordable, much like the dependable Honda Civic. Tune in to hear Luke’s vision: to empower insurance companies by simplifying their operations without breaking the bank (and more).
Episode Highlights
- Catching up on Combined Ratio’s mission (00:50)
- Carriers running IT as an engineering shop (11:42)
- How to become the industry standard (12:39)
- Aspiring to be the Honda Civic of Policy Systems (19:34)
- The relationship between the insurance industry and tech experts (26:12)
- The next big move in the industry (28:56)
- The role of Salesforce in insurance (34:00)
- Practical solutions over cool tools (39:36)
- A concept for large companies to consider (43:49)
- How keeping exits out of the conversation opens up opportunities (47:25)
- Disadvantages of private equity and venture capital (53:51)
- Thoughts on AI (58:41)
Ever wish you could wave a wand and solve the insurance industry's biggest headaches? In this solo episode, Reid dives into a conversation inspired by guest-proposed ideas about what they would change if they had a magic wand.
With a mix of hard truths, bold ideas, and passion, Reid breaks down what is holding us back and what could move the needle if we stopped playing by the same old rules. Grab a coffee or beverage of choice and get ready for a reality check on where we are with the issues we wish we could magically solve.
Episode Highlights
· Exploring Reid’s take on guests’ magic wand answers (00:41)
· Getting market access or going directly to carriers (2:15)
· Unpacking the “golden record” (5:22)
· Target practice on old servers (10:30)
· Customer-centric user experiences (11:30)
· The desire to turbocharge integrations + connectivity (14:40)
· The takeoff of companies like Uber Eats (14:55)
· The insurance talent gap debate (20:49)
· Shifting the public perception of jobs in insurance (24:13)
· Reid’s magic wand wish (30:29)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats live in New York at Insurtech Insights with Peter Germanov and Michael Lebor, the CEO and president of Momentum by NowCerts.
Tune into their candid conversation to dive into the stories that shaped who Peter and Michael are today and how they joined forces to create lasting momentum in Insurtech.
Episode Highlights
- Setting the scene at Insurtech Insights (00:40)
- Michael reminiscing on growing up in New York (1:29)
- Peter’s relocation from Bulgaria to Canada to New England (5:03)
- From humble roots to humbling success (11:18)
- Stumbling into the software business (13:00)
- NowCerts becomes Momentum (15:03)
- Talking about TrustedChoice.com (15:38)
- Connecting the dots, bringing everything into one system (16:56)
- Making it easy for agents to do what they do (26:00)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats live with Curt Stevenson, Head of Operations at Next Insurance, in the vibrant city of Boston.
Join us for an exciting episode of the Insurance Technology Podcast, where we dive deep into the evolving insurance world. This episode is packed with unique insights and intriguing conversations that explore the trends shaping the industry today, and you’ll get to know more about Curt’s life journey.
Episode Highlights
- Life in the Boston suburbs – from strict parenting to unforgettable adventures
- Navigating high school challenges and triumphs
- How high school jobs laid the foundation for a landscape business
- From college campus life to a career at Accenture
- The journey of entrepreneurship from the start to acquisition
- Navigating the sale of Agencyport to Duck Creek
- The NEXT adventure
- Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in insurance
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelley puts Reid in the hot seat to explore the transformative trends shaping the Insurtech landscape in 2025.
Tune in to hear Reid fly solo as the guest for the first time in a while, sharing his point of view on everything from intelligent document processing to E&S, AI, the tech talent gap and much more!
Episode Highlights
- What’s on the horizon with insurtech trends in 2025 (1:35)
- The rise in generative AI for insurance carriers (2:29)
- How carriers will modernize in the next year (6:30)
- AI underwriting at large carriers (10:30)
- The impact of intelligent document processing (14:10)
- Specialty and E&S lines driving innovation (16:10)
- Rapid innovation in the face of new risks (18:55)
- Quantum threats, fault-tolerant systems (22:08)
- Shifting risk landscape and coverage models (26:24)
- SaaS inflation (31:00)
- AI solutions for the tech talent gap (35:40)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Applied Pay President Chase Petrey about Chase’s journey from the snow-capped mountains of Salt Lake City to his success in insurtech.
Join them as they delve into the evolving payments industry and discuss innovative trends that are influencing its future. Chase also shares fascinating life stories, including his move to Washington, D.C., at just 16, his experiences on a Latter-Day Saints mission, doing business in Australia and Singapore, starting a family, joining Team Applied, and more.
Episode Highlights
- Growing up in the Salt Lake City mountains (00:43)
- An interest in politics starting in high school (5:00)
- Packing up bags and moving to Washington, D.C. at 16 (6:12)
- Realizing government jobs weren’t for him (8:04)
- Discipline and grit developed from a Latter-Day Saints mission (12:55)
- Getting into econometrics and learning to code (20:32)
- Becoming the “international guy” (30:58)
- Living in Australia, opportunity in Singapore (34:19)
- Family changes things, moving back with second kid (39:02)
- Accepting the “moonshot” opportunity at Applied (45:20)
- The explosion of digital payments (49:03)
- Leadership has its own discipline (1:01:00)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Michael Vega-Sanz, co-founder of Lula and co-founder & President of GAIL, to hear about his unique upbringing on a Miami farm and how early experiences fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.
Tune in to hear Michael’s captivating stories of tinkering with lawnmowers, exploring his rural surroundings, growing up and collaborating with his twin, his dedication to family, and the innovative work they’re doing today in the insurtech space.
Episode Highlights
· Chickens, goats and a lot for tinkering on the Miami farm (00:36)
· A love for tech that started at Babson (6:54)
· Twins join forces, building their first app (10:14)
· Going from an app to an insurance business (16:42)
· A customer-centric approach goes a long way (24:37)
· From zero to $2 million in 18 months (29:40)
· The AI, tech + insurance opportunity (32:34)
· Selling Lula, founding GAIL (46:54)
· The goal is to be the customers’ “wingman” (1:03:49)
· Getting in the trenches as effective leadership (1:10:48)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Niji Sabharwal, co-founder and CEO of AgentSync, in an engaging conversation that blends culture, creativity, and cutting-edge technology.
Need some inspiration to keep momentum with your New Year’s resolutions? Tune in to hear about Niji’s ambitious spirit, from selling candy in middle school to the journey that eventually led him to co-found AgentSync.
Episode Highlights
- Growing up as a first-generation American in the Bay area (00:50)
- A punk rock era, selling candy and going on BMX adventures (4:22)
- College life and job hunting in a recession (7:54)
- The Zenefits journey (16:06)
- Starting AgentSync, finding a market (30:21)
- Working with your spouse (37:26)
- AI’s impact on insurance (55:12)
- Entrepreneurial advice, having a north star (57:48)
- Leader vs. problem solver (1:02:14)
- Leaning into the hurt (1:04:00)
Ready to reflect on a transformative year and gear up for even bigger tech leaps in 2025? Our latest podcast episode with Reid Holzworth and co-host Christen Kelley is your perfect year-end roundup. We'll dive into the standout moments from 2024, from groundbreaking technologies that shifted the industry to the invaluable insights shared by our amazing guests.
Join us for a forward-thinking conversation that sets the stage for another incredible year of digital transformation.
Episode Highlights
- 2024 reflections, from download to other dynamic innovations (1:21)
- Ivans Connect success (5:28)
- Spearfishing and work travel (6:59)
- Unmissable moments in our top podcast episodes (9:00)
- Navigating challenges like the CrowdStrike incident (12:35)
- Storm Watch: Analyzing 2024 hurricane trends (16:03)
- Looking forward to 2025, call for podcast feedback (19:20)
- The coffee-wine ratio (22:55)
- Final thoughts for 2024 (25:24)
You can also watch this episode on YouTube!
