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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.
In addition to providing risk management services to clients, Cam is Manager of Woodruff Sawyer’s Construction Practice. In this role, Cam oversees our client service group and coordinates business development activities.
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.
As a Senior Claims Consultant with Woodruff Sawyer, David is responsible for the effective management of claims for clients in the areas of directors and officers liability, employment practices liability, cyber/errors and omissions liability, fiduciary liability, crime, and kidnap and ransom. David has over 27 years of experience and specializes in analyzing complex claims, developing claim action plans, and negotiating with insurers. He advocates effectively for clients in coverage disputes and serves as a conduit between clients, their legal counsel, and insurers.
Leading Woodruff Sawyers 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. She has worked with both strategic and private equity buyers and sellers over a wide range of transaction sizes and industries, and is a frequent speaker and author on M&A transaction solutions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There is no question that cyber attacks have increased in frequency and severity over the last 10 years, and executives frequently cite cyber risk among their top concerns in corporate governance surveys.… More
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 addition to developing creative solutions to complex coverage issues, Scott is known for his ability to distill highly technical information into easily understandable terms for clients.
Sid is an SHRM certified professional with experience of working in the Indian and US markets as an HR and Employee Benefits professional. Having worked closely with employees of diverse cultures, she brings a broad and enriched perspective to client solutions. As an Account Representative, she collaborates with the international team on global mobility pieces and a variety of service areas.
Stephen has over 16 years of insurance industry experience and 22 years of injury prevention experience. As Casualty Loss Specialist, he provides analysis and strategies to address a wide variety of workers’ compensation and property & casualty issues.
As associate producer, Tyson focuses on Mergers & Acquisitions risk.
Vysali Soundararajan serves as Corporate Counsel at Woodruff Sawyer. She is a specialist in claims management and advocacy for management liability policies, including Directors & Officers, Employment Practices, Cyber, and Errors & Omissions insurance policies. She advocates on behalf of clients with carriers on all aspects of insurance recovery. She is the author of numerous articles on topics in management liability. Vysali is also an experienced presenter and adjunct faculty on negotiation (RISE Austin) and intellectual property (UT Austin).
Vysali was awarded her Masters in Law from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law; her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois, College of Law; and her Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University. Vysali is a member of both the Texas and California Bar.
Wade specializes in property & casualty and management liability exposures for companies in all stages of growth and risk complexities. Wade’s expertise across the spectrum of business risks enables him to take a holistic approach with clients. He manages client relationships and works directly with insurance markets to negotiate and place programs.
A corporate transactional and securities attorney by training, Yelena advises clients on M&A- and IPO-related insurance solutions. She spearheads data and trend analysis and other initiatives at Woodruff Sawyer. She is a frequent author of articles covering various aspects of corporate transactions.
Zac is responsible for many of Woodruff Sawyer's operational functions in support of its growing national footprint, resources, and industry sectors. A longstanding instructor and author on the topics of insurance claims and risk management, Zac has co-authored insurance education textbooks and has been published in leading industry journals such as Risk Management Magazine, CPCU Journal, and Risk Management Quarterly.
INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
Hot Take: The Grundfest Solution and Arguments before the Delaware Supreme Court
Priya Huskins is on the scene at the Delaware Supreme Court hearing the case argued against the 2018 Sciabacucchi v. Salzberg decision. These are her insights.
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Cyber Liability
INSIGHTS
Buying Cyber Insurance: It May Be Required, But Is It Worth It?
In order to be prepared for cyber attacks, learn more about the contractual obligations, improvements in coverage, and claims payouts for cyber insurance.
Contributor, Cyber Liability
INSIGHTS
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
INSIGHTS
Insurance Coverage for SPACs in 2020: A Guide to Getting it Right
In this Guide to Insurance for SPACs, we discuss the hurdles special purpose acquisition companies face as they progress from their IPO stage to their business combination stage.
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
The Brave New World of Insuring Cryptocurrency in 2020
This cryptocurrency insight discusses the unique characteristics of this technology, coverage costs, and what you can expect of the market going forward.
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
Make 2020 Your Employees’ Year of Financial Clarity
Financial clarity comes from understanding what financial wellness is and what it means for each person. This benefits insight discusses how both employers and employees define wellness, as well as what you can do for 2020.
Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
INSIGHTS
Hot Take: The Grundfest Solution and Arguments before the Delaware Supreme Court
Priya Huskins is on the scene at the Delaware Supreme Court hearing the case argued against the 2018 Sciabacucchi v. Salzberg decision. These are her insights.
