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In early January, we expanded our Women Executive Engagement series to the Pacific Northwest, an […]
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Amy is a workers’ compensation claims expert who specializes in experience rating modifications and consulting services, including claim auditing, third party administrator (TPA) management and selection, accelerated claim closure projects, and claim management workflow assessments.
CEO Andy Barrengos has been a part of the Woodruff Sawyer team since 1996, and has served as CEO since 2016. Andy leads our firm with a focus on developing our people, delivering outstanding services, tools, and solutions for our clients, and growing the firm in new and existing sectors across our national platform.
With 20 years at Woodruff Sawyer and four years working in human resources, Anne specializes in working with post start-up, emerging growth high-technology, and biotechnology companies.
Andrea is responsible for retaining clients, leading client teams, setting strategies, and overseeing key deliverables due to our clients.
With over 17 years in the insurance industry, Brandi specializes in consulting solutions in employee benefits for companies with large complex risk.
Carolyn oversees our firm’s property & casualty and management liability services on an enterprise-wide basis, working to ensure consistent client service and strategy under a unified national structure.
Chad leads the Healthcare Practice at Woodruff Sawyer. His expertise in the healthcare and medical industry includes regulatory risk, data privacy and cyber risks, alternative risk finance structures (captives, RRGs, SIRs and trusts) and risk solutions for ACOs and all forms of coordinate care structures. Chad is a Risk and Insurance Magazine “Power Broker” award recipient, and authors blog features on timely healthcare topics.
Dan leads the Private Equity and Venture Capital group and is an expert in D&O/management liability risks. He works closely with his clients to provide guidance on risk mitigation and risk management solutions, including insurance. Dan also negotiates directly with insurance carriers to customize insurance programs that meet the risk transfer needs of his clients. Prior to joining Woodruff Sawyer, Dan was a sergeant with the United States Marine Corps.
As National Cyber Practice Leader, Dan drives the strategy to grow our cyber business, such as developing tools to help clients and prospects understand and quantify their cyber exposures, as well as thought leadership. He frequently speaks at industry conferences and has been quoted in various trade magazines and newsletters, including The Wall Street Journal.
Dan brings a uniquely analytical and sophisticated approach to employee benefits and risk management. With over 16 years of consulting experience, Dan has worked with a large cross-section of employers including those in healthcare, not-for-profits, hi-tech, service, and hospitality. In 2010, Dan was honored with the Excellence in Partnership with HR award from the Silicon Valley HR Symposium. His areas of specialization include managing large, multi-state clients as well as outsourced benefit administration.
Darren leads our Claims Audit and Consulting Group, offering expertise in the areas of occupational and non-occupational disabilities, leaves of absence, and workers’ compensation. In addition to his work in saving clients time and money on complex litigated claims and by auditing claim programs, he helps clients implement Integrated Disability Management (IDM) programs and come to understand the true cost of absence.
Debbie specializes in technical & reserve claim audits, large claim loss evaluation, training, developing claim handling procedures, disability management and return-to-work programs.
A veteran of the insurance industry for over 25 years, Emanuel is responsible for providing high level property and cargo claim advocacy and consulting services globally. He assists in the implementation of insurance solutions to meet client needs and supports client-facing professionals within the sales team.
Leading Woodruff Sawyer's M&A practice, Emily provides consultation to clients seeking to minimize their risks associated with merger and acquisition activity. This includes Representations and Warranties, Tax Opinion Liability, and Litigation Buy-Out coverages.
As director of financial institutions for our Management Liability practice, which focuses on D&O/management liability risks, Jacob works directly with clients and also at the Practice level on relationship management and new business development.
As a Senior Claims Consultant in Property and Casualty, Joshua's primary focus is to help clients facilitate the various levels of Claims Management so their results exceed Industry measures and they obtain the most favorable outcome on each individual claim.
Jane specializes in advising clients on the challenges that directors and officers face internationally. Jane places bespoke D&O insurance policies for many high-profile, high-risk, and large market-cap companies domiciled in the US and internationally. She also focuses on providing executive liability solutions directly to non-US companies listed on US exchanges. Jane holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
As Senior Benefits Compliance Officer and Lead ERISA counsel, Jen manages the Benefits Compliance team and drives the strategy and development of our benefits compliance policies, processes, and training.