In this exciting episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelley highlights some of the inspiring stories of giving back that we’ve gathered from our incredible guests this year.
Join us as we explore the heartwarming ways our guests are making a difference—from lending a helping hand to their neighbors to tackling hunger relief to championing under-represented founders to engaging in missionary work. We’re thankful for all of our guests this year and the difference they’re making in our communities, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next!
Episode Highlights
- Jason Cass: Missionary work in Cuba, aiding in Immigration, Centralia Youth Initiative (00:56)
- Taylor Rhodes: World Vision & being a good neighbor (5:42)
- Pat Caldwell: NYC Cares, working with schools, aspirations related to medicine (7:58)
- Jack Ramsey: Church families, supporting the youth, children’s hospital, hurricane relief (9:58)
- Adam Denninger: Dress for Success, supporting the people you work with (11:09)
- Kate Terry: Hunger relief + Greater Boston Food Bank + mentoring young women in the industry (14:26)
- Jen Linton: Under-represented founders – female founders (16:12)
- Leticia Trevino: Heffernan’s giving & Poder Scholarship Fund (investing in Latinas) (17:10)
- Bradley Flowers: Monthly Ask Me Anything, mission work, Little Sparks Project (19:19)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Bradley Flowers, founder of Portal Insurance and co-host of the Insurance Guys Podcast, to explore how family influences, personal struggles, and triumphs paved the way for a successful career.
Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and listen as they unravel the challenges of business ownership and the beauty of building meaningful relationships along the way.
Episode Highlights
- Rural roots in Atmore, Alabama – known for its casino and high-security prison (0:55)
- Getting progressively safer with hobbies, from bull riding to skateboarding to golf (5:22)
- A near-death experience that had nothing to do with bull riding (14:00)
- Starting out in insurance to have time for golf (16:37)
- Bradley’s biggest regret…it might surprise you (18:47)
- Starting an agency and creating the Insurance Guys Podcast (37:46)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Jack Ramsey, the vice president of agent channels at NEXT Insurance, to dive into Jack’s life journey – from his humble beginnings as a shy kid in a small town to his pivotal role at NEXT Insurance.
Tune in to hear how Jack broke through his shyness to create an impact in the insurance industry for a fully digital carrier and is giving back through mentorship and his passion for disaster relief, including the disaster that recently impacted his hometown.
Episode Highlights
- Big family, small town (00:45)
- Turning shy-kid experiences into mentorship opportunities (5:36)
- From door-to-door greeting card salesperson to insurance leader (13:43)
- Waking up excited to represent something different that agents are looking for (23:53)
- The growing talent gap in insurance (35:48)
- A heart for giving back to youth and supporting disaster relief (52:55)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Leticia Trevino, COO at Heffernan Insurance Brokers, to discuss Leticia’s remarkable story, from growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area to a thriving 24-year career at Heffernan.
Tune in to dive into the intricacies of the insurance technology landscape, the challenges and triumphs of leading a major organization, and the importance of staying connected to one's culture and values amidst it all.
Episode Highlights
· Music, culture, and connection (2:30)
· Starting out as a claims adjuster (3:35)
· Targeting Latino markets (7:45)
· Finding satisfaction in team building (9:45)
· The “golden record” (20:47)
· Success equals having a body of work you’re proud of (42:40)
· Setting up the Poder in Action fund for Latina females (44:21)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Adam Denninger, global industry lead for insurance at Capgemini, to discuss everything from musical interests and fighter jet dreams to an appreciation for history and a passion for insurtech.
Tune in to hear about Adam’s dream of going into flight as a fighter jet pilot in the US Air Force evolved into entering the world of insurtech – you won’t want to miss his insights and stories.
Episode Highlights
- From fighter jet dreams to insurance impact (1:43)
- A taste of modern family life and historical interests (2:20)
- Entering insurance at The Hartford, from intern to director (13:56)
- Being a newbie at Capgemini (24:34)
- The right place, the right time, the right data (28:19)
- Leading without fear and being ready to work (1:03:03)
- Doing the right thing (1:09:24)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Send Chief People Officer Pat Caldwell about his early lessons in leadership, work ethic, acceptance and culture that influenced his career trajectory.
Tune in to hear how Pat’s aspirations evolved, from wanting to become a paramedic to going to law school and eventually sending off his good startup culture vibes within the HR insurtech space for an underwriting platform.
Episode Highlights
- Documenting culture and leadership tips as an author (1:08)
- Venturing into insurtech HR at Send (1:11)
- Giving back, realizing work is not your identity (1:27)
- Reminiscing on first-job lessons and “vintage” video stores (12:56)
- Starting in HR at a large Australian mining company (24:09)
- Leaving for London and entrepreneurial dreams (33:27)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelley puts Reid in the hot seat to look back at a summer packed with fun and zoom ahead to a season brimming with industry events.
Tune in to hear about Reid’s upcoming work travel adventures and learn about some of the latest trends and news, including the buzz around the Applied Systems/Planck acquisition.
Episode Highlights
- Embracing the summer vibes (00:30)
- Nashville bound for Ivans Connect & Applied Net (3:20)
- Taking center stage as panel moderator at IndieTech (8:35)
- Mingling with C-suite executives at CIAB (12:32)
- Sparking industry-wide connections at ITC (15:19)
- Elevating the AI game with Planck (26:44)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Jason Cass, managing partner of the Insurance Alliance and founder of the Insurance Podcast Network, to share Jason’s story of entrepreneurship that started at an early age on a business venture to milk cows and has led to being a successful insurance entrepreneur.
Get ready for these two podcast hosts and insurance gurus to discuss the rewards of working in the industry and the importance of connectivity. You’ll also discover how to find what Jason calls “tuxedo moments” to sail into success.
Episode Highlights
- An ambitious spirit that started with milking cows (5:22)
- Tuxedo moments and how being different matters (10:01)
- Leading by listening and putting people first (29:42)
- Sailing into success (30:42)
- Giving back, seeing a need and trying to fix it (32:40)
- A love for building things, boating, animals and dive bars (38:15)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Dr. Douglas Brackmann, author and psychologist, for a deep conversation about neurodivergence related to being what Dr. Doug calls “driven.”
Tune in to hear how Doug self-identified as neurodivergent and driven at a young age, and how seeing a psychologist drove him to inspire others to put their soul in the driver’s seat.
Episode Highlights
- Neurodivergence and imposter syndrome (14:30)
- The “driven” trait to thrive in chaos (18:39)
- The hunter-farmer theory (21:43)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Fenris CEO and Founder Jen Linton for another insightful interview live from House of Blues at Insurtech Boston ’24.
Tune in to get inspired to dream big as we explore Jen’s journey from growing up in a large family in the Salt Lake City suburbs, becoming a microbiologist, obtaining her MBA, and founding an insurtech startup.
Episode Highlights
- Growing up with an entrepreneurial mom, siblings and livestock in the Salt Lake City suburbs (00:57)
- The pivot from microbiology to education software to insurtech startups (3:31)
- Venturing into insurance and telematics (8:45)
- Creating her startup vision with the help of bottomless coffee (18:45)
- Leading with vision, and a little bit of necessary stubbornness (27:23)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Surround Insurance CEO and Co-founder Kate Terry for an engaging conversation from Insurtech Boston ’24.
Tune in to get to know Kate, from her Boston upbringing and work ethic that started at an early age to a new passion for tap dancing and how she’s always chasing a challenge.
