Who's Who
The 2026 Who’s Who in Insurance
Key players in New York’s multitrillion-dollar industry.
From left to right: Terry L. Burston, Laura Evangelista & Jason Tompkins Amalgamated Life Insurance Company; Tim Raab; Aetna
During state budget talks in Albany this year, one of the biggest battles was over insurance. In January, Gov. Kathy Hochul rolled out a package of bills that her administration asserted would crack down on auto insurance fraud and implement other reforms that would ultimately lower rates for consumers. But lawmakers pushed back, arguing that some of the governor’s proposed changes, such as limiting damages, could shortchange New Yorkers injured in car crashes. In the end, the governor forced through much of her insurance agenda, resetting various rules governing the industry.
These sweeping changes are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to insurance legislation and regulations in New York – whether it has to do with property and casualty insurance, health insurance or life insurance. City & State’s Who’s Who in Insurance highlights the key players at the intersection of insurance and government in New York, including elected officials, policymakers, regulators, trade association leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs and advocates.
Alfred, Craig
It’s been a productive couple of years for Craig Alfred, a key member of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s insurance policy team. Alfred drives Hochul’s negotiations with lawmakers on insurance matters, including the administration’s ambitious reforms for auto and health insurance this year and livery insurance changes last year, while also navigating federal-state issues in insurance. In addition, Alfred reviews and provides expert analysis on other insurance legislation. Alfred was previously in-house counsel at MVP Health Care and acting vice president for broadband at Empire State Development.
Anderson, Cassandra
Cassandra Anderson has been at the center of negotiations over auto insurance reforms that seek to tackle insurance fraud while prioritizing affordability. Anderson has led the New York Insurance Association since the beginning of 2025, advancing legislation allowing for real-time auto insurance reporting and repealing the anti-arson application requirement for local government, along with championing the modernization of the Free Trade Zone, through which insurers are licensed to issue policies exempt from filing requirements for special risks. Anderson has also produced educational and informational sessions for industry players while supporting the next generation through college scholarships.
Atkins, Tim
Tim Atkins joined New York Life as corporate vice president in the office of governmental affairs in December, after a six-year run at the Life Insurance Council of New York as managing director of legislative affairs and counsel. Atkins is now advocating for the nation’s largest mutual insurer, operating in a state where insurance issues continue to dominate the legislative agenda. Prior to entering the private sector, Atkins worked at the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and as a state Senate staffer.
Bailey, Jamaal
Since trading the Codes Committee gavel for the Insurance Committee chair last year, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey has been in the thick of one of the top issues facing New York policymakers. This year, he helped to usher through auto insurance reform legislation championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Last year, he saw the governor sign his legislation to remove the requirement of a New York office to be part of an insurance Free Trade Zone and teamed up with other senators to open an investigation into property insurance costs.
Bartow, Jason
In his second term as president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New York, Jason Bartow has been focused on advancing legislative priorities related to auto insurance reforms and combating insurance fraud. He has fostered cooperation between insurance agents, industry advocates and policymakers and led PIANY in meetings with a number of state lawmakers. A third-generation insurance executive, Bartow is the commercial lines executive vice president at Bartow Insurance on Long Island and a former president of New York Young Insurance Professionals.
Betke, Alexander
An accomplished lobbyist with over two decades of experience in insurance policy, Alexander Betke has the expertise and knowledge to navigate the halls of power in Albany. Betke has been engaged in a number of the recent insurance debates in Albany, including budget negotiations regarding auto insurance, homeowners' insurance, workers’ compensation and medical malpractice. His clients include the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the insurance companies MLMIC, The Doctors Company, GEICO and PERMA. Betke is a former Coxsackie town supervisor and longtime Democratic leader.
Boyle, Patrick
Patrick Boyle, a policy expert at the nonprofit affordable housing organization Enterprise Community Partners, argues that adjusting insurance policy is one of the best ways to create more affordable housing. Boyle’s 2025 report, “Distress in New York’s Affordable Housing Stock,” found that property and liability insurance costs for affordable housing had more than doubled on average since 2017. Boyle, who has also testified on insurance and housing issues before the state Legislature, is a former senior housing adviser to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Bozorg, Leila
Leila Bozorg, New York City’s first dedicated deputy mayor for housing and planning, has made insurance reform part of her strategy to ease the city’s housing crisis. Her plan includes a city-backed insurance program intended to reduce insurance premiums and costs for affordable and rent-stabilized housing. The program’s aim is to issue 20,000 insurance policies in 2027 and 100,000 by 2030, with the goal of driving down operating costs. Apart from insurance, Bozorg has announced an ambitious citywide housing initiative, new investments in tenant protection and public housing, and zoning reforms.
