The insurance industry is facing a talent revolution. With AI and automation reshaping how companies attract, hire, and retain top talent, HR leaders are at the forefront of driving change. Join us for a candid discussion with Tony Chimera, Stephen Patscot, and Brett Carter—three of the most influential voices in insurance HR and recruiting—as they share insights on: How AI and automation are changing recruiting workflows The challenges of balancing technology with the human touch What skills and roles insurers will need most in the next decade Practical advice for HR leaders navigating digital transformation Whether you’re an HR professional, recruiter, or business leader, this conversation will help you prepare for the future of insurance talent.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Tyler Jensen, President of Top Performance Group, breaks down the powerful ways business owners can use life insurance to protect their companies, employees, and long-term legacy. From key person insurance and buy-sell agreements to cash value accumulation, loan collateralization, and executive bonus plans, Tyler explains how life insurance becomes a strategic financial tool, not just personal protection. Through real-world stories and step-by-step examples, you’ll learn how life insurance supports business continuity, safeguards revenue, funds succession plans, retains top talent, and strengthens financial stability. Whether you advise business owners or run a company yourself, this session gives you the clarity and confidence to use life insurance as a powerful planning resource.

On this episode of Streamlining Insurance, we sit down with Sara Phillips, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Investments, Innovation Strategy at Great American Insurance Group. Sara brings a wealth of experience in M&A and innovation strategy, having led efforts to leverage acquisitions and partnerships as tools for growth, talent, and technological advancement. We discuss how carriers evaluate insurtech opportunities, the balance between building versus buying, and what it takes for startups to become attractive partners. For startups, carriers, and investors alike, this conversation provides a front-row view into how strategic investments and partnerships are reshaping insurance — from data analytics to distribution — and why collaboration is at the heart of digital transformation. Unlock how M&A, strategic investments, and AI innovation are redefining insurance. #Insurance #Insurtech #AIinInsurance #InsuranceInnovation #StreamliningInsurance #RiskEducation #GreatAmericanInsurance #Underwriting #MergersAndAcquisitions

In this episode of Alliance Insights, we’re excited to spotlight CISR High School Program graduate Katy Knapp - a rising insurance professional who is already charting her career path just one year out of high school. Thanks to early exposure, effective industry engagement, and internship opportunities, Katy has fast-tracked her journey into insurance and is already giving back by sharing practical, actionable advice for both students and employers. The Academy’s Sharla Floyd sits down with Katy to explore how the CISR High School Program shaped her trajectory, what she learned from hands-on experience, and how the industry can better support emerging talent. Katy’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of early engagement, and a reminder that investing in young professionals truly transforms futures.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Jack Elliott, Regional VP of Operations with Alera Group and Risk & Insurance Research Academy Board Chair, shares how a high school internship changed the course of his life. The Academy's Sharla Floyd talks with Jack about his path from the classroom to the C-suite and why he is so passionate about creating opportunities for today’s students through initiatives like the CISR High School Program. Jack’s story is a powerful reminder of how early exposure and industry engagement can truly change lives, and why giving back to the next generation matters now more than ever. Watch now and be inspired to help build the future of our industry.

In this episode of Alliance Insights talks with Krista Glenn, EVP and Chief Claims Officer at Westfield Specialty, to explore how ethics and trust shape the business of risk. Together, they discuss why honesty, transparency, and accountability are essential to restoring confidence in an often-misunderstood industry. From real-world claims examples to the emerging role of AI in decision-making, Noelle and Krista share practical insights on how insurance professionals can create cultures of integrity—where doing the right thing isn’t just policy, it’s practice.

On this episode of Streamlining Insurance, Darren Bloomfield sits down with Charles Merritt, CEO and co-founder of Buddy, an insurtech firm pioneering embedded insurance solutions. With their flagship ION™ engine, Buddy makes it easier than ever for businesses to integrate insurance directly into digital platforms. Charles shares his insights on how embedded insurance is reshaping customer experiences, the role of APIs in modernizing distribution, and what the next wave of innovation looks like in insurance technology. Whether you’re an insurer, broker, or technologist, this conversation will spark ideas on how to unlock new channels and streamline operations in today’s digital-first world.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Marsha Linton, National Casualty Analytics Practice Leader at USI Insurance Services, and Tim Wander, CRM faculty member, break down how to understand and apply actuarial reports to drive smarter business decisions. Learn how loss development triangles, projection methods, and ultimate loss selections can help your organization reduce costs, manage reserves, and strengthen communication between actuaries, auditors, and claims teams. Whether you’re a seasoned risk manager or new to analytics, this conversation will help you turn complex data into actionable insight—boosting accuracy, transparency, and long-term financial stability.