Episode Highlights
· Boston roots (1:01)
· Right place at the right time (19:14)
· Becoming an insurtech co-founder (24:41)
· Success equals a sense of growth (47:25)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid covers key post-event takeaways from Insurtech Boston ’24, captured live from House of Blues with Nick Lamparelli, managing partner of Insurance Nerds, and Charles “Chip” Bacciocco, CEO of TrustedChoice.com.
Get ready to be inspired as these three insurtech thought leaders reflect on the event topics, comparing insurance to hide-and-seek, sharing excitement about the “golden age of innovation,” and speculating on how factors like AI and telematics will impact the industry.
Episode Highlights
· The speedy pace of Generative AI (2:45)
· The roller coaster of a startup (11:45)
· Understanding the economics of this industry (19:20)
· Three magic words to double success (36:15)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelley puts Reid in the hot seat for the first time in a new format we will occasionally use. Reid shares his thoughts on current industry topics.
Tune in to hear Reid fly solo as the guest, sharing his point of view on the industry, from single sign-on solutions to connectivity challenges, transparency, fraud and more.
Episode Highlights
· Connectivity as the lifeblood of innovation (2:00)
· The need for tech adoption (3:45)
· Transparency of data is key (12:20)
· Single sign-on as a real thing in the industry (14:40)
· Coming together for the betterment of insurance (30:37)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, podcast co-host Christen Kelley picks some of the best insights from host Reid Holzworth as we celebrate the podcast’s third anniversary today! With more than 70 episodes, Reid has interviewed a ton of industry greats, but he’s also shared a lot of his own passion and industry insights.
Tune in to get a glimpse into his passion for entrepreneurship, technology and more.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Ryan McMahon, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development for Cambridge Mobile Telematics, to talk about how early aspirations to go into law enforcement eventually transitioned to a career in insurance telematics.
Catch a ride on Ryan’s journey, including an attempt at a fast and furious move that was pivotal in driving his passion for safer roads and reduced crash risk.
Episode Highlights
· Reading actuarial review magazines as a kid
· From park ranger to EMT to volunteer rescue squad
· A fast and furious attempt gone wrong
· Entering the world of insurance
· Thinking outside of the box to make roads safer
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Joe Stephenson, Director of Digital Intelligence at INTERTEL, kicking things off on a light note with the amusing story behind Joe’s impressive title and moving onto heavier topics like Joe’s encounters with drunk drivers, law offenders and scammers during his time as a police officer and investigator.
Tune in to hear how Joe has brought his skills as a seasoned investigator into the world of insurance and technology.
Episode Highlights
- A rural Maine upbringing (1:50)
- Joe’s scariest story in policing (11:46)
- Career “ADD” (18:15)
- Uncovering insurance claims scams (20:01)
- Embracing life as a director of digital intelligence (47:53)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Deb Smallwood, founder and creator of SELFPOWERMENT (Deb M. Smallwood LLC), to discuss Deb’s deeply planted roots on the seacoast of New Hampshire and her impressive career – from starting out as a developer for Liberty Mutual to co-founding Strategy Meets Action (SMA), selling SMA, and embarking on a legacy to help women become empowered to manifest their own goals.
As we wrap up National Women’s History Month, tune in to hear how Deb’s admiration for women trailblazers like Amelia Earhart and her family of strong women shaped her own 'Why not me?' philosophy.
Episode Highlights
- A happy life on the New Hampshire seacoast (2:08)
- The root of Deb’s ‘Why not me’ philosophy (5:22)
- Pursuing entrepreneurship with Strategy Meets Acton (18:46)
- Focusing on women empowerment in semi-retirement (26:22)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Taylor Rhodes, CEO of Applied Systems, to dive into Taylor’s career journey of building great teams in technology with humility and customer-centricity.
Plug in to listen to how Taylor left his 11-year tenure at Rackspace to pursue a new mission he could pour his heart into and eventually landed at Applied, reinvigorating a culture of innovation for the company’s family of brands.
Episode Highlights
- The last act of leading at Rackspace (1:12)
- Entering the SAAS space (2:08)
- Leading a customer-centric mission at Applied (14:17)
- Creating a safe harbor and making the industry better with tech (29:49)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Taylor Rhodes, CEO of Applied Systems, to chat about his fascinating journey from childhood to starting his career in technology.
Get ready for a ride down Taylor’s memory lane to hear about his early life experiences, from childhood summers on the ranch to serving in the Marines, and how these experiences have shaped who Taylor is today.
Episode Highlights
· Summers on the cattle ranch (4:15)
· The “team over self” Marine mentality (13:40)
· Entering the tech space at Rackspace (22:21)
· Being a good neighbor (35:41)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Luke Magnan, co-founder and CIO of Combined Ratio Solutions, for a thought-provoking conversation about Luke’s entrepreneurship journey.
Get ready to gain inspiration from Luke’s thoughts on the need for more industry collaboration, the importance of leading with a vision, a project that brings the strength of neurodivergent professionals to insurance, and more.
Episode Highlights
· A hope for the industry to come together more (1:08)
· What being a leader means to Luke (3:54)
· An ice fishing dream (10:30)
· Building a socially responsible startup (11:25)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Luke Magnan, co-founder and CIO of Combined Ratio Solutions, to discuss Luke’s Connecticut upbringing, his passion for technology, and the conversation with a bus driver that led him from political science pursuits to his computer science roots.
Take a break from your New Year’s resolutions to hear Luke’s story of following his heart and combining his love for computers with insurance.
Episode Highlights
- Luke’s love for video games (3:13)
- Re-routing career paths (7:07)
- Starting out at a carrier in Hartford (8:08)
- Credibility, trust, and partnership (47:44)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
This week’s hot-seat episode is with Luke Magnan, co-founder and CIO of Combined Ratio Solutions.
Join podcast co-host Christen Kelley as she asks rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Luke before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Christen Kelley, Insurance Technology Podcast co-host and Ivans VP of Marketing, to reflect on 2023 wins for Ivans and the podcast.
Get ready to wind down for the holiday season and unwrap some memories of our amazing 2023 episodes and events in this short year-in-review conversation.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Casey Kempton, EVP Digital Business Officer at Chubb Small Business, to dig into insurance technology trends and challenges.
Get ready to “nerd out” as Casey shares her thoughts on the evolution of commercial lines comparative raters, a rise in tech adoption, and what she would change in the industry if she had a magic wand.
Episode Highlights
- Carriers, portals and raters… (2:12)
- Seeing the forest through the trees (10:04)
- The big family of insurance (18:12)
- A wish for standardized compliance (21:38)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Casey Kempton, EVP Digital Business Officer at Chubb Small Business, to discuss her multi-generational upbringing, anthropology studies, academic ambitions, and how she brought her skills and knowledge into the insurance world.
Get ready for an engaging conversation as we pick Casey’s brain about her journey and her thoughts on change management in insurance.
- Casey’s nomadic youth (2:10)
- A multi-generational upbringing (4:13)
- Bringing ‘brain science’ into insurance change management (9:20)
- From academic pursuits to an insurance journey (10:40)
Insurtech Boston is back! Same city, great venue. Join us May 7th, 2024. Visit insurtechboston.com for more info and to grab your tickets.
This week’s hot seat episode is with Casey Kempton, EVP Digital Business Officer at Chubb Small Business.
Join podcast co-host Christen Kelley as she asks rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Casey before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, you’ll hear a mashup of our three most future-focused installments.
Get ready to launch into what the future of insurance could look like – from API-based tech to AI and more.