Bronner, Kevin
Veteran insurance lobbyist Kevin Bronner knows how to navigate the turbulent waters of Albany. With more than two decades of experience in insurance policy and a client roster that includes heavy hitters like State Farm, Bronner played a key role in the negotiations over Gov. Kathy Hochul’s insurance agenda this year. He has also pushed for legislation implementing the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ Online Verification System and backed tort reforms and title insurance regulation legislation. The former state Senate staffer helped to negotiate the legislation to create the state Department of Financial Services.
Buchanan, Kate
Kate Buchanan uses her breadth of experience to advise clients with complex insurance portfolios, aligning risk management with the overall objectives of an organization. Much of her experience centers around working with museums, other nonprofit entities and family offices. With a background in nonprofit board services, the former Chubb Group executive is able to bring a unique perspective to her clients. She is a commentator and public speaker on insurance and risk issues, with appearances at the Museum Trustee Association and elsewhere.
Burston, Terry L.
Since 2023, Terry L. Burston has steered Amalgamated Life Insurance Company through a complex regulatory environment created by state regulators nationwide – including the state Department of Financial Services. Much of Burston’s focus has been on strengthening corporate governance, supporting regulatory engagement and working on preparation for the ever-changing regulatory landscape on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. With a deep understanding of the insurance regulatory landscape, Burston is well-positioned to address the changing environment. His past career stops include USI Insurance Services and Willis Towers Watson.
Cox, Jessica
Jessica Cox, who in 2024 became the first woman to lead Highmark Western and Northeastern New York, combines C-suite leadership and front-line medical experience as she approaches the job of leading a top upstate insurer. Cox has boosted Highmark’s employee engagement by more than 12% in two years, reversed a decline in small group membership and restored Highmark to profitability. The former emergency room medical technologist has also deployed a new labor strategy and serves on a number of key civic and economic boards in Buffalo.
Del Vecchio, Chris
Chris Del Vecchio has served as MVP Health Care’s chief executive officer since 2019. Under his leadership, the not-for-profit health insurer has established strategic partnerships with a number of notable healthcare organizations, including Independent Health, Belong Health and Mass General Brigham, with the goal of advancing coordinated, evidence-based care. Del Vecchio joined MVP Health Care in 2014, starting as executive vice president of strategy and innovation before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2016 and then to president and chief operating officer in 2018. MVP Health Care’s headquarters is in Schenectady, with operations in New York and Vermont.
DeStefano, Victor
Victor DeStefano drives the New York commercial business for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a major insurance company in the New York market. DeStefano manages $3.1 billion in revenue, serves over 2.9 million members and is a market leader for 5,000 associates statewide, while also working closely with elected officials and insurance regulators. He was previously a regional vice president and general manager for Empire BlueCross Blue Shield. He’s currently a member of the boards of the nonprofit Breaking Ground and the Citizens Budget Commission.
Driscoll, Leslie
As CEO of the Tronilo-Driscoll Insurance Agency in Ozone Park, Queens, for the past 15 years, Leslie Driscoll has positioned herself as a leader in the Hispanic community and in insurance policy advocacy in Albany. The industry veteran is an executive board member of the Latin Agents and Brokers Association and is joining the board of the Professional Insurance Agents of New York. Her new role with PIANY builds on her work as an advocate for insurance agents at the state level. Driscoll also conducts Spanish-language training classes for insurance professionals.
Egan, Sean
Sean Egan leads KPMG’s Northeast Insurance Practice and leverages his deep expertise in the industry on behalf of their clients in the property, casualty, life and reinsurance sectors. He recently completed his tenure as president of the Society of Insurance Financial Management, which he led through the COVID-19 pandemic. At KPMG, he drives the development of onshore and offshore insurance professionals and works on artificial intelligence-powered technologies. He recently launched his third podcast, “Insurance Insights,” where he shares perspectives on developments in the sector.