Jeff brings over 25 years of employee benefits experience to clients, spanning both the consulting and insurance carrier sides of the business. As Partner in Charge, he works with clients as a key strategist around all aspects of your employee benefits program. He also ensures that the team has the resources necessary to deliver the agreed upon objectives. Jeff started his career at Aetna where he won the Field Award for Management Excellence (FAME) both years before venturing out to start a benefits-only firm. Jeff is active in the carrier market and sits on numerous advisory councils and product development committees for all of the major insurance carriers.
Jen leverages 15 years of industry experience to help clients find the right combination of benefits solutions for their employees. As a trusted adviser to start-ups and Fortune 100 companies, she prides herself on listening to the struggles many clients face, learning about their business, and guiding them to a cohesive solution.
Jim brings more than 20 years of experience to the private client practice. He is passionately committed to tailoring complex insurance programs for highly successful individuals and commercial businesses.
Judith is a seasoned insurance and risk management expert who leads the Family Office & Trustee Liability Resource Group at Woodruff Sawyer.
Kathy focuses on the strategic vision for our Benefits services and works collaboratively across the organization to lead the Benefits leadership team.
Kevin focuses on providing customized risk management solutions and information to businesses, and works to build and maintain market relationships toward that end. He's passionate about advocating for clients and representing their needs, from strategic planning to ongoing insurance program management.
Kevin co-leads our Private Client Practice to develop growth strategies and solutions to meet the needs of clients. With over 15 years of experience insuring the complex lifestyles, liability, and personal property assets of successful executives, business owners, and families of wealth, Kevin has a proven track record of innovation, production, and strategic leadership in the private client area.
Kristina helps lead Woodruff Sawyer’s Retirement Plan Practice, with more than 20 years of experience in the corporate pension and the investment industry. She has been recognized as one of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) Top Female Retirement Advisors and San Francisco Magazine's Five Star Wealth Managers.
Lauri is a widely respected expert and frequent speaker on the issues of directors & officers liability and cyber liability. She has developed her expertise surrounding complex privacy breach claims and innovative Cyber Liability solutions, and has extensive experience placing D&O programs for public companies of all sizes, including NASDAQ 100 and Fortune 500 companies.
As Lead Consultant, Leslie works with clients as a key strategist around all aspects of their employee benefits programs.
As a Vice President, Luke is skilled in working alongside private equity firms, family offices, alternative asset managers, and their portfolio companies as they seek to invest in or acquire platform and add-on transactions in the lower, core, and upper middle-market. Luke has experience in transactions across industry sectors, including healthcare and life sciences, technology and business services, consumer brands and retail, and niche manufacturing.
Priya is a recognized expert and frequent speaker on D&O liability risk and its mitigation. In addition to consulting on D&O insurance, she counsels clients on corporate governance matters, including ways to reduce their exposure to shareholder lawsuits and regulatory investigations. Priya serves on the board of an S&P 500 public company and a large private company and has an impressive list of publications, speaking engagements, and awards for her influence and expertise in the industry.
In her current role at Woodruff Sawyer, Rachel is responsible for developing new client relationships and presenting risk management solutions to decision makers.
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INSIGHTS
Commercial Insurance Q1-2021 Market Update: Some Good News and Some Bad News
Read our market update for the latest on commercial lines rates and trends, broken down by key segment.
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INSIGHTS
Hurricane Preparedness: What You Need to Know
Hurricane season starts in June and peaks in August, and there are things you can do to prepare for the next storm. We’ve provided some suggestions for preparing for and responding to hurricane risk, including resources.
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INSIGHTS
Make Your Employees the Hero of Their Parenthood Journey
Learn how one Woodruff Sawyer client supports their global workforce in their path to becoming parents by adding an innovative offering to their suite of benefits.
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INSIGHTS
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay: Helping Employees on Their Mental Health Journey
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss the prevalence of anxiety and mental health issues, and the resources employers have at their disposal—including our Mental Health Wellness Toolkit—to help employees deal with ongoing stressors.