Episode Highlights
· Transforming insurance with AI and customer centricity (1:01)
· Helping rocket ship companies take off (8:07)
· Forecasting insurtech trends (13:41)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, you’ll hear clips from some of our first guests discussing how they started their insurance journeys.
Tune in to hear how some of the greatest minds in insurtech started out in the industry, from chasing the American dream to flipping a coin and everything in between.
Episode Highlights
· Reminiscing back to episode 1 (1:00)
· An accidental journey (2:13)
· Going back in insurtech history (4:05)
· Chasing the American dream (6:24)
· A flip of a coin (16:21)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Nick Zerbib, Chief Investment Officer at Stone Point Capital, to talk about Nick’s passion for investing in the industry and get his insights on the dynamic between the independent agency channel and technology.
We’re still in back-to-school mode, and it’s never too late to learn, so get ready to take notes from this episode on what investors look for in companies, the mystery and potential of AI, how the industry can work together supported by tech and more.
Episode Highlights
· A ‘fabulous and fashionable’ industry to invest in (32:40)
· Embracing or acquiring smart, innovative tech (39:50)
· The mystery of AI in the agency world (47:09)
· Marrying sector expertise with tech solutions (49:41)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Nick Zerbib, Chief Investment Officer at Stone Point Capital, to chat about Nick’s experiences moving around the world, how he landed on the east coast, and his journey from Wall Street to the world of insurance-centric investment.
It’s back-to-school season and it’s never too late to learn, so pick up your pencils and paper to take notes from this episode on interesting industry tidbits, the importance of the independent agency channel and more.
Episode Highlights
- Growing up around the world and landing on the east coast (1:54)
- Recruited by Wall Street at Goldman Sachs (5:05)
- A long history in the insurance-centric private equity business (6:53)
- Walking in the agents’ shoes (27:47)
This week’s hot seat episode is with Nick Zerbib, Chief Investment Officer at Stone Point Capital.
Join podcast co-host Christen Kelley as she asks rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Nick before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Jesse Wedler, General Partner of CapitalG, for a lively chat that covers everything from their shared California roots to finance, AI, technology, and more.
Tune in to hear Jesse, our first guest from the world of finance, take us on a journey from the way back machine of his childhood in Petaluma, California, to investing in today’s ‘rocket ship’ companies, to the future of AI in the industry.
Episode Highlights
· Going to the way back machine with Jesse (2:15)
· Investing in ‘rocket ship’ companies (16:17)
· The industry problem Jesse wants to fix (26:19)
· The AI hype and potential (32:57)
This week’s hot seat episode is with Jesse Wedler, General Partner of CapitalG, the independent growth fund of Google's parent company, Alphabet.
Join podcast co-host Christen Kelley as she asks Jesse rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Jesse before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with co-founder and CEO of Planck, Elad Tsur, to hear about Elad’s early roots in insurance and how he always knew he wanted to bridge the gap between insurance and technology.
Tune in to hear Elad discuss the five layers of AI and the need he has identified for the industry to treat insureds more like customers.
Episode Highlights
- Growing up with insurance roots (1:45)
- Planck, a platform based on 5 layers of AI (2:43)
- Predicting underwriting insights (4:55)
- What is customer success? (27:58)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with co-founder and CEO of Planck, Elad Tsur, to discuss Elad’s journey – from growing up in a village in Israel and going to college at the age of 14 to discovering machine learning in the Army and creating startups based on AI.
Tune in to hear more about Elad and his love for AI, which started way before it was an industry buzzword.
Episode Highlights
- Finding sequences in hatchlings at the age of six (5:52)
- Earning a bachelor’s degree + a high school diploma at the same time (7:08)
- Discovering AI in the Army – before it was called AI (7:20)
- Afraid of gene editing, not AI (45:43)
This week’s hot seat episode is with co-founder and CEO of Planck, Elad Tsur, a serial entrepreneur who is passionate about bridging the gap between technology and business.
Join podcast co-host Christen Kelley as she asks Elad rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Elad before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, you’ll hear clips from some of our most popular startup story episodes.
Tune in to hear about the challenges, rewards, and the rush these entrepreneurs experienced while creating a startup to impact the industry positively.
Episode Highlights
- The rush of being in the “fog of war” (3:14)
- It’s not just about you when you start a startup… (6:38)
- There are no shortcuts (9:29)
- Think about it like LEGO blocks (11:33)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid continues his conversation with Bill Devine, SVP of Business Capabilities at Travelers, to talk about everything from the rich insurance history of Hartford, Connecticut, to working together as an industry and riding the waves of insurtech.
Join these two So Cal natives as they surf back in time to the first wave of insurtech and ride into what Bill predicts as the third wave of insurtech.
Episode Highlights
- History everywhere at Hartford, the “insurance capital” (1:37)
- Predicting the third “wave” of insurance (9:16)
- The importance of working with tech hyper-accelerators (36:47)
- The “golden record” (44:23)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Bill Devine, SVP of Business Capabilities at Travelers, to talk about Bill’s wide-ranging career journey – from being a creative writer to an attorney to becoming a seasoned insurance pro at Travelers.
Tune in to hear Bill’s career twists and turns and how it started as a walk in the parking lot from his law school.
Episode Highlights
- How a walk from his law school parking lot got him into insurance (3:03)
- Traveling from Southern Cal to Connecticut for Travelers (8:40)
- Three pennies on the dollar (16:33)
- The power of independent agents (28:03)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Jay Eshelman, president of small business, personal lines & affinity at Gallagher Select, to talk about the many hats he wears.
Tune in to be inspired by Jay’s story of finding insurance, discovering “pockets of greatness” in the small business market, and how he fills the funnel with good leads.
Episode Highlights
- Falling into insurance
- Filling the funnel with good leads
- Finding pockets of greatness
- Picking partners, asking the right question
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid sits down with Talage CEO & Co-Founder Adam Kiefer at the Big “I” InsurTech Summit to get to know him and learn about his journey into insurtech.
Tune in to hear how Adam’s work and personal experiences helped plant the seeds for success in leading an insurtech start-up.
Episode Highlights
· Finding a calling in football (4:51)
· Planting the seeds for Talage (5:53)
· Learning through experience (8:48)
· Becoming the “submission management platform” (17:09)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Trustedchoice.com CEO Chip Bacciocco about what Chip has coined the “producer availability challenge.”
Get ready to learn the math behind the producer availability challenge and the formula needed to solve it.
Episode Highlights
- Coining the term “producer availability challenge” (1:00)
- When prospects lose confidence (5:34)
- Is sales just an art form? (22:30)
- What Chip would change in the industry (46:00)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Trustedchoice.com CEO Chip Bacciocco about his fishing hobby as a kid, how he stumbled into insurance and found his passion, the influence of his mentors, the transformation of Trustedchoice.com, and more. Catch this episode to find out how Chip changed the bait and switched strategies for success – going from Wall Street dreams to becoming an insurance pro.
Episode Highlights
- Celebrating a decade of helping the independent agent (5:28)
- Fishing in famous trout streams as a kid (9:30)
- Joking about his “insurance professional” ambitions (12:32)
- Turning lemons into lemonade (26:56)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, podcast co-host Christen Kelley puts Chip Bacciocco, CEO of TrustedChoice.com, in the hot seat with rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Chip before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid and co-host Christen Kelley recap highlights from 2022, and discuss what’s ahead for 2023. As a bonus for some holiday inspiration, we’ve compiled every guest’s favorite cocktail. Grab your favorite and toast with us to the new year!