Evangelista, Laura
Laura Evangelista is the life insurance industry’s top advocate in New York. She joined the Life Insurance Council of New York as managing director of regulatory affairs in the fall of 2024 and was promoted to president and CEO within months. In the role, she has sought to build consensus on complex issues facing the insurance industry while advocating for a beneficial legislative and regulatory environment. Evangelista is a former executive deputy superintendent of insurance at the state Department of Financial Services and a former co-chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Insurance Regulatory and Transactions Practice Group.
Fischer, Miranda
Miranda Fischer knows what it takes to deliver insurance coverage to New York’s construction industry. The producer with Alliant Insurance Services specializes in developing strategic insurance programs for construction clients that reduce costs, strengthen coverage and allow for sustainable growth. Fischer has been honored for her expertise and delivery of effective insurance and risk management solutions for her clients. Fischer serves on the boards of the Women Builders Council and the Subcontractors Trade Association and is a mentor within the industry.
Gandolfo, Jarett
Assembly Member Jarett Gandolfo has emerged as a go-to expert for Assembly Republicans in navigating the complexities of insurance policy. The Assembly’s assistant minority leader pro tempore also holds key roles with the National Council of Insurance Legislators as an executive committee member and chair of its Financial Services and Multi-Lines Issues Committee. He oversaw adoption of the association’s resolution on state-based regulation of artificial intelligence in insurance, helped revise its dental insurance market transparency and accountability model law, and convened national discussions on cryptocurrency regulation, fraud prevention, AI governance and insurance workforce development.
Gill, Jeffrey
With almost three decades of experience in the financial industry, Jeffrey Gill is a trusted adviser to insurance executives and plays a key role in shaping the future of the robust insurance market in New York. While previously serving as Metro New York Insurance Market Segment Leader for EY, Gill helped build the firm’s presence in the market and assisted clients in navigating the regulatory landscape while modernizing operations and accelerating the digital transformation. He has been in his current role as leader of EY’s Americas Insurance Sector for two years.
Goldstein, Ira
As the longtime leader of The Black Car Fund, Ira Goldstein has expanded insurance benefits for thousands of for-hire vehicle and ride-hailing drivers. On Goldstein’s watch, the workers’ compensation provider continues to add new offerings, including a hospital indemnity and Life Line Screening benefits programs for drivers in the no-cost Drivers Benefits program. This program already provides a number of health, wellness and income protection benefits, in addition to the core workers’ compensation program. The Black Car Fund covers more than 100,000 independent drivers throughout New York.
Haxhillari, Eglantina
With a book of business filled with insurance clients, Eglantina Haxhillari played a role this year in shaping major auto insurance and fraud reforms that dominated New York’s state legislative session. Her lobbying efforts helped to bring about a new law targeting fraud and excessive litigation, with the aim of reducing insurance costs for New Yorkers. Another objective for Haxhillari is creating an environment to bring more insurance companies to New York to open up consumer choice. She has also supported title insurance clients, focusing on deed theft prevention.
Hobson, Scott
As board chair of the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York, Scott Hobson backed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s auto insurance reform agenda and saw provisions to reduce fraud and lower insurance costs pass in the state budget. Last year, Hobson supported legislation to modernize the state’s auto insurance verification system, improve the flexibility of the commercial insurance market and reduce paperwork needed to maintain commercial fire coverage. He also handles government relations at the commercial property and casualty insurance company CNA, which he joined in 2024 after leading government affairs for the insurance industry association Big I New York.
Hubert, Raumert
Raumert Hubert is a fraud specialist with deep experience in complex, multiline insurance. At Travelers Insurance, which has major offices in New York City, Connecticut and Minnesota, Hubert assembles and leads enterprisewide investigative frameworks across no-fault, auto liability, workers’ compensation and general liability. Hubert brings a background in fraud investigation to this role, having built the Nassau County Medicaid Investigative Program, where he was able to recover over $4 million in fraud. Hubert has been recognized nationally for his work as a risk management leader.
Hunter, Pamela
Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Pamela Hunter has established herself as one of the nation’s leading state-level insurance policymakers. She is the immediate past president of the National Council of Insurance Legislators, where she helped advance a telemedicine authorization and reimbursement model act while promoting anti-poverty reforms. In New York, the upstate lawmaker sponsored biomarker testing legislation and overdraft fee protections. Hunter, a U.S. Army veteran, is chair of the Women Veterans Subcommittee and serves on the Insurance Committee.
