Several leading insurance brokerages, service providers and insurers have announced key leadership appointments heading into 2026.
Lockton names managing director, US market engagement
Lockton has appointed Helene Fisher (pictured, left) as managing director, US market engagement. Fisher will focus on enhancing Lockton’s insurer relationships and fostering collaboration across regional teams, product lines, and industry practices.
Baldwin Group appoints Paul Sparks to board
The Baldwin Group has named Paul Sparks (pictured, center), executive chairman of specialty brokerage CAC Group, as a director effective Jan. 1.
The appointment follows Baldwin's merger with CAC, creating one of the largest independent insurance advisory platforms in the US.
Sparks brings nearly 40 years of underwriting and brokerage experience across specialty lines and has led CAC’s rapid growth since its founding in 2019.
SterlingRisk names chief marketing officer
SterlingRisk has named Zachary Diamond (pictured, right) as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, overseeing enterprise marketing strategy, brand development and growth initiatives.
Diamond will coordinate marketing with underwriting, production and sales teams to strengthen SterlingRisk's market position and advance client acquisition and retention. He joins the firm after more than a decade in brokerage, risk management consulting and business development. He previously served as director of business development at a Boston-based risk management consulting firm.
TruStage appoints two new board members
TruStage has added Stephanie Bush and Mandy Fields to its board of directors.
Bush, formerly executive vice president at The Hartford, brings over 35 years of insurance industry experience, overseeing an $8 billion portfolio and driving digital transformation and AI initiatives. Fields, CFO of e.l.f. Beauty, contributes expertise in finance, marketing investment and digital engagement.
Both will replace retiring board members Angela Owens and Janet Whitehouse.
BHSI promotes David Lee to global CHRO
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has promoted David Lee to global chief human resources officer, succeeding Kim Briones, who is retiring from her full-time role.
Lee will oversee global HR initiatives and talent development, supporting BHSI’s worldwide operations. CEO Peter Eastwood cited Lee’s experience and commitment to company values as critical to advancing BHSI’s HR strategy.
LendingTree announces promotions
LendingTree has promoted Ian Smith to chief operating officer, overseeing operations across lending and the broader organization.
Laura Nelson becomes head of insurance, responsible for strategy, execution and performance of LendingTree's insurance marketplace. Meanwhile, Smith previously served as senior vice president of insurance, while Nelson led revenue growth initiatives as senior vice president of sales.
Wilson Elser promotes 41 attorneys to partnership
Wilson Elser has elevated 41 attorneys to partner, effective Jan. 1, representing a range of the firm’s core practice areas, including insurance defense, complex tort, and commercial litigation.
The new partners span over 20 offices nationwide and bring expertise across civil litigation, professional liability, transportation, medical malpractice, cyber risk, and construction law.
Duck Creek Technologies appoints chief product officer
Duck Creek Technologies has named Jose Lazares as chief product officer.
Lazares will lead the global product organization, shaping platform strategy, advancing AI innovation and developing customer-focused roadmaps.
He previously served as chief product officer at Beyond Limits and Onna and held senior leadership positions at Intapp, Cisco, Oracle and PeopleSoft.