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelly and Mike Albert, co-head of Ivans Innovations Lab and founder of Ask Kodiak, take over as hosts to talk about Applied Net 2022. Included are highlights of “The Future of Commercial Lines at Applied” panel led by some of the top names in insurtech. Get cozy, settle in, and hear the best insights from this exciting discussion.
Featured panelists include:
- Ray Lynch – VP External Products, Coterie Insurance
- Donna LaGoy – SVP Business Intelligence, High Street Insurance Partners, Inc.
- Mike Albert – Co-head, Ivan Innovations Lab
- Kate Hewitt – VP Product Management, Applied Systems
- Raghav Tanna – SVP Small Commercial Lines, Applied Systems
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, recorded at ITC Vegas, Reid meets up with Raghav Tanna, co-founder of Tarmika and now Applied Systems’ SVP of Small Commercial Lines, to talk about the Applied acquisition of Tarmika, post-acquisition plans, and the future of insurance technology. Settle in, get cozy and learn how combining the power and resources of two industry leaders will change insurtech.
Episode Highlights
· The Tarmika/Applied acquisition (1:11)
· Exciting future plans (6:13)
· What’s on the horizon for insurance (16:29)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, recorded at ITC Vegas, Reid meets up with Raghav Tanna, co-founder of Tarmika and now Applied Systems’ SVP of Small Commercial Lines, to talk about how passion for the insurance industry runs in the Tanna family, the impact of commercial rating platforms and technology, and the early days of Tarmika. Raghav’s story might not be creepy and kooky, but we’re sure you’ll still find this episode a screaming good time.
Episode Highlights
- About the Tannas (2:18)
- Commercial rater talk (6:46)
- Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (15:39)
- Early Tarmika tales (18:00)
About the Guest
After graduating from Bentley University in 2015, Raghav Tanna got his start in the insurance industry as a commercial insurance producer and underwriter. In 2018, Raghav co-founded Tarmika, a single-entry commercial lines rating solution, with the goal of empowering independent agents with tech built for them. As a web-based solution, Tarmika utilizes API technology to allow independent agents to quote multiple carriers in a single-entry. After Applied Systems acquired Tarmika in 2022, Raghav transitioned into a new role, Senior Vice President of Small Commercial Lines.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, podcast co-host Christen Kelley puts Raghav Tanna, co-founder of Tarmika and now Applied Systems’ SVP of Small Commercial Lines, in the hot seat with rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Raghav before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Jason Griswold, co-founder and CEO of REIN, about how REIN started, why solving the right problems leads to better solutions, and why confidence can go a long way. Join us for a bird’s eye view of how Jason followed his passions and created an all-new company.
Episode Highlights
· Drones and insurance (00:55)
· Solving the right problem (10:15)
· Fake it til’ you make it (14:42)
· It’s not about disrupting the agent (35:50)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Jason Griswold, co-founder and CEO of REIN about how he transformed from a farm boy to a jockey, to a pilot, to an entrepreneur. You’ll want to grab the reigns and hold on tight to get the who, what, and where of Jason’s adventure into insurtech.
Episode Highlights
· Where did Jason grow up? (1:37)
· What Jason wanted to do when he grew up (13:24)
· Who can you blame for pop-ups (16:35)
· When Jason took to the sky (19:21)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, podcast co-host Christen Kelley puts Jason Griswold, co-founder and CEO of REIN, in the hot seat with rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Jason before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, podcast co-host Christen Kelley cherry-picks the best insights from previous guests. She’s compiled all their golden advice for entrepreneurs and startups in one enlightening show. Tune in to learn from masters who have done it before, including wisdom from Reid and Christen.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Alan Ringvald, co-founder and CEO of Relativity6, about what candy, celebrities, and Commercial Lines have in common (hint: it rhymes with talon). Strap in for the second half of Alan’s insurtech wild ride and learn how Relativity6 is making waves in Commercial underwriting, along with Alan’s insights into what’s on the horizon.
Episode Highlights
- Candy, Tom Brady, and professional athletes (00:53)
- Technology helps to inspire a new passion (15:45)
- How Relativty6 simplifies Commercial underwriting (31:32)
- Hot takes for up-and-comers (47:20)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Alan Ringvald, co-founder and CEO of Relativity6, about his journey from a child of immigrants to creating his own apps, and later becoming a young tech professional working for Google. You don’t want to miss this incredible backstory. If you ever wanted to do something, Alan has probably already done it.
Episode Highlights
- What does Relativity6 do? (1:40)
- Around the world with Alan (2:30)
- Is college really worth it? (12:55)
- A glimpse into the Google machine (17:50)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, podcast co-host Christen Kelley, puts Alan Ringvald, co-founder and CEO of Relativity6, in the hot seat with rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Alan before the full-length episode is released.
About the GuestAlan Ringvald is a 3-time founder, former Googler, and MIT grad. His current company, Relativity6, is based on Alan's thesis research and is focused on solving the industry classification problem.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Mike Albert and Allan Egbert continue their host takeover to talk about this year’s Insurtech Boston. A Commercial Lines discussion led by some of the top names in insurtech and Q&A from audience members are included. Settle in and turn up the volume for some hot takes and highlights from this exciting panel recap.
Featured panelists include:
- Risa Pecoraro – Chief Product Officer, Bindable
- Taira Mandy – Director of Customer Success, Ivans
- John Pegnato – Product Manager, Simply Business
- Bobbie Collies – Vice President of Distribution, Coterie
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Mike Albert and Allan Egbert, co-heads of Ivans Innovations Lab and founders of Ask Kodiak, take over as hosts to talk about this year’s Insurtech Boston. Included is a discussion of “Broker Technology Adoption” led by some of the top names in insurtech. There’s no need to feel any FOMO; we’ve got the event highlights right here!
Featured panelists include:
- Saima Shaukat – Chief Revenue Officer, Ivans
- Valentine P. Feeney – Partner, Alera Group, Inc./Gordon Atlantic Insurance
- Chris Cline – Executive Director, Agents Council for Technology (ACT)
- Traci Maslanka – Vice President, Eastern Insurance Group
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Will Shaw, CEO of Better Agency, about the burdens of being an entrepreneur and the characteristics of being a true leader. Tune in to gain insights into Will’s dream scenarios for independent insurance agencies, advice for fellow startups or entrepreneurs dreaming of launching a startup, and the difficulties of being a business owner.
Episode Highlights
· Dream scenarios for insurance agencies (02:23)
· Advice for startups (04:16)
· Hardships of being an entrepreneur (06:38)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Will Shaw, CEO of Better Agency, on how Will reinvented his passion, shifting from the NFL® to innovating insurtech. Settle in to hear about his transformation from professional athlete to entrepreneur, the creation of Better Agency, and tech talk about the future of insurance.
Episode Highlights
· Will’s transition into insurtech (1:22)
· The start of Better Agency (4:46)
· What is an AMS? (22:45)
· What’s next for Better Agency (35:18)
Quote
“Our mission is agency success. We want to help insurance agencies sell more premium. We want to help them streamline their workflows." – Will Shaw
About the Guest
Will Shaw is the CEO of Better Agency and is passionately on a mission to drive agency success. Prior to Better Agency, Will worked as a consultant in the insurance space helping build various tech solutions. He is a former NFL® tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles® who is focused on building the next generation of technology for insurance companies.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Better Agency CEO Will Shaw shares the story behind his career before insurtech – playing football in the NFL® for the Philadelphia Eagles® . Get ready for an inspiring story about Will's transition from the east coast to the west coast, his interest in his father's government career, and how he persevered to become a professional football player.