Lindsay, William
William Lindsay is dedicated to developing and delivering tailored insurance solutions for middle-market clients, with a specific focus on their innovation and growth goals. Prior to founding Tri Pack Insurance Services, Lindsay held a number of leadership roles at national insurance brokerages, with a specialty in complex property and casualty programs as well as the development of alternative risk strategies. Lindsay is a former Suffolk County legislator, where he focused his attention on economic development and budget issues.
Linzer, Eric
Eric Linzer is a top advocate for health plans that provide comprehensive coverage. During this year's legislative session, Linzer drew attention to healthcare affordability and attributed rising insurance rates to the prices charged by hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, ongoing opposition to restrictions on health plan cost containment policies and new mandated benefits. He has supported efforts to reform the independent dispute resolution process to the surprise billing law. Prior to taking over the New York Health Plan Association, which represents 20 health plans, he worked at the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans.
MacMillan, Thomas
Innovation has been a throughline of Thomas MacMillan’s career, and that certainly has been the case at EmblemHealth. MacMillan is currently carrying out an artificial intelligence-led transformation of the large nonprofit health insurer, which comes after he led a modernization and transformation of the EmblemHealth family of companies. MacMillan served as the company’s chief information officer prior to assuming the chief operating officer role in 2023. MacMillan, an expert in health system operations, value-based care and technology, began his EmblemHealth career leading the enterprise management office and quality assurance functions.
McLaughlin, Sean
As with many insurance lobbyists, Sean McLaughlin was very engaged in Albany this year as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s ambitious auto insurance reform agenda was a key part of state budget talks. McLaughlin’s focus is on property and casualty insurance policy, and he worked with industry stakeholders, state lawmakers and Hochul’s office in support of efforts to curb fraud and excessive litigation in auto insurance. McLaughlin, a former campaign staffer in New Jersey and other states, now advocates for NAMIC in New York and across New England.
Milliner, Roger
Roger Milliner is focused on growing MetroPlusHealth, and he’s getting results. Milliner is leading efforts to expand the commercial and government-sponsored health plan provider’s footprint in Brooklyn and Staten Island in order to allow more New Yorkers to access affordable healthcare. Milliner, who has been with NYC Health + Hospitals-affiliated MetroPlusHealth for over a quarter century, has seen a nearly 900% growth in MetroPlusHealth’s membership. Milliner and his team of over 300 employees have fueled that growth in part by forging civic and community partnerships citywide.
Murphy, Michael J.
Michael J. Murphy capitalizes on his experience in the public and private sectors to help his insurance clients navigate New York’s legislative and regulatory labyrinth. Murphy provides expert counsel to a number of insurance companies and trade associations, including Chubb, Liberty Mutual and the Life Insurance Council of New York, in dealing with the many insurance reform proposals that Albany policymakers have advanced in recent years. Murphy previously spearheaded New York government relations for the American Insurance Association and was a state Senate staffer.
Powers, Kate
Kate Powers brings over 15 years of experience in insurance policy to the state Department of Financial Services, a powerful regulator for New York’s insurance markets. From June 2025 until February 2026, Powers filled in as acting executive deputy superintendent for insurance at DFS, and she now oversees life, health, property and casualty insurance with a team of more than 500 employees. She previously was a senior policy adviser and legislative affairs director in the state Attorney General’s Office and counsel to the state Senate Insurance Committee.
Pulido, Albert
Albert Pulido is a leading general in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s insurance reform war, overseeing the state Department of Financial Services and the New York State Insurance Fund while also driving technology policy. Pulido, who joined the administration in 2023, helped craft and negotiate Hochul’s auto insurance reform agenda this year, securing notable tort reforms as well as transparency and fraud prevention measures in the state budget. Last year, he spearheaded Hochul’s livery insurance reform proposals, which passed in the budget. Pulido was previously director of citywide operations in the New York City Mayor's Office.
Rumsey, Colleen
Colleen Rumsey uses her expertise as a former regulator at the state Department of Financial Services in her work at the Top 10 lobbying firm Hinman Straub. She is an expert on health insurance, having worked on the federal Affordable Care Act and the No Surprises Act and the New York Out-of-Network Law while at DFS. She now specializes in a variety of health insurance issues, weighing in on product development and benefit design while ensuring compliance and guiding plans through complex transactions.
