Several insurance and financial services firms have announced key leadership changes and appointments.
Claudia Carnevale (pictured above, left) has been named head of North America Programs at Munich Re Specialty – North America (MRS-NA). She will lead strategy and operations for the company’s program business across the US and Canada, including insurtech initiatives.
Carnevale, who joined MRS-NA in 2024 as head of US programs, succeeds Kevin Johnson, who now serves as chief underwriting officer. She has more than 25 years of industry experience, including two decades in the programs space.
Ames & Gough has promoted equity partners Allison Barefoot (pictured above, center) and Marguerite Parent (pictured above, right) to senior vice presidents. Both bring extensive experience in insurance brokerage and risk management, with long-standing roles at the firm.
Barefoot, based in Washington, DC, joined Ames & Gough in 2013 and was named an equity partner in 2023. She previously worked at USI Insurance Services and holds a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.
Parent, based in Boston, joined the firm in 2006 and became an equity partner in 2019. She is a specialist in construction-related insurance and holds the Construction Risk & Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation.
President Matt Gough said the promotions reflect both executives' ongoing leadership and contributions to client service and firm development.
ISU Steadfast has announced a leadership change effective July 1, 2025. Doug Penley has been promoted to president, while Steve Pearson has transitioned to president emeritus and will remain with the organization on a part-time basis.
Penley brings over 25 years of experience across carrier and agency roles, including agency ownership and leadership positions focused on risk placement and carrier relations. Most recently, he served as executive vice president of Strategic Insurance Partnership at ISU Steadfast.
“The role of president at ISU Steadfast is an exciting next step in my career,” said Penley. “During my time with the organization, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside great teammates, a top-tier network of independent agent members, and trusted carrier and wholesale partners.”
AXA XL has appointed Sylvain Bouteillé as chief underwriting officer for Specialty Americas, overseeing regional strategy for product lines including aviation, ocean marine, political risk, trade credit & commercial bonds, war, terrorism and political violence, among others.
“Sylvain's extensive global experience in insurance and his deep understanding of complex risk transfer solutions make him a fantastic candidate to advance our strategic ambitions in the Americas' Specialty market,” said Nadeau.
VestGen Wealth Partners has named Rob Bondiman as national head of advisors and Matt Lalonde as director of insurance, leading the firm’s insurance division, VestGen Insurance Partners (VGIP).
Bondiman will oversee the firm’s wealth advisory teams, with responsibilities including advisor recruitment, succession planning, and business development. He brings over two decades of experience, including leadership roles at J.P. Morgan Securities, Fidelity Investments, and TIAA.
“This group of leaders and advisors has built an incredible platform for growth, especially in the face of the demographic realities our industry faces,” said Bondiman.
LaLonde will oversee insurance integration within the firm's financial planning process and manage operations for VGIP. “Providing a comprehensive insurance offering will enable our advisors to better serve the expanding needs of our client base,” he said.