Episode Highlights
•Thoughts on growing up in Baltimore (3:37)
•From 'football or bust' to interest in government work (9:09)
•Persevering to the pros (21:00)
•Inspired by the best on and off the football field (22:51)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, we are Introducing minisodes and a new cohost! Christen Kelley, Director of Marketing at IVANS, is new to you but has been hard at work behind the scenes since the launch of this podcast. Join Christen as she puts Will Shaw, CEO of Better Agency, in the hot seat with rapid-fire questions to give you a sneak peek into some fun facts about Will before the full-length episode is released.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Doug Roller, cofounder of Duck Creek Technologies, about creating the industry-leading company including the major players, hurdles and milestones, and all the hard lessons learned along the way. Turn up the volume and settle in to hear the whole story of Duck Creek Technologies from someone who was there from the beginning.
Episode Highlights
· The beginning of Duck Creek (1:20)
· The many people who impacted Doug’s career (14:22)
· How Duck Creek Technologies got its name (32:22)
· Nuggets of wisdom for new insurtech owners (37:22)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Doug Roller, cofounder of Duck Creek Technologies, about Doug’s childhood in Texas, how he got into insurtech, and the creation of Micro-Magic Systems, one of the first comparative raters. Tune in to hear how just a bit of magic and a lot of passion and curiosity helped build one of the largest insurtech companies today.
Episode Highlights
· A little history on Doug (2:56)
· Cluckers meetings (20:55)
· How Doug ended up in insurance (23:44)
· The creation of Duck Creek Technologies (36:11)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Thad Bauer, former Vice President and General Manager at IVANS, about abandoning the emphasis on industry standards, and how Thad plans to spend his newly entered retirement after 30 years in the insurance industry. Join Reid and Thad as they coin the term “insurtech debt,” and discuss the wild ideas they have for the future of insurtech because the question isn’t, 'what are we going to do?' the question is, 'what aren’t we going to do?'
Episode Highlights
· Maybe we don’t need an industry standard (1:14)
· #InsurtechDebt (6:00)
· What’s next for insurtech (49:36)
· How Thad plans to spend his retirement (15:09)
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In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Thad Bauer, former Vice President and General Manager at IVANS, about the evolution of IVANS, what it does explained simply by an expert, and Thad’s experience at the company. Get the inside scoop about the innerworkings of IVANS and the business leaders who know it the best.
Episode Highlights
- Thad’s big announcement (2:16)
- How Thad got into insurance (7:32)
- IVANS explained simply (12:13)
- The insurtech problem Thad would fix (23:27)
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Peter Teresi, CEO of Certificial, about how certificates of insurance present unique complications in how effectively agents and insurers work together. You’ll get the inside scoop about the challenges certs present, and how new technology is solving the problem.
Episode Highlights
- Peter’s time at ACORD (1:51)
- A big insurance problem (8:35)
- Solving cert problems with new tech (12:20)
- What Peter does for fun (38:29)
About the Guest
Peter is co-founder and CEO of Certificial. As the former chief technology officer of ACORD with nearly 20 years at the organization, Peter's entire career has been dedicated to bringing innovative technology to the insurance industry.
In this special message from Reid, he recaps 2021, giving his insights on the podcast's first year and what you can expect in 2022. We are taking a short break to enjoy the holiday season and will return with a new episode on January 14, 2022.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Bobbie Collies about how a culture shift in insurtech is uniting us all. Join these self-proclaimed insurance junkies as they discuss why collaboration, along with data and aggregation will benefit everyone in the industry.
Episode Highlights
· Changing human behavior is hard (4:26)
· Looking at value proposition strategies (7:32)
· Agents unite (19:39)
· What Bobbie does for fun (28:45)
About the Guest
Bobbie Collies is an insurance junkie who comes from an extensive background in commercial underwriting and P&C insurance carrier leadership. She is VP of Strategic Distribution at Grange Insurance and a passionate servant leader who loves to help drive strategy and execution. Bobbie has successfully led many project teams in underwriting, distribution, technology, and user experiences for organizations. She is a champion for innovation, customer experience, and a change agent. Some might describe her as a “intrapreneur,” always looking for ways to improve the organizations she works with by bringing new ideas to the table, and more importantly, seeing those ideas come to life.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Bobbie Collies, VP of strategic distribution at Grange Insurance, about how insurtech needs to focus on innovating for the future not for the here and now. Learn about what Bobbie and Reid think will be trending in the next five years and how they think carriers will cope with the changes.
Episode Highlights
- How Bobbie got into insurtech (3:23)
- Focusing on the future not today (6:55)
- Opening up the ecosystem to innovate (13:25)
- Defining insurtech (20:12)
About the Guest
Bobbie Collies is an insurance junkie that comes from an extensive background in commercial underwriting and P&C insurance carrier leadership. She is VP of Strategic Distribution at Grange Insurance and a passionate servant leader who loves to help drive strategy and execution. Bobbie has successfully led many project teams in underwriting, distribution, technology, and user experiences for organizations. She is a champion for innovation, customer experience, and a change agent. Some might describe her as a “intrapreneur,” always looking for ways to improve the organizations she works with by bringing new ideas to the table, and more importantly, seeing those ideas come to life.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to the father of insurance software Larry Wilson about his role in the transformation of insurtech from its humble beginnings to what it is today. Buckle up, grab the wheel tight, and get ready for a fascinating journey through time with the insurtech unicorn who started it all and continues to influence its future.
Episode Highlights
- Larry’s journey into insurance (2:40)
- What makes insurtech so hard to master (9:07)
- Bringing it all together (17:50)
- The beginning of agency management systems (21:01)
About the Guest
Larry Wilson served as the chief executive officer of Policy Management Systems Corporation from 1981 until the company merged with Computer Sciences Corporation in 2000. Larry has served on the board of directors for several companies and organizations, including Duck Creek, Assured Partners, Worley Companies, Ventus Risk Management, and FINEOS. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. Larry is also a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Mike Albert and Allan Egbert about the importance of meaningful connections. Join this tried-and-true trio as they discuss why APIs remain popular and how they keep everything connected, why the personal touch from an agent will never be replaced, and how building new partnerships means more growth.
Episode Highlights
- Why APIs remain popular (3:00)
- Agents are here to stay (9:15)
- IVANS and Ask Kodiak join together (11:30)
- Who should be next on the podcast (22:30)
- What Mike and Allan do for fun (26:10)
About the Guests
Mike AlbertPrior to founding Ask Kodiak, Mike served in senior technology leadership roles in product and strategy. He has extensive experience in the P&C industry and has worked with carriers of all sizes leading teams that have built exceptional software for agents, underwriters, and policyholders alike. He previously served as the SVP of strategy for AgencyPort, a software provider to the P&C insurance industry. Mike specializes in the art of application design and user experience. He holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University.
Allan Egbert
For the past 14 years, Allan has traveled the insurtech highway as a consultant, engineer, and product guy. He has worked in key technical leadership roles and led the implementation of critical insurance technology projects across the insurance value chain. Prior to founding Ask Kodiak, Allan served as the Chief Technology Officer for AgencyPort, a software provider to the P&C insurance industry. He has a master’s degree in Computer Science from Florida State University and Bachelors' degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Providence College.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Mike Albert and Allan Egbert about their journey into the insurance industry and how they built Ask Kodiak, the nation’s leading commercial insurance appetite and eligibility platform. Join these old friends as they reminisce, joke around, and get real about the struggles of building their insurtech companies from the ground up.