Santiago, Hector
An expert in the design and execution of enterprise risk frameworks and financing strategies, Hector Santiago manages property and casualty insurance for Episcopal Health Services, a health system on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. Santiago, who has three decades of experience in the industry, secured a substantial reduction in rate and premiums for several 2026 policy renewals. He is recognized for his ability to deliver strong financial results, particularly in the areas of claims and litigation management, contract review as well as safety and compliance.
Shah, Avani
Avani Shah returned to the state Department of Financial Services this year in the agency’s top insurance post. Shah is now focusing on implementing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s measures intended to bring down auto insurance costs, while also developing regulatory frameworks focusing on how insurers manage climate-related financial risks and the use of artificial intelligence. She previously served as deputy superintendent for insurance at DFS and has served two stints as acting executive deputy superintendent for insurance. DFS regulates over 1,900 insurance companies with some $6.4 trillion in assets and over 350,000 insurance producers.
Shakil, Kevin
This year is proving to be a year of growth for Kevin Shakil’s Tekbytes Insurance Brokerage. Shakil has been expanding the company’s personal and commercial insurance operations while educating clients on risk management and coverage protection. Shakil founded Tekbytes Insurance Brokerage in 2024, embracing a no broker fee model. He makes frequent media appearances and has a long history of community outreach and leadership within the insurance industry. He also chairs the Westbury Taxicab Commission and is the founder of America’s Muslim Network, a media platform.
Shorenstein, Stuart
Stuart Shorenstein is a go-to lobbyist in the property and casualty insurance sector, representing the likes of ACE American Insurance Company, part of the global insurance giant Chubb. Shorenstein successfully lobbied Gov. Kathy Hochul on the Grieving Families Act, which she vetoed, and on auto insurance reform legislation, a signature victory for Hochul this year. Shorenstein works on matters before the state Department of Financial Services and coordinates between Hochul’s office, lawmakers and regulators for his clients. He co-founded his firm’s New York practice.
Tompkins, Jason
Jason Tompkins has made growth the hallmark of his leadership of Aetna’s Northeast region, and it is paying off for the major health insurer. Tompkins, who oversees a commercial business serving 3.2 million members in the region, has expanded the company’s presence in the commercial, public sector and labor segments, while developing and implementing tailored insurance solutions for complex workforces. He has led the company into new markets and has focused on improving care for mental health. Tompkins serves on the board of NAMI-NYC, where he focuses on mental health advocacy and community-based solutions.
Vasisht, Gaurav
Gaurav Vasisht is not just an insurance leader but a climate leader too. At the New York State Insurance Fund, which provides workers’ compensation, disability and paid family leave to New York employers, he launched an innovative program to create monetary incentives for hospitals and healthcare organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He has provided small businesses with an extreme heat personal protective equipment credit. Vasisht also has launched financial literacy education initiatives and expedited benefits to injured workers.
Wang, Pat
Pat Wang is a nationally recognized leader in health policy. She leads Healthfirst, an insurance company that has been designated as a five-star Medicaid plan and has consistently earned a five-star rating from the state Department of Health. Wang was a commissioner on the federal Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, which advises Congress on Medicare payment policy, and has served on state health panels. She is the board chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a trustee of America’s Health Insurance Plans, a health insurance industry association.
Wattie, Travis
At Big I New York, Travis Wattie is advocating for independent insurance agents and brokers. Over the past 18 months in New York, Wattie has been focused on combating insurance fraud and lawsuit abuse by championing the insurance reforms that have dominated the state legislative agenda. He is now working to mobilize insurance agents in support of Rep. Nick Langworthy’s bill to federally preempt the state’s Scaffold Law. He has also pushed legislation to modernize insurance agent advertising and has supported his trade association’s Independent Agent Political Action Committee in New York.
Weprin, David
Improving insurance coverage for consumers is at the core of David Weprin’s agenda as Assembly Insurance Committee chair. His committee has advanced legislation that expands coverage for a range of services, including diabetes and prediabetes screening, outpatient problem gambling care, pharmacist contraceptive coverage, stuttering therapy and image-guided biopsies for breast cancer as well as adding protections for recently widowed people. The veteran Queens politician previously chaired the Assembly Correction Committee and was chair of the New York City Council Finance Committee.
Wright, Daniel
Daniel Wright works with small group clients across the New York City region to develop employee benefit programs. The longtime insurance industry executive is active in the New York state chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Providers, where he is the immediate past president, communications committee chair and the co-chair of the association’s legislative committee. Within NABIP, Wright has advocated for market-based healthcare solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
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