Editor, Management Liability/D&O
INSIGHTS
Contributor, International Benefits
INSIGHTS
International Benefits Update ‒ Q4 2019
2019 saw many notable international benefits events. This international benefits update for Q4 discusses these changes.
Contributor, International Benefits
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Property & Casualty
INSIGHTS
To Guard, or Not to Guard, That May Not Be the Only Question
OSHA mandates employers ensure machinery in their plants is properly guarded. This Property and Casualty Insight discusses the standards and how you can meet requirements and manage your risk.
Contributor, Property & Casualty
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Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
Five Key Benefit Areas to Watch for 2020
As we approach 2020, we find that we are headed into another year of vast changes on the employee benefit landscape. Based on our interactions with employers, carriers, and ever-changing regulatory standards, we have put together the five key benefit areas to watch in the coming year.
Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
Looking Ahead: Property and Casualty Insurance Trends for 2020
Throughout this comprehensive and third annual guide, our team of P&C experts describe what various industries can expect as they look to 2020 and the insurance solutions that can lessen the blow of a difficult market.
INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
Public Safety Power Shutoffs in California: Risk Management Tips and Resources
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), are intended to prevent wildfires caused by power lines during windy dry weather, particularly during the Santa Ana fire season (October–March), although the summer fire season (June–September) also has this potential. To help you stay informed about this, here are key takeaways on this new risk mitigation effort.
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Management Liability/D&O
INSIGHTS
Foreign Subsidiaries and D&O Insurance: Are You Prepared to Place?
Claims in non-US jurisdictions against directors and officers of subsidiaries of US corporations generally involve regulatory or tax issues and multinationals can face actions in several countries. In this guest post, Jane Njavro briefs us on key issues concerning placing insurance for foreign subsidiaries of US companies and how company leaders are becoming more aware of their personal liability.
Contributor, Management Liability/D&O
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Mergers & Acquisitions
INSIGHTS
Are SPACs Missing Out on M&A Reps and Warranties Insurance?
In the IPO market over the last couple of years, there has been a sharp rise of SPAC IPOs and the record-breaking amount of funds that they have raised. Raising money is one thing, but spending it is a whole different ballgame.
Contributor, Mergers & Acquisitions
INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
Transaction Insurances on International Deals
Do You Need Transaction Insurance on International Deals? This article, which appeared in USLAW Magazine, serves as an overview of current and emerging trends in the transaction insurance market.
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Employee Benefits
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.
Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
Editor, Cyber Liability
INSIGHTS
Cyber Insurance 101: What Does Cyber Insurance Cover?
Every company has cyber risk, but how do you manage it and protect your business? Let’s take a step back on Cyber Liability insurance. It's one of the hottest topics for today’s companies, but what does it actually cover? We've updated Cyber Insurance 101: The Basics of Cyber Coverage—one of the most visited insights—because we want you to feel confident in your understanding of Cyber.
Editor, Cyber Liability
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Employee Benefits
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.
Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
High Prescription Costs: Is a Cure On its Way?
This insight discuses the current state of prescription drug costs, and addresses possible solutions, from legislation to prescription benefit managers.
Contributor, Employee Benefits
INSIGHTS
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.
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Claims
INSIGHTS
Claim Facts: Will Insurance Cover My Company’s Repairs and Refurbishments?
In this Insight, claims expert Emanuel Enes answers some questions about what repairs and refurbishments will be covered by your insurance company.
Contributor, Claims
INSIGHTS
Contributor, Private Client
INSIGHTS
Handheld Devices: What Arizona’s New Driving Law Means for Drivers and Their Insurance
On April 22, 2019, Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, signed a distracted driving law, which bans using handheld devices while driving. The state now joins 17 other states in banning handheld phone use behind the wheel.
Contributor, Private Client
INSIGHTS
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, Mergers & Acquisitions
INSIGHTS
Can You Insure Against Buying the Next Enron?
This article first appeared in Bloomberg Law on November 23, 2018
When purchasing a private company, the buyer might think that it is not in need of a representations and warranties insurance (“RWI”) policy if it has directors and officers (“D&O”) insurance.… More
Editor, Mergers & Acquisitions
INSIGHTS
Editor, Mergers & Acquisitions
INSIGHTS
Reps And Warranties Coverage In The Life Sciences Sector
The Life Sciences M&A market shows no sign of slowing down. The 2018 total value of life sciences M&A should once again surpass $200 billion. The lull in biopharma deal-making last year and the passage of US tax reform increase both desire and need for growth by acquisition, via M&A.
Editor, Mergers & Acquisitions
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