Episode Highlights
· The school of hard knocks (3:54)
· How Mike and Allan got into insurance (6:00)
· Building a company from scratch (12:40)
· The importance of bootstrapping (26:35)
· Podcast gold, a nugget of wisdom (38:00)
Quote
“Perfectionist, I don't know if that's necessarily the right word. But everything's got to work because everything depends on everything else. So, if you keep it small, you can keep it high quality, the sky's the limit, man, because you start to plug this stuff together. Think about it like Lego blocks” - Mike Albert
About the Guests
Mike AlbertPrior to founding Ask Kodiak, Michael served in senior technology leadership roles in product and strategy. He has extensive experience in the P&C industry and has worked with carriers of all sizes leading teams that have built exceptional software for agents, underwriters, and policyholders alike. He previously served as the SVP of strategy for AgencyPort, a software provider to the P&C insurance industry. He specializes in the art of application design and user experience. Mike holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University.
Allan Egbert
For the past 14 years, Allan has traveled the insurtech highway as a consultant, engineer, and product guy. He has worked in key technical leadership roles and led the implementation of critical insurance technology projects across the insurance value chain. Prior to founding Ask Kodiak, he served as the Chief Technology Officer for AgencyPort, a software provider to the P&C insurance industry. Allan has a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Florida State University and Bachelors' degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Providence College.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Jim Hackbarth about how the pioneers who first created insurtech have paved the way for newer generations to innovate the industry. The foundations were set, the building blocks were given, now the world waits to see how far insurtech can go.
Episode Highlights
- Creating order out of chaos (1:40)
- The power of mentorship (7:36)
- The perpetuation of leadership (10:04)
- Why Jim loves sales (17:22)
- What Jim does for fun (24:22)
Quote
“As I transition to the next chapter of my life, one of the things that I'm focusing in on is what can I do to help some of these insurtechs, what can I do to help young people? I love mentoring young people in the business. I always have.”
About the Guest
Jim Hackbarth was the President & CEO of Assurex Global, the world’s largest privately held risk management and commercial insurance brokerage group headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, for 18 years. He announced his retirement in early 2021 and is currently a senior advisor to the firm. Jim began his career at IBM as a sales representative calling on insurance carriers followed by management positions with Policy Management Systems (PMS), Agency Management Systems (Vertafore) and Information Dimensions Inc. Jim stays involved with business startup activities ranging from board work (both private and venture capital backed), angel investing, strategic relationship development. He is a native of Columbus, Ohio where currently resides, and has traveled the globe extensively in his various business endeavors. Jim holds an MBA in Finance and a BSBA in Insurance from The Ohio State University.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Jim Hackbarth about his experience in the insurance industry and how he went from a rookie dreaming of being a football coach to insurtech MVP as the President and CEO of Assurex Global. Like many, Jim’s journey into insurtech was accidental but it is where he thrives and continues to surround himself with the best and brightest in the industry today.
Episode Highlights
- How Jim got into insurance (3:33)
- The power of working with smart people (14:03)
- Tragedy leads to a big opportunity (17:20)
- The start of the insurtech revolution (18:35)
About the Guest
Jim Hackbarth was the President & CEO of Assurex Global, the world’s largest privately held risk management and commercial insurance brokerage group headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, for 18 years. He announced his retirement in early 2021 and is currently a senior advisor to the firm. Jim began his career at IBM as a sales representative calling on insurance carriers followed by management positions with Policy Management Systems (PMS), Agency Management Systems (Vertafore) and Information Dimensions Inc. Jim stays involved with business startup activities ranging from board work (both private and venture capital backed), angel investing, strategic relationship development. He is a native of Columbus, Ohio where currently resides, and has traveled the globe extensively in his various business endeavors. Jim holds an MBA in Finance and a BSBA in Insurance from The Ohio State University.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Ilya Bodner about how the perfect concoction of data can create “the secret sauce” that drives greater success across the insurance ecosystem. Learn why high-quality, decision-grade data is essential and how insurance technology has only scratched the surface.
Episode Highlights
- 4 signs it was time to sell (2:52)
- How Ilya organizes thoughts and priorities (14:50)
- How important is data? (17:10)
- What Bold Penguin is working on now (22:57)
- What Ilya does for fun (28:00)
Quote
“We've learned how to harness our own data, publicly available data, and there's a couple hundred different sources we're able to put together, put in a blender and make a beautiful cocktail with. “
About the Guest
As the founder of several successful insurance technology start-ups, Ilya Bodner has changed the way people buy, sell, and engage with commercial insurance. Bodner began his career on the front lines of insurance as an agent, experiencing the challenges of the industry firsthand that he would later go on to solve as an entrepreneur. Recent recognitions include “Executive of the Year” by BizTech and Best in Biz, “People’s Choice Innovation Leader of the Year” by the Insurance Innovation Awards, EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” Finalist, and “Most Admired Executive” by the C-Suite Awards.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Ilya Bodner about the challenges and rewards of starting your own business. Ilya speaks in-depth about how his philosophies as an entrepreneur led his small startup of “bold penguins” to take on the massive insurance industry “whales” and come out on top.
Episode Highlights
- Columbus, Ohio – a hidden insurance hotbed (2:00)
- How Reid and Ilya met (14:50)
- Why the success of Bold Penguin lies in its people (17:13)
- The challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur (24:15)
Quote
“If you just sprinkle a little bit of tech, life can get easier for some people. If you can sprinkle a lot of tech at the right problems, then you can build this machine and make things a hell of a lot easier for a lot of people.”
About the Guest
As the founder of several successful insurance technology start-ups, Ilya Bodner has changed the way people buy, sell, and engage with commercial insurance. Bodner began his career on the front lines of insurance as an agent, experiencing the challenges of the industry firsthand that he would later go on to solve as an entrepreneur. Recent recognitions include “Executive of the Year” by BizTech and Best in Biz, “People’s Choice Innovation Leader of the Year” by the Insurance Innovation Awards, EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” Finalist, and “Most Admired Executive” by the C-Suite Awards.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to David Wroe about how APIs have the potential to be the most impactful piece of technology for the insurance industry to date. Get a free lesson from an industry heavyweight on how APIs give insurers more options to adopt new technology in smaller pieces.
Episode Highlights
- A little bit of history and big names in the industry (9:21)
- The most impactful piece of tech (11:13)
- David’s plans for today and tomorrow (13:24)
Quote
“There's all kinds of investments going into artificial intelligence, big data, et cetera, but I really come back to the APIs. What's happening is that the whole insurtech momentum is spawning so much innovation. So many other ideas, all of which are sort of a small scale. Something needs to be able to put them all together to create a greater value than anyone individually. In APIs, we have the potential to do that.”
About the Guest
David has spent his career in the insurance industry with a focus on technology. He was very involved in the creation of the first agency carrier interface, the formation of ACORD AL3, and the birth of IVANS. For many years he was the Chairman and CEO of Agency Management Services now Vertafore. He was the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CNA Insurance Companies in Chicago. Today, as President of Clareworks, he remains very active consulting with and sitting on the boards of a number of private equity backed technology companies in the property and casualty insurance space.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to David Wroe about why decisions made early in the evolution of the insurance industry have kept it from reaching its true potential. Tune in for David’s take on where and why collaboration initiatives failed and the tremendous impact it’s had on standardization and automation across the industry.