In this episode of Streamlining Insurance, Darren speaks with Zhiyu Frank Quan, Ph.D. and Panyi Dong, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who recently co-authored “Automated Machine Learning in Insurance.” Together, they explore how automation and machine learning are reshaping actuarial science, underwriting, and risk management. We’ll also connect the dots to practical implementation—how insurers can move from academic theory to real-world tools that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enable better decision-making.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Dr. Claire Musselman dives into the human side of workers’ compensation. From the history of the system to modern challenges, she explains why empathy, communication, and dignity matter in every claim—and how they lead to better outcomes for employees and organizations alike.

On this episode of Streamlining Insurance, I’m joined by Nate Brink, Head of Broker Partnerships at CyberCube. CyberCube is at the forefront of helping insurers, brokers, and reinsurers understand and quantify cyber risk. We’ll explore how AI and automation are reshaping the cyber landscape — from underwriting and benchmarking to how insureds’ adoption of AI changes their risk profile.

In this episode of Alliance Insights, Jonathan Peters (JP) shares his journey into the insurance industry—from his start in finance and music to building a successful career as a producer at South Point Risk. He talks about the impact of earning his CIC designation, the importance of education, building client trust, and how persistence pays off in a hard market. Whether you’re new to insurance or a seasoned professional, JP’s story offers valuable lessons on growth, relationships, and the power of continuous learning.

Rebecca Barens, CIC shares her journey from banking to building a successful insurance agency. She talks about the power of persistence, producer training, carrier partnerships, and why trust and transparency are essential for long-term client relationships. A must-watch for producers and agency owners looking to grow their careers in the insurance industry.

In this session, Tyler J. Jensen will share his proven framework for building a high-performance sales culture that elevates value-driven conversations over price-driven ones. Attendees will learn how to shift client perception toward coverage, liability protection, and risk transfer while clearly explaining the importance of safeguarding assets from lawsuits. The session will conclude with practical sales techniques—including permission-based closing questions—that help agents confidently guide prospects to a decision.

n this episode of Alliance Insights, Noelle Codispoti interviews Dale Randol, President and CEO of IBC Insurance, about how one agency is transforming the insurance industry — one high school student at a time. Learn how Dale’s team partnered with Laredo ISD to launch a CISR High School Program, offered guaranteed internships, and created real-world opportunities for students to start careers in insurance. If you're passionate about solving the insurance talent gap or curious how your agency can get involved, this conversation is packed with real success stories, practical strategies, and inspiration for building the future of our industry.

Led by experienced faculty Jay Williams and Alan Messer, the course offers more than knowledge—it provides practical tools. Participants gain checklists for contracts, property, and casualty coverage, along with frameworks for exposure identification they can immediately apply to client conversations.

In this episode, Darren Bloomfield sits down with Shannon Spies, Technology Alliance Manager at Guidewire Software, to explore how Guidewire is reshaping the global P&C insurance ecosystem through strategic partnerships, digital transformation, and AI innovation. Shannon shares insights into the Insurtech Vanguard program—an incubator for startups driving real change in the industry—and explains how Guidewire connects carriers with validated, scalable solutions that reduce manual processes and accelerate underwriting and claims workflows. From tips for startups entering the space to the evolving role of AI, IoT, and telematics, this episode dives into what it takes to innovate in a risk-averse industry—and why collaboration is key.

This episode of Alliance Insights featured presentations by two members of the 2025 Houston Marine & Energy Insurance Conference: Connor Jones, ARM, an Upstream Energy Underwriter, and Angela Sivley, a Marine, Cargo, and Logistics Client Advisor and Broker. Connor’s underwriting focuses on oil and gas exploration and production. He described the complexities of drilling a well, the energy coverage package, widespread usage of quota-share risk-sharing, and the role of the London markets. Connor discussed market softening, increased capacity, windstorm uncertainty, and other market challenges. Angela’s presentation featured descriptions of marine insurance functions, the most common marine liabilities, and key responsibilities of marine insurance brokers. She examined the challenges of the marine insurance market, including market softening, increased capacity, changing tariff legislation that drives holds on projects, the long-term loss of revenue as trade uncertainty persists, and the occurrence of renewals during windstorm season.

Noelle Codispoti interviews SambaSafety's John Barbagallo about the "2025 Driver Risk Report: Current Trends Shaping Roadway Safety". This report, created by SambaSafety, presents a wide-ranging view of driver risk.