INSIGHTS
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
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More Good News on Section 11 Cases for Newly Public Companies
More good news on the Section 11 front for new public companies: In Volonte v. Domo, Inc. a state court in Utah granted a motion to dismiss a Section 11 lawsuit due to the company’s federal forum provisions.
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
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Editor, Cyber Liability
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Ransomware-as-a-Service: Fueling the Latest Large-Scale Attack
On May 7, 2021, Colonial Pipeline Company, the largest US fuel pipeline, turned off the taps after an attack by ransomware group DarkSide. Let’s go over two things to understand about this event, and next steps for a company's cyber security.
Editor, Cyber Liability
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INSIGHTS
The Wild, Wild West of COVID-19: CA Ex-Mods and Workers’ Comp Premiums
Workers’ comp claim costs, experience modifications (Ex-Mods), and premiums have all surged under the pandemic. As we move forward, the chaotic insurance situation continues to evolve. Read more for an in-depth summary of the rise in claims and costs, based on information presented by the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) at the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) annual conference.
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INSIGHTS
The Future of ESOP Formation Under the Biden Tax Plan
The announcement of the proposed Biden tax plan has created concern about the prospective increase in capital gains tax and the impact on ESOP formation.
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Insurance Due Diligence for Middle Market and De-SPAC Transactions
Learn how we help our private equity, growth equity, and SPAC clients with hundreds of transactions per year—and, more importantly, why.
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INSIGHTS
Workers’ Comp for Remote Employees: Here’s What You Need to Know
Learn more about Workers' Compensation (WC) for the remote worker and how to help your staff work more safely at home.
INSIGHTS
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
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Duty of Oversight Claims: Hard to Prove but Boards Need to Be Proactive
Read more about how board oversight claims, aka Caremark claims, have taken a concerning turn for directors
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
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Editor, Mergers & Acquisitions
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Predictions for M&A Deal Flow in 2021
Read more for insight into what M&A deal flow will look like in 2021
Editor, Mergers & Acquisitions
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INSIGHTS
COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Claims Surge in California
Learn more about what exactly happened in 2020 and who is being impacted by COVID-19 Workers' Comp claims.
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INSIGHTS
Looking Ahead Part 2: The Pace of Change Accelerates in 2021
Learn how rapid change is a key theme in employee benefits this year with three specific strategies.
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Editor, Cyber Liability
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Cyber Security Controls: Now Critical for Your Cyber Insurance Renewal
Implement a cyber security control, or you might not be able to get cyber insurance at all.
Editor, Cyber Liability
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INSIGHTS
Managed Care Organization (MCO) Insurance Trends: E&O and D&O Markets Continue to Deteriorate
Read this Managed Care Organization (MCO) market update to learn more about why all plans are facing double-digit rate increases.
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INSIGHTS
Commercial Lines Insurance Market Update: Continued Uncertainty and Deterioration
Get up to speed on what’s happening in the world of risk and insurance so you can make better decisions.
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INSIGHTS
Looking Ahead, Part 1: The Silver Lining for Employee Benefits in 2021
Read the blog series or listen to our podcast to learn how businesses changed strategies and met the great challenge the pandemic set, and how those strategies can serve you in 2021 and beyond.
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INSIGHTS
Learning from Tragedy: What Tony Hsieh’s Death Teaches Us about Estate Planning for Entrepreneurs
Many entrepreneurs neglect to plan for their financial future after the Initial Public Offering (IPO), and they may end up passing without a will, which puts their company and assets at risk.
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INSIGHTS
Managing Employee Financial Wellness Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic has affected employees' lives on many levels, including their financial wellness. Are they living on the edge of financial ruin or have they made changes to lessen the potential impact? We found that employees are rapidly reconfiguring their lives to cope with new financial realities, and employers are in a unique position to help them.
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INSIGHTS
CA Governor Newsom Signed SB 1159: Employer Reporting Requirements for Employees with COVID-19 FAQ
On September 17th, Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1159, establishing three rebuttable presumption labor codes for employees contracting COVID-19 and puts substantial reporting requirement burdens on employers and claim administrators.
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INSIGHTS
The D&O Market has Collapsed for US Foreign Filers
The D&O Market for foreign IPO companies looking to list on US exchange has largely collapsed. Our foreign filers expert, Jane Njavro, offers insight and practical suggestions for how to handle foreign filer D&O insurance renewals in the current landscape.
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INSIGHTS
Traveling in the COVID-19 Era: What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance
Read more about the common risks that can be mitigated by purchasing specialty travel related insurance, as well as what is and is not covered.
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Transaction Structures and Insurance, Part 3: Mergers, Rollups, and Carve-Outs
The underlying structure of a middle-market private equity or growth equity transaction has specific implications on the correct method of implementing and managing the risk management and insurance profile. In Part 3 of this three-part series, we review Mergers, Carve-Outs, and Rollup transaction structures.
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INSIGHTS
Cloud Computing Risk and Cyber Liability Insurance
This edition of the Cyber Notebook addresses the common question we receive in the area of cyber liability insurance: How does the cloud impact cyber risk?
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INSIGHTS
How to Approach Property Insurance Claims Related to COVID-19, Protests, and Other Perils
When a business is impacted by an unexpected event like COVID-19, fire, protest, theft, vandalism, or another peril, people are concerned about how their insurance policies will respond.
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INSIGHTS
An Employer’s Return to Work Toolkit: The “New Normal” After COVID-19
The impact of COVID-19 on workplaces has been far-reaching. Employers need to prepare for the "new normal" once such orders are lifted and the country begins to reopen. We at Woodruff Sawyer have put together this toolkit that will help employers build their own action plan for employees to return to work.
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INSIGHTS
High-Net-Worth Individuals: Assess Your Insurance Now
What would happen if, on top of investment losses, as a high-net-worth individual, you faced a property or liability claim that wasn't covered by your insurance?
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INSIGHTS
Employee Benefits Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus
In the rising complexity of the coronavirus pandemic, employers have a lot of responsibilities in the realm of employee benefits. Read this FAQ to answer your questions about testing, treatment, absences, and coverage.
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INSIGHTS
Increasing Health Savings Account Participation in 2020
Heath savings accounts (HSAs) are proving to be a way for many employers and employees to better control health care costs. Learn how to drive greater participation so it's a win-win for employers and employees alike.
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INSIGHTS
California Consumer Privacy Act and Asset Managers: What You Need to Know
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) secures new personal information privacy rights for California consumers and regulates the data collection practices of certain businesses, including asset managers.
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INSIGHTS
CBD and D&O Insurance Challenges
Read more to learn about the D&O liability issues in the world of CBD and how this affects D&O Insurance.
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INSIGHTS
Mental Health for the Holidays: Supporting Your Employees
This Benefits insight discusses the tools and techniques that can help you and your employees get through the holidays with mental health intact.
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INSIGHTS
Enhance Your Corporate Culture with Employee Benefits
Company culture has been studied to better understand how a company can consciously create a workplace where employees will thrive. This Insight discusses the powerful role that employee benefits can play in attracting and retaining talent.
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INSIGHTS
Genetic Testing: Should it Be Part of Your Employee Benefit Plan?
Explore the benefits and impact of genetic testing on employers and employees, including information on how to manage costs through data utilization, as well as a discussion about possible problems, including false positives and discrimination.
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INSIGHTS
A New Growth Capital Alternative for Tech Startups
Here we explore the traditional methods available to startups for obtaining growth capital including their pros and cons and delve into a new solution for some of the challenges associated with the traditional equity and debt strategies.
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INSIGHTS
Measles in the Workplace: An Employer’s Guide on Outbreak & Claims
The measles is now considered by the World Health Organization to be a leading global threat. As an employer, it's important to know how this epidemic can affect your business if one of your employees is infected.
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INSIGHTS
Executive Engagement: An Interview with Michele Smith, CFO of Woodland Park Zoo
In early January, we expanded our Women Executive Engagement series to the Pacific Northwest, an evening focusing on female CFOs in Seattle. Another truly inspiring filled with women executives from all sectors: technology, architecture… even the zoo.
INSIGHTS
Editor, Claims
INSIGHTS
What’s Next? Workers’ Comp Regulatory Changes to Expect in 2017
Another year and another set of changes in the ever-changing world of workers' compensation. The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) has recently released new regulatory guidelines to be aware of. The changes you can expect are summarized in this post.
Editor, Claims