Episode Highlights
- David’s journey into insurtech (2:12)
- The birth of interface and AL3 (4:52)
- A consortium of 7 insurers built AMS (7:45)
- The thread of opposing solutions (9:50)
- Factors of AMS growth (13:20)
About the Guest
David has spent his career in the insurance industry with a focus on technology. He was very involved in the creation of the first agency carrier interface, the formation of ACORD AL3, and the birth of IVANS. For many years he was the Chairman and CEO of Agency Management Services now Vertafore. He was the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CNA Insurance Companies in Chicago. Today, as President of Clareworks, he remains very active consulting with and sitting on the boards of a number of private equity backed technology companies in the property and casualty insurance space.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Kabir Syed about how rebels have the optimism and drive needed to create innovative breakthroughs in InsurTech. Drawing on his wide-ranging experiences in the industry and as an entrepreneur, Kabir provides invaluable insights into what it will take to launch InsurTech into the future.
Episode Highlights
- Advice for startup InsurTech companies (1:45)
- Playing with someone else’s money (5:32)
- The importance of delegation (7:25)
- Other InsurTech rebels (11:25)
- Get to know Kabir (14:35)
About the Guest
Kabir Syed is the Founder & CEO of Ennabl, Inc., a bespoke cloud-based platform for insurance intermediaries. He has 28+ years in insurance at startups and large organizations. Kabir founded RiskMatch, a data analytics company in 2013 and exited to Bain Capital & Vista in 2017. Prior to that, he was at Marsh McLennan in various roles including strategy, operations, and marketing. Kabir sits on various boards for InsurTech and FinTech corporations.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to Kabir Syed about the growing pains of new career paths, becoming an entrepreneur and moving on. They also dissect the limitations of legacy insurance business operations and the room for innovation through technology. Kabir’s colorful commentary about entrepreneur life and the opportunities for InsurTech today make this an exciting addition in Part 2 of this compelling conversation with “the man, the myth, the legend.”
Episode Highlights
- An entrepreneur is born (3:06)
- The story of RiskMatch (3:46)
- The dilemma of selling your own company (6:49)
- The insurance business ecosystem (10:51)
- Inspiration from other industries (13:27)
Quote
“I always say, when you start a company you have to be naive because if you take the entire risk of it, you will never start a company.”
About the Guest
Kabir Syed is the Founder & CEO of Ennabl, Inc., a bespoke cloud-based platform for insurance intermediaries. He has 28+ years in insurance at startups and large organizations. Kabir founded RiskMatch, a data analytics company in 2013 and exited to Bain Capital & Vista in 2017. Prior to that, he was at Marsh McLennan in various roles including strategy, operations, and marketing. Kabir sits on various boards for InsurTech and FinTech corporations.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid speaks to “the man, the myth, the legend,” Kabir Syed, about his accidental journey into InsurTech. While not a technologist, a programmer or a broker, his love for research, data and solving problems led to happy accidents throughout his career. Serving in 14 different roles at Marsh McLennan because they “didn’t know what to do with him,” Kabir was instrumental in establishing the company’s global risk benchmarking platform, for which the company is still known today. He went on to found RiskMatch, which he grew from a startup to one of the industry’s leading analytics platforms in just four years. An InsurTech thought leader and influencer for more than two decades, Kabir is also a great storyteller as you’ll soon discover in Part 1 of this compelling conversation.
Episode Highlights
- How Kabir got into insurance technology (2:17)
- The impetus for Marsh McLennan's benchmarking platform (5:36)
- The importance of asking "Why" (10:20)
- Why core industry problems are not being solved (15:20)
- What's holding back the industry (22:05)
About the Guest
Kabir Syed is the Founder & CEO of Ennabl, Inc., a bespoke cloud-based platform for insurance intermediaries. He has 28+ years in insurance at startups and large organizations. Kabir founded RiskMatch, a data analytics company in 2013 and exited to Bain Capital & Vista in 2017. Prior to that, he was at Marsh McLennan in various roles including strategy, operations, and marketing. Kabir sits on various boards for InsurTech and FinTech corporations.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, the legendary Dennis Chookaszian returns to talk to Reid about the evolution of agency management systems. Going back to the days when long hair and bell-bottoms were in fashion, Dennis walks us through the fascinating history of the management system – from computer punch cards right up to today’s two insurance software titans, Applied Systems and Vertafore. You’ll be amazed by the people involved, who went on to build some of the biggest insurance technology companies in the world.
Episode Highlights
- The early days of agency management with Hollerith punch cards (2:05)
- Dennis’ involvement in the development of the management system (6:45)
- Trying to put together a deal between Applied and AMS (11:09)
- Some of the creative companies that were offshoots (16:18)
- Core problems that still exist (24:58)
- Insurance technology trends Dennis sees now (27:54)
About the Guest
Dennis Chookaszian is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and teaches courses in Corporate Governance. Before his professorship, he was with CNA Insurance for 26 years, serving as chairman and CEO for seven years, then chairman of the executive committee for three years. Prior to that, he was President for two years and CFO for 15 years. After CNA, he was chairman and CEO of mPower Inc., an internet financial advisory service. Prior to CNA, Dennis was a management consultant with Deloitte for eight years.
Warning: This episode is a bit of a history lesson. To some, “Exchange” is a cuss word, while others may not even know what that means.
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, the legendary Dennis Chookaszian joins Reid to talk about the many attempts to create an industry-wide Exchange. Dennis was there from the outset and involved in all four major attempts.
Find out how they got started, who was involved, and why Dennis thinks they failed. And if you don’t know much about the beginnings of insurtech, this is one history lesson you don’t want to miss.
Episode Highlights
- Dennis shares how he got involved in the insurance industry (2:32)
- Dennis discusses the first iteration of how the Exchange came to be (6:01)
- Dennis explains the single entry multiple company interface (SEMCI) concept (8:57)
- Dennis gives his perspective on why the Exchanges failed (11:47)
About the Guest
Dennis Chookaszian is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and teaches courses in Corporate Governance. Before his professorship, he was with CNA Insurance for 26 years, serving as chairman and CEO for seven years, then chairman of the executive committee for three years. Prior to that, he was President for two years and CFO for 15 years. After CNA, he was chairman and CEO of mPower Inc., an internet financial advisory service. Prior to CNA, Dennis was a management consultant with Deloitte for eight years.
Full episodes coming starting May 7! Get a sneak peek at Episode 1 of The Insurance Technology Podcast with Reid Holzworth.
Warning: This episode is a bit of a history lesson. To some, “Exchange” is a cuss word, while others may not even know what that means. Reid's guest Dennis Chookaszian takes us through our industry’s countless attempts to create an Exchange.
About the Guest
Dennis Chookaszian is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and teaches courses in Corporate Governance. Before his professorship, he was with CNA Insurance for 26 years, serving as chairman and CEO for seven years, then chairman of the executive committee for three years. Prior to that, he was President for two years and CFO for 15 years. After CNA, he was chairman and CEO of mPower Inc., an internet financial advisory service. Prior to CNA, Dennis was a management consultant with Deloitte for eight years.
Full episode coming starting May 7! Get a sneak peek of Episode 2 of The Insurance Technology Podcast with Reid Holzworth.
Back with his guest from Episode 1, Dennis Chookaszian joins Reid to discuss the history of the agency management systems. You’ll be amazed by the people involved, who went on to build some of the biggest insurance technology companies in the world.
About the Guest
Dennis Chookaszian is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and teaches courses in Corporate Governance. Before his professorship, he was with CNA Insurance for 26 years, serving as chairman and CEO for seven years, then chairman of the executive committee for three years. Prior to that, he was President for two years and CFO for 15 years. After CNA, he was chairman and CEO of mPower Inc., an internet financial advisory service. Prior to CNA, Dennis was a management consultant with Deloitte for